BY ADAM RONIS
Just two games into the season, the South Side girls soccer team has a loss after Island Trees defeated the Cycoles, 3-1, today ending their 30-game winning streak. If you are familiar with the South Side program, that is stunning. South Side last lost Oct. 16, 2006, a 2-1 loss to East Meadow.
South Side went 21-0 last in winning its fourth consecutive Class A state title. The Cyclones were the No. 1 team in the NSCAA/adidas national rankings last season. South Side has won 14 state titles and won the county title 20 of the last 22 seasons. The last time Island Trees beat South Side was in 1993.
Island Trees scored two goals in the final four minutes to win. South Side standout junior Crystal Dunn didn't play. She is on the U.S. women's under-17 national team and is expected to miss some of the high school season. She will leave for a camp next week.
"It was a factor that she didn't play," Island Trees coach Phil Goldberg said. "She's an amazing player. We played very well. We played with intensity. They really pulled together. After they tied it at 1, we kept playing and didn't get down."
South Side has won 11 consecutive county championships. Is this the year they get knocked off?