Freehold Boro’s Youth Movement Shines in Win Over Colts Neck

COLTS NECK — It was a pivotal divisional battle between two teams determined to stay within striking distance of first place. With a loss eliminating either team’s chance of earning a share of the division title, there was little room for error.

Freehold Boro controlled possession for much of the game and turned that advantage into a 2-0 victory over Colts Neck, keeping the Colonials within one game of first-place Ocean Township in the division standings.

The Colonials took advantage of a Colts Neck misplay to open the scoring 10 minutes into the game. Sophomore Mackenzie Sims found herself with an open net and buried a feed from Mandi Guo for her second goal of the season, giving Freehold Boro a 1-0 lead.

“It is a constant conversation with them about believing in themselves,” Freehold Boro coach Elyse Ingui said. “Prior to last year, we have had some seasons that have really tested us, tested our confidence. Little by little we see this team really believing in themselves and being able to compete with some of the better teams in the Shore Conference.”

The Colonials added some insurance in the 46th minute when freshman Cameron Burlew doubled the lead. Burlew nearly scored moments earlier off a free kick from Guo but was unable to get a clean shot away. Given another opportunity shortly afterward, she made it count, blasting a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that sailed just over the outstretched hands of Colts Neck goalkeeper Ashley Tiedemann.

“The play right before, I took a touch and missed, so I wanted to fix that shot,” Burlew said. “I heard everyone say take the shot, so I took my time and shot it. It just went over the goalie’s head.”

Burlew has made an immediate impact in her rookie season for Freehold Boro, scoring seven goals to rank second on the team. Senior Shea Patmore leads the Colonials with 11 goals.

In addition to making an impact offensively, Burlew has showcased her versatility by contributing on the defensive end when needed.

“Cameron (Burlew) is the type of player that is a silent assassin,” Ingui said. “She is deadly whether she is on offense or defense. Having a freshman being able to take on that role and being able to execute is huge for us.”

Burlew is not the only freshman making an immediate impact for the Colonials this season. Classmate Milena Ingui has recorded two goals and two assists while consistently creating dangerous scoring opportunities with her corner kicks.

The impact of Freehold Boro’s younger players has been significant, with freshmen and sophomores accounting for 16 of the Colonials’ 31 goals this season.

“You talk about fresh legs and fresh bodies and that is exactly what the freshmen have given us,” Ingui said. “They are giving us that confidence to go forward. They are giving us that spark and I think they are pushing some of the other players to continue to move the ball and do the right thing.”

Freehold Boro’s offense has averaged just over three goals per game, but the Colonials’ defense has been equally important to their success. Freehold Boro has surrendered just two goals across its seven victories this season.

A key piece of that defensive success has been junior Alison Espinoza, who made the move from forward to center back this season. Espinoza finished second on the team with 11 goals last year, but has embraced her new role as an anchor of the Colonials’ back line. Her ability to contribute at both ends of the field gives Freehold Boro another valuable option as the season progresses.

“She (Espinoza) has helped us tremendously with her speed,” Ingui said. “Ally is the type of player that I will pay one million dollars to have one million Allys on the team. She is invaluable anywhere she is on the field. Wherever I put her she is going to give me everything that she has.”

Freehold Boro has now won six of its last seven games, a stretch highlighted by Tuesday’s overtime victory over No. 9 Toms River East. The win over the Raiders clinched first place in Shore Conference Tournament Group 2 for the Colonials, who went 3-0 in group play while outscoring their opponents 12-1.

“Most people think that the Boro is not as good as we are this year,” Burlew said. “Beating a team like Toms River East shows people that we can compete with other teams and teams that are ranked higher.”