2026 Shore Conference Boys Soccer Preview: Class A North

The Class A North division is a division of champions, but technically speaking, the division does not have a Shore Conference Tournament championship in either of the past two seasons. For the second straight year, a team from Class A Central won the SCT and moves into the Class A North the following year. Last year, it was Colts Neck that jumped into A North and this year, it is Middletown South that joins the A North field after winning the program’s first SCT championship and reaching the NJSIAA Group III for the first time in history.

Middletown South joins a crowded field of contenders that not only figure to battle for a division title throughout September but will be on the short list of championship contenders in the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Tournaments. Six of the seven teams in Class A North have won a Shore Conference Tournament championship in the past 17 years and if the No. 2 team on this projection wins this year’s title, it will be six teams in the last 14 seasons.

Not only are this year’s group of team in Class A North accomplished; they appear to be close in talent level. Teams one-through-five in the division projection will all be ranked in the top eight of the Shore Sports Insider Top 10 – all in a season in which there could be 10-to-12 teams realistically competing for the Shore Conference Tournament title. Class A North has been loaded, it has been balanced, but the combination of loaded and balanced make this year’s field particularly intriguing.

In predicted order of finish

 

1. Christian Brothers Academy

When the Shore Conference is up for grabs, CBA is always the safe pick to win hardware. The Colts have some questions heading into the season, namely the return of only three starters from a team that spent much of the 2025 season ranked No. 1 at the Shore, but did not finish there after losing to Middletown South in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals. One of those three returning starters is senior goalkeeper Brody Lepore and the other two – midfielder Matt Papagni and senior winger Justin Arias – each scored one goal a season ago. Despite the low goal total, Arias made a significant impact on CBA’s attack with his eight assists.

Like they do in most years, the Colts will elevate a wave of capable players into starting roles this season and a number of them have already proven themselves as varsity players. Both John Little and Shane Landau scored important goals as junior strikers in 2025 and will be on the field more this season, with Little moving into the group of starting forward. Liam Wheeler also handled midfield minutes last season and the back line in front of Lepore will include seniors Colin Howarth and Hunter Hueth as part of the rotation.Freshman Carter Fox and junior Dom Guida are tracking as the starting center backs with sophomore Landon Valentine at the left outside back spot. A junior wave that includes Cristian Notaro, Roger Mackey, Dom Kasprowicz, Alex Alvarez, Andrew Banchi and Brody O’Connor will contribute minutes in CBA’s front six, with Notaro starting in the midfield while Mackey, Kasprowicz and Alvarez compete for one of the remaining open spots.

CBA has reached the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals in each of the past seven tournaments and has been the No. 1 seed in the tournament in four of the past five tournaments, including last season. The Colts are set up to do the same this season, but getting through a rugged division schedule – even by Class A North standards – unscathed will be extremely difficult. Even without a clean division record or a vintage CBA roster, the Colts are as capable as any team in the conference and should remain in the championship mix from start to finish.

 

CBA at a Glance

Head Coach: Tom Mulligan, 11th season
2025 Record: 16-3-4 (5-0-1, first in Class A North)
SCT Group: 1 (Manasquan, Central, Red Bank, Red Bank Catholic)
Key Losses: James Brady (Forward), Charlie Messano (Defense), Will Drechsler (Midfield), Finn McCarthy (Defense), Devon Cale (Defense), Ryan Asadi (Forward), Nick Silva (Midfield), Trey Higgins (Defense), Joe Guastella (Jr., Midfield), Alec Notari (Midfield), Jack Urbanski (Midfield)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Brady Lepore, Sr., Goalkeeper (10 shutouts)

Carter Fox, Fr., Defense

Romeo Guida, Jr., Defense

Colin Howarth, Sr., Defense

Landon Valentine, So., Defense

Matt Papagni, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 1 assist)

Cristian Notaro, Jr., Midfield

Liam Wheeler, Sr., Midfield

Justin Arias, Sr., Forward (1 goal, 8 assists)

Roger Mackey, Jr., Forward

John Little, Sr., Forward (4 goals, 3 assists)

 

Other Key Players

Shane Landau, Sr., Forward (3 goals)

Dom Kasprowicz, Jr., Midfield

Alexander Alvarez, Jr., Forward

Hunter Hueth, Sr., Defense

Andrew Banchi, Jr., Midfield

Brody O’Connor, Jr., Forward

Chase Kowalczyk, Sr., Defense

Cillian Parker, Sr., Defense

Christian King, Sr., Defense

Matt Begley, So., Defense

 

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2. Marlboro

On paper, Marlboro was the definition of average last season. The Mustangs were one game better than .500 overall, one game below .500 in Class A North divisional play and gave up as many goals as they scored (23). Considering the quality of competition Marlboro faced, however, last season was a strong showing for a team that brings back considerable numbers, even as it is replacing four of the top players from last year’s team. The season ended in a shootout loss to North Brunswick in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV semifinals, which followed a run to the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal and a 1-0 loss to eventual champion Middletown South.

The tournament heartache – plus tight losses to CBA and Colts Neck during the regular season – will feed the Mustangs’ drive in 2026 as they seek the program’s first Shore Conference Tournament title in 17 years, as well as Marlboro’s first ever NJSIAA sectional title. With top scorers Vinnie Polifrone and Dean Allegretta, as well as versatile outside back Jake Ferraro, all graduated, senior Vlad Anokhin and junior Rishab Krishnan will be more prominent in the formation while seniors Nick Hramyka and Andrew Freid elevate to the top scoring targets. Anokhin will lead a stout defense that includes three other seniors in Jayden Hegt, Ben Saada and Dylan Chanthapornpong – a group that will protect one of the Shore’s top returning goalkeepers in senior Kosta Mastrokalos.

Even with two dependable finishers in Pollifrone and Allegretta, scoring goals was an arduous task for Marlboro in 2025 and that would likely be the team’s downfall in 2026, should there be one. In every other facet, however, Marlboro has a chance to thrive and with an all-senior defense and a junior-led midfield capable of controlling play, the Mustangs will have a chance to play on the front foot on most days. If any of Freid, Hramyka, Logan Golden and Phil Rusznica can break out as scorers, a trophy in October or November could be in the cards.

 

Marlboro at a Glance

Head Coach: Ryan Morris, ninth season
2025 Record: 9-8-4 (1-2-3, fourth in Class A North)
SCT Group: 6 (Rumson-Fair Haven, Brick Memorial, Freehold Boro, Pinelands, St. Rose)
Key Losses: Vinny Pollifrone (Forward/Midfield), Dean Allegretta (Forward), Jake Ferraro (Defense), Gianni Liscandra (Midfield)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Kosta Mastrokalos, Sr., Goalkeeper (8 shutouts)

Vlad Anokhin, Sr., Defense

Jayden Hegt, Sr., Midfield/Defense (2 goals, 1 assist)

Ben Saada, Sr., Defense

Dylan Chanthapornpong, Sr., Defense/Midfield (1 goal, 1 assist)

Rishab Krishnan, Jr., Midfield (2 assists)

Maks Bereznitski, Jr., Midfield/Defense

Logan Golden, Jr., Midfield

Phillip Rusznica, Sr., Forward/Midfield/Defense

Andrew Freid, Sr., Midfield/Forward (2 goal, 2 assists)

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

 

Other Key Players

Corbin Yan, Jr., Defense

Ethan LaRock, Sr., Forward

 

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3. Manalapan

A 17-win season in 2024 seemed to set up Manalapan for a huge 2025 campaign thanks to the return of a significant portion of its goal-scoring from the previous year. The season did not play out that way and the Braves squeaked into the final Shore Sports Insider Top 10, but fell short of 10 wins in their return to Class A North. This season, Manalapan will have to replace its top three 2025 scorers (Ethan Lustig, Edoardo Russo and Dan Altman) and a standout center midfielder in Ethan Rosenfeld, but a nucleus of proven defenders, talented attackers and an All-Shore-caliber goalkeeper could swing the Braves back into contention.

Manalapan returns three starting defenders in front of third-year starter Chase Lee in goal. Returning starter Nick DeSantis and Connor McDonald will man the middle of the back line, with returning senior starters Evan Gluzman and Adriano Lia on the outsides as threats to push forward. Seniors Ben Stalter and Gavin Halcomb will led the midfield, with Halcomb returning after playing in the MLS Next program last season. Junior Max Kazanovich will work into the lineup as he works his way back from injury and Jayden Komar and Luke Ottenheimer will continue to contribute in the meantime.

Replacing Lustig and Russo on the attack will be the toughest task for coach Brandon Downey in his second year, but the return of senior Ryan Seybuck after a six-goal junior season will give the Braves a proven finisher, albeit on who will have more attention on him this season. Aiden Blumfield will try to take some pressure of Seybuck at the front of the attack, but the cohesion from front-to-back is what Manalapan is banking on as the difference between last year’s disappointing showing and a potential rebound season this fall.

 

Manalapan at a Glance

Head Coach: Brandon Downey, second season
2025 Record: 9-6-3 (1-3-2, tied fifth in Class A North)
SCT Group: 4 (Toms River South, Long Branch, Middletown South, Monmouth)
Key Losses: Ethan Lustig (Forward/Midfield), Edoardo Russo (Forward/Midfield), Ethan Rosenfeld (Midfield), Dan Altman (Forward), Pat Hearn (Defense)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Chase Lee, Sr., Goalkeeper (8 shutouts)

Nick DeSantis, Sr., Defense

Connor McDonald, Jr., Defense

Adriano Lia, Sr., Defense (4 assists)

Evan Gluzman, Sr., Defense (2 goals, 3 assists)

Ben Salter, Sr., Defense/Midfield

Gavin Halcomb, Sr., Midfield (2024 Stats: 2 goals, 2 assists)

Kayden Komar, So., Midfield

Luke Ottenheimer, Jr., Midfield/Forward (3 goals, 1 assist)

Ryan Seybuck, Sr., Forward (6 goals, 3 assists)

Aiden Blumenfeld, Sr., Forward

 

Other Key Players

Max Kazanovich, Jr., Midfield/Forward (1 goal, 2 assists)

Mason Silecchia, Jr., Goalkeeper

Rayan Pradhan, Jr., Defense

Antone Uhl, Sr., Defense

Lorenzo, Brunie, Sr., Forward/Midfield

Andrew Cardieri, Sr., Forward

Macheal Schrader, So., Forward

Matt Nakashian, So., Forward

Jake Ramella, Jr., Defense/Forward

Max Mannino, Sr., Defense

 

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4. Colts Neck

Not since it won the NJSIAA Group I championship and reached the Shore Conference Tournament final in consecutive years in 2000 and 2001 has the Colts Neck program posted a better two-year stretch than the Cougars have over past two seasons. After winning its first ever Shore Conference Tournament championship in 2024, Colts Neck made it back to the SCT final and then reached the Central Jersey Group III championship game. Two of Colts Neck’s three losses were in those championship games and both came against Middletown South.

Those two losses in the finals leave the Cougars with some unfinished business despite going 19-3. Only three starters are back from that team but one of them is 2025 Shore Sports Insider Player of the Year Sean Moore, who enters his senior year on pace to become the Shore’s all-time leading scorer and the conference’s first ever 100-goal scorer. Senior midfielder Dan Macedo and sophomore Leo Shatku also return to the starting XI and senior Pedro Navroski is back after forgoing his junior season of high school soccer to play in the MLS Next program. Cristian Sclafani also returns with varsity experience, giving the Cougars a three-man attack that includes what might be the best scorer in Shore Conference history by the end of the year.

Macedo is part of a new-look midfield and Shatku and new-look defense. Sophomores Adrian Kruglyansky, Tyler Gold, Oliver Kruder and Luca Monteforte and juniors Sal Tornabene, Akush Amenaokbar and Braedon Reilly will all play key minutes along with Macedo in the midfield, giving coach Art Collier a chance to replace 2025 production with depth. On defense, youth will carry the torch, with freshman center back Kayden Oliveira and sophomore Kyle Candido moving into the starting lineup along with senior Zack Bernstein. Oliveira could be one of two starting freshmen for Colts Neck with Jonas Camera battling senior Max Burns for time in goal, giving the Cougars a wave of underclassmen who will take the torch next year. For now, they are tasked with finding their footing on a championship contender led by one of the Shore’s all-time greats.

 

Colts Neck at a Glance

Head Coach: Art Collier, 27th season
2025 Record: 19-3 (5-1, second in Class A North)
SCT Group: 5 (Toms River North, Brick, Ranney, Asbury Park)
Key Losses: Ben Kazani (Midfield), Gabe Kruglyansky (Midfield), C.J. Collins (Forward), Jonah Chiang (Midfield), Ryan Spencer (Defense), Dillon Younger (Defense), Liam Collura (Goalkeeper), Nate Calhoun (Defense)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Jonas Camera, Fr.; Max Burns, Sr., Goalkeeper

Kyle Candido, So., Defense

Leo Shatku, So., Defense (2 goals, 1 assist)

Kayden Oliveira, Fr., Defense

Zack Bernstein, Sr., Defense

Daniel Macedo, Sr., Midfield

Adrian Kruglyansky, So., Midfield

Tyler Gold, So., Midfield

Pedro Navroski, Sr., Midfield/Forward (2024 Stats: 3 goals, 4 assists)

Cristian Sclafani, So., Forward

Sean Moore, Sr., Forward (30 goals, 8 assists)

 

Other Key Players

Sal Tornabene, Jr., Defense/Midfield

Ankush Amenaokbar, Jr., Midfield

Braedon Reilly, Jr., Midfield

Luca Monteforte, So., Forward – Transfer from Notre Dame (Conn.)

Daniel Leshko, Jr., Defense

Oliver Kruder, So., Defense

 

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5. Middletown South

Topping the best season in the history of the program will be next to impossible for this year’s Middletown South squad, but the bar has been raised and the Eagles intend to hold it in place in 2026. The graduation of All-Shore standouts Luke Strada, outside back Brett Denery and center fullback Ryan Kapler, plus midfield stalwart Jack Cohen create some major holes in this year’s formation, but 2025 SSI Coach of the Year Dan Riverso and his program have been laying the foundation at the lower levels in preparation to replace a talented Class of 2026 in the fall of 2026.

The Eagles’ hopes this fall start up top with First-Team All-Shore forward and 2025 leading scorer Connor Saul, who scored half of his 16 goals as a junior in tournament games. The rest of the front six will have some additional experience with the return of junior Luke Struszkiewicz and senior Grant Pipercic – both of whom earned starts during the course of last season. Senior Matt Seckular scored a goal in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinal win over CBA and classmate Matt Hegel moves into the starting XI along with sophomore forward Miles Barret.

Half of Middletown South’s back four return, led by third-year starter Brody Illingworth on the outside and senior Charlie Welsh in the middle. Seniors Andy Rodriguez and Taylor Wessels are set to ascend to starting roles and senior goalkeeper Liam McGrath takes over in goal with some varsity experience under his belt after backing up All-Shore keeper Carson Perry in 2025. Junior Liam DiStefano also returns with big-game experience and Tommy Niosi and Brett Mittenzwei lead an up-and-coming group of sophomores that are hoping to keep Middletown South trending up after winning SCT and sectional championships in 2025.

 

Middletown South at a Glance

Head Coach: Dan Riverso, sixth season
2025 Record: 17-4-1 (3-2-1, second in Class A Central)
SCT Group: 7 (Point Boro, Wall, Neptune, Lakewood)
Key Losses: Luke Strada (Midfield/Forward), Jack Cohen (Midfield), Brett Denery (Defense), Ryan Kapler (Defense), Carson Perry (Goalkeeper), Mason Petke (Forward), Matteo Gallina (Midfield), Jorge Xmil Carazzno (Midfield/Forward), Joey Fielding (Midfield)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Liam McGrath, Sr., Goalkeeper

Taylor Wessels, Sr., Defense

Andy Rodriguez, Sr., Defense

Brody Illingworth, Sr., Defense (1 goal

Charlie Welsh, Sr., Defense

Luke Struszkiewicz, Jr., Midfield

Matt Seckular, Sr., Midfield (1 goal)

Matt Hegel, Sr., Midfield

Grant Pipercic, Sr., Forward (1 goal, 3 assists)

Miles Barret, So., Forward

Connor Saul, Sr., Forward (16 goals, 1 assist)

 

Other Key Players

Tommy Niosi, So., Midfield

Brett Mittenzwei, So., Midfield

Liam DiStefano, Jr., Defense

Jake Mattes, Sr., Midfield

Dylan Sporraco, Jr., Midfield

Jake Mezzano, Sr., Midfield

Federico, Demarco, Sr., Midfield

Shane Backofen, Sr., Forward

 

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6. Holmdel

Were Holmdel 100 percent healthy, the Hornets could be considered with the top five teams in the division as contenders to win Class A North and bid for the Shore Conference Tournament title. Even as is, Holmdel has the makings of competitive team, but when competing in Class A North, injuries can have a devastating effect and the Hornets are already feeling those effects in the form of a season-ending knee injury to top returning scorer Lucas Nobrega and another knee injury to senior defender Antonio Zambito. According to coach Matt Isaacson, Zambito could potentially return in mid October as he recovers from a torn ACL, but the Hornets are preparing to play their division schedule without him.

Without a top striker and foundational defender, Holmdel will rely on an experienced midfield that includes three players with starting experience. Seniors Eric Han and Turner Foster and junior Dylan Grimaldi will be leaned on more heavily this year and junior Devon Lau will be among the players looking to step up in the midfield. Up top, juniors Nick Pesce and Yaseen Moustafa will look to contribute to the scoring effort as a committee-driven replacement for Nobrega.

Seniors Kyle Silberman and Jax Londell are the returning defensive leaders for Holmdel, while also brings back senior goalkeeper Ryan Frigiola. With seniors Owen Mulligan and Anu Adesina joining the back four, the season-opening defense will be an all-senior group. Although two key seniors will be sidelined for most of the year, Holmdel has a collection of seniors and an experienced junior in Grimaldi who have lived the Class A North life. The road will not be easy, but it will not be unfamiliar either.

 

Holmdel at a Glance

Head Coach: Matt Isaacson, seventh season
2025 Record: 11-7-2 (3-2-1, third in Class A Central)
SCT Group: 2 (Southern, Freehold Township, Jackson, Matawan)
Key Losses: Connor Paul (Defense), Dom Poli (Midfield/Forward), Luke Farrugia (Midfield), Nate Koenig (Midfield)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Ryan Frigiola, Sr., Goalkeeper (7 shutouts)

Kyle Silberman, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 1 assists)

Owen Mulligan, Sr., Defense

Anu Adesina, Sr., Defense

Jax Londell, Sr., Midfield/Defense

Turner Foster, Sr., Midfield (2 goals)

Eric Han, Sr., Midfield (4 assists)

Dylan Grimaldi, Jr., Midfield (2 goals, 2 assists)

Devon Lau, Jr., Midfield

Yaseen Moustafa, Jr., Forward

Nick Pesce, Jr., Forward

 

Other Key Players

Antonio Lia, Sr., Defense

Shailin Dedhia, Jr., Midfield

Nate Pohl, Sr., Defense

Antonio Zambito, Sr., Defense (4 assists) – Injured

Lucas Nobrega, Sr., Forward (9 goals, 6 assists) – Injured; out for season

 

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7. St. John Vianney

Back-to-back 12-win seasons landed St. John Vianney in Class A North this season just three years after the Lancers claimed the division championship in Class B Central. The timing of SJV’s jump up in competition is not ideal. Over the past two seasons, the Lancers have graduated just about every player that played a role in the 34 wins and two division titles over the past three seasons, meaning the next era of SJV players will get their introduction to varsity soccer by playing in one of the state’s most unforgiving divisions.

Junior Ethan Eddleston is the lone returning senior after he cracked the senior-dominated 2025 starting XI as a forward alongside All-Shore striker Mason Boles. Classmate Greg Azer also played big minutes and that duo sets up the Lancers with a pair of capable finishers, with sophomore Ryan Sockett also moving up on the depth chart. Midfielder Joe Mullen is the only senior field player on track to start and will share the midfield with freshman Declan Horan and junior Daniel McBride.

Senior Jason Babich takes over in goal in front of what is shaping up to be an all-sophomore back line. Rowan Langevin and Dylan Vasto will man the middle and Tyler Bearn and Jose Torres will cover the outside while staring down some of the top players in the conference on the attack. A lot of wins in lower divisions landed St. John Vianney in Class A North and with a young team, the results could be inverted this year. Whatever the win-loss outcome, the Lancers have a talented young group that should learn quickly and be dangerous in the years to come – regardless of which division SJV calls home.

 

St. John Vianney at a Glance

Head Coach: Jay Murphy, second season
2025 Record: 12-7-4 (1-2-3, sixth in Class A Central)
SCT Group: 8 (Shore, Howell, Manchester, Keyport, Donovan Catholic)
Key Losses: Mason Boles (Forward), Isaiah Boone (Midfield), Alex Siniscalchi (Midfield), Luke Noble (Defense), Ethan Bellone (Midfield), Alex Cardenas (Defense), Cyril Axer (Midfield), Alex Buckley (Defense), Chris Pohl (Defense), Dominick Fuoco (Defense), Liam Steiner (Goalkeeper)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Jason Babich, Sr., Goalkeeper

Rowan Langevin, So., Defense

Dylan Vasto, So., Defense

Tyler Beard, So., Defense

Jose Torres, So., Defense

Declan Horan, Fr., Midfield

Joe Mullen, Sr., Midfield

Daniel McBride, Jr., Midfield

Ryan Sockett, So., Forward

Greg Azer, Jr., Forward (2 goals)

Ethan Eddleston, Jr., Forward (1 goal, 1 assist)

 

Other Key Players

Stefan Olvedy, Jr., Forward

Carter Boles, Fr., Midfield/Forward

Michael Riley, So., Defense – Transfer from East Brunswick

Orion Shubert-Pinto, So., Midfield

 

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Class A North Starting XI

Sean Moore, Colts Neck, Forward

Connor Saul, Middletown South, Forward

Justin Arias, CBA, Forward

Pedro Navroski, Colts Neck, Forward

Matt Papagni, CBA, Midfield

Gavin Halcomb, Manalapan, Midfield

Rishab Krishnan, Marlboro, Midfield

Evan Gluzman, Manalapan, Defense

Vlad Anokhin, Marlboro, Defense

Brody Illingworth, Middletown South, Defense

Chase Lee, Manalapan, Goalkeeper