No. 10 Ranked South Side Cyclones Team Preview

With just 10 teams to go in the LILJ top 25 preseason rankings, it’s the South Side Cyclones coming in at number 10. In 2024 they completed the dream season, going 21-1 and winning their first state championship in exactly 20 years, doing so in dramatic fashion with an epic 12-11 overtime win against Victor. This year the Cyclones move from Class B to Class C and will have a much different looking team after having a number of graduates in the 2024 class. Coached by Steve DiPietro who is now in his 18th year as head coach and 28th overall with the program, he shared his excitement about seeing who steps into leadership roles this year and now competing in Class C. “I’m excited to see what leaders step up with the graduation of our biggest group ever. We are in the C’s this year so we will see some new teams and new challenges. Lots of competition for spots.”

The offense for South Side graduated three of their top four leaders in points from a season ago in Michael Aiello, Cole DiPietro, and Liam Livingston who accounted for a whopping 189 points. They do see the return of All-County senior Cullen Lynch (Iona) at midfield who filled up the scoring column last year with 53 goals along with 12 assists for 65 points. With a number players that will be seeking to earn playing time this year, some of their underclassmen on the offensive end to look out for this season will be sophomores Luke Mullen and Cole Perna at attack, sophomores JJ Hawthorne and Reagan Petrone at midfield, and freshman attack/middie Kieran Vetter. The face-off X was held down by 2024 graduate Michael Melkonian, will now potentially see sophomore Alec Notaro step into that role as their number one face-off specialist.

Defensively South Side returns senior Brayden Gamberg (Wagner) the defenseman/LSM and they will look for others to compete for playing time throughout the season. In sophomore class defenseman Ryan Madden is a name to look out for this season as well as sophomore goalie Jack DiSarlo.

With the season approaching Coach DiPietro shared what some of the keys to success in 2025 will be.

“Gain experience through the Power League and competitive non-league games and be ready for another deep playoff run hopefully. Players growing into new roles and gaining confidence as we go through the season to where we are playing our best lacrosse in May.”

The season opener will take place on March 25th in a non-league contest against Gill Saint Bernards, and their first matchup in the power conference is March 27th against Massapequa of Class A.