SSHS Boys Soccer Beats Wantagh in Final Minute, 1-0

Tuesday’s rematch of last year’s Nassau County Class A boys soccer  between Wantagh and South Side appeared to be headed toward a scoreless draw.

With the Warriors (1-2 Conference A-IV) rushing the net with less than a minute to go, South Side's defense clamped down and created a transition opportunity at the other end. Wantagh defenders scrambled to get back in position, but Mark Romanowski fed Kevin Cook for what proved to be the game-winning goal with just 38 seconds remaining.

“It’s one of the worst ways to lose a game,” said Wantagh boys soccer head coach Tom Liguori moments after the Warriors dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker. “You’d almost rather lose 3-0 then to get gutted in the last 30 seconds when you’re right there.” 

South Side’s late end-to-end goal on Tuesday could prove to be crucial when the Conference A-IV playoffs shake out next month. The Cyclones (1-2 in Conference A-IV) came into Tuesday’s match at  still looking for its first league win while Wantagh was coming off a , come-from-behind 3-2 win at Garden City. Only the top four teams in the league qualify for the postseason.

“We create a lot of opportunities throughout the match and we finally put one away,” said South Side boys soccer head coach Fred Paul. “We’ve been struggling to connect passes throughout the season, but we’ve been incorporating some new guys into the mix and I think today they realized when they play simple they can create some dangerous opportunities for us.”

Wantagh also had plenty of opportunities, but South Side goalie Thomas Germano was up to the challenge, recording six saves.

South Side is next in action on Thursday at home against New Hyde Park. Kick off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.