Liebler’s Goal Lifts Manasquan Past Southern in SCT Pod Opener
MANASQUAN — The Shore Conference Tournament pod games got underway this week, with teams looking to earn their first three points, set the tone, and gain an early advantage as they battle for a spot in the SCT.
Manasquan got off to a strong start in SCT Group 4, earning three points with a second-half goal to defeat Southern, 1-0. The matchup came in what could be considered, in World Cup terms, the “Group of Death,” with Middletown South, Holmdel, and Neptune also in the pod.
After a scoreless first half that didn’t present many chances for either team, the Warriors struck early in the second half. Sophomore Lexie Liebler scored on a rebound after a shot by freshman Vanessa Vowteras bounced right to her, and she perfectly played her shot to beat Southern senior goalkeeper Jacklynn Donnelly.
“I wanted to follow everything and keep working hard, going off last season only scoring one goal,” Liebler said. “I know I want to get more, so I am focusing on finishing. I knew the goalie was closer to my side, so I wanted to get it to the corner.”
Vowteras played a big role in the midfield for the Warriors. She helped control the midfield and created chances on the counterattack by seeing the field and getting the ball to the forwards.
Vanessa Vowteras had an assist for Manasquan against Southern in a SCT Group 4 game. 9/11/26 (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
“She (Vowteras) is young and started on the JV squad,” Manasquan head coach Bailey Price said. “We were looking for somebody in the middle. She is usually a center back, but she is athletic, and we thought, why not try her in the middle? She has definitely shocked us a bit with her composure on the ball. She doesn’t panic when there’s pressure on her back. She’s got go-go-gadget legs, where if she loses the ball she somehow gets it right back.”
Manasquan has struggled to score in the first half to start this season. In their opening game against No. 6 Freehold Township, the Warriors scored four goals in the second half after being shut out in the first half. They followed that by being shut out by rival Wall and finally scored their first first-half goal against Shore in a 3-1 victory. Manasquan has scored seven of their eight goals in the second half this season.
“I feel we pulled through as a team,” senior Samantha Price said. “Coach Price really gave us a good pep talk at half. She told us to keep our spirits up and to keep our energy up.”
Manasquan kept the pressure on in the second half after making it 1-0. Junior Cassidy Eastmond came within inches of making it 2-0 in the 58th minute, but her shot hit the post.
Jacklynn Donnelly diving for a ball in the 58th minute against Manasquan. 9/11/26 (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Manasquan’s defense did not allow Southern to have many scoring chances throughout the game. The Rams’ best chance came with 7:30 left after junior goalkeeper Madeline Petrulla made an initial save, but a Ram forward was able to get control of the ball until Price came to clear it away.
Samantha Price taking a free kick in the second-half against Southern in a SCT Pod game. 9/11/26 (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
The Warriors kept junior Brinley Reynolds, Southern’s leading scorer the last two seasons, in check the whole game. Manasquan prevented Reynolds from breaking into the box for any easy attempts.
“We had Shore on Wednesday, and in this game we decided at training yesterday and today we were going to focus on our game rather than our opponents’ game,” Price said. “Obviously you have to assess your opponent’s game and adjust accordingly to their system, formation, or their strong players and their strengths. We decided to focus on us and play our game. That’s a testament to our game that we were able to minimize her (Reynolds) action in the game.”
Petrulla, who was named to the SSI All-Shore First Team last season, made six saves to earn her first shutout of the season. Her ability to read the field and anticipate the Rams’ through balls into the box helped slow down Southern’s attack and prevent any serious scoring threats.
Madeline Petrulla made six saves in a shutout win over Southern. 9/11/26 (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Beating Southern is just the first step as Manasquan looks to qualify for the SCT. The top three teams from each pod advance into the SCT. Manasquan has qualified every season since the Shore Conference switched to the World Cup format. In 2023, the Warriors reached the SCT semifinal round for the first time in the program’s history. The Warriors travel to No. 5 Middletown South next Thursday for their second pod game.
“It does ease a little bit of the pressure knowing we have the win and those points,” Price said. “Hopefully it helps us qualify for the Shore Conference, but we have Midd South next week, then Holmdel the following week and Neptune after that.”
