No. 15 Ranked South Side Cyclones Team Preview

Now down to 15 in the top 25 LILJ preseason rankings it’s the Cyclones of South Side coming in at number 15. In Nassau Class C this team is a consistent contender as one of the final four teams remaining, and last year they went 9-7 overall with a narrow defeat in the semifinals against Wantagh. They are coached by Rob Devlin who is in his eighth season with the team and this year they have many familiar faces that return that are both upper and underclassmen giving them plenty of continuity heading into the spring. During the winter the Cyclones took part in the LILJ High School Winter League in preparation for what looks to be another competitive season with an opportunity for a long playoff run.

Offensively the Cyclones return a talented cast of starting attackers and midfielders to an offense that averaged over 11 goals per game last year which was good for top 10 in Nassau County. Headlining their midfield is senior UNC commit Charlotte Rathjen who is their leading scorer among their returning players after a 47 goal, 12 assist junior year for 59 points. As a true two-way midfielder Rathjen will serve a go-to primary offensive weapon as well as have a major impact on defense and on the draw circle. Along with Rathjen at midfield is Sienna Connolly the senior going to Northwestern, a natural defender but excels at midfield for this team. Last year Connolly account for 35 points with 30 goals and 5 assists. Their midfield also sees the return of junior Ava Curtis (Sacred Heart). At attack their senior Annie Chimienti (Canisius) comes off an 18 goal, 12 assist junior year for 30 points, and in the winter league she was a feeding machine, dishing out 16 assists and scoring 7 goals for 23 points in six games. In the sophomore class at attack includes Skye Korten and Bobbie Creo who each saw time freshman year and recored 10 points each. Look for the two sophomores to help makeup for the absence of 2024 graduates Caitlin Haggerty and Annie Madden. On defense South Side’s returning defenders include junior defenders Lexi Giannone (Merrimack) and Charlotte Testerman as well as sophomore defenders Reese Long, and Natalie Cammalleri with junior goalie Tara Cody back as the starter after tallying 137 saves last year which was tied for seventh in all of Nassau County. Coach Devlin shared what excites him going into the season. “The returning players are excited for the challenge of surpassing last year’s semifinal. With a wide range of experience, I am excited to watch the team gel together to reach this attainable goal.” The Cyclone’s season opener will be on March 29th in a non-league matchup against Yorktown, followed by their first league game in the power conference on March 31st against Seaford.