South Side Cyclones

SOUTH SIDE

Cyclones ready for new challenge

By JAMIE DEJONG

The South Side boys’ lacrosse team will have a new challenge this year, as the team will have to adjust to a completely new landscape. The Cyclones will play in Nassau Class C, which is a new but interesting challenge. “This is our fi rst year in the Cs ever, so that is going to be a new challenge as it’s a very deep and talented conference,” coach Steve DiPietro said. While the team did graduate its entire starting attack from last spring, there is plenty of returning talent it will carry into its new situation.

Brady West, a University of Loyola-Maryland commit, will be a primary goal scorer on top of everything else. According to DiPietro: “He is big, fast and will be on every opponent’s scouting report.” West had 19 goals and 8 assists last year on the way to earning All-County honors. Senior Luke Schwartzberg, a Muhlenberg commit, will retain his spot as the starting long pole midfi elder and was honorable mention All-County. Senior Patrick Erickson will be one of the Cyclones’ premier defenders, and he had 19 ground balls and 8 caused turnovers last spring, there is plenty of returning season. Junior goaltender Tommy talent it will carry into its new situation. Gentile was an All-Conference selection last season, and he even had a goal against Garden City in the Class B semifi nals. The Cyclones will be challenged early and often with a strenuous schedule, but will look to continue to make noise in the playoffs. Other key returnees include Andrew Meindl, Billy Mohr and Danny Capitelli. “We’ve been in the semifi nals 6 or 7 years in a row now. We’ve been knocking on the door so we’ve been one of the top teams year in and year out,” DiPietro said. “We’re going to get challenged with both our non-league schedule and our league schedule. We just hope that we’re playing our best lacrosse in May.”

Luke Schwartzberg

season. Junior goaltender Tommy

Gentile was an All-Conference selection last season, and he even had a goal against Garden City in the Class B semifi nals. The Cyclones will be challenged early and often with a strenuous schedule, but will look to continue to make noise in the playoffs. Other key returnees include Andrew Meindl, Billy Mohr and Danny Capitelli. “We’ve been in the semifi nals 6 or 7 years in a row now. We’ve been knocking on the door so we’ve been one of the top teams year in and year out,” DiPietro said. “We’re going to get challenged with both our non-league schedule and our league schedule. We just hope that we’re playing our best lacrosse in May.”

South Side off fi nals appearance fi nals appearance

The South Side girls’ team has unfi nished business remaining from last year’s campaign. The Cyclones reached the Nassau Class B title game last season, and there’s a lot of positive tenets that should carry over. “Last year we went to the county fi nal which was a big step for us as it was the fi rst time we ever got there,” coach Rob Devlin said. “I think the girls learned a lot from being there and with the returning people we have hopefully that experience carries over.” The team has a plethora of talent returning, with many of the girls already committed to play in college. Much of teams’ returning talent and committed personnel resides in the midfi eld, which is an overwhelming strength. Seniors Emily Iacobellis, Maggie Long, and Mia Delmond will lead what should be a stacked midfi eld group. Iacobellis is committed to Cornell, Long is committed to the University of Pittsburgh, and Delmond is committed to Quinnipiac. Defensively, the team should also be stout. Ciara Giannone is committed to play at Albany and should be a star in the back half. Senior Morgan Harloff is also “very impressive defensively” according to coach Devlin. Senior Emma Madden should also be important. The last line of defense, senior goaltender Mackenzie Creagh, is impressive in her own right, represented by her commitment to Holy Cross. The attacking front is inexperienced and young but could be a nice surprise. Sophomore attackers Caitlin Haggerty and Avery Testa didn’t get a lot of playing time last season but according to Devlin “should get more this year and should be impressive.” Considering the immense success of the last year’s squad, and the amount of talent returning, the main goal for this year is clearly defi ned. As Devlin stated, “Our focus is to get back to that county fi nal game and try to get over that hump.”

has unfi nished business remaining from last year’s campaign. The Cyclones reached the Nassau Class B title game last season, and there’s a lot of positive tenets that should carry over. “Last year we went to the county fi nal which was a big step for us as it was the fi rst time we ever got there,” coach Rob Devlin said. “I think the girls learned a lot from being there and with the returning people we have hopefully that experience carries over.” The team has a plethora of talent returning, with many of the girls already committed to play in college. Much of teams’ returning talent and committed personnel Mackenzie Creagh resides in the midfi eld, which is an overwhelming strength. Seniors Emily Iacobellis, Maggie Long, and Mia Delmond will lead what should be a stacked midfi eld group. Iacobellis is committed to Cornell, Long is committed to the University of Pittsburgh, and Delmond is committed to Quinnipiac. game and try to get over that

Conference Schedules BOYS April

6 Wantagh 6:00 p.m. 9 @ Plainedge 10:00 a.m. 12 Floral Park 5:00 p.m. 26 Manhasset 6:00 p.m. 29 Island Trees 5:30 p.m.

May

4 Bethpage 6:00 p.m. 7 @ Malv/East Rock. 10:00 a.m. 10 @ Seaford 4:30 p.m. 12 @ C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 18 @ Lynbrook 4:45 p.m.

GIRLS March

28 Syosset 5:00 p.m. 31 @ Massapequa 5:00 p.m.

April

4 Garden City 5:00 p.m. 9 @ Long Beach 11:00 a.m. 13 C.S. Harbor 6:30 p.m. 25 @ Manhasset 4:45 p.m. 28 @ Wantagh 4:30 p.m.

May

3 Plainedge 4:30 p.m. 5 @ North Shore 5:00 p.m.