South Side's Teddy Fitzgerald helps deliver win for coach Pat Corvetti

After a quick photo together and a clasp of hands, two coaches with a history sent their boys soccer teams out on the Darcy Field turf Wednesday in the bright late-afternoon sunshine.

Their history was sunny, too. Floral Park coach Ahkeel Rodney played for South Side coach Pat Corvetti at Elmont, then became an assistant under him at Elmont, SUNY Old Westbury and Sewanhaka before moving on to run his own successful program.

Corvetti and Rodney’s teams have met a few times since, including for the championship of the South Shore Summer League a couple of weeks ago. South Side won that on penalty kicks.

And Corvetti’s Class AA Cyclones opened their season on this day in Rockville Centre against Rodney’s defending state Class A champ Knights with another victory, a 1-0 decision built on a first-half goal by Teddy Fitzgerald and an exceptional effort by the backline.

“It think it really shows our true potential,” right back Mike Martorana said.

Amid the respect between the opposing coaches was a strong desire to beat the other.

“It’s awesome, but we’re both into it,” said Corvetti, now in his fifth season at South Side. “We both want to win . . . We were gunning for each other for sure.

“But now we get to go into our own conferences. I wish him all the best winning his league and his county championship in his classification.”

Rodney’s view?

“Honestly, it’s something that I truly do enjoy,” said Rodney, now in his sixth season at Floral Park. “The reason is because I know how much of a competitor Pat is.”

Corvetti’s team had an edge in play before capitalizing in the 16th minute.

Ryan OKeeffe fed Fitzgerald, and he scored from about 15 yards out against Zach Sarcona, who looked sharp, making five saves.

The Knights (1-1) raised their play following halftime, but the Cyclones didn’t flinch.

“We had a lot of team chemistry,” center-back Mason Woo said.

Woo, Martorana, Karter Kasschau and Colin Levine excelled as the backline in front of Gavin McDaid, who made three saves.

“Just the communication,” Kasschau said. “We were all in sync. We all played our hearts out . . . We all know we want to win the state championship this year.”

Last year, they fell in a county quarterfinal. Corvetti “definitely” thinks they’re better.

“Last year, we had a bunch of athletes,” Levine said. “But I think this year, we’re all soccer players.”

There are six players back in the starting lineup to help Floral Park shoot for more titles.

“The season is about getting better week by week, day by day,” Rodney said. “ . . . I believe if we do the right things, then we’ll put ourselves in position to have a shot at the end.”