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PREVIEW: SSHS Girl's Lax Anchored By All-Star Seniors

Head Coach Meaghan Healey looks to fast-break offense and four seniors as keys to deep playoff run.

With so much talent and experience on its roster, it’s hard to imagine that the South Side girl’s lacrosse team last year stumbled to a 6-10 regular season record.

Despite a disappointing record, the Lady Cyclones managed to make a deep run in the conference playoffs, losing in the county semifinals to Wantagh, ending its season with momentum toward next year.

South Side coach Meaghan Healey, entering her eleventh year as the team's leader, said she knows her team has the potential to be among the elite in the conference, but must work on staying focused and finishing around the net if they want to make another playoff run.

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“We need to improve on finishing from the field,” she said. “We have to work on getting control on 50-50 balls, and staying focused and not rushing or forcing our shots and passes.”

To help implement the type of strategies and focus needed to be successful, Healey will look to her four senior captains for their leadership, all of whom will be continuing their lacrosse careers in college.

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Dana Ahern (Lafayette), an All-Conference selection, will anchor the defense in front of Kelsey Gregerson (Hofstra), a two-time All-County goalkeeper. In the middle, Jackie Cifarelli (Ohio State) will look to distribute to Emily Considine (Syracuse), who will be the leader up top. 

“We have a lot of speed and experience, which are definitely strengths," Healey said. "We are a team of hard-working players who always give 100 percent. We are going to look to use that speed and experience to take advantage of fast break opportunities.”

Apart from its strong senior leadership, South Side will have two sophomores to help fill the void left by departing graduates Samantha Morin — the Lady Cyclones leading scorer last season — and key midfielder Emma Kriss. Michaela Lynch and Liz Hoeffner join a strong midfield that will be South Side’s most important line as they try to run its high octane, fast-break offense.

“The midfield, with Cifarelli and Considine, as well as Kelsey Gregerson are going to be our team’s strength,” Healey said.

With four college-bound captains leading the Lady Cyclones and an influx of youth in the middle, the sky is the limit for South Side.

“The team is excited for the season and is working really hard so far to get ready,” Healey said. “They are working really well together as a team. I expect a winning season and to go further in the playoffs. I want this team to have no regrets after every game.”

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