Ocean’s Balanced Attack Powers Spartans to First 3-0 Start Since 2020
FREEHOLD — Ocean Township (3-0, 3-0) has had no problem finding the back of the net to start the 2026 season. The Spartans scored four goals to defeat Freehold Boro (1-2, 1-1) 4-1 and start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2020.
Ocean only needed four minutes to score the game’s first goal when senior Mia Fiorentino took a pass from Avery O’Hara and dribbled past a Freehold Boro defender inside the box and beat goalie Makayla Koltunicki from point-blank range.
Mia Fiorentino scored two goals against Freehold Boro in a 4-1 Class B North victory. 9/9/26 (Photo by Doug Phillips/Framegrabs)
“We definitely jumped on it, scoring first,” Ocean head coach Alex Pickett said. “Our past two games we have been on the opposite end, so to come out strong like this and score first was a great opportunity for us to take advantage of.”
The start to this season for the Spartans has been night and day compared to last season. Ocean lost their first four games, and it took 13 games to win their third one of the season last year. Ocean has scored 14 goals in their first three games, with seven different players finding the goal. They are also moving the ball well, with six different players tallying an assist in this early season.
“Last season we did not do too well, so starting the season 3-0 has really done a lot for us,” Erin Toppi said. “Coach (Pickett) wanted us to be calm and become more of a team this season. She knew we were missing a lot of players from last season, but she has faith in us. The preseason was really good for us, and our scrimmages went well.”
Seniors Fiorentino and Toppi have played a big role in Ocean’s attack, scoring four goals each. Toppi assisted the second goal of the game when she put a perfectly placed ball in the box, and Erin Decker finished it in the 28th minute.
Freshman Abby Salowe picked up her team-high fifth assist when her corner kick found Fiorentino for her second goal of the game and put the Spartans up 4-0 in the 65th minute. The Spartans took advantage of their set pieces, scoring two goals and just missing a third goal from a set piece by Toppi.
“We are always looking to get corners,” Pickett said. “We’ve done a really nice job finishing them. Her (Toppi) free kicks are amazing; she hit the crossbar today, but usually they fall right in. She has been a very nice weapon to have for us.”
A big part of Ocean’s success is their ability to get everyone on the field involved. This season, 12 of their 14 goals have had an assist. Today, four different players recorded an assist. O’Hara, who scored the Spartans’ third goal of the game, and Decker both added an assist to go with their goals.
Avery O’Hara had a goal and an assist against Freehold Boro in a Class B North game. 9/9/26 (Photo by Doug Phillips/Framegrabs)
“We are working together as a team,” Pickett said. “I feel the girls are a lot closer this year and really positive and wanting to work together. They are very unselfish; as you can see, we have a lot of girls assisting and a lot of girls scoring all across the board. It’s all the girls and not just one girl doing all the work, so that’s definitely a big change this year.”
Freehold Boro applied pressure throughout the game and had several scoring chances, but sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Scotto and the Ocean defense did not fold. The Colonials’ best chance came in the 48th minute off a free kick from Mandi Guo that hit the post. Freehold Boro had a chance to put the rebound in, but Scotto made the save.
Mandi Guo taking a shot against Ocean in a Class B North game at Freehold Boro. 9/9/26 (Photo by Doug Phillips/Framegrabs)
Scotto followed that with a save in the 55th minute off a blast from junior Ava Hernandez just outside the 18-yard line. The Colonials were finally able to get a goal in the 66th minute from freshman Cameron Burlew.
“Taylor (Scotto) came up to us (varsity) this year, and we are really getting to see her come out of her shell,” Pickett said. “She has taken leadership working with our backline. Kenzie Bard has really stepped up and worked really well with her and Jordan (Rose). We are really connecting across the back really nicely.”
All three of Ocean’s victories this season are in Class B North. The only other undefeated team in the division is Ranney (2-0,1-0), who defeated Monmouth today 5-4. Colts Neck, Red Bank Regional, and Freehold Boro each have one division loss, and it came against Ocean. The Spartans’ next game is on the road at New Egypt in a non-division game, and then they are home against Holmdel on Tuesday in a division game.
