2026 Shore Conference Boys Soccer Preview: Class B Central
In the current version of the Shore Conference, a move into the Class B Central division suggests it has been a rough couple of years for said team, at least by power points as a measure of success. It also, however, creates an opportunity to boost a team’s overall record and perhaps even contend for a division championship.
Monmouth Regional and Neptune entered B Central over the past two years with those hopes and are still seeking to capitalize on the B Central opportunity. In the meantime, both Matawan and St. Rose join the field and will look to author turnaround seasons with a chance to play some of the conference’s smaller programs that have been trying to build up for several years now.
Among those teams hoping to come out of the rebuilding phase is Red Bank Catholic, which has enjoyed success across its athletic program – including in girls soccer – but has yet to pop in boys soccer over the last decade. In this year’s Class B Central, the Caseys are one of several teams working toward a resurgence, and it is going to happen for somebody.
In predicted order of finish
1. Matawan
A middle-of-the-pack finish in Class B North and a 7-14 record in 2025 disguises what looks to be a Matawan team with some real upside in 2026. The Huskies ran out a junior-heavy team,, and among their highlights last season was a 5-3 loss to CBA in a Shore Conference Tournament group-stage game in which Matawan led near the midway point of the second half. With eight starters back this year and a new division home in Class B North, the Huskies have a chance to be one of the Shore’s turnaround stories.
The biggest loss from 2025 is in goal, where the duo of junior Filip Janiszewski and Aidan Heyward will compete to replace all-division goalkeeper Gavin Veres. With inexperience in goal, Matawan’s experience on the back line will be crucial: seniors Anthony Attardi and Kian Calleug and juniors Edward Gleason and Kyren Ritchie all return to the defense, which has a chance to be a strength for the Huskies – especially as the goalie situation becomes settled.
Matawan also graduated leading scorer Sean Sobocinski, but returns second-leading scorer Ryan Hart and an experienced running mate in Derek Busch as senior strikers. Seniors Ergi Gjino, Nicco Romero and Marcos Youssef will lead the midfield after each scored multiple goals in 2025, with classmate Petror Mahrous joining the starting XI and Sam Youssef leading a sophomore group that will provide some depth as needed. With eight seniors in the forecasted lineup to start the season, a winnable division in front of them, and a balanced Shore Conference Tournament Group 2 to navigate, the time for Matawan is now.
Matawan at a Glance
Head Coach: Will Carl, third season
2025 Record: 7-14 (3-3, fourth in Class B North)
SCT Group: 2 (Southern, Holmdel, Freehold Township, Jackson)
Key Losses: Sean Sobocinski (Forward), Gavin Heyward (Midfield), Gavin Veres (Goalkeeper)
Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)
Returning starters in bold
Filip Janiszewski, Jr.; Aidan Heyward, So., Goalkeeper
Anthony Attardi, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)
Kian Calleung, Sr., Defense
Edward Gleason, Jr., Defense
Kyren Ritchie, Jr., Defense (2 goals)
Ergi Gjino, Sr., Midfield (5 goals, 3 assists)
Nicco Romero, Sr., Midfield (4 goals, 1 assist)
Marcos Youssef, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 2 assists)
Petror Mahrous, Sr., Midfield
Derek Busch, Sr., Midfield (4 assists)
Ryan Hart, Sr., Forward (6 goals, 7 assists)
Other Key Players
Hamdaan Bajwa, Jr., Midfield
Mason Reitmann, So., Defense
Freddie Ronda, So., Midfield
Sam Youssef, So., Midfield (1 goal)
Frank Reyes, Sr., Defense
Kevin Soares, Sr., Forward
2. Red Bank Catholic
With a team that started only one senior all season, Red Bank Catholic ran up its highest win total in seven years. While that six-win season in and of itself is not particularly impressive, it has set up the Caseys to make a significant leap over the next several years. This year’s team brings back most of its starting group from last year and will be incorporating a strong crop of underclassmen into the playing-time picture as well.
Senior Jack Denver returns as one of the top scorers in Class B Central from a year ago and will reprise his role as a goal-scoring threat up top along with classmate Colin Gaines. Juniors Holden Szuwalski, Cathal McStravick and James Main also return as part of the attack, with McStravick able to play in the midfield and up top and Szuwalski playing a defensive central midfield.
Nick Salinas and Gavin Biasi bring senior leadership to the back line in front of Luke Horwath in goal. Caden Cacare is one of two freshmen in line for starter minutes, with Cacare playing in the back and Chris Lardieri playing up front. Junior defender Leo Asfendis and midfielder Ashton Torregrossa also bring some depth to the formation for a Caseys’ side that will be deeper than it has been in a long time. If that depth pays off, a division title is in play.
Red Bank Catholic at a Glance
Head Coach: John Killick, fourth season
2025 Record: 6-14-2 (2-4, tied fourth in Class B Central)
SCT Group: 1 (CBA, Manasquan, Central, Red Bank)
Key Losses: Teagan McCarthy (Defense), Landon Laido (Goalkeeper), Miles Nessan (Defense)
Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)
Returning starters in bold
Luke Horwath, So., Goalkeeper (2 goals, 2 assists)
Nick Salinas, Sr., Defense (1 goal)
Gavin Biasi, Sr., Defense (5 assists)
Caden Cacare, Fr., Defense
Holden Szuwalski, Jr., Midfield (2 goals)
James Main, Jr., Midfield (4 goals)
Brian O’Hare, Jr., Midfield
Cathal McStravick, Jr., Midfield/Forward (4 goals, 6 assists)
Chris Lardieri, Fr., Midfield/Forward
Colin Gaines, Sr., Forward (3 goals)
Jack Denver, Sr., Forward (12 goals, 4 assists)
Other Key Players
Leo Asfendis, Jr., Defense
Christian Blaikie, Jr., Goalkeeper
Luca Vendetti, Sr., Goalkeeper
James Ryan, Sr., Midfield
Nich Tramaguna, Sr., Defense
Vince Auriemma, Sr., Defense
Alan Hernandez, Sr., Midfield
Ashton Torregrossa, Jr., Midfield
Matius Quispe, So., Defense
John Magliaro, Fr., Forward
Asher Sotirion, Fr., Forward
3. Neptune
A move to Class B Central last season did not yield the Scarlet Fliers as many wins as they had hoped for. Still, they partially made up for their shortcomings in the division by beating the likes of Howell, Middletown North and Raritan outside of the B Central schedule. The foundation is there for Neptune to rebound and make a run at the division title, as long as they can replace top scorer and all-division senior leader Harin Gutierrez Moreno.
This year’s Neptune squad heads into the year with a strong senior core, led the trio of Dominic O’Neil, Mason Imbriaco and Hunter Reynolds, who combined for 12 goals and 11 assists in 2025. Fellow senior C.J. Hankins also threw in three goals last year playing key minutes off the bench and will join Imbriaco, Reynolds and junior Sebastian Rosen in the midfield.
Center backs Denilson Mata-Fabian and Christian Loff will be the senior leaders of the defense, with juniors Bryson Reeves and Jayvion Calloway flanking them on the outside of the back line. Senior Brandon Williams is set to take over in goal, rounding out a starting XI with seven seniors. The one sophomore in the starting group is leading returning scorer Tevenerri Verdieu, who was Neptune’s breakout scoring star as a freshman. With a talented scorer up top and a senior group around him, the Scarlet Fliers have a chance to push for the top of the division and a Shore Conference Tournament spot.
Neptune at a Glance
Head Coach: Bobby Feeney, fourth season
2025 Record: 6-12-1 (2-4, tied fourth in Class B Central)
SCT Group: 7 (Middletown South, Point Boro, Wall, Lakewood)
Key Losses: Harin Gutierrez Moreno (Forward), Joey Taylor (Midfield), Joe Cooper (Defense), Andrew Wardell (Goalkeeper)
Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)
Returning starters in bold
Brandon Williams, Sr., Goalkeeper
Denilson Mata-Fabian, Sr., Defense
Christian Loff, Sr., Defense
Bryson Reeves, Jr., Defense (2 assists)
Jayvion Calloway, Jr., Defense
Hunter Reynolds, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 3 assists)
Sebastian Rosen, Jr., Midfield
C.J. Hankins, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 1 assist)
Mason Imbriaco, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 3 assists)
Dominic O’Neill, Sr., Forward (4 goals, 5 assists)
Tevenerri Verdieu, So., Forward (6 goals, 3 assists)
Other Key Players
D.J. Green, Jr., Midfield
Zion Fray, Fr., Forward
JeanCarlos Castillo Herrera, Sr., Forward/Midfield
4. Monmouth
In two Class B Central seasons, Monmouth has been in the hunt for the top spot but has settled for a second or third-place finish in both years. This time around, the Falcons should be part of the crowd near the top, but will have to overcome some key losses to graduation, as well as the loss of sophomore Casey Simon to the academy ranks.
Even with the loss of Simon and two top scorers in Luca Tvrdik and Dimitrious Papantoniou, Monmouth will be capable on the attack thanks to the return of four starting players. Seniors Dario Dwomoh and Jack Pulieo are set to lead the midfield, which also includes Dean Fredericks – one of three sophomores in line to start for Monmouth. Striker and Top returning goal-scorer Hunter Oksen is another senior back in the formation, and he will combine up top with sophomore newcomer Emilio Hernandez.
Senior Rosevelt Azard is the only returning starter on defense, and the team will also be playing in front of a new goalkeeper in freshman Iker Gomez. Seniors Logan Bauer and Gio Pellicier will be part of the defensive unit, while junior Nick Camarca and sophomore Lucas Alves are set to contribute to a defense-tilted shape. If the back line gels and Gomez can do the job as a freshman, Monmouth should score enough to make a run at the No. 1 spot in the division.
Monmouth at a Glance
Head Coach: Charles Seelinger, fifth season
2025 Record: 4-14-1 (4-2, third in Class B Central)
SCT Group: 4 (Manalapan, Toms River South, Long Branch, Middletown North)
Key Losses: Luca Tvrdik (Forward), Dimitrios Papantoniou (Midfield), Devin Ryan (Midfield), Alex Bylander (Midfield), Alex Tanta-Nanta (Defense), Casey Simon (So., Midfield)
Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)
Returning starters in bold
Iker Gomez, Fr., Goalkeeper
Gio Pellicier, Sr., Defense
Lucas Alves, So., Defense
Rosevelt Azard, Sr., Defense
Logan Bauer, Sr., Defense
Nick Camarca, Jr., Defense
Dario Dwomoh, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 2 assists)
Dean Fredericks, So., Midfield
Jack Puleio, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 1 assist)
Hunter Oksen, Sr., Forward (5 goals)
Emilio Hernandez, So., Forward
Other Key Players
Jose Garcia, So., Forward
Jason Emerson, Jr., Midfield
Erick Ramirez-Roman, Fr., Midfield
Alex LoAlbo, Sr., Midfield
Terrance Mayaen, Fr., Defense
5. St. Rose
The Purple Roses are the best example of the primary flaw in the current Shore Conference division alignment protocol. In 2023, St. Rose dominated the Class B Central division and reached the South Jersey Non-Public B final after winning the section the prior year. That two-year performance earned them a move all the way up to the Class A Central division, but that move coincided with major losses to graduation, as well as the resignation of coach Simon Muckle. Over the last two season – one in Class A Central and another in Class B North – St. Rose is a combined 6-32-2 and that two-year stretch lands them back in Class B Central.
Now back in the Shore’s small-school division, St. Rose can again realistically post “division championship” on its list of goals. There is enough back in the starting group to compete with the other contenders in this division, particularly in the defensive third of the field. Junior Jack Penkethman and seniors Eddie Kerr and Griffin Matuch are the three returning starters on the back line, with senior Ben Gordon bringing experience to the goal.
The attack does not feature nearly as much experience, with senior Ben Tilley the lone returning player with a goal in 2025, during which Tilley scored six. Freshmen Anthony Suozzo and Cole Grecco will play at the top of the formation during their high-school debut season and classmate Jackson Allen will factor into the midfield picture. There are some new starters to integrate, but in Class B Central, the process of building a team should be more forgiving than it was for the Purple Roses in Class A Central and Class B North.
St. Rose at a Glance
Head Coach: Brian Swider, third season
2025 Record: 2-18-1 (2-18-1, 1-5, tied sixth in Class B North)
SCT Group: 6 (Marlboro, Rumson-Fair Haven, Brick Memorial, Freehold Boro, Pinelands)
Key Losses: Owen Moran (Forward), Matt Dayton (Midfield), Dan Penkethman (Defense)
Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)
Returning starters in bold
Ben Gordon, Sr., Goalkeeper
Eddie Kerr, Sr., Defense (3 assists)
Jack Penkethman, Jr., Defense (1 assist)
Griffin Matuch, Sr., Defense (1 goal)
Nick Ferrante, Sr., Defense
Kingston Balthazar, So., Midfield
Dan Bourlokas, Sr., Midfield
Jackson Allan, Fr., Midfield
Ben Tilly, Sr., Midfield/Forward (6 goals, 2 assists)
Anthony Suozzo, Fr., Forward
Cole Grecco, Fr., Forward
Other Key Players
Andrew Caswell, Sr., Defense
Lucas Ortiz, Sr., Defense
Joe DePaolis, Sr., Defense/Midfield
Max Linn, Jr., Forward
Mason Ridgway, Jr., Forward
Cole Scoog, Jr., Forward
Nick Elliot, So., Forward
Alex Bourlokas, So., Defense
Alex Gabriele, Jr., Goalkeeper
George Curry, So., Goalkeeper
6. Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson’s 2025 team was a mix of young and old, and this season, the scale will tip further toward the young. Only three seasons are on the Admirals roster, with two set to occupy the starting XI. Jack Carlstrom lost his senior season to injury and is back to play up top with sophomore Dylan Luby-Meier coming off a breakout freshman campaign. On the other side of the field, Torin Pagella will be the senior leader of the defense, with juniors Ben Koernig and David Gannon also playing on the back line in front of sophomore goalkeeper Patrick Higgins.
The midfield is where the Admirals will showcase much of their underclass talent. Junior Jack Swetland and sophomore Jackson Martisch are the two returning starters in the middle of the formation, while junior Austin Gallagher, sophomore Gavin Dunzello and freshman Barnes Jacobs move into the starting midfield. Max Schmoll will be the lone senior on the bench, and Jacobs is one of seven freshmen that could see time for a Henry Hudson team looking to climb in the Class B Central standings.
Henry Hudson at a Glance
Head Coach: Miranda Saryian, second season
2025 Record: 3-7-1 (1-5, tied sixth in Class B Central)
SCT Group: None
Key Losses: Albrecht Pineda (Forward), Blakely Smith (Forward), Nathan Boms (Goalkeeper), Jack Dail (Midfield/Defense), Cole Harbison (Defense)
Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)
Returning starters in bold
Patrick Higgins, So., Goalkeeper
Ben Koernig, Jr., Defense
Torin Pagella, Sr., Defense
David Gannon, Jr., Defense
Jaxson Martisch, So., Midfield/Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)
Austin Gallagher, Jr., Midfield
Gavin Dunzello, So., Midfield
Barnes Jacobs, Fr., Midfield
Jack Swetland, Jr., Midfield (1 assist)
Dylan Luby-Meier, So., Forward (6 goals, 4 assists)
Jackson Carlstrom, Sr., Forward
Other Key Players
Max Schmoll, Sr., Defense
Troy Frazier, Jr., Defense
Reed Zamkotowicz, So., Midfield/Defense
Ben Eittreim, So., Defense
Eli Margolick, Fr., Forward/Midfield
John Moore, Fr., Defense
Felix Schmoll, Fr., Defense/Forward
Parker Wells, Fr., Goalkeeper
Damien Breen, Fr., Defense
Dylan Bornemann, Fr., Defense
7. Keyport
A deep senior class led the Red Raiders to eight wins in 2025, which matched the best record in the 12-year history of the program. Seven of those wins were outside of the division and six of those were outside of the Shore Conference, so Keyport will be looking to take the next step by winning multiple division games.
Even with the graduation of seven senior starters and 38 goals, Keyport has six players with starting experience coming back, four seniors in the starting XI, and a sophomore who was third on the team in scoring as a freshman. Sophomore Brayden Visaggio will be Keyport’s top scoring threat playing up top, where he will pair up with junior newcomer Tadgh Twohig. In the midfield, senior Allan Evans returns as the elder statesman of the group, with juniors Brayden Burkhardt and Nick Rowald also back. Freshman Aiden Vasquez moves into the open spot as one of two rookies projected for the starting lineup.
Angel Prudente is the other freshman starter and will be part of a back line that returns just one starter. Junior Liam Woodruff is that lone returning starter, while Jamison Geraldi and Bryan Rodriguez will be first-year starters as seniors. Goalkeeper Gavin Healy is another senior returnee and will take on more of a leadership role in the defensive third as Keyport looks to build on one of the best seasons in its history.
Keyport at a Glance
Head Coach: Brendan Hilliard, 13th season
2025 Record: 8-10 (1-5, tied sixth in Class B Central)
SCT Group: 8 (St. John Vianney, Shore, Howell, Manchester, Keyport)
Key Losses: Justin Vissagio (Forward), John Covert (Midfield), Ryan Triosi (Midfield), Danny Metrick (Defense), Diego Rocha (Defense), Jacob Pinto (Defense), Colin Woodruff (Midfield/Defense)
Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)
Returning starters in bold
Gavin Healy, Sr., Goalkeeper (1 shutouts)
Liam Woodruff, Jr., Defense
Jamison Geraldi, Sr., Defense
Bryan Rodriguez, Sr., Defense
Angel Prudente, Fr., Defense
Allan Evans, Sr., Midfield
Brayden Burkhardt, Jr., Midfield (1 goal, 2 assists)
Nick Rowald, Jr., Midfield
Aiden Vasquez, Fr., Midfield
Brayden Visaggio, So., Forward (6 goals, 5 assists)
Tadgh Twohig, Jr., Forward
Other Key Players
Matt Halvorsen, Jr., Forward
Ayman Elhail, Fr., Forward
Demetrius, Attia, Sr., Defense
Class B Central Starting XI
Ryan Hart, Forward, Matawan
Jack Denver, Forward, Red Bank Catholic
Tevenerri Verdieu, Forward, Neptune
Cathel McStravick, Forward/Midfield, Red Bank Catholic
Ergi Gjino, Midfield, Matawan
Nicco Romero, Midfield, Matawan
Mason Imbriaco, Midfield, Neptune
James Main, Midfield, Red Bank Catholic
Dario Dwomoh, Midfield, Monmouth
Denilson Mata-Fabian, Defense, Neptune
Luke Horwath, Goalkeeper, Red Bank Catholic
