Boys Soccer 2024 Preview: Class A South

Of all the new Shore Conference divisions, the one that most resembles its prior form is Class A South. Five of the traditional A South teams – Toms River North, Toms River East, Jackson Memorial, Central and Southern – remain and the lone newcomer is former Class B South staple Point Pleasant Boro. In adding Point Boro, Class A South now has six programs that produce winners almost every season and all six have similar hopes for 2024, even if the math says somebody has to lose (ties notwithstanding).

Toms River North has won at least a share of the A South championship in each of the past four seasons, including outright titles in 2021 and 2023. The Mariners are also the last Ocean County program to win a Shore Conference Tournament title, which has not happened since 2005. With perennial Shore Conference powerhouse CBA returning only two starters, the door is open for a new team to capture a Shore Conference title and A South will have its share of candidates to not only reclaim the mantle for public schools, but also for Ocean County.

Before the Shore Conference Tournament, however, these teams will have to battle each other for a Class A South championship, not to mention survive SCT group play. All six have reasons for optimism, but the top four look especially dangerous on paper heading into the year.

In predicted order of finish

1. Southern

As a team light on seniors a year ago, Southern ran into some of the pitfalls a young team typically encounters but still had plenty of success in 2023. With only two starters gone from last year’s team, Southern is set up to be a Class A South favorite and a contender for the Shore Conference Tournament crown. The Rams are replacing one of their better scorers in Matt Hoosack and an All-Shore defender in Jack Marano but have enough to climb the ranks.

Nick Prosperi, Brody Reynolds and Aidan Donnelly are all returning for their third season as starters together and combined for 21 goals and 15 assists between them in 2023. Donnelly will play striker, with fellow seniors Kaan Zengler and Jefferson Rubi Cruz flanking him. Prosperi and Reynolds will run the midfield with returning junior starter Brody Nacarlo, who started at outside fullback as a sophomore. Those six players on the attack are all returning starters, giving Southern significant firepower relative to the rest of Class A South.

If there is a question about the Southern roster, it is the defense. With Marano gone, senior Shane Holden will step up as the leader in the back and will play with a junior trio. Nick Staiger is another returning starter on the back line, while classmates Caden Schweigart and Nick Leiriao move into the starting lineup after contributing as sophomores in 2023.

Senior goalkeeper Ryan Schweigart will help cover for the new back four after an impressive varsity debut in 2023. With one of the Shore’s better keepers between the posts and six savvy players on the attack, Southern has the makings of a legitimate championship contender – especially if the new defensive group hits the ground running.

Southern at a Glance

Head Coach: Rob Muñoz, third season
2023 Record: 10-4-3 (5-1-1, second in Class A South)
SCT Group: E (Long Branch, Ocean, Brick Memorial, Asbury Park)
Key Losses: Matt Hoosack (Forward), Jack Marano (Defense), Matt Pleyn (Forward)

 

Potential Starters (returning starters in bold)

Aidan Donnelly, Sr., Forward (9 goals, 4 assists)

Jefferson Rubi Cruz, Sr., Forward (1 goal, 2 assists)

Kaan Zengler, Sr., Forward (4 goals, 2 assists)

Nick Prosperi, Sr., Midfield (10 goals, 4 assists)

Brody Reynolds, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 7 assists)

Brody Nacarlo, Jr., Midfield (3 goals, 2 assists)

Shane Holden, Sr., Defense

Caden Schweigart, Jr., Defense (1 assist)

Nick Staiger, Jr., Defense

Nick Leiriao, Jr., Defense (1 assist)

Ryan Schweigart, Sr., Goalkeeper (4 shutouts)

 

Other Players

David Reyes, So., Defense

Brendan McCormick, Sr., Midfield

Luis Pena, Sr., Defense

Tyler Houghton, Jr., Midfield

Jonathan Madell, Sr., Defense

Joao Aguiar, Sr., Defense

Beau Wagner, Jr., Defense

 

 

2. Toms River North

Based on the standards Toms River North has set for itself over the last five years, last year’s team checked off just about every box required for a successful season. The Mariners won the Class A South championship – their fourth straight division title – and reached the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals and the South Jersey Group IV final at Washington Township. The division championship was the only title Toms River North finished off and with the graduation of seven starters, pushing across the finish line will require the emergence of a new talented core.

One advantage Toms River North has over most other programs is its depth, which it puts to good use every year with its effective play off the bench. Much of this year’s starting XI will be those bench players who are now ready for more minutes and larger roles. Senior striker Christian Caso already played a significant role as a junior in 2023, when he finished second on the team in scoring. Senior Josh Brazier and junior Josh Girtain will work the wings after playing key minutes last year, which rounds out a formidable top-of-the-formation.

Senior Christian Assante and junior Brady Gillman are back in the starting midfield after ascending into starting roles during the course of the 2023 season. Chris Ruggiero was a spark off the bench as a freshman and will be an impact sophomore for the Mariners this fall. Senior James Homyak was also a major contributor off the bench and he will help lead the defense along with classmates Frank Toledo and Mike Venegas. Junior Dylan Flores rounds out the back four, which will lean on its experience while protecting first-year starting goalkeeper Alex Roman.

Southern has the edge in varsity experience, but Toms River North has become a team that reloads quickly and competes for championships every year.

Toms River North at a Glance

Head Coach: Joe Mahon, 15th season
2023 Record: 15-4 (6-1, first in Class A South)
SCT Group: D (Freehold Twp., Toms River South, Matawan, Point Beach)
Key Losses: Anthony Ruggiero (Forward), Kosta Papanikolas (Midfield), Luke Montanile (Defense), Turkcan Curak (Midfield), Jack Eubanks (Defense), Mike Vivolo (Goalkeeper), Jack Marro (Midfield), Devon Zimmerman (Defense)

 

Potential Starters (returning starters in bold)

Christian Caso, Sr., Forward (7 goals, 4 assists)

Josh Brazier, Sr., Forward (2 goals)

Josh Girtain, Jr., Forward

Christian Assante, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assist)

Brady Gillman, Jr., Midfield (1 goal)

Chris Ruggiero, So., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assist)

James Homyak, Sr., Defense (2 goals, 6 assists)

Mike Venegas, Sr., Defense

Frank Toledo, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 4 assists)

Dylan Flores, Jr., Defense

Alex Roman, Sr., Goalkeeper

 

Other Players

Matt Schwenker, Jr., Defense

Vin Fratacelli, Jr., Midfield

Nick Gallipoli, Jr., Midfield

Canio Symons, Jr., Defense

Matt Mena, Jr., Midfield

Alex Marin, Jr., Midfield

Luca Symons, So., Midfield

Manuele Lubrnano, So., Midfield

Nico Pasnicu, So., Midfield

Jordi Perez, So., Defense

Jayden Vanhorne, Jr., Forward

Anthony Rodriguez, Sr., Defense

K.J. Londregan, Sr., Defense

Ryan Guzman, Sr., Forward

Cleevens Robert, Sr., Defense

Gavin Stryker, So., Goalkeeper

 

 

3. Toms River East

During the 2023 Shore Conference Tournament, Toms River East demonstrated how dangerous it can be in a tournament setting. The Raiders tied Marlboro in group play, beat Central on penalties in their first knockout-round game, pounded Colts Neck, 5-2, in the round of 16, then lost a 1-0 battle at Middletown North with a spot in the semifinals on the line. All of those results were on the road and a prominent reason Toms River East can travel so well in October and November is the quality of its goalkeeper. Bobby Calvo is heading into his fourth season as Toms River East’s starting goalie and his All-Shore-caliber play has been a key building block of the last few Raiders teams.

This year’s team also boasts an experienced midfield, as well as a pair of forwards who produced in 2023. Seniors Tommy Renkin, Luke Bodziak and Billy Laudien form the midfield, with junior Aiden Corapi and Samuel Los out wide on either side of the attack. Senior Rowen Joice bolstered Toms River East’s attack last year when he moved to striker and he will reprise that role this season.

The Toms River East back line in front of Calvo will be a pair of seniors and two promising juniors – one of whom started as a sophomore last season. Aiden Reis is back for his second year as a starter, with fellow junior J.J. Reed moving into a full-time starting role after getting a dose of it last year. Tyler Godlesky and Nate Cummings are the seniors in the back, rounding out a starting XI that has balance and an equalizer in goal.

Toms River East at a Glance

Head Coach: Mike Konopka, ninth season
2023 Record: 7-6-5 (3-3-1, fifth in Class A South)
SCT Group: A (Holmdel, St. Rose, Ranney, Donovan Catholic)
Key Losses: Jackson Markovitch (Forward), Jack Smyth (Midfield), Sean Peck (Midfield), Trey Scollan (Midfield), Matt Moore (Defense)

 

Potential Starters (returning starters in bold)

Rowen Joice, Sr., Forward (5 goals)

Aiden Corapi, Jr., Forward (1 goal, 4 assists)

Samuel Los, So., Forward (1 assist)

Tommy Renkin, Sr., Midfield (1 goal, 3 assists)

Luke Bodziak, Sr., Midfield (6 goals, 2 assists)

Billy Laudien, Sr., Midfield (1 assist)

Tyler Godlesky, Sr., Defense

Aiden Reis, Jr., Defense

J.J. Reed, Jr., Defense (2 goals, 1 assist)

Nate Cummings, Sr., Defense

Bobby Calvo, Sr., Goalkeeper (6 shutouts)

 

Other Players

Donoto DiMeola, Sr., Defense

Ethan Kelly, Sr., Midfield

W.J. Lauria, Sr., Defense

Mike Moore, Jr., Goalkeeper

Brandon Dacunha, Sr., Defense

Andrew Heid, Jr., Midfield

Evan Capetta, So., Forward

Brady Gillen, Fr., Midfield

 

 

4. Central

The World-Cup-style format of the Shore Conference Tournament was sure to create drama in the group stage prior to the actual tournament and no team delivered the drama more than Central did in the first year of the format in 2023. The Golden Eagles landed in a loaded group that included Howell, Holmdel and Manchester and managed to advance out of the group stage thanks to an upset of Holmdel in their final match of group play.

Throw in a third-place finish in Class A South and Central again raised the bar – something it may do again in 2024. The Golden Eagles will have to replace two top scorers in David Kroon and Keith Swistock, two defenders in Owen Elliot and Matt Golizio and goalkeeper Zach Polo, but will be powered by a talented midfield. Juniors Ilyas Ciltepe, Landon Kavanagh and Madden Leszczynski all made strong first impressions as sophomores, while Blake Crutchley and Dillon Konfederak will be the seniors in the middle. Sophomore Danny Palheta racked up three goals and four assists as a freshman and can play up top or in the middle, while senior Jordan Benzon shifts to a forward spot after playing multiple positions as a junior.

Defense and goalkeeping will be the x-factor for Central, which returns all-division outside back Devont King-Reilly to lead the group. Sophomore Connor Azzarone and junior Michael Boyer are looking to step up in the back in front of a new goalkeeper, which will be either Kaden Stout or Greg Moody – both of whom are juniors. The three teams listed ahead of Central on this list have more consistently played at the top of the division, but the Golden Eagles head into 2024 will realistic hopes as a Class A South champion and Shore Conference Tournament dark horse.

Central at Glance

Head Coach: Troy Van Hise, seventh season
2023 Record: 10-5-2 (4-2-1, third in Class A South)
SCT Group: C (Howell, Shore, Brick, Red Bank)
Key Losses: David Kroon (Forward), Keith Swistock (Forward), Owen Elliot (Defense), Matt Golizio (Defense), Zach Polo (Goalkeeper), Kareem McGrath (Midfield)

 

Potential Starters (returning starters in bold)

Jordan Benzon, Sr., Forward (4 goals, 2 assists)

Danny Palheta, So., Midfield (3 goals, 4 assists)

Blake Crutchley, Sr., Midfield

Ilyas Ciltepe, Jr., Midfield (1 goal, 1 assist)

Landon Kavanagh, Jr., Midfield (4 goals)

Dillon Konfederak, Sr., Midfield

Madden Leszczynski, Jr., Midfield

Devont King-Reilly, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)

Connor Azzarone, So., Defense

Michael Boyer, Jr., Defense

Kaden Stout, Jr./Greg Moody Jr., Goalkeeper

 

Other Players

Mike Boyer, So., Defense

Ricky Pasqualini, So., Midfield

Shril Mistry, Sr., Midfield

Kareem McGrath, Jr., Midfield

 

 

5. Jackson Memorial

Seven games into the 2023 schedule, Jackson Memorial’s season looked doomed. The Jaguars were 1-5-1 and the last game of that stretch was a 6-2 loss at Lawrence. Instead, Jackson Memorial transformed into one of the Shore’s hottest teams in October, going 7-3-3 the rest of the way, with its only losses coming to East Brunswick, Shore Conference Tournament champion Christian Brothers Academy and Group IV champion Princeton.

Only four starters return from the team that authored that second-half surge and minimal 2023 scoring comes as part of that returning package. The defense figures to remain strong, with senior Brady Adams leading an otherwise-new group that includes senior Mike Pentogenis and juniors Tristan Nikitin and James Gonnello. Senior Alex Penswater and junior Robert Calamia are back in the midfield, with juniors Connor McNiff and Callan Granito pushing into the starting XI. Senior returning starter Alex Felicelli and Colin Williams are the two forwards in the formation and will look to pick up much of the lost scoring.

Defense and goalkeeping will again be key for Jackson Memorial and a pair of underclassmen will factor into that equation as the new goalkeepers in 2024. Sophomore Logan Schlenk and freshman Brandon Idyk will open the year splitting time – a playing time structure coach Steve Bado has been comfortable using in the past. With some youth and inexperience in the lineup, Jackson Memorial will have to work some things out during the first few weeks of the season, but the Jaguars again figure to be dangerous by the end of September.

Jackson Memorial at a Glance

Head Coach: Steve Bado, 20th season
2023 Record: 8-8-4 (4-3, fourth in Class A South)
SCT Group: H (Rumson-Fair Haven, Manalapan, Lakewood, Henry Hudson)
Key Losses: Shaan Moon (Midfield), Tyler Korinchak (Forward), Peyton Collimore (Midfield), Stephen Csatari (Midfield), Henry Daum (Defense), Chris Schoener (Goalkeeper), Bryson Petrina (Defense), Nate Patti (Forward), John Calamia (Defense), John Penswater (Midfield)

 

Potential Starters (returning starters in bold)

Alex Felicelli, Sr., Forward

Colin Williams, Jr., Forward

Robert Calamia, Jr., Midfield

Alex Penswater, Sr., Midfield

Callan Granito, Jr., Midfield

Connor McNiff, Jr., Midfield

Brady Adams, Sr., Defense

Mike Pentogenis, Sr., Defense

Tristan Nikitin, Jr., Defense

James Gonnello, Jr., Defense

Logan Schlenk, So./Brandon Idyk, Fr. Freshman

 

Other Players

Anthony Castellano, Jr., Forward

Sean Cohn, Sr. Forward

Dylan Desai, Sr., Forward

Taran Moon, Jr., Midfield

Nick Ifantis, Jr., Defense

Alex Pentogenis, Sr., Midfield

Pritam Roy, Sr., Forward

Connor Schlenk, Jr., Midfield

Gabe Vargas, Sr., Defense

Juan Escobar, Sr., Forward

Chase Messinger, Sr., Midfield

 

 

6. Point Pleasant Boro

Point Boro is two years removed from winning a Class B South championship during an 11-3-3 season that served as the foundation for its move up from B South to the Class A South division. The players that powered that team, however, are all graduated and a new group of Panthers will have to navigate a much tougher division schedule that now includes some of the Shore’s top teams.

Four starters return from last year’s team – two in the midfield and two on the back line. Seniors Garrett Gurzo and Noah McGinn will lead and all-senior defense that also includes Ty Friedman. Junior Adam Baker takes over in goal after the graduation of three-year starter Andrew Holper.

Senior Drew Cardia and sophomore Sean Hankins return to the starting midfield, which will be packed with three new starters in junior Jake Greene, senior Liam Shand and junior Joe Doles. The Panthers will deploy a pair of juniors at the top of the attack in Braeden Moramarco and Luca Grammatico, with Moramaco bringing varsity experience to the position after scoring a goal and three assists as a bench player in 2023.

The timing of the move to Class A South is not ideal, but Point Boro has been a competitive team on an annual basis and the players are eager to show they stack up with Ocean County’s top programs.

Point Boro at a Glance

Head Coach: Pete Casalino, 20th season
2023 Record: 10-7-3 (5-1-1, third in Class B South)
SCT Group: F (Middletown North, Lacey, Freehold Boro, Barnegat, Keyport)
Key Losses: John Witkowski (Forward), Owen Clearwaters (Forward), John Ward (Midfield), Chase Norling (Midfield), Andrew Holper (Goalkeeper), Jared Drewes (Midfield), Ben Fritz (Midfield), Garrett Gurzo (Midfield)

 

Potential Starters (returning starters in bold)

Braeden Moramarco, Jr., Forward (1 goal, 3 assists)

Luca Grammatico, Jr., Forward

Drew Cardia, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 1 assist)

Sean Hankins, So. Midfield (1 goal, 2 assists)

Jake Greene, Jr., Midfield

Liam Shand, Sr., Midfield

Joe Doles, Jr., Midfield

Noah McGinn, Sr., Defense

Garrett Gurzo, Sr., Defense (3 goals, 2 assists)

Ty Friedman, Sr., Defense

Adam Baker, Jr., Goalkeeper

 

Other Players

Doug Walsh, Jr., Forward

Alberto Cegion, Jr., Forward

Dean Cardia, Jr., Forward

Ben Barlow, Jr., Defense

Dan Barlow, Jr., Defense

P.J. Kopack, Jr., Midfield

Jason LaBue, Jr., Defense

Jack Watson, Jr., Midfield

Jack Monahan, So., Midfield

Cole Danko, So., Defense

C.J. Hagberg, Jr., Defense

Ben Scott, Fr., Midfield

Colin Leschinski, Fr., Midfield

Owen Moramarco, Fr., Forward