2026 Shore Conference Boys Soccer Preview: Class B North

No division in the Shore Conference looks more different from a year ago than Class B North, which retains just three teams from last year’s group while welcoming in four new ones. The newcomers include a 2025 NJSIAA sectional finalist (Wall), two teams that went to back-to-back Shore Conference Tournament semifinals as Class A North teams in 2022 and 2023 (Howell and Middletown North) and a Group I team making its first venture outside of Class B Central (Asbury Park).

Wall and Howell figure to be the teams best equipped to navigate a division that could wind up being very balanced if Wall cannot pull away. Howell is coming off a down season after a three-year stretch of loaded rosters, but getting out of Class A North should be a boon for the Rebels’ record. Beyond there, there are some unknowns, but a legitimate x-factor team in Asbury Park.

In predicted order of finish

 

1. Wall

In 2025, a forgettable regular-season for Wall gave way to an unforgettable run in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II playoffs, which the Crimson Knights entered as a No. 11 seed. It did not end with a championship, but Wall won three straight games in dramatic fashion to reach the sectional, which the Knights lost to Robbinsville. With a combined three goals in the first two rounds, Shane Womack was a breakout star of that run and will be the best of the five starters returning for Wall, which is eyeing its first division championship since 2021.

Womack will play in the midfield with fellow returning senior starting Nick Herrera, with sophomore returnee Oliver Rhoades playing out wide and, potentially, up front as an option at striker. Senior Myles West, junior Nick Cortese and sophomore Javier Bosque are also in the mix for a starting midfield spot, while senior Connor O’Halloran and sophomore Maximus Harm will be threats at forward.

The likely opening-day defense does not have a returning starter, but with several caveats. Senior Kevin Anderson was a starter as a sophomore and did not play high-school soccer a senior, so his return will offer a boost to a back line in need of experience. Junior Jackson Napolitano will be another returning starter if a preseason injury does not sideline him for too long. Sophomore Jackson Eckert will get the starting opportunity with Napolitano out and Donovan Kline and Griffin Cook will add to the senior presence in the lineup. Sophomore Kellen Clauburg split the goal with Harrison Novick last year and will have sophomore Kyle Womack to compete with for time this season. With a taste of postseason success still in its collective memory, Wall has the talent and motivation to improve on its regular-season performance before getting to late October.

 

Wall at a Glance

Head Coach: Garry Linstra, 25th season
2025 Record: 11-11 (2-4, fifth in Class A Central)
SCT Group: 7 (Middletown South, Point Boro, Neptune, Lakewood)
Key Losses: Christian Garduza (Midfield/Forward), Tanner Griffin (Midfield), Evan Ker (Forward), Paul Fury (Defense), Brendan Grober (Defense), Daniel Mendes (Defense), Luca Rulli (Defense), Harrison Novick (Goalkeeper), Shea Davis (Midfield), Matt Appel (Midfield), Chris Knight (Jr., Midfield/Forward), Luke Harmon (Jr., Midfield)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Kellen Clauburg, Jr., Goalkeeper (1 shutout); Kyle Womack, So., Goalkeeper

Donovan Kline, Sr., Defense

Kevin Anderson, Sr., Defense (2024 Stats: 5 goals, 5 assists)

Griffin Cook, Sr., Defense

Jackson Eckert, So., Defense

Nick Herrera, Sr., Midfield (4 assists)

Myles West, Sr., Midfield

Oliver Rhoades, So., Midfield (3 goals, 5 assists)

Shane Womack, Sr., Midfield (8 goals, 5 assists)

Nick Cortese, Jr., Midfield

Connor O’Halloran, Sr., Forward

 

Other Key Players

Javier Bosque, So., Midfield

Maximus Harm, So., Forward

Jackson Napolitano, Jr., Defense (2 assists)

Michael Cortese, Sr., Defense

Colin Cronin, Sr., Midfield

Gavin Cronin, Sr., Midfield

Conor DeSarno, Sr., Defense

Alex Lightbody, Sr., Forward

Lincoln Pacific, Sr., Defense

Jackson Shea, Sr., Defense

Andrew Szegeski, Sr., Defense

Kaleb Barbiere, Jr., Defense

James Cortese, Jr., Midfield

 

---

 

2. Howell

Following a resurgent three seasons for the program from 2022 to 2024, Howell entered last season with just one starter back in the field and in the Class A North division, that is a recipe to struggle. The Rebels indeed struggled against some of the Shore’s best, but developed a group that returns this year with a more forgiving division schedule and plenty of lessons from which to draw.

Unlike last year, there is no shortage of returning talent on the field for Howell, which returns eight starters. Third-year starting goalkeeper Brady Murphy is among those eight returnees and he will play behind a defense with three returning starters occupying the defensive third. Juniors Ryan Tannenhaus and Milli Martinez are returning starters, as is senior Owen Marich. Senior Marc Gaudious is the lone newcomer to the defense, which is intent on improving on 50 goals allowed in 2025 – the second most of any team in the Shore Conference “A” divisions.

Howell scored only 18 goals last year and 13 of those goals are back. Junior forward Tommy Beurskens and junior midfielder Juan Maria were the go-leaders in goals scored last year and seniors Andrew Holmes and Nick Osorio-Rodriguez were also producers in the midfield a year ago. Juniors Lucas Marino and James Cantagallo will round out the starting lineup for Howell, giving the Rebels a starting unit that features six juniors, plus a wave of sophomores to provide depth and upside heading into what Howell expects to be a rebound season.

Howell at a Glance

Head Coach: Rich Yuro, 35th season
2025 Record: 4-13-1 (0-5-1, seventh in Class A North)
SCT Group: 8 (St. John Vianney, Shore, Manchester, Keyport, Donovan Catholic)
Key Losses: Dylan Johansen (Midfield), Andrew Tabora-Hernandez (Midfield), Zach Zimmer (Defense)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Brady Murphy, Sr., Goalkeeper (1 shutout)

Ryan Tannenhaus, Jr., Defense

Owen Marich, Sr., Defense

Milli Martinez, Jr., Defense

Marc Gaudious, Sr., Defense

Andrew Holmes, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 5 assists)

Nick Osario-Rodriguez, Sr., Midfield (2 goals)

Juan Maria, Jr., Midfield (4 goals)

Lucas Marino, Jr., Midfield

James Cantagallo, Jr., Midfield

Tom Beurskens, Jr., Forward (4 goals, 1 assist)

 

Other Key Players

Matt Barber, Sr., Forward

Killian Mills, Jr., Defense

Max Gaudious, So., Midfield

Trey Gregory, So., Defense

Declan Guinane, So., Midfield

Cole Clandennen, So., Forward

Rich Mould, So., Midfield

Chance Reed, So., Defense

Chase Sharpe, So., Defense

Owen Carter, So., Goalkeeper

James Brady, Sr., Goalkeeper

 

---

 

3. Freehold Boro

After the top two teams in Class B North, the scramble ensues for the third spot in the top three. Freehold Boro was a streaky team last year, starting the season 4-1, losing six in a row, then winning six of nine before losing a tough, 1-0 game to Brick Memorial in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III first round. There are some key pieces for the Colonials to replace, but they also return a number of their secondary scorers and creators on the attack.

Junior Ryan Almeida and senior Humberto Hernandez will be the targets up top for Freehold Boro, with seniors Ade Franklyn-Ayeni and Aidan Fung back as well. Junior Klodian Jaku ties it all together at the six and sophomore Marvin Canaca will bring some promise to the new starting midfield, which is shaping up to be a strength for the Colonials.

Senior Jaden Misquith is the lone returning starter in the defensive third, which will include two other seniors in Anthony Ayoub and goalkeeper Christian Rebelo. Sophomore James Iglesias and junior Max Golkov have each earned a shot at starting spots on the back line and if that group can gel while Rebelo finds his footing between the posts, Freehold Boro has a chance to reach heights it has not reached in some time: challenging for its division title since 2011, make the Shore Conference Tournament (2019) and win an SCT game (2010)

Freehold Boro at a Glance

Head Coach: Mike Parshelunis, ninth season
2025 Record: 10-12 (2-4, fifth in Class B North)
SCT Group: 6 (Marlboro, Rumson-Fair Haven, Brick Memorial, Pinelands, St. Rose)
Key Losses: Joe Haney (Forward/Defense), Kristian Jaku (Forward), Ryan Dominguez (Midfield), Cade Cascone (Goalkeeper), Michael Hughes (Midfield), Jason Malone (Defense), Cole Turner (Defense)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Christian Rebelo, Sr., Goalkeeper

Jaden Misquith, Sr., Defense (1 assist)

Max Golkov, Jr., Defense

Anthony Ayoub, Sr., Defense

James Iglesias, So., Defense

Klodian Jaku, Jr., Midfield (1 goal)

Marvin Canaca, So., Midfield

Aidan Fung, Sr., Midfield (1 goal)

Ade Franklyn-Ayeni, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 1 assist)

Humberto Hernandez, Sr., Forward (4 goals, 3 assists)

Ryan Almeida, Jr., Forward (5 goals, 2 assists)

 

Other Key Players

Zack Dabby, Sr., Forward

Jacob Garcia Zepeda, Jr., Midfield/Forward

Jael Lopez, So., Midfield

 

---

 

4. Middletown North

The Lions were caught in the middle last season while playing in a stacked Class A Central division. They rostered a high-quality player at each level of the formation, but the supporting cast was a work in progress and that combination made winning games against that schedule a challenge. This year, Middletown North does not bring back the proven scoring it did a year ago, but with the move to Class B North and a young nucleus that continues to develop, the Lions might see their fortunes turn.

Five seniors grace the starting lineup heading into the season, led by the midfield trio of Dolan Dunigan Ryan Otero and Andrew Polanco. Along with junior Caden Brown, they hope to make strides and become a strength of the formation after relying on 2026 graduate Cameron DelGrosso over the past two seasons. Up top, meanwhile, sophomore Julian Crampton returns after seeing time as a freshman, while Gio Reyes returns from the academy ranks for his junior season. Middletown North lost sophomore Nick DiGiovanni to academy soccer this season, but returning Reyes will help mitigate that loss.

Senior Matt Ruchaevsky leads the defense in front of returning senior goalkeeper Nick Kamnitsis and the combination of the defense and Kamnitsis will keep Middletown North in most games. Junior Nick Erfani is also back while sophomores Joe Devito and Zach Dorazio join the back line as starters. Last season was a departure from what Middletown North had been producing in recent years and this year’s group has set a course to get the Lions back to their standing as a perennial postseason threat.

Middletown North at a Glance

Head Coach: Eric Morely, seventh season
2025 Record: 5-14-2 (1-4-1, seventh in Class A Central)
SCT Group: 4 (Manalapan, Toms River South, Long Branch, Monmouth)
Key Losses: Paul Que (Forward), Cam DelGrosso (Midfield), Christos Dounis (Defense), Joey Velona (Midfield), Alex Watts (Defense), Kevin Burdzy (Midfield), Nick DiGiovanni (So., Forward)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Niko Kamnitsis, Sr., Goalkeeper (3 shutouts)

Matt Ruchaevsky, Sr., Defense

Nick Erfani, Jr., Defense

Joey Devito, So., Defense

Zach Dorazio, So., Defense

Ryan Otero, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 2 assists)

Dolan Dunigan, Sr., Midfield (3 assists)

Caden Brown, Jr., Midfield (2 assists)

Andrew Polanco, Sr., Midfield

Julian Crampton, So., Midfield (2 assists)

Gio Reyes, Jr., Forward (2024 Stats: 2 goals, 1 assist)

 

Other Key Players

Sam Gluck, Jr., Midfield

Colton Dinella, Jr., Forward

Austin Valentino, Fr., Midfield

Nate Devino, Sr., Defense

 

---

 

5. Raritan

Raritan’s 2025 story is similar to that of Middletown North in that the Rockets had a senior scoring standout to lead them, but a young group around him that was not quite ready to complete a winning roster. This year, Raritan will have to replace Owen Brackett’s 18 goals, but with seven starters back and a promising sophomore group beginning to push into the starting lineup, the Rockets head into 2026 optimistic.

Senior midfielders Matei Cojocariu and Jaden Molina are back and classmate Patrick Amodeo also returns with experience in the midfield. Depending on the formation, sophomore newcomer A.J. McGinn can play in the midfield, on a wing or up top while classmate Jayden Valencia and junior August Zalenski look to pick up the scoring as starting forwards. With McGinn, Valencia, fellow sophomore Lukas Diers and junior Jared Nunez, Raritan has a collection of young players on the attack that could form a formidable unit as soon as this season.

Senior Brendan O’Brien will be a first-year starter in goal and he will have the benefit of working with an experienced group of defenders. Junior Alex Likakis is a returning starter and the lone non-senior on the back line. Dylan Geoghan, Dylan Williamson and James Thorn will lead the defense as seniors and should give the younger players on the attack a chance to win some games with their improved scoring ability.

Raritan at a Glance

Head Coach: Greg Casha, third season
2025 Record: 6-12-2 (1-5, tied sixth in Class B North)
SCT Group: 3 (Toms River East, Ocean, Lacey, Barnegat)
Key Losses: Owen Brackett (Forward), Jake Bennett (Midfield), Justin Kasmer (Defense), Dylan Rojo (Goalkeeper), Joe Grzankowski (Defense), Joe Piereth (Defense)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Brendan O’Brien, Sr., Goalkeeper

Dylan Geoghan, Sr., Defense

Alex Likakis, Jr., Defense

Dylan Williamson, Sr., Defense

James Thorn, Sr., Defense/Midfield (3 goals, 3 assists)

Patrick Amodeo, Sr., Midfield/Defense

Matei Cojocariu, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 1 assist)

Jaden Molina, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 2 assists)

A.J. McGinn, So., Midfield/Forward

August Zalenski, Jr., Forward

Jayden Valencia, So., Forward

 

Other Key Players

Lukas Diers, So., Midfield

Rob Ubriaco, Jr., Defense

Jared Nunez, Jr., Forward/Midfield

Jason Nasert, Jr., Midfield

 

---

 

6. Red Bank

Two years after breaking through with its first Shore Conference division title since 1972, Red Bank boys soccer finds itself heading into the 2026 with a team of mostly new starters and with a new head coach after Dave Santos stepped down after three seasons. Santos’s hire three years ago was a big step for the program and Buc Nation is hoping Mike O’Boyle can continue the momentum after a successful stint coaching Piscataway Magnet, followed by a successful season at Freehold Township in 2025 that was sullied(opens in new tab) by a red-card controversy.

The new chapter for O’Boyle offers him a chance to coach an all-division senior midfielder in Brian Garcia, who is the lone returning member of a quartet that carried the Bucs in 2025. Fellow senior Murphy Lennon is another returning starter in the midfield, which will include a pair of sophomore starters in Kevin Fitzpatrick and Cole McMenamy. Junior Johan Jimenez is also in the mix in the midfield and sophomores Connor Roseland and Antonio Gonzalez round out the attack as the forwards, with senior Abraham Torres also a key part of the attack.

Junior Jason Ramirez is the lone defender returning from last year’s starting back line and will get support from two seniors in Andy Plazas and Noah Schellato, with Plazas offering some varsity game experience. Sophomore Noah Eagles steps in as the goalkeeper as one of five sophomores in O’Boyle’s potential opening-day starting XI. Freshman Tyler Salvo – brother of two-time All-Shore forward and 2026 graduate Alex Salvo – will be a player to watch over the course of the next four years as well for a Bucs team with a chance to build something during that span.

Red Bank at a Glance

Head Coach: Mike O’Boyle, first season (10th overall)
2025 Record: 8-13-1 (4-2, third in Class B North)
SCT Group: 1 (CBA, Manasquan, Central, Red Bank Catholic)
Key Losses: Alex Salvo (Forward), Jackson Whitehead (Defense), Gus Kowalczyk (Defense), Carlos Segura-Trapp (Forward), Andres Osorio (Defense), Max Fishbein (Jr., Midfield), Joe Henry (Sr., Defense), Zuma Rubin (Jr., Goalkeeper)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Noah Eagles, So., Goalkeeper

Andy Plazas, Sr., Defense (1 goal)

Noah Schellato, Sr., Defense

Jason Ramirez, Jr., Defense

Kevin Fitzpatrick, So., Midfield (1 goal, 1 assist)

Cole McMenamy, So., Midfield

Murphy Lennon, Sr., Midfield (3 assists)

Johan Jimenez, Jr., Midfield

Brian Garcia, Sr., Midfield (6 goals, 12 assists)

Connor Roseland, So., Forward

Antonio Gonzalez, So., Forward

 

Other Key Players

Abraham Perez, Sr., Midfield/Forward (2 goals, 2 assists)

Alex Perez, Sr., Forward

Tyler Salvo, Fr., Midfield/Forward

Harry Biello, Sr., Goalkeeper

Kevin Pantle, So., Defense

Eliel Tlapa, Jr., Forward

 

---

 

7. Asbury Park

The Blue Bishops were a wild card opponent last season and they will be one of the Shore’s ultimate wild cards. Had Asbury Park remained in the Class B Central division, it might have been the favorite to win the division for the first time in nine years. Instead, the Blue Bishops got bumped into Class B North, where the competition is much tougher on a day-in, day-out basis. Asbury Park showed it could hang with anyone last year, when it earned a draw vs. Toms River North and suffered one-goal losses to St. John Vianney, Toms River South, Holmdel, Middlesex, Howell and Point Beach.

Six starters are back from last year’s trailblazing group, led by a trio of senior forwards that will be a concern for teams on the Blue Bishops’ schedule. Brandon Joseph and Chris Torres were two of Asbury Park’s top three scorers last season and Likerson Garius rounds out the attack up top after scoring a goal as a starter. Junior Carlos Valdivia returns to the midfield and senior Adrian Sanchez and sophomore Wickenly Millien will join him in the middle of the park.

Senior Jessie Cifuentes and junior Yoexsy Nicolas will lead the defense as the two center backs while four players – junior Norwin Lopez and seniors Yair Aparicio, Landdy Jean-Pierre and Jean Larose – battle for the two outside back spots. Senior Gustavo Noyola Merino will take over for four-year starter Eli Flores in goal, rounding out an Asbury Park lineup that could blow this projection out of the water if it can handle the steep step-up in competition that comes with moving into Class B North, as well as a challenging Shore Conference Tournament Group 5.

Asbury Park at a Glance

Head Coach: Jeff Bertoncin, second season
2025 Record: 10-9-1 (5-1, second in Class B Central)
SCT Group: 5 (Colts Neck, Toms River North, Brick, Ranney)
Key Losses: Dain Salazar (Forward), Eli Flores (Goalkeeper), Kerry St. Vilus (Defense), Matelson Louisius (Forward), Steven Brenes (Midfield)

Projected Starters (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Gustavo Noyola Merino, Sr., Goalkeeper

Yair Aparicio, Sr., Defense; Landdy Jean-Pierre, Sr., Defense

Jessie Cifuentes, Sr., Defense

Yoexsy Nicolas, Jr., Defense (2 goals, 1 assist)

Jean Larose, Sr., Defense; Norwin Lopez, Jr., Defense

Adrian Sanchez, Sr., Midfield

Carlos Valdivia, Jr., Midfield (1 goal, 3 assists)

Wickenly Millien, So., Midfield

Brandon Joseph, Sr., Forward (9 goals, 5 assists)

Chris Torres, Sr., Forward (7 goals, 5 assists)

Likerson Garius, Sr., Forward (1 goal, 1 assist)

 

---

 

Class B North Starting XI

Brandon Joseph, Forward, Asbury Park

Tom Beurskens, Forward, Howell

Ryan Almeida, Forward, Freehold Boro

Gio Reyes, Forward, Middletown North

Shane Womack, Midfield, Wall

Brian Garcia, Midfield, Red Bank

Andrew Holmes, Midfield, Howell

Oliver Rhodes, Midfield, Wall

Klodian Jaku, Midfield, Freehold Boro

Kevin Anderson, Defense, Wall

Kellen Clauburg, Goalkeeper, Wall