Boys Soccer 2024 Shore Conference Tournament Quarterfinal Preview, Predictions

Shore Conference Tournament Quarterfinal Preview

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2024

Manasquan (10-4-1) at Colts Neck (14-0-1), 2 p.m.

Colts Neck’s rematch tour through the Shore Conference Tournament continues with the Cougars facing a third straight familiar opponent to start the SCT. After beating Freehold Township a second time and taking another 3-0 lead on Manalapan (and protecting it this time), Colts Neck will face a team it needed overtime to beat the first time around. On Sept. 21, Manasquan erased a 2-0 deficit in the final seven minutes to take the Cougars to overtime but Sean Moore scored within the first two minutes of extra time to win it.

Colts Neck appeared to have that game under control, even after conceding a jaw-dropping goal by Cooper Daly that made it 2-1. Then, Manasquan scored another stunning goal with 10 seconds left and, to Colts Neck’s credit, it did not take long for the Cougars to finish the game in overtime. On top of that, Colts Neck coach Art Collier took both Sean and Kyle Moore off the field at the same time for a five-minute stretch, during which Manasquan scored its first goal. That is a move for September that Collier will not be voluntarily making at any point the rest of the season.

While those are all reasons to believe Colts Neck is going to beat Manasquan again, there are reasons to believe in the Warriors. They have multiple scoring threats that, when on the same page, are difficult for a defense to track. Statistically, Colts Neck has the Shore’s most effective defense, but it is an area that opponents want to attack and test and Manasquan has the weapons to do so effectively. The Warriors also have a physical, athletic defense led by Griffin Linstra, who matches up with both Kyle and Sean Moore as well as any defender you will find in this tournament.

This game is not quite a toss-up, but Manasquan enters with confidence after taking Colts Neck to overtime earlier in the season, then finding a way to win a pair of overtime games to get here. The last time either of these teams was in the SCT semifinal was 2019, so it will be the first time in five years for one of these squads.

The Pick: Colts Neck, 2-1

Holmdel (9-6-1) at Christian Brothers Academy (13-4), 3 p.m.

While Colts Neck vs. Manasquan is a rematch of an overtime game in September, the first CBA vs. Holmdel meeting was not close. The Colts were in the midst of their hottest stretch of the season and Holmdel bore the full brunt of it during a 7-0 shellacking in Lincroft. That score suggests a bad matchup for Holmdel and while scores that lopsided are usually likely to indicate what will happen in a rematch, there is reason for hope in Holmdel.

Since losing to CBA, Holmdel is 3-1 with a loss to Howell as the only blemish. That stretch includes a 3-1 win in the SCT round of 16 over St. John Vianney – a team that beat CBA during the group stage of the SCT. Reigning Shore Conference Player of the Year Stepan Kapranov has found his rhythm over the last several games, which spells trouble for potential opponents.

CBA is a uniquely difficult match-up for Holmdel because the Colts have a deep roster and can use multiple players to hound Kapranov throughout the game without sacrificing the attack. They can simultaneously cut Holmdel’s preferred routes to the goal and mount its usual offensive. The attack will be even better this time around with senior forward Brayden Perry back after missing the last meeting with a hamstring strain.

It will be imperative for Holmdel to come out strong this time around and make it through the first 20 minutes without any major mishaps. During a six-game winning streak in which it outscored opponents, 18-1, CBA made a habit of scoring early in the game and clamping down on defense. A quick goal from Holmdel would be a bonus, but simply making it through the first 20 with a clean sheet would settle the Hornets into the match.

Ultimately, CBA has the edge on its home field against a team that has to flip a 7-0 score from the prior meeting. Expect Kapranov and Co. to make adjustments that clean up the final total, but for CBA to advance.

The Pick: CBA, 2-0

Central (9-4) at Lacey (11-4-1), 3 p.m.

Normally, this would be a rematch between two local rivals, but Lacey and Central have not yet met this year, which makes Tuesday’s showdown to determine a spot in the SCT semifinals all the more intense. Not only are these schools separated by less than five miles and, essentially, a single road, but it has been a long time since either program has played in a conference semifinal. Lacey has not been to the SCT semifinals since 2011 and it has been almost twice as long for Central, which has not made the Shore final four since 1999.

Of the two sides, Central has been the more proven team. The Golden Eagles navigated a challenging Class A South schedule and won a loaded SCT group that included Howell, Shore Regional and Red Bank and went down to the final day. Lacey, meanwhile, went 3-2 in Class B South, but was flawless in SCT group play thanks to a key win over Middletown North. The Lions then rallied to beat Middletown South on penalty kicks on Friday, giving them two noteworthy home results – both against opponents from Middletown.

Lacey’s homefield advantage will provide the Lions with an edge, but more than that, they are healthy and starting to round into form with a team that boasts juniors at several key spots and a sophomore goalkeeper in Dylan Graham. Junior Aiden Schmitt’s return from injury has bolstered the lineup and provided a complement to classmate and top scorer Tanner Grozinski. Central will turn loose standout center back Devont King-Reilly on Grozinski and hope to quiet the Lacey threat while Central’s dangerous attack goes to work on the grass pitch.

Central’s strength and athleticism will be a key to the match, particularly if playing on grass slows the Golden Eagles down going forward. If Lacey can slow Central down, it will still Madden Leszczynski’s skill and strength in the midfield, plus King-Reilly in the back. With more battle scars and more ways to win the game, Central will head south on Western Blvd. believing its team is just 80 minutes from a long-awaited return to the semifinals.

The Pick: Central, 2-1

Rumson-Fair Haven (9-6-1) at Ocean (11-3-1), 4 p.m.

Since leaving his position as assistant coach at Ocean, Jeff Soares has both raised the expectations at Rumson back to a championship level while also getting the better of his alma mater and former employer. Since 2019, Rumson is 4-0-1 against Ocean, including a draw in last years’ SCT group stage. That tie, however, remains a sore subject for the returning Rumson players, because it was one of the results that led to the Bulldogs failing to get out of the group stage and qualify for last year’s SCT, despite finishing the year 12-4-1.

Wednesday represents a shot at redemption for seniors like Luke D’Angelo and Charlie Butters – two top scorers for whom Ocean will have to account on Wednesday. Rumson has had its fair share of success over the past two decades within Shore Conference divisional play and in the NJSIAA Tournament, but the Bulldogs have made just one trip to the SCT semifinals, which came in 2013.

Ocean’s SCT track record is considerably more decorated. Coach John Terlecsky has won the conference tournament title as both a player for the Spartans and as a coach – accounting for two of Ocean’s five SCT championships. Since winning the title in 2018, however, Ocean has not been back to the semifinals and will have a chance to host the quarterfinal in hopes of ending that drought.

Balance is Ocean’s strength, with a mix of youth, experience and talent throughout its formation. Leon Leon and Ryan Fernandez are fast, skilled, physical defenders leading a capable defense and the attack boasts several players who can create and finish goals. Friday’s 4-3 win over Red Bank featured some tense moments for the Spartans, but they survived and will re-insert senior Jacob Gomez and sophomore Luciano Ibarra back into the midfield after both missed the last two matches for a red card suspension.

Ocean is try to get back to the results of the first two weeks of the season, when the Spartans went toe-to-toe with Howell and beat Southern. Rumson, meanwhile, is in the midst of its best soccer of the season and also has a group of juniors in its formation that is now rounding into form. This likely to be the tightest, most evenly-matched game of the quarterfinals, which means it could take some extra time to settle it.

The Pick: Rumson, 3-2 in overtime

Round of 16 Picks Record: 3-5

2024 SCT Picks Record: 12-7