2025 Shore Conference Boys Soccer Preview: Class A North

Matt Manley|August 29, 2025|Last Updated August 29, 2025

Just about every year, the Shore Conference Class A North preview in boys soccer includes the phrase “toughest division in the Shore Conference.” At this point, it is a reflex to type out all of those words in the same sentence.

Last year, however, Class A North was not the powerhouse division it usually is, despite the Shore Conference now organizing divisions based on recent success rather than school size. For the first time since 2012, no Class A North team ranked in the top three of the final Shore Conference rankings, with Christian Brothers Academy leading the pack with the No. 4 ranking.

This year, the division looks like it’s headed back to its dominant form with the addition of two teams from Class A Central that finished ahead of CBA in 2024 and bring some serious talent back.

In predicted order of finish

1. Manalapan

Coming off a No. 3 finish at the Shore in 2024, Manalapan has a chance to author its best season in more than a decade. The Braves have not won a Shore Conference Tournament title since 2013, an NJSIAA sectional title since 2014 and an overall NJSIAA Group championship since 2007. It’s all on the table this season for Manalapan, which brings back most of the firepower it boasted in a well-rounded 2024 attack while under the direction of new head coach Brandon Downey.

Seniors Ethan Lustig, Edoardo Russo and Dan Altman form the Shore’s most dangerous returning trio up top, with the three Braves combining for 39 goals and 29 assists a year ago. Lustig lead the team with 20 goals and 13 assists playing the right wing, with Russo balancing the attack on the left side. Altman shuffled from striker to midfield and will solidify the No. 9 spot after proving himself to be an adept finisher.

The Braves have a workmanlike midfield led by Ethan Rosenfeld. While the defense has some questions to answer following two key graduations (Dylan Cassidy and Ethan Dass), the return of Pat Hearn at centerback and junior Evan Gluzman at outside back give the Braves some back-line skill in front of standout junior goalkeeper Chase Lee.

Last year’s SCT round-of-16 exit vs. Colts Neck and Central Group IV semifinal loss to Princeton fueled a productive offseason for the Braves, and they head into the season with the Shore’s most loaded roster.

Manalapan senior Edoardo Russo. (Photo: Tom Smith | tspimages.com)

Manalapan at a Glance

Head Coach: Brandon Downey, first season
2024 Record: 17-4-1 (5-0-1, tied first in Class A Central)
SCT Group: 6 (Manasquan, Point Boro, Lakewood, Freehold Boro)
Key Losses: Dylan Cassidy (Defense), Christian Laverde (Forward), Lon Luz (Forward), Ethan Dass (Defense), Jordan Rosen (Midfield), Joe DeLanzo (Midfield), Jaden Hillis (Midfield), Gavin Halcomb (Jr., Midfield)

Potential Starters (2024 Stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Ethan Lustig, Sr., Forward (20 goals, 13 assists)

Dan Altman, Sr., Forward (12 goals, 8 assists)

Edoardo Russo, Sr., Forward (7 goals, 8 assists)

Ethan Rosenfeld, Sr., Midfield (4 goals)

Maxim Kazanovich, So., Midfield

Brandon Modica, Sr., Midfield

Evan Gluzman, Jr., Defense

Pat Hearn, Sr., Defense

Nick DeSantis, Jr., Defense

Adriano Lia, Jr., Defense

Chase Lee, Jr., Goalkeeper (6 shutouts)

Other Players

Ryan Seybuck, Jr., Forward/Defense

Luke Ottenheimer, So., Midfield

Ben Salter, Jr., Midfield/Defense

Alex Bronfman, Sr., Defense

Dante Ferreira, Sr., Defense

Josh Devora, Sr., Defense

Ayden Pinto, Sr., Goalkeeper

2. Christian Brothers Academy

No matter the composition of the Class A North division, the championship always runs through Christian Brothers Academy. CBA’s three-year reign as Shore Conference Tournament champion and four-year reign as the No. 1 team in the Shore ended last year, but it took a superb shot by Kyle Moore to deliver the knockout blow in the 2024 SCT final. In the NJSIAA Tournament, CBA came up short of the South Jersey Non-Public A final for the first time since 2013.

CBA attacked last season with its roster depth and that leaves the Colts with plenty of returning experience despite graduating nine players with starting experience from 2024. Senior Ryan Asadi led the Colts with six goals as a junior, fellow senior forward James Brady is also coming off a productive first season as a starter, and the Asadi-Brady combination will hope to elevate the team’s scoring this season. Classmates Nick Silva and Devon Cale also delivered multiple goals playing on the attack as well.

Cale could see a shift to the back line this season, where his speed would be welcomed. Senior Finn McCarthy is back at center fullback and classmate Charlie Messano returns after seizing the opportunity at outside back a year ago.

The midfield will be CBA’s x-factor, with the Colts looking to get back to squeezing the life out of opponents in the middle of the pitch. Sophomore Joe Guestella is the only projected starter in CBA’s midfield who played heavy minutes in 2024, which he did as a promising freshman. CBA will also get a boost later in the season once a pair of transfers become eligible – junior forward John Little and junior goalkeeper Karsten Wittnebert. Wittnebert has been competing at goalkeeper with fellow junior Brady LePore.

CBA senior Devon Cale during early-season action vs. LaSalle in 2024. (Photo: Tom Smith | tspimages.com)

CBA at a Glance

Head Coach:Tom Mulligan, 10th season
2024 Record: 16-6 (5-1, first in Class A North)
SCT Group: 3 (Toms River East, Manchester, Matawan, Barnegat)
Key Losses: Nick Tesauro (Midfield), Phil Bodenski (Midfield), Brayden Perry (Forward), Sean Najdzinowicz (Goalkeeper), Brandon Ortiz (Defense), Carlos Cano (Defense), Caden Darby (Midfield), Nick Vieira (Midfield), Taylor Ryan (Forward), Owen Wierman (Midfield)

Potential Starters (2024 Stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Ryan Asadi, Sr., Forward (6 goals, 1 assist)

James Brady, Sr., Forward (4 goals, 3 assists)

Nick Silva, Sr., Forward (2 goals, 2 assists)

Joe Guastella, So., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assist)

Hunter Hueth, Jr., Midfield

Alex Notaro, Sr., Midfield

Devon Cale, Sr., Defense/Forward (3 goals, 1 assist)

Charlie Messano, Sr., Defense (2 goals)

Finn McCarthy, Sr., Defense

Chase Kowalczyk, Jr., Defense

Brady LePore, Jr., Goalkeeper

Other Players

John Little (Jr., Forward) – Transfer from Culver Academy (In.)

Karsten Wittnebert (Jr., Goalkeeper) – Transfer from Manasquan

Will Dreschler (Sr., Defense)

Trey Higgins (Sr., Defense)

Greyson Szuwalski (Sr., Midfield)

Cilian Parker (Jr., Defense)

Justin Arias (Jr., Forward)

Matt Papagni (Jr., Midfield)

Jack Urbanski (Sr., Forward/Defense)

Jack Ferguson (Sr., Defense)

Quinn Kopacko (Sr., Midfield)

Shea Shaunessy (Sr., Goalkeeper)

3. Colts Neck

If Manalapan would like to know how difficult it is to play every game as the team that is expected to win a championship, the Braves need not look further than their rival from a season ago. Colts Neck follows Manalapan from Class A Central to A North and the Cougars are coming off what was likely their best season ever. They finished 18-1-2, including the program’s first Shore Conference Tournament championship, but the season ended with a stunning, 3-2, defeat at the hands of Long Branch in the Central Jersey Group III quarterfinals.

Colts Neck has three All-Shore players to replace in Kyle Moore, Sam Gershon and goalkeeper Justin Appel, but also brings back a wealth of established talent, led by junior Sean Moore. As a sophomore, Moore led the Shore Conference in total scoring with 29 goals and 13 assists (71 points) and is on pace to shatter the school record for career scoring that his older brother, Kyle, set last season.

The performance of the supporting cast around Moore and how they jell together will determine how far Colts Neck will go in defending its SCT title and pursuing its first NJSIAA Group title since 2000. Ben Kazani was a steady presence in the midfield as a junior, while seniors Gabe Kruglyansky and C.J. Collins proved to be impact contributors in their roles as juniors.

Ryan Spencer and Dillon Younger return to the center of the defense as seniors, and senior Jonah Chiang has a chance to be an x-factor on the attack – particularly with talented junior Pedro Navrosky (three goals, four assists) electing to play academy soccer this fall.

Colts Neck junior Sean Moore goes airborne. (Photo: Tom Smith | tspimages.com)

Colts Neck at a Glance

Head Coach: Art Collier, 27th season
2024 Record: 18-1-2 (5-0-1, tied first in Class A Central)
SCT Group: 2 (Shore, Freehold Twp., Brick, Monmouth)
Key Losses: Kyle Moore (Forward), Sam Gershon (Midfield), Justin Appel (Goalkeeper), Josh Katznelson (Midfield), Sebastian Failla (Defense), Nick Sergio (Midfield), Daniel Killick (Midfield), Dan Ravelo (Goalkeeper), Pedro Navrosky (Jr., Midfield/Forward)

Potential Starters (2024 Stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Sean Moore, Jr., Forward (29 goals, 13 assists)

C.J. Collins, Sr., Forward (3 goals, 4 assists)

Ben Kazani, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 8 assists)

Gabe Kruglyansky, Sr., Midfield (6 goals, 4 assists)

Jonah Chiang, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assist)

Daniel Macedo, Jr., Midfield

Ryan Spencer, Sr., Defense (1 assist)

Dillon Younger, Sr., Defense (1 goal)

Nate Calhoun, Sr., Defense

Dean Natale, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)

Sal Vaina, Sr. Goalkeeper; Liam Collura, Sr., Goalkeeper

Other Players

Trey Riehl, Sr., Defense

Ryan Westby, Sr., Defense

Zach Bernstein, Jr., Defense

Sadiel Cortez, Sr., Defense

Adrian Kruglyansky, Fr., Forward

Tigran Bagdasarov, Sr., Forward

4. Rumson-Fair Haven

Last year, Rumson went through its first season in Class A North with a pair of proven senior scorers and little experience throughout the rest of the formation. After a strong showing a season ago, the Bulldogs will take on A North again with the inverse: a proven defense but little proven scoring.

Seniors Bobby Tamashunas, Zack Halpern and Zack Winig form the defensive backbone of Rumson’s formation and will have an all-division goalkeeper behind them in fellow senior Jack DelPriore. The midfield also carries some momentum into the season, led by seniors Bobby Quaglia and Sal Taddeo, along with sophomore newcomer Avery Bellincampi.

Seniors Patrick Huber and Jack Duffy shift to the top of the formation as they look to replace the production of Luke D’Angelo and Charlie Butters, who combined for 17 goals and nine assists. With a starting XI that could include as many as 10 seniors, Rumson is ready to compete with the Shore’s best. If they can find some reliable scoring, the Bulldogs could be a late-season sleeper.

Rumson-Fair Haven at a Glance

Head Coach: Jeff Soares, seventh season
2024 Record: 12-8-1 (3-2-1, tied third in Class A North)
SCT Group: 4 (Central, Middletown North, St. Rose, Donovan Catholic)
Key Losses: Luke D’Angelo (Forward/Midfield), Charlie Butters (Forward), Addison Bellincampi (Midfield), Joe French (Defense), Peyton Werner (Forward), Austin Liss (Forward), Blake Marchakitus (Midfield), Jesse Zwas (Midfield)

Potential Starters (2024 Stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Patrick Huber, Sr., Forward (1 goal, 1 assist)

Jack Duffy, Sr., Forward

Bobby Quaglia, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 3 assists)

Sal Taddeo, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 4 assists)

Avery Bellincampi, So., Midfield

Bobby Tamashunas, Sr., Defense/Midfield (3 goals, 2 assists)

Alex Olan, Sr., Defense/Forward (2 goals)

Zack Halpern, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 2 assists)

Zack Winig, Sr., Defense

Charlie Gronaugh, Sr., Defense

Jack DelPriore, Sr., Goalkeeper (7 shutouts)

Other Players

Roman Cea, Sr., Midfield/Defense

Ben Smelyansky, Sr., Forward/Midfield/Defense

Cristian Santos, Jr., Midfield/Defense

Frank Gripp, Jr., Defense

5. Holmdel

Like Rumson, Holmdel made the move into the Class A North division in a less-than-ideal season considering the talent the Hornets had graduated from their 2023 team, but the results were mostly encouraging. This year’s team will have to replace 2023 Shore Conference Player of the Year Stepan Kapranov, who produced another First-Team All-Shore season in 2024 while leading the Hornets to 11 wins.

Everything Holmdel did last season ran through Kapranov, so the Hornets will look much different and far more balanced in 2025. Senior Luke Farrugia will lead the midfield along with classmate Nate Koenig, with senior Dom Poli and junior Lucas Nobrega coming back with a combined 10 goals up top.

Connor Paul leads a defense that is routinely a strength, with junior Antonio Zambito coming off a sophomore season in which he earned the trust of coach Matt Isaacson as a back-line player. Senior Lukas Lundh looks like another steady goalkeeper for the Hornets as they try to further establish themselves as an A North-caliber team that will always reload.

Holmdel at a Glance

Head Coach: Matt Isaacson, sixth season
2024 Record: 11-7-1 (2-4, sixth in Class A North)
SCT Group: 5 (Ocean, Jackson, Raritan, Ranney)
Key Losses: Stepan Kapranov (Midfield), Kieran Hynes (Midfield), Tyler Gravier (Defense), Matt Campillay (Goalkeeper), Lucas Hansen (Midfield/Forward), Charlie Nasta (Defense), Michael Wojie (Forward), Joe Wang (Midfield), Ziya Nazeer (Midfield), Brian Ilewski (Jr., Goalkeeper)

Potential Starters (2024 Stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Lucas Nobrega, Jr., Forward (6 goals)

Dom Poli, Sr., Midfield/Forward (4 goals)

Luke Farrugia, Sr., Midfield (4 assists)

Nate Koenig, Sr., Midfield (1 goal)

Turner Foster, Jr., Midfield

Dylan Grimaldi, So., Midfield

Connor Paul, Sr., Defense (1 goal)

Antonio Zambito, Jr., Defense

Jax Londell, Jr., Defense

Gavin Muldoon, Sr., Defense

Lukas Lundh, Sr., Goalkeeper

Other Players

Brody Grimaldi, Sr., Midfield

Eric Han, Jr., Midfield/Forward

Kyle Silberman, Jr., Defense

Ryan Frigiola, Jr., Goalkeeper

6. Marlboro

Marlboro is coming off a strong 2024 season in which the Mustangs heavily relied on a senior at each level of their formation: Jake Langella up top, Trevor Barrett in the midfield, Nick Bisconti at center fullback and Tim Yafutov at goalkeeper. The Mustangs also lost a trio of contributors to academy soccer, so this year’s lineup will look much different than the Mustangs did at their peak in 2024.

Senior Jake Ferraro will personify this year’s Marlboro squad. He can play anywhere on the field, and with six new starters and a slew of scoring to replace, that versatility is a good place to start. Senior Dean Allegretta was a key contributor at the head of the attack last year, and classmate Vinny Pollifrone returns to the midfield with starting experience as well.

Senior Gianni Liscandra and junior Vladimir Anokhin return to the back line, which will be a strength of Marlboro’s lineup this season. Ferraro, junior Zeyad Sakala and junior Jayden Hegt are also defensive-minded options to help protect first-year starting goalkeeper Konstantinos Mastrokalos.

Marlboro at a Glance

Head Coach: Ryan Morris, eighth season
2024 Record: 12-6-1 (3-2-1, tied third in Class A North)
SCT Group: 7 (Toms River North, St. John Vianney, Toms River South, Asbury Park)
Key Losses: Jake Langella (Forward), Trevor Barrett (Midfield), Nick Bisconti (Defense), Tim Yafutov (Goalkeeper), Owen Fischler (Defense), Luciano Garcia (Forward), Ari Stillwell (Sr., Midfield), Alec Roberman (Jr., Midfield/Defense), Giorgi Datunaishvili (Jr., Forward)

Potential Starters (2024 Stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Dean Allegretta, Sr., Forward (1 goal, 5 assists)

Yaron Cohen, Sr., Forward

Jake Ferraro, Sr., Forward/Midfield/Defense (2 goals, 2 assists)

Logan Golden, So., Midfield/Forward

Vinny Pollifrone, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assist)

Rishab Frishnan, So., Midfield

Gianni Liscandra, Sr., Midfield/Defense

Jayden Hegt, Jr., Defense/Midfield/Forward

Vladimir Anokhin, Jr., Defense

Zeyad Sakala, Jr., Defense

Konstantinos Mastrokalos, Jr., Goalkeeper

Other Players

Phillip Rusznica, Jr.

Nick Hramyka, Jr.

Andrew Freid, Jr.

Aidan Lang, Sr.

Dylan Chanthapornpong, Jr.

Ben Saada, Jr.

7. Howell

Howell graduated a decorated senior class in 2025 that battled through a rash of injuries to finish second in the division in 2024. The Rebels will now attempt to reload behind two returning starters. Senior Dylan Johansen emerged as a dependable, productive midfielder in his first year as a starter, while junior goalkeeper Brady Murphy gained valuable experience tending the goal behind one of the Shore’s most talented teams.

Senior midfielders Andrew Tabora-Hernandez and Mason Morgan got a sample of time last season with all the injuries to Howell’s starting lineup and are ready to assume more responsibility in the formation. The rest of the lineup will be a question mark for veteran coach Rich Yuro, but there is some promise from a rising group of sophomores that includes Ryan Tannehaus, Juan Maria and Tom Beurskens.

Howell at a Glance

Head Coach: Rich Yuro, 34th season
2024 Record: 10-6-1 (4-2, second in Class A North)
SCT Group: 1 (Middletown South, Lacey, Red Bank, Neptune)
Key Losses: Nick Turturro (Forward), Kam Brown (Forward), Tye Maser (Midfield), John Fiorillo (Midfield), Tyler Borenstein (Midfield), Quinn Mills (Defense), Eric Pray (Defense), Max Roco (Defense), Nick Mustacchio (Defense)

Potential Starters (2024 Stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Dylan Johansen, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 5 assists)

Mason Morgan, Sr., Midfield

Andrew Tabora-Hernandez, Sr., Midfield (2 assists)

Andrew Holmes, Jr., Midfield

Zach Zimmer, Sr., Defense

Marc Guadious, Jr., Defense

Owen Marich, Jr., Defense

Juan Maria, So.

Enzo Anapan, Sr.

Ryan Tannenhaus, So.; Tom Beurskens, So.