Boys Soccer Shore Sports Insider Top 10, Week 2

Holding down the No. 1 spot in the Shore Sports Insider Boys Soccer Top 10 has been a challenge over the past two seasons, but Colts Neck has had some success doing so. It took a Cinderella run by Southern Regional in last year’s NJSIAA Group IV Tournament to knock Colts Neck from its long-held perch in 2024, and so far in 2025, the Cougars have looked ready to defend the No. 1 spot after taking it from Manalapan last week.

The rest of the rankings continued the typical early-season evolution, with Manasquan further solidifying itself while most of Ocean County continues to brawl for the top ranking in the county.

1. Colts Neck (3-0, 2-0) Last Week: 1

With just a win over Brick, Colts Neck’s last seven days have been rather uneventful. That will change in the next five days, during which the Shore’s No. 1 team will have to deal with Freehold Township in Shore Conference Tournament group play, Marlboro in divisional play and Middletown South in a nondivisional road game on Saturday morning.

2. Christian Brothers Academy (3-1-2, 2-0-0) Last Week: 2

CBA survived two battles since the last rankings release as the Colts continue to move their pieces around in search of the best fit. It took three goals in the final 24 minutes to dodge an upset at Matawan in SCT group play and two penalty kicks to escape Rumson-Fair Haven with a 2-1 win. CBA will spend the week playing Ocean County: Tuesday vs. Manchester in SCT group play, Saturday vs. Toms River North.

3. Manalapan (2-1-1, 0-1-0) Last Week: 3

With the closest thing it has had to a full starting XI on Monday, Manalapan finally looked like the team that entered the season with No. 1 expectations. The Braves handled rival Howell, 4-0, with big games from their three forwards: Ethan Lustig (one goal, one assist), Dan Altman (one goal, two assists) and Edoardo Russo (one goal). Manalapan will close its week Friday with a trip to Rumson.

4. Manasquan (4-0, 2-0) Last Week: 7

There are just three unbeaten, untied teams remaining in the Shore Conference, and Manasquan is among that group. The Warriors have gotten major contributions from the junior and sophomore classes, both of which had to watch most of the varsity action from the sidelines while a deep senior class handled the 2024 season. Apparently, the underclassmen were paying close attention because they have hit the ground running and might have an even higher ceiling than the Manasquan teams of recent vintage – evidenced by a dominant win over Middletown South last week.

5. Middletown South (3-1, 1-1) Last Week: 4

Last week’s loss at Manasquan puts Middletown South in the position of chaser in the Class A Central race, which continues this week with the Eagles’ showdown with Ocean on Thursday. The winner of that game will remain in the mix for a piece of the division title, while the loser likely turns its full attention to the Shore Conference Tournament, although Middletown South will certainly be geared up for an upcoming Saturday match with No. 1 Colts Neck.

6. Long Branch (3-0-1, 2-0-0) Last Week: 9

After opening with 100 scoreless minutes against Rumson-Fair Haven on Sept. 6, the Green Wave have cruised to three wins, which is more wins than Long Branch had in its first 12 games of 2024. Long Branch will get perhaps its toughest test to date when it travels to Brick Memorial Tuesday in SCT group play – the only game for the Green Wave in a span of 12 days.

7. Toms River East (5-0, 2-0) Last Week: Not ranked

The most surprising of the three perfect starts belongs to Toms River East, although maybe it should not be that surprising. The Raiders have a lockdown goalkeeper in Mike Moore, and their group of proven returnees to the starting XI – Aiden Reis, Aiden Corapi, Samuel Los and Evan Cappetta – have all been on their game. After taking out Brick Memorial on Monday with three second-half goals, Toms River East now prepares for a huge Class A South showdown with Lacey on Thursday.

8. Rumson-Fair Haven (2-2-1, 1-2-0) Last Week: Not ranked

Despite a heartbreaking loss to CBA on Saturday, the Bulldogs climb into the top 10 after barely missing the cut in each of the first two installments. Defense figured to be Rumson’s strength this season, and for the most part, it has been. A 4-0 loss to Colts Neck was a humbling start to the season, but since then, Rumson has tied Long Branch and might have knocked off CBA if not for two penalty kicks, including the winner with under a minute to go.

9. Shore (3-2, 1-1) Last Week: Not ranked

The Blue Devils surge into the Top 10 on the heels of an impressive 3-1 win over Ocean. Shore is only two seasons removed from winning the Group I championship and spent part of last season in the top 10 before a late-season fade dropped them to the middle of the pack. The talent is still there for a successful season, and after dropping games to Middletown South and Freehold Township, the Blue Devils have built some momentum heading into matches against Rumson, Middletown North and Point Boro before the end of the week.

10. Ocean (4-1, 1-1) Last Week: 5

After outscoring its opponents 16-2 in the first four games, Ocean hit its first speed bump last week when Shore beat the Spartans by a 3-1 score. The loss damages Ocean’s hopes of a Class A Central championship, but it does not stall the pursuit of tournament success. Last year, Ocean settled for second play in Class B North, but went on to reach the SCT semifinals and finish No. 5 in the SSI rankings. All of that – as well as the Class A Central title – is still on the table for the Spartans.

 

Dropped Out

Brick Memorial (3-2, 2-0) Last Week: 6 – A loss to Pinelands in SCT group play knocks the Mustangs out of the Top 10, but with wins over both Toms River South and Jackson, Brick Memorial has taken two huge steps toward a second straight division championship.

Toms River North (1-2-2, 1-0-1) Last Week: 8 – The Mariners have scored two goals in five matches so far this season, and both came in their win over Lacey. On the other side, Toms River North has only given up two goals in five games as well.

Lacey (2-3, 1-1) Last Week: 10 – Although Lacey drops out of the Top 10, the Lions ended last week on a high note by clobbering Central, 6-2, and heads into a big week of road tests (Howell and Toms River East).

 

The Next Five

Freehold Township (2-1-1, 1-1-0) – A loss to Red Bank is keeping the Patriots out of the rankings, but a win over Shore and a tie against Manalapan have them knocking on the door.

Southern (2-1-1, 1-0-1) – An opening-day loss to Manasquan is looking like it will fall in the category of “good loss” for Southern, and as of Tuesday, it is also the Rams’ only loss.

Marlboro (2-1-1, 0-1-1) – A 2-0 loss to CBA is Marlboro’s lone defeat, and the Mustangs will get their shot at No. 1 Colts Neck on Thursday at home.

Holmdel (2-1-1, 0-0-1) – After dropping its opener to Middletown South, Holmdel scored 10 goals in two wins over Middletown North and Raritan before battling Marlboro to a 0-0 draw.

Toms River South (2-1-1, 1-1-0) – The lone blemish for the Indians so far is an overtime loss to Brick Memorial. The lone draw is a scoreless tie with rival Toms River North in SCT group play, which looks like a good result at the moment.