Shore Conference Boys Soccer 2024 Preview: Class A North
The updated Class A North division looks a whole lot different than the division that has been dominating the Shore Conference over the last two decades, but it should, theoretically, be the Shore’s best division again. The top seven regular-season power-point teams of the last two seasons make up this year’s Class A North lineup, headlined by the two teams that have played in the Shore Conference Tournament final in each of the past two years: Christian Brothers Academy and Howell.
CBA is in the midst of a three-year run as SCT champions and has finished No. 1 in the Shore Conference in each of the past four seasons (there was no SCT in 2020). That run will be put to the test this season, not only because CBA will have its least experienced team in a decade, but also because Howell returns most of its starting unit from 2023. On top of that, Holmdel joins the division with the Shore Conference Player of the Year heading into his senior year, Manasquan brings back eight starters from a 2023 sectional finalist and Marlboro brings back a talented core after playing CBA as tough as any Shore Conference opponent has in each of the past two seasons.
In predicted order of finish
1. Howell
Beginning with a surprise run to the 2021 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV final, Howell has consistently put itself in position to win tournament championships over the course of the past three seasons. While the Rebels have been on the doorstep of winning a title, they have not yet been able to capture the hardware. Howell has played in four tournament championship games since 2021 – two Shore Conference Tournament finals and two Central Group IV championship games – and has lost all four. On top of that, Howell has also finished second behind CBA in the Class A North standings in each of the past two seasons.
Coming so close to a championship without winning one can play with a team’s psyche, but one thing is for sure: Howell is a hungry team heading into 2024. The Rebels graduated six players with starting experience, but also bring back nine seniors who started by the end of the year. Injuries started to anchor down Howell in the thick of the postseason, which gave several of its returning players a chance to step in and show what they can do.
Seniors Nick Turturro, Tye Maser, John Fiorillo, Ty Borenstein and Max Roco were starters from the start of the season and three of their classmates ascended to significant roles, whether they were as starters or substitutes. Kam Brown is a speedy wing who can finish, while Quinn Mills and Eric Pray delivered quality minutes down the stretch. Both will play on the back line, with Mills sliding back after playing in the midfield as a junior.
Juniors Zach Zimmer and Dylan Johansen are the new starters heading into the year and will round out a starting field that stacks up with any other in the Shore Conference. The x-factor will be in goal, where Howell has been as steady as can be over the last four years, with Charlie Scanlon from 2020 to 2022 and Pat Martin last year. Junior Justin Ecks and sophomore Brady Murphy are going down to the wire as the two goalkeepers vying for the starting spot and if either can replace Martin half as well as Martin replaced Scanlon, Howell will remain on the short list of teams that can win a Shore Conference Tournament and a sectional title.
Howell at a Glance
Head Coach: Rich Yuro, 33rd season
2023 Record: 13-3-2 (4-1-1, second in Class A North)
SCT Group: C (Central, Shore, Brick, Red Bank)
Key Losses: Marcello Romano (Forward), Bryce Ocholla (Forward), Brent Romano (Defense), Pat Martin (Goalkeeper), Aiden Pacheco (Midfield), David Merino (Defense), Evan Tomek (Defense)
Potential Starters (Returning starters in bold)
Nick Turturro, Sr., Forward (15 goals, 7 assists)
Kam Brown, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 2 assists)
Tye Maser, Sr., Midfield (8 goals, 6 assists)
John Fiorillo, Sr., Midfield (3 assists)
Tyler Borenstein, Sr., Midfield (5 goals, 5 assists)
Dylan Johansen, Jr., Midfield
Quinn Mills, Sr., Defense (2 goals)
Max Roco, Sr., Defense (2 assists)
Eric Pray, Sr., Defense
Zach Zimmer, Jr. Defense
Justin Ecks, Jr./Brady Murphy, So., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Nick Mustacchio, Sr., Midfield
Uriel Aragon Santiago, Sr., Midfield
2. Christian Brothers Academy
Reloading amid heavy losses to graduation has not been a problem for CBA, particularly since Tom Mulligan took over as head coach in 2016. This season, CBA’s ability to turn over a roster from one year to the next will be tested more than it has been tested in any season since Mulligan became the head coach. Just two starters return from a Colts team that won its third straight Shore Conference Tournament championship and played in its seventh NJSIAA Non-Public A championship game in nine years, leaving Mulligan and his staff an abundance of holes to fill in the lineup.
CBA is as equipped to handle this sort of challenge than almost any team in the state. The Colts typically boast rosters heavy on seniors and juniors and their underclass talent is always ready to contribute by the time those players become seniors. Despite graduating nine starters, CBA is set to run out a senior-heavy lineup again in 2024, led by returning starters Brayden Perry and Phil Bodenski. Perry’s speed and finishing was a major weapon on the wing for the Colts in 2023 and Bodenski is a calming presence with skill in the middle of field. Midfielder Nick Vieira also played important minutes in the midfield, while defenders Brandon Ortiz and Carlos Cano also comes back with a dose of varsity experience.
The rest of CBA’s starting formation will be new and the players who are parting of the starting XI will likely be fluid given the number of starting positions Mulligan is replacing. Seniors Caden Darby and Nick Tesauro will play in the midfield, with junior Devon Cale joining Perry up top. Cano and Ortiz give CBA a pair of seniors on the outside, but its centerbacks – junior Finn McCarthy and sophomore Cillian Parker will be two of the Colts’ younger contributors. Goalkeeping will be a strength thanks to senior Sean Najdzinowicz, who is a first-year starter but has the size and shot-stopping ability to be one of the Shore’s best in net.
CBA has a crop of seniors who will play roles off the bench, as well as a freshman with a chance to make an impact. Juniors Ryan Asadi and James Brady are potential scoring threats when they get in the game and senior Owen Wierman will play important minutes as well. Midfielder Nick Guastella is a freshman to watch this season and with so many questions heading into the season for CBA, he has a chance to make his presence felt immediately. Those questions will be answered in time and for the first time in five years, CBA is not the clear-cut favorite to finish No. 1 in the Shore Conference. With that being said, this is CBA we’re talking about. Once the late rounds of the tournaments arrive, the Colts will likely be there.
CBA at a Glance
Head Coach: Tom Mulligan, ninth season
2023 Record: 17-3-2 (5-1, first in Class A North)
SCT Group: B (Middletown South, Manchester, St. John Vianney, Monmouth)
Key Losses: Lawrence Mancino (Defense), Dylan Millevoi (Forward), Dimitry Corba (Midfield), Christian DeOliveira (Defense), John Gambale (Midfield), Dan Dinnell (Midfield/Defense), Sean Galvin (Defense), Miles Gallagher (Goalkeeper), Conor Mellor (Defense), Cameron D’Alterio (Midfield/Forward)
Potential Starters (Returning starters in bold)
Brayden Perry, Sr., Midfield/Forward (6 goals, 2 assists)
Devon Cale, Jr., Midfield/Forward
Phil Bodenski, Sr., Midfield (1 goal)
Nick Vieira, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 2 assists)
Caden Darby, Sr., Midfield
Nick Tesouro, Sr., Midfield
Finn McCarthy, Jr., Defense
Cillian Parker, So., Defense
Carlos Cano, Sr., Defense (1 assist)
Brandon Ortiz, Sr., Defense (1 assist)
Sean Najdzinowicz, Sr., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Joe Guastella, Fr., Midfield
Owen Wierman, Sr., Midfield (1 goal)
Charlie Messano, Sr., Defense
Ryan Asadi, Jr., Forward
James Brady, Jr., Forward
Abraham Hernandez, Sr., Forward (1 goal)
Taylor Ryan, Sr., Defense
Haro Gueyikian, Sr., Midfield/Defense
Nick Silva, Sr., Forward
3. Marlboro
High expectations for 2023 went mostly unfulfilled for Marlboro, which won seven of the 16 games its played last season. Only four of those non-wins, however, were losses and all four of them were by a one-goal margin. Marlboro’s Shore Conference Tournament ended with a 2-1 overtime loss to eventual champion CBA and its season ended with a loss at Jackson Memorial on penalty kicks in the first round of the NJSIAA Tournament. With only three starters back from last season, Marlboro has some wrinkles to iron out, but the Mustangs were a few bounces away from a much different season last year and are intent on making sure they are prepared to turn those closes losses and draws into wins.
The loss of eight starters does not hurt quite as much as it could thanks to the return of All-Shore center midfielder Trevor Barrett. Everything on the field runs through Barrett, as far as Marlboro is concerned, and the senior captain gives his team an edge in a lot of their match-ups. Junior midfielders Vinny Pollifrone and Jake Ferraro are also back in the midfield, giving Marlboro a group that has both skill and experience to control the game from the center of the pitch. The defense returns just one starter in senior centerback Nick Bisconti, who will share the middle of the back line with Vladimir Anokhin. Senior Owen Fischer and sophomore Alec Roberman will play on the outside of a back four that will shield first-year starter and senior Tim Yafutov in goal.
Goal-scoring is an unknown for the Mustangs after three of their top four scorers graduated this past spring, but senior Jake Langella will ease any anxiety on that front. Langella scored three goals as a sophomore in 2022 and played academy soccer in 2023. Now back with the Mustangs, he figures to be the team’s top scoring threat, with sophomore Giorgi Datunaishvili and senior Luciano Garcia joining the attack as well. The rest of the formation looks strong on paper, so if that group of forwards can develop enough chemistry to make Marlboro an above-average scoring outfit, the Mustangs have a chance to win Class A North and challenge for championships in October and November.
Marlboro at a Glance
Head Coach: Ryan Morris, seventh season
2023 Record: 7-4-5 (2-3-1, fifth in Class A North)
SCT Group: G (Wall, New Egypt, Neptune, Pinelands)
Key Losses: Cade Jacobs (Midfield), Ryan Cohen (Forward), Yasine Isa (Forward), Arnav Bitla (Goalkeeper), Jake Cagnina (Defense), Wyatt Oechsner (Forward), Matt Ringel (Midfield/Defense), Mark Kotlyar (Midfield), Avto Geladze (Defense)
Potential Starters (Returning starters in bold)
Jake Langella, Sr., Forward (3 goals in 2022)
Luciano Garcia, Sr., Forward (1 goal)
Giorgi Datunaishvili, So., Forward (1 goal)
Trevor Barrett, Sr., Midfield (5 goals, 3 assists)
Vinny Pollifrone, Jr., Midfield (2 goals)
Jake Ferraro, Jr., Midfield
Nick Bisconti, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)
Vladimir Anokhin, Defense
Owen Fischler, Sr., Defense
Alec Roberman, So., Defense
Tim Yafutov, Sr., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Dean Allegretta, Jr., Forward
4. Manasquan
Howell’s toughest challenge for the Class A North public division championship could very well come from Manasquan and championship-caliber rosters are not the only thing those two programs have in common. Like Howell, Manasquan has been excruciatingly close to winning a tournament championship, with the Warriors’ near misses coming over a stretch of six years rather than three. They lost to Delran in the 2018 South Jersey Group II final, to Freehold Township on penalties in the 2019 Shore Conference Tournament championship and to Holmdel, 1-0, in last year’s Central Jersey Group II final on a late goal by the Hornets.
Manasquan returns three foundational players to its starting XI in crafty midfielder Cristian Gonzalez, dangerous junior striker Cruz Farkas and imposing centerback Griffin Linstra. All three have started since their respective freshman seasons and were standouts a season ago. Linstra has Division I offers in basketball and classmate Brandon Kunz – who will play up top and on the wing – is committed to play lacrosse at Lehigh, so Manasquan has some serious athleticism on its roster.
Manasquan’s six attacking starters all return having either started or played significant minutes in 2023. In addition to Farkas, Gonzalez and Kunz, senior Shayne Byrne is back in the midfield, while classmates Jorge Cruz Cruz and Tristan Davalos-Guillen each provided scoring off the bench last season and are ready to do the same as starters. Linstra, meanwhile, leads a defensive unit that also returns two more senior starters in Griffin Mack and Braeden DeAngelis. Junior Quinn Juska rounds out the starting back line in front of returning senior goalkeeper Dylan Morris, who completes a balanced group of returning players who are eager to make one more run at claiming Manasquan’s first-ever postseason championship in boys soccer.
Manasquan at a Glance
Head Coach: Tom McGill, 11th season
2023 Record: 12-7-1 (5-1, tied first in Class B North)
SCT Group: I (Colts Neck, Jackson Liberty, Raritan, Red Bank Catholic)
Key Losses: Lucas Farkas (Midfield), Luke Roy (Midfield), Shane Salvatoriello (Midfield), Kevian Kraemer (Forward), Peter Debenedetto (Defense), Mason Gardner (Defense), Patrick Woodrow (Defense)
Potential Starters (Returning starters in bold)
Cruz Farkas, Jr., Forward (10 goals, 2 assists)
Jorge Cruz Cruz, Sr., Forward (4 goals, 1 assist)
Brandon Kunz, Sr., Forward (5 goals, 7 assists)
Cristian Gonzalez, Sr., Midfield (11 goals, 6 assists)
Tristan Davalos-Guillen, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assist)
Shayne Byrne, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 3 assists)
Griffin Linstra, Sr., Defense (4 assists)
Griffin Mack, Sr., Defense (2 goals, 1 assist)
Braeden DeAngelis, Sr., Defense
Quinn Juska, Jr., Defense
Dylan Morris, Sr., Goalkeeper (6 shutouts)
Other Players
Cristian Zelinsky, Sr., Defense
Cooper Daly, Sr., Midfield
T.J. Walther, Sr., Defense
Landon Herbert, Jr., Midfield
Luke Byrne, So., Midfield
5. Holmdel
Holmdel has the unenviable task of replacing one of the Shore Conference’s best players in David Weiner and the rare luxury of attempting to do so by retaining the Shore Conference’s best player from a year ago. Columbia commit Stepan Kapranov was the Shore Conference Player of the Year as a junior in 2023 after helping lead the Hornets to an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II championship, as well as a Shore Conference Coaches Cup championship after the Hornets were surprisingly boxed out of the Shore Conference Tournament.
The two lessons the Hornets took from last season were: 1) every game, no matter how early in the season, counts when it comes to the Shore Conference Tournament; and 2) a failure in September does not mean the season is over. Back-to-back losses to Central and Rumson-Fair Haven cost Holmdel a spot in the Shore Conference Tournament and a Class A Central championship, but the Hornets made up for it by winning their second straight sectional championship.
Although Holmdel lost some major impact from its 2023 roster, the Hornets have eight experienced starters from last year’s team. Kapranov will be the focal point of the 21 other players on the field with him at all times, which is going to put the onus on fellow returning seniors Kieran Hynes, Joe Wang and Joe Kang to create on the attack. Defensively, Holmdel should remain strong, led by third-year starter Tyler Gravier and returning junior starters Connor Paul and Dom Poli. Junior Luke Farrugia will play at the mouth of the back four as the defensive center midfielder and senior Charlie Nasta rounds out the back line in front of senior goalkeeper Matt Campillay.
Kapranov figures to put up another robust goal total in his final season, but opposing teams will try to make it as difficult as possible for him to beat them. The performance of the other returning starters is as likely to determine Holmdel’s success this season as Kapronov’s brilliance, and with a solid defensive group and an experienced goalkeeper, the Hornets should have a chance to win any game they play.
Holmdel at a Glance
Head Coach: Matt Isaacson, fifth season
2023 Record: 16-3-1 (5-1, second in Class A Central)
SCT Group: A (Toms River East, St. Rose, Ranney, Donovan Catholic)
Key Losses: David Weiner (Midfield), Frankie Brusco (Forward), Jaime Palmer (Midfield), Younis Kamel (Forward), Luke Brand (Defense/Midfield)
Potential Starters (Returning starters in bold)
Stepan Kapranov, Sr., Midfield/Forward (21 goals, 12 assists)
Kieran Hynes, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 2 assists)
Joe Wang, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assists)
Joe Kang, Sr., Midfield (1 goal)
Ziya Nazier, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 2 assists)
Luke Farrugia, Jr., Defense/Midfield (2 assists)
Tyler Gravier, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 2 assists)
Connor Paul, Jr., Defense (1 goal)
Dom Poli, Jr., Defense
Charlie Nasta, Sr., Defense
Matt Campillay, Sr., Goalkeeper (8 shutouts)
Other Players
Nate Koenig, Jr., Midfield
Lucas Nobrega, So., Midfield
6. Rumson-Fair Haven
With very little scoring production and overall experience returning from an 11-win team in 2022, Rumson exceeded that win total with 12 during a 2023 season that proved Rumson is not a program that has a down year. Bulldogs coach Jeff Soares will again have a lot of scoring to replace after they graduated three of their top five scorers from a year ago. The good news is there is more experience back this season than there was last year. The bad news is Rumson will have to reload while moving into the Class A North division, which means the Bulldogs will now have to face the likes of CBA, Howell, Marlboro and Long Branch while still facing traditional rival Holmdel.
Luke D’Angelo and Charlie Butters were both breakout performers for Rumson as juniors in 2023 and will be the top scoring threats on the team again this season. D’Angelo is an attacking midfielder while Butters is more of a true forward. The Bulldogs will have a versatile group on the attack, featuring juniors Pat Huber and Bobby Quaglia in the middle of the field and seniors Addison Bellincampi and Cole DiPietro returning to join them. Bellincampi was a starter and scoring contributor a season ago and both junior midfielders are ready for more responsibility after playing as sophomores.
Two more junior returning starters – Zach Halpern and Bobby Tamashunas will lead the Rumson defense, with classmate Zach Winig also part of the back line. Senior Joe French rounds out the four-man unit playing in front of first-year starting goalkeeper and junior Jack Del Priore. The starting XI is a mix of seniors and juniors that will once again give the Bulldogs enough experience to compete in the postseason while maintaining a high level of play in future seasons. The move up to Class A North is the wild card: competing for another division championship will be a tall order, but Rumson is well-positioned to make the Shore Conference Tournament after missing in last year, as well as get back to the NJSIAA Group II final after winning the section in 2021.
Rumson-Fair Haven at a Glance
Head Coach: Jeff Soares, sixth season
2023 Record: 12-4-1 (6-0, first in Class A Central)
SCT Group: H (Jackson Memorial, Manalapan, Lakewood, Henry Hudson)
Key Losses: Padraig Flynn (Midfield/Defense), Liam Barnett (Midfield), Declan Fry (Midfield), Owen Saad (Midfield/Forward), Cole Herman, Sr., Goalkeeper, Jacob Olan, Sr., Defense
Potential Starters (Returning starters in bold)
Charlie Butters, Sr., Forward (8 goals, 4 assists)
Luke D’Angelo, Sr., Midfield/Forward (11 goals, 3 assists)
Cole DiPietro, Sr., Midfield/Forward
Pat Huber, Jr., Midfield/Forward (3 assists)
Addison Bellincampi, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 2 assists)
Bobby Quaglia, Jr., Midfield (1 goal, 1 assist)
Zach Halpern, Jr., Defense (2 goals, 1 assist)
Bobby Tamashunas, Jr., Defense
Joe French, Sr., Defense
Zach Winig, Jr., Defense
Jack Del Proire, Jr., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Peyton Werner, Sr., Forward
Jesse Zwas, Sr., Defense
7. Long Branch
With the exception of CBA, Long Branch suffered the heaviest losses from last year’s roster – if not in sheer numbers than in impact. The Green Wave turned in another strong season under first-year coach Tim Farrell, who turned the program over to Bill Rohr for 2024, and following that up will be more challenging this season with the spots to fill coupled with the move from Class B North to A North. In addition to graduating three skilled scorers in Chris Lopez, Nick Borges Da Silva and Wyatt Vicente, Long Branch will also have to replace All-Shore defender Nick Ribeiro, who will forego his junior season of high school soccer to play in the academy ranks.
Senior Evan Santiago’s return at centerback will keep Long Branch’s defense among the better units in the conference, even with three new starters back there with him. Tristan Pierre-Louis, Evarardo Ortiz and Jordan Vieira will jump into starting roles while junior Carlos Gerardo Rodas returns to the goal after giving up 20 goals in 19 matches as a junior.
The midfield will also boast two key returning starters surrounded by three new ones. Seniors Johan Gomez and Alejandro Lopez-Flores are back as starters and will man the midfield with juniors Brendan Mendoza, Carlos Andre Rodas and Marvin Oyuela. Gomez and Oyuela are the only midfielders to score a goal last season and the duo combined for four. Junior Thomas Silva, meanwhile, scored five as a sophomore in 2023 and will be the target at striker. The schedule is tougher, the head coach is new and there are several key players to replace, but Long Branch has been a competitive program year after year and has the ingredients to build upon that reputation.
Long Branch at a Glance
Head Coach: Bill Rohr, first season
2023 Record: 12-5-2 (4-2, third in Class B North)
SCT Group: E (Southern, Ocean, Brick Memorial, Asbury Park)
Key Losses: Chris Lopez (Forward), Nick Borges Da Silva (Forward), Wyatt Vincente (Midfield), Anthony Hernandez-Garcia (Midfield/Defense), Kenny Oliva (Defense), Angel Medina-Perez (Defense), Rene Sanchez (Midfield), Nick Ribeiro (Jr., Midfield/Defense)
Potential Starters (Returning starters in bold)
Thomas Silva, Jr., Forward (5 goals)
Johan Gomez, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 2 assists)
Alejandro Lopez-Flores, Sr., Midfield (2 assists)
Brendan Mendoza, Jr., Midfield
Carlos Andre Rodas, Jr., Midfield
Marvin Oyuela, Jr., Midfield (1 goal, 2 assists)
Evan Santiago, Sr., Defense
Tristan Pierre-Louis, Sr., Defense
Evarardo Ortiz, Sr., Defense
Jordan Vieira, So., Defense
Gerardo Gerardo Rodas, Jr., Goalkeeper (8 shutouts)
Other Players
Kevin Aleman-Garcia, Sr., Midfield
Christopher De Oliveira Santos, Jr., Midfield
Matheus Lopes, So., Forward
Marco Volpe, So., Midfield
