Girls Soccer 2024 Shore Conference Tournament Final Preview and Prediction

Girls Soccer 2024 Shore Conference Tournament Championship

No. 5 Freehold Township (11-6) vs No. 2 Point Boro (13-1-2)

Location: Summerfield Elementary School, Neptune

Time: 3 P.M.

 

Freehold Township

Road to Semifinal

Won Group H

1st Round: Defeated Matawan 9-0

2nd Round: Defeated Toms River South 2-1

Quarterfinal Round: Defeated No. 1 Middletown South 2-0

Semifinal Round: Defeated No. 4 Lacey

 

Key Players:

Gaby Parker (FWD) 25 G, 5 A

Danielle Howard (MID) 7 G, 11 A

Sophie Tonino (MID) 6 G, 6 A

Ashley Moore (GK) 6 Shutouts

Chloe Walters (DEF) 2 G

Reese Metcalfe (MID) 5 G, 2 A

 

Keys to the Game:

The big question going into the postseason for Freehold Township was who would step up on the offensive side of the ball behind Gaby Parker. The Patriots got their answer with Sophie Tonino. Tonino scored the game-winner in the second round against Toms River South in the closing minutes. In the semifinal against Lacey, Tonino scored what ended up being the game-winner and assisted on Freehold Township’s first goal. She played at a high level all game against Lacey and gave Freehold Township several chances to score throughout the game. 

The Patriots had no issues with Lacey’s three-headed attack, staying well organized throughout the game. Freehold Township’s midfield did a good job controlling the ball, which helped to limit the Lions’ scoring chances. Senior Danielle Howard plays an important role for Freehold Township, with her ability to control the midfield and set up her teammates all around the field. Seniors Chloe Walters and Mylie West did a great job controlling the backline against Lacey and will have to play the same way in the final. 

Coach Dave Patterson is one of the most prepared coaches in the state. He has a game plan for every team that the Patriots face and it showed in the semifinal round. In the SCT final, he will have to come up with a game plan to slow down Point Boro’s Abby Hannemann, who leads the Shore Conference in assists. 

 

Point Boro

Road to Semifinal

Won Group G

1st Round: Defeated Monmouth 5-0

2nd Round: Defeated No. 9 Red Bank Catholic 2-1

Quarterfinal: Defeated Toms River North 4-0

Semifinal Round: Defeated No. 6 Howell 1-0 (OT)

 

Key Players:

Abby Hannemann (MID) 5 G, 17 A

Gabby Mellet (DEF) 5 G, 2 A

Elise Viggiano (FWD) 12 G, 4 A

Ava Bjorndahl (GK) 10 Shutouts

Maddie Renna (MID) 10 G, 10 A

Molly Heras (MID) 1 G, 1 A

Keys to the Game:

The Panthers came out strong to start the game against Howell in the semifinals, but had issues in the final 10 minutes in the second half. The Rebels had them pinned in the defensive end and were able to win several corner kicks. Point Boro’s defense was up to the task and prevented Howell from scoring. The second half was a different story for Point Boro. They controlled almost all 40 minutes of the second half, but could not score. 

Point Boro will have its hands full on the defensive side of the ball trying to keep Parker from scoring. She will be one of the most dangerous forwards they will face all season. The Panthers back line makes very few mistakes and has the speed to recover if they do. They have 11 shutouts on the season and goalkeeper Ava Bjorndahl just posted her 41st shutout of her career in the semifinal round. Senior Gabby Mellet has been the anchor at center back for Point Boro over the last three seasons and was the hero of the semifinal game with her golden goal. Senior Molly Heras does not get the credit she deserves on the defensive side of the ball for the Panthers. She plays holding midfield and does a great job preventing opposing teams from getting to the backline in the center of the field. 

The Panthers have three players who can put the ball into the net. Junior Elise Viggiano leads the team with 12 goals this season. She started off slow in the semifinal game, but was one of the reasons Point Boro controlled and dominated the possession in the second half. Freshman of the Year candidate Maddie Renna has 10 goals and 10 assists this season. She will need to win the 50-50 balls in the midfield, which will not be easy going up against Howard, to give the Panthers an advantage in the midfield. Senior Abby Hannemann is the playmaker for Point Boro and is a Player of the Year candidate this season. She leads the Shore Conference with 17 assists and causes problems for the best defenders in the Shore. She has a combination of speed and footwork to beat anyone one on one. Hannemann is also dangerous on corners and free-kicks. The game-winner against Howell came off a perfectly placed ball on a free kick after Hannemann drew a foul going down the side of the field. 

Coach Mike Edolo is the first coach to lead the Panthers into the SCT finals since 1990. He does a great job of keeping the players playing their style of soccer and not getting caught up in what the opposing team does. They do not make many mistakes, so when they do you need to be able to capitalize. 

 

Prediction: Freehold Township 2-1 in Overtime