South Side falls in state Class A final
South Side's Victoria Reis, center, is consolled by a teammate after the Cyclones were defeated by Somers, 3-1, in the NYSPHSAA girls soccer state final championship game in Cortland on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2014. Credit: Heather Ainsworth
Two things the South Side girls soccer team is not used to: tears and silver medals. With 17 state championships, the Cyclones are accustomed to their season ending with smiles and gold.
But they were denied Sunday, falling to Somers, 3-1, in the state Class A championship game at SUNY Cortland.
"We made some mistakes that we normally wouldn't make," said Tessa Considine, one of four senior captains. "But right after the loss, the first thing I said to everyone was to be proud of what we accomplished."
Somers -- featuring a combination of size and speed -- packed the middle of the field, stuffed the box and made quick clears to limit the potent Cyclones offense.
"They saw how we built up through the middle," Victoria Reis said. "So they kept it really tight and didn't allow pressure. They just booted it out."
Hannon Eberts broke free up the middle and fired a shot that deflected in 4:33 into the game to give Somers a 1-0 lead. Melina Couzis scored on a header to make it 2-0 early in the second half.
Gabrielle Lucas scored on a strike from 20 yards to pull South Side within 2-1 with 13:56 remaining. But Somers' Melissa Righetti answered with a goal six minutes later to seal the win.
"This will be motivation for the younger girls to come back next year and get back on top," Stephanie Leonardo said.
For a program so rich in success, it's easy for outsiders to consider a season without a state title a disappointment. But it wasn't in the eyes of those who wear the jersey.
"We set a lot of small goals and we were able to accomplish almost every single one of them," Keri Cavallo said. "These memories will last a lifetime."
