Senior-Led Red Bank Surges Into North Jersey Group 3 Quarterfinals
RED BANK — On a blistering afternoon on Ridge Road, the only thing hotter than the temperature was the Red Bank offense.
Looking to bounce back after a hard-fought loss in last week’s Shore Conference Tournament championship game, the Bucs responded in emphatic fashion, rolling to a 17-4 victory over West Windsor-Plainsboro North in the opening round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Group 3 Tournament.
Red Bank seized control almost immediately, erupting for eight first-quarter goals to put the game out of reach early. By halftime, the Bucs had built a commanding 12-2 lead, triggering a running clock for the remainder of the contest.
The victory continued what has already been a memorable season for Red Bank. After beginning the year ranked sixth in the Shore Sports Insider Top 10, the Bucs climbed all the way to No. 3 while making a run to the Shore Conference Tournament championship game. At the center of that success has been a senior class that has helped sustain the program’s winning tradition.
Chloe Keating, Karlie Ruland, Kathleen Deverin and Nora Taveres have played together since they were seven years old, developing the team chemistry that has become the foundation of this year’s team. Their experience has translated into production on the field, and each player is set to continue their respective career at the collegiate level. Keating will play for Hobart and William Smith, Deverin is headed to The College of New Jersey, Ruland will attend Rhode Island and Taveres will play at George Washington.
“I can’t say enough about this senior class,” said Bucs head coach Brook Connell. “They have created this program and have been leaders since day one.”
Ruland led the offensive outburst with five goals, two assists and five draw controls in another dominant all-around performance. The senior midfielder now has 51 goals this season, setting a new career high while continuing to establish herself as one of the Shore Conference’s most complete players.
“Karlie is the hardest worker,” Connell said. “She comes to practice everyday and motivates everybody.”
Red Bank’s Karlie Ruland playing in a game earlier this season (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Ruland said the team’s chemistry and shared history have fueled its determination to keep the season alive.
“We were excited to keep the season going,” Ruland said. “We have been playing with each other since we were little and we don’t want it to end.”
Keating once again played a major role, finishing with four goals to raise her career total to 168. The senior attacker continues to strengthen her case for postseason recognition with another explosive performance.
“Chloe is our anchor on attack,” Connell said. “She’s going to score those goals for us.”
Red Bank’s Chloe Keating playing in a game earlier this season (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Keating said the performance was exactly the type of response the Bucs needed following last week’s defeat.
“After a tough loss last week this was a great game to help us get our momentum back,” Keating said. “We needed this one under our belts.”
For Taveres, the win carried additional meaning as she reflected on sharing the field with her longtime teammates.
“I’m always going to remember playing with Chloe, Kathleen, and Karlie,” said Taveres.
Red Bank goalie Nora Tavares playing in a game earlier this season (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Taveres continued her standout senior season with nine saves and moved closer to another milestone, now sitting just 16 stops shy of 600 career saves. Over four seasons, she has established herself as one of the Shore Conference’s premier goalkeepers, earning third-team All-Shore honors last season for her impact performances in the net.
“Nora is the heart and soul of this team,” Connell said. “She always comes up big for us.”
Her teammates echoed that praise.
“Nora is the core of our team,” Ruland said. “She always saves us.”
Despite the accolades, Taveres emphasized how meaningful her time at Red Bank has been.
“These have been the best four years of my life,” said Taveres. “I have grown so much as a player and a teammate.”
Deverin, another key member of the senior core, contributed a goal and two assists to increase her season total to 47 points. What makes her offensive production even more impressive is that she continues to do it while serving as one of the team’s primary defenders. Her versatility has added another dimension to an already explosive Red Bank attack.
Red Bank’s Kathleen Deverin playing in a game earlier this season (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
“Kathleen is that girl that will always have your back no matter what,” Connell said. “You can always lean on her whether it is on defense, in the midfield or on attack.”
Deverin, one of the team captains, credited the team-first mentality that has defined the Bucs throughout the season.
“Our team motto is play for each other,” Deverin said. “Every game I try to do that.”
With the victory, Red Bank Regional advances to the quarterfinals of the North Jersey Group 3 playoffs, where the Bucs will face the winner of tomorrow’s game between fifth-seeded Ridge and twelfth-seeded Wayne Hills.
