Hornets Shock the Shore: No. 4 Holmdel Knocks Off No. 1 CBA

HOLMDEL — The result doesn’t just qualify as an upset—it’s the kind of game that reshapes how a season is viewed.

In a game marked by resilience, trust, and timely execution, fourth-ranked Holmdel stunned top-ranked Christian Brothers Academy, 9–8. This dramatic victory marked the program’s first win over the Shore Conference powerhouse since 2013.

Despite losing the faceoff battle 19–2 and spending long stretches without possession, Holmdel (7–2, 4–1) never broke. The Hornets leaned on discipline, chemistry, and a suffocating zone defense. Their strategy disrupted one of the Shore’s most explosive offenses.

“We just have chemistry,” senior midfielder Jack Cannon said. “We’ve played together our whole lives. That’s hard to beat.”

From the opening whistle, it was clear this wouldn’t follow the expected script. CBA (6-4, 3–1) controlled possession behind junior faceoff specialist John Little, a Villanova commit, who won 19 of 21 draws. Yet Holmdel capitalized on nearly every mistake, turning uncharacteristic CBA turnovers into high-quality scoring chances.

CBA held a narrow 4–3 lead after the first quarter, fueled by late goals from sophomore midfielder Danny Varone and junior attacker Turner Cooke. Still, Holmdel’s confidence never wavered, as senior attacker Finn Buchan (Stevens commit), junior attacker David Perrotti, and junior attacker James Esposito each found the net to keep pace.

That belief only grew in the second quarter.

Cannon, a senior midfielder committed to play quarterback for Dartmouth, took over the game. He scored twice and added an assist during a dominant stretch that helped Holmdel take a 7–6 lead into halftime. His poise settled an offense that had struggled with tempo earlier in the season.

“I think we’re just doing a better job of settling down and playing our game,” head coach Brendan Quinn said.

Holmdel’s attack was efficient and opportunistic all afternoon. Esposito finished with a hat trick. Buchan added a goal and two assists. Perrotti chipped in two goals, including a crucial fourth-quarter finish.

Still, the game’s story lived on the defensive end.

Holmdel’s zone defense was anchored by senior defender Marcus Cermele and backed by senior goalie Jack Tiller. They consistently confused CBA’s offense, limiting clean looks and forcing rushed decisions.

“The zone is definitely tough for teams that don’t really see it much,” Cermele said. “Everyone just plays as one unit.”

Tiller delivered a performance that bordered on legendary.

The senior finished with 18 saves, including seven in the final three minutes as CBA pressed for an equalizer. Time and again, Tiller met point-blank shots with composure. He preserved a one-goal lead against a relentless Colts attack.

“I think it just shows how well we can play together as a team,” Tiller said. “We trust each other to be in the right spots.”

Holmdel carried an 8–7 lead into the fourth quarter before Perrotti extended the advantage to 9–7. CBA answered with a goal from sophomore attacker Anthony Lembo—his second of the game. Despite controlling possession late, CBA could not break through again.

Even in the closing moments, with everything tilted in CBA’s favor statistically, Holmdel never flinched.

“We’re just resilient,” Cannon said. “We capitalize on turnovers, and when we take care of the ball, good things happen.”

For CBA, Varone led with two goals. Junior midfielder Christian Fox (Notre Dame commit) recorded a goal and three assists. The Colts’ inability to convert extended possessions ultimately proved costly.

The final horn set off a celebration that reflected more than just a single win—it marked a breakthrough.

“This means a lot to us,” Tiller said.

And yet, even in the immediate aftermath of a signature victory, Holmdel’s focus remained forward.

“This isn’t our goal,” Tiller added. “Our goal is to go further and win a sectional championship.”

On a day when nearly every metric favored the No. 1 team in the Shore, Holmdel proved something far more important. Sometimes, belief, chemistry, and execution matter more than possession and rankings.

And for one unforgettable afternoon, that was enough to topple the juggernaut.