2025 Shore Conference Boys Soccer Preview: Class B South
The Class B South division gets a reboot this season and although its most accomplished postseason team in 2024 has moved into Class A South, the division is more talented from top-to-bottom than it was a year ago.
While the division loses a Lacey team that went to the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals, it also dropped a 1-16 New Egypt team and traded Jackson Liberty for the unified Jackson Township squad that will be the combination of Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty. Class C South co-champions Brick Memorial and Point Pleasant Beach – both of which were light on seniors last year – are the other two additions to the six-team field that returns first-place Toms River South, second-place Manchester and a pesky Lakewood team.
There will be no easy wins in this year’s B South schedule, so even the teams that fall short of first place should emerge from the regular-season battle-tested to a similar degree as the teams from A South are.
In predicted order of finish
1. Jackson
The last time there was only one varsity high school soccer team in Jackson, that lone high school soccer team played in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals. In the first season since folding Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty into one school, Jackson Township (the name of the “new” school) will play in the Class B South division of the Shore Conference, which will be a first for a program that once won six Shore Conference Tournament championships in a span of seven seasons and was regularly a contender in Class A South.
With a group of proven starters from last year’s Jackson Memorial team and a handful of contributors from Jackson Liberty merging with them, Jackson enters the season with designs on winning its first division title since 2019, when Jackson Memorial won Class A South. The merger pays dividends at the front of the attack, with senior Collin Williams as the top returning scorer from Jackson Memorial and Liberty’s Rafael Cruz moving up to the other striker spot. Seniors Anthony Castellano and Callan Granito are back in the midfield from the Memorial side, while junior Serhii Hryhoriak and sophomore Yousef Abdelmalak join them from the Liberty side. Sophomore Anthony Materia gives Jackson a proven sophomore off the bench who could also see some starts up top or in the midfield.
Jackson Memorial will take care of the back, with seniors Tristan Nikitin, James Gonnello, Connor Schlenk and Nick Ifantis all back in front of the goalkeeper tandem of sophomore Brandon Idyk and junior Logan Schlenk. With more depth than he has had on his roster in years, longtime Jackson Memorial coach Steve Bado now has a team that looks more like the ones that challenged for the top of Class A South year-in and year-out.
Jackson at a Glance
Head Coach: Steve Bado, 21st season
Jackson Memorial 2024 Record: 8-12-2 (0-3-2, fifth in Class A South)
Jackson Liberty 2024 Record: 3-12-1 (1-4, fifth in Class B South)
SCT Group: 5 (Holmdel, Ocean, Raritan, Ranney)
Key Losses: Rob Calamia (Midfield), Alex Felicelli (Forward), Alex Penswater (Midfield), Brady Adams (Defense), Mike Pentogenis (Defense), Sean Cohn (Forward)
Potential Starters (2024 Stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Rafael Cruz, Sr., Forward (Liberty)
Colin Williams, Sr., Forward (6 goals, 1 assist)
Serhii Hryhoriak, Jr., Midfield (Liberty)
Anthony Castellano, Sr., Midfield (3 goals)
Callan Granito, Sr., Midfield
Yousef Abdelmalak, So., Midfield (Liberty)
Nick Ifantis, Sr., Defense
Connor Schlenk, Sr., Defense
Tristan Nikitin, Sr., Defense (2 goals)
James Gonnello, Sr., Defense
Brandon Idyk, So., Goalkeeper (3 shutouts); Logan Schlenk, Jr., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Anthony Materia, So., Forward (3 goals, 5 assists)
Andres Reyes, Sr., Midfield
Kyle Diertl, So., Midfield
Taran Moon, Sr., Midfield
Mason Edwards, Sr., Defense
Mario Espinales, Jr., Midfield (Liberty)
Vincenzo Orlando, So., Defense
Lucas Rathyen, So., Defense
Oliver Reyes, So., Forward/Midfield
Caleb Cohn, Sr., Forward
Carlos Ruiz, Sr., Midfield/Defense
Christian Gonzalez-Madrid, Jr., Midfield (Liberty)
Chris Perez, Jr., Midfield/Defense
Zach Csatari, So., Defense
Aczel Lopez Perez, So., Forward
Michael Titovich, Fr., Midfield
Tyler Felicelli, Fr., Midfield
Rodney Marshall, Fr., Defense
2. Toms River South
It was not long ago that Jackson vs. Toms River South was a game that decided a Class A South championship. This year, it will decide the B South championship, with Toms River South set to defend its 2024 division title against an invading Jackson side, among others in the division. The Indians came out of the gate hot last year, but had to piece its lineup together down the stretch when top scorer Anthony Johnson missed time while recovering from a concussion.
The silver lining to Johnson’s absence was the emergence of Shane Gambarony as a featured scorer on the attack – a role he will continue as a senior this season. Classmate Jacob Myers returnes to the lineup in a more attack-minded role, while seniors Owen Beneciuk and Karsin Migliori are among the wings looking to make an impact as first-year starters. Once late September rolls around, Toms River South will also add Toms River north transfer Omar Reyes Torres to the front of the formation.
Returning senior Brody Robillard and ascending sophomore Guiseppe Raso round out the three-man midfield. In the back, all-division defender Nigel Graham leads the last line of defense in front of freshman goalkeeper Connor Starr. Junior Christian Oberti is also back, with classmate Knoble Mujica and senior Blake Nailbert moving into starting defensive spots for an Indians team seeking its first back-to-back division titles since
Toms River South at a Glance
Head Coach: Mike Conover, third season
2024 Record: 14-6-2 (5-0, first in Class B South)
SCT Group: 7 (Toms River North, Marlboro, St. John Vianney, Asbury Park)
Key Losses: Anthony Johnson (Forward), Caden Langan (Forward), David Mandica (Midfield), Noah Beaton (Midfield), Robert Boemio (Defense), Nolen Mahoney (Goalkeeper), Jake Hall (Midfield)
Potential Starters (2024 Stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Shane Gambarony, Sr., Forward (13 goals, 8 assists)
Jacob Myers, Sr., Forward/Midfield (4 goals, 7 assists)
Owen Beneciuk, Sr., Forward/Midfield (1 goal, 3 assists)
Karsin Migliori, Sr. (1 goal, 2 assists); Christopher Howe, Jr., Midfield/Forward
Guiseppe Raso, So., Midfield (2 assists)
Brody Robillard, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 3 assists)
Christian Oberti, Jr., Defense
Nigel Graham, Sr., Defense (2 goals)
Knoble Mujica, Jr., Defense
Blake Nailbert, Sr., Defense
Connor Starr, Fr., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Omar Reyes Torres, Sr., Forward – Transfer from Toms River North
Jimmy Aguilar, Sr., Defense
Nate Johnson, Jr., Defense/Forward
Charles Cox, So., Defense/Midfield
Tyler Ruszicka, Sr., Forward
Chace Post, Jr., Goalkeeper
3. Brick Memorial
The Class A South flavor continues with Brick Memorial, which moved out of Class A South and into Class C South last season and promptly won its first division championship since 2002. The Mustangs are not all the way back to Class A South, but it will feel like it when they are battling the likes of Jackson and Toms River South for the B South title in 2025. Brick Memorial’s edge over most opponents will be in goal, where All-County goalkeeper Ryan Wheeler is back as one of the top at his position in the conference.
One of the exciting aspects of Brick Memorial’s 2024 success was how many of its players had another year of high school left beyond the championship season. Nine starters are back from last season and will try to keep the Mustangs moving up the ladder in the Shore Conference with a second straight division championship. Junior Nate Stryker was the top scorer as a sophomore last season and senior Alex Santos joins him up top after scoring one of the biggest goals of the 2024 season.
Sophomore Matt Heptig will play in the middle of the field after starting as a freshman, with seniors Paul DeRosa and Landon Amalfa returning as the seasoned seniors in the midfield. The defense also has a trio of established starters with the returns of seniors Mike Alaimo and Elin Torres and junior Nick Stryker, with Brody Marotta one of two new senior starters, along with midfielder Jon Acevedo. The experience and depth will give the Mustangs a chance to rival Toms River South and Jackson in the chase for the championship in a competitive Class B South.
Brick Memorial at a Glance
Head Coach: Tom Lecorchick, third season
2024 Record: 8-11-2 (4-1, tied first in Class C South)
SCT Group: 8 (Southern, Wall, Long Branch, Pinelands, Red Bank Catholic)
Key Losses: Mason Muolo (Midfield), Declan Smith (Defense)
Potential Starters (2024 Stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Nate Stryker, Jr., Forward (9 goals)
Alex Santos, Sr., Forward (2 goals, 3 assists)
Paul DeRosa, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 1 assist)
Matt Heptig, So., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assist)
Landon Amalfa, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 3 assists)
Jon Acevedo, Sr., Midfield
Mike Alaimo, Sr., Defense
Nick Stryker, Jr., Defense
Elin Torres, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 7 assists)
Brody Marotta, Sr., Defense
Ryan Wheeler, Sr., Goalkeeper (5 shutouts)
Other Players
Angel Cabrera, Sr., Forward
Joe Torres, Sr., Defense
Mosiah Aparicio, Sr., Defense
Tyrone Gonzalez, Jr., Midfield
Aaron Trujillano, So., Midfield
Extlander Gonzalez, Jr., Goalkeeper
Sebastian Millan Perdomo, Sr., Midfield
4. Manchester
Since the 2019 season, Manchester has established itself as a championship contender in Class B South. In the last six seasons, only one has ended with a losing record and a season ago, the Hawks took second place in B South, which included beating and finishing ahead of a Lacey team that reached the Shore Conference Tournament semifinal and heads into this season as a top-five team in the Shore Sports Insider rankings.
The landscape in Class B South is different this season with Jackson and Brick Memorial joining the chase to unseat Toms River South as the champion and Manchester will have its say. Senior Brayden Kurak leads a group of five returning starters after an All-Shore junior season and will conduct the attack along with classmate Josh Rosado – the two leading scorers from 2024. Junior Muiz Aderogba is also back in the front six of the formation and that group of six – which also includes junior Sam Garcia and sophomores Aiden Locayo and Jeyson Melara – will move around between the midfield and forward positions.
Senior Yoel Santos-Zarcos is back to lead the defense that will look different than it did during a 12-win season in 2024. Sophomore Cole Sarama brings experience despite still being an underclassman, while classmate Gabe Almazo and senior Andrew Rosenthal will be first-year starters. Cole Desantis and Joey Cherichello will compete for time in goal into the early stage of the regular season as Manchester readies itself for another run at a winning season and push for a top-half finish in the division.
Manchester at a Glance
Head Coach: Nick Salvemini, second season
2024 Record: 12-8 (4-1, second in Class B South)
SCT Group: 3 (CBA, Toms River East, Matawan, Barnegat)
Key Losses: Aidan Clauburg (Defense), Gabe Occhipinti (Midfield), Anderon Ordoñez-Mejia (Forward), Cody McLeod (Forward), Noah Cundiff (Goalkeeper), Eric Balkius (Forward/Midfield), Sullivan Nolan (Defense)
Potential Starters (2024 Stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Aiden Locayo, So., Forward
Josh Rosado, Sr., Midfield/Forward (6 goals, 2 assists)
Muiz Aderogba, Jr., Midfield/Forward (1 goal, 1 assist)
Brayden Kurak, Sr., Midfield/Forward (8 goals, 7 assists)
Jeyson Melara, So., Midfield/Forward – Transfer from Lakewood
Sam Garcia, Jr., Midfield
Cole Sarama, So., Defense/Midfield (1 goal, 1 assist)
Yoel Santos-Zarcos, Sr., Defense/Midfield
Gabe Almazo, So., Defense/Midfield
Andrew Rosenthal, Sr., Defense
Cole Desantis, Sr., Goalkeeper; Joey Cherichello, So., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Patrick Allen, Fr., Midfield/Defense
Mark Bozciev, Jr., Midfield
Adam Drozdz, So., Midfield
Bechweb Sevilla, Jr., Midfield/Forward
Dayron Mayta, Jr., Midfield/Forward
Oliver Miron, So., Midfield/Forward
5. Point Pleasant Beach
Class B South’s third new team in the other co-champion from Class C South, but unlike Brick Memorial, Point Beach has no history playing in a division higher in stature than either C South or Class B Central – the latter of which was always the traditional home for the Garnet Gulls. Point Beach ventures into new territory with a roster that should be up for the challenge, led by two of the Shore’s top 2024 scorers in senior Dylan Ryan and junior Brody Powers.
Ryan has the school’s all-time scoring record in his crosshairs as he enters the season with 31 goals and 19 assists accumulated during his first three varsity seasons. Ryan and Powers are part of an attack-heavy returning group that returns its top four scorers. Sophomore Evan Majeski and junior Landon Hoberman complemented Powers and Ryan last year, while sophomores Tyler Morgan and Max Ramirez are set for larger roles in the midfield after getting a helping of playing time as freshmen.
Defense will be the unknown for Point Beach heading into the deeper waters of B South, but the return of goalkeeper Bennett Moberg is a good security blanket. Senior Ryan Kurmin will be the leader of the defense at center back, while classmate Landon Schultz provides the experience and sophomore Jack Morgan – along with junior Jack Swider – the upside. If that group can handle the pressure within the division, Point Beach could make a major statement as a Group I school in a division of much bigger programs.
Point Beach at a Glance
Head Coach: John Palumbo, fourth season
2024 Record: 12-7 (4-1, tied first in Class C South)
Key Losses: Cody Monticello (Midfield), Logan Batyr (Defense), Bennett Mayer (Defense), Richard Pokorny (Forward)
Potential Starters (2024 Stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Dylan Ryan, Sr., Forward (16 goals, 9 assists)
Brody Powers, Jr., Midfield (16 goals, 9 assists)
Landon Hoberman, Jr., Midfield (5 goals, 4 assists)
Evan Hajeski, So., Midfield (7 goals, 3 assists)
Tyler Morgan, So., Midfield
Max Ramirez, So., Midfield (2 assists)
Landon Schultz, Sr., Defense
Ryan Kurmin, Sr., Defense
Jack Swider, Jr., Defense
Jack Morgan, So., Defense
Bennett Moberg, Sr., Goalkeeper (3 shutouts)
Other Players
Antonio Acevedo, Sr., Midfield
Ethan Zaidel, Jr., Defense
Cole Mayer, Fr., Midfield
6. Lakewood
It has been 20 years, but Lakewood is another current Class B South team that used to play in Class A South. The Piners are entering a new era after the retirement of longtime coach Gene Drumright, with Tim LaBarre taking over as head coach coming off a 6-10 season in 2024. Outside of an early loss to Asbury Park, last year’s Piners team beat the teams it expected to beat and are hoping to step up and deal with a much tougher Class B South field this season.
Lakewood has some talent to replace from 2024, most notably at the top of the formation with Kervin Martinez (11 goals) and in goal with Brian Diaz-Bonilla. Sophomores Johan Rodriguez and Abraham Torres are primed to big steps forward as the tandem up top, while junior Sam Aylina takes over in goal in front of a defense that brings back two starters (senior Yosiah Cruz and junior Efrain Garcia Chapulin) to go with two senior newcomers to the lineup (Eric Vargas and Ramon Villanueva).
Lakewood’s strength lies in the midfield, where the Piners bring back four juniors who started in 2024. Jonathan Bravo was an all-division selection as a holding midfielder, while classmates William Alejo and Steven Aguilar Matias bring an attacking mindset to the equation. Dennis Cardoza rounds out the group of juniors in the middle, who will look to control the game, set up the sophomore striker duo for success and keep Lakewood competitive in a deep Class B South division and Shore Conference Tournament Group 6.
Lakewood at a Glance
Head Coach: Tim LaBarre, first season
2024 Record: 6-10 (2-3, fourth in Class B South)
SCT Group: 6 (Manalapan, Manasquan, Point Boro, Freehold Boro)
Key Losses: Kervin Martinez (Forward), Hector de los Santos (Defense), Sergio Martinez (Midfield), Brian Diaz-Bonilla (Goalkeeper), Valentino Ramos (Midfield/Forward), Victor Tapia (Midfield/Forward), Dylan Melendez (Midfield/Defense)
Potential Starters (2024 Stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Johan Rodriguez, So., Forward
Abraham Torres, So., Forward
William Alejo, Jr., Midfield (3 goals)
Jonathan Bravo, Jr., Midfield (2 assists)
Steven Aguilar Matias, Jr., Midfield (2 goals, 2 assists)
Dennis Cardoza, Jr., Midfield
Yosiah Cruz, Sr., Defense (2 assists)
Efrain Garcia Chapulin, Jr., Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)
Eric Vargas, Sr., Defense
Ramiro Villanueva, Sr., Defense
Sam Aylina, Jr., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Jovany Hernandez, Jr., Midfield/Forward
Orlin Cortez, So., Forward
Class B South Starting XI
Shane Gambarony, Toms River South
Dylan Ryan, Point Beach
Nate Stryker, Brick Memorial
Colin Williams, Jackson Memorial
Brayden Kurak, Manchester
Brody Powers, Point Beach
Jonathan Bravo, Lakewood
Nigel Graham, Toms River South
Tristan Nikitin, Jackson Memorial
Elin Torres, Brick Memorial
Ryan Wheeler, Brick Memorial
