Boys Soccer NJSIAA Tournament Preview: The Shore in Group 4

Last season was the first since 2018 in which a Shore Conference boys soccer team did not win an NJSIAA sectional championship in Group IV and even in coming up short of hardware in the state’s most competitive public-school group, the Shore still managed to place two representatives in sectional final matches — Howell in Central Jersey and Toms River North in South Jersey.

Neither championship game was particularly close, but a lot has changed in a year. The top teams in both South Jersey and Central Jersey — neither of which are teams from the Shore Conference — have shown some vulnerabilities heading into the NJSIAA Tournament, which could make for an unpredictable two weeks. In Group IV, most of the 64 teams that make up the state-wide field are capable of winning at least one game and that can be said of all seven Shore Conference teams setting out to challenge for a Group IV sectional title in either Central or South Jersey.

This year, South Jersey is particularly deep with contenders from the Shore Conference, including aforementioned Howell and Toms River North. Manalapan, meanwhile, has been the Shore’s best team in Group IV throughout 2024 and the Braves will attempt to navigate a Central Jersey field that lost Howell, but added Hunterdon Central. There are some powerhouse programs that could clash in the finals, but don’t sleep on the first two rounds of the tournament; upsets are always in play in Group IV.

Central Jersey Group IV

Shore Teams in the Field: No. 2 Manalapan, No. 4 Marlboro, No. 12 Freehold Township
Top Seed: Hunterdon Central
Defending Champion: No. 3 Princeton
Favorite: Hunterdon Central

Dark Horse: Freehold Twp. This section is very likely to come down to four top-five seeds in the sectional semifinals, but there are some road teams to watch during the first two rounds. Freehold Township and East Brunswick are both capable of winning a couple of games, with East Brunswick traveling to play a Marlboro side that typically plays close games and Freehold Township taking a strong strength of schedule into the state tournament. On the other side of the bracket, the Franklin-Old Bridge winner will be a threat to Manalapan. Franklin enters the tournament coming off a scoreless draw with top-seeded Hunterdon Central.

Bracket Breakdown: Nothing is a given in the state tournament, but the top three seeds in this section appear poised to make it to next week based on the way the trio has played this season. Hunterdon Central has lost just twice this year, although one of them is to potential semifinal opponent Monroe and its most recent result is a 0-0 tie to No. 7 Franklin. Manalapan has lost two of its last three heading into round one vs. No. 15 Trenton, but has had a week to rest up and recharge after a 15-win regular season. No. 3 Princeton, meanwhile, is gearing up for a title defense after tying unbeaten Colts Neck, 4-4, last week. Monroe could be a wild card and Marlboro is hoping to peak at the right time, but the CJ IV champion is very likely coming from those top-three seeds.

Championship Prediction: Princeton over Hunterdon Central. Princeton finished the 2023 season as the No. 1 ranked public school in the state and while the Little Tigers don’t quite have the firepower that they did a year ago, they are deep, dangerous and battle-tested. The one disadvantage this year’s Princeton team faces that was not an issue last year is that the Tigers will likely have to go on the road to Manalapan in the sectional semifinals and to Hunterdon Central for the final.

South Jersey Group IV

Shore Teams in the Field: No. 2 Howell, No. 4 Southern, No. 7 Toms River North, No. 8 Central
Top Seed: Washington Twp.
Defending Champion: Washington Twp.
Favorite: Washington Twp.

Dark Horse: No. 9 Eastern. In South Jersey Group IV, the double-digit seeds are quality programs and there could be a sleeper among them. With that said, the top seeds are, in most cases, even better. Eastern, Egg Harbor and Rancocas Valley have all had success in this tournament and could be that team that surprises the rest of the field, but that would require a team like No. 1 Washington Township, No. 6 Cherokee, Toms River North, Howell or No. 3 Kingsway to get bounced. Eastern stands out for its 11-7 record with six losses by a one-goal margin and wins over Cherokee and Kingsway.

Bracket Breakdown: There are indeed a lot of good teams in this year’s field, but is there a great one? Washington Township stormed to the championship last season but has stumbled toward the end of October as the tournament drew near. Toms River North reached last year’s final with a deeper, more accomplished group, but still has remnants of the 2023 remaining. Howell was also a sectional runner-up in Central Jersey and has endured key injuries while navigating a solid, if not spectacular, season. Southern has had a similar experience minus the injuries and is one year removed from losing to eventual champion Washington Township on penalties. Central Regional has had moments of brilliance as well, although the Golden Eagles have spent the last two weeks licking their wounds following a 5-0 loss to Lacey in the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

Championship Prediction: Howell over No. 5 Lenape. The Rebels seniors have one last chance to leave their mark on the program with what would be the program’s first sectional championship since the 1980’s and will not have a juggernaut like the 2023 Princeton team standing in the way. There are, however, some potential land mines – Toms River North, Kingsway, Cherokee – that Howell could trip over before the championship round and the Rebels will have to be on their game to make that run. Then again, Howell’s opponents have to be on their game as well.