Shore Conference Boys Soccer 2024 Preview: B Central

Shore Conference realignment gives Class B Central a new look at the top, with the top three teams from last season’s final standings (St. John Vianney, St. Rose and Point Beach) all moving on to different divisions. The two newcomers to the division are Red Bank and Monmouth Regional from Class A Central and both teams expect to go from the bottom of the Class A Central table in 2023 to the top of the B Central standings this season.

Along the way, Keyport will be a team to watch now that it is part of a co-op, Ranney boasts an improved roster than can spoil the plans of the two new teams, Asbury Park is under the direction of a new coach and Red Bank Catholic is energized by a talented freshman class to pair with its host of returnees. All roads to the division title will likely go through Red Bank, but B Central could have some potential spoilers.

In predicted order of finish

1. Red Bank

Red Bank endured some early-season growing pains in 2023 but made progress over the course of its first season under head coach Dave Santos. Last year’s roster was heavy on seniors, but got many of the younger players some work as they acclimate themselves to a new system – one that Santos put to good use during his successful run at Marlboro.

Senior Trey Cummings and junior Alex Salvo return as the top scorers still around from last year’s team. Cummings will play at the top of the formation with Salvo leading the midfield. Senior Gavin McTighe and junior Gus Kowalczyk will also play on the attack, while senior Jason Monge, sophomore Brian Garcia and junior Carlos Segura Trapp complement Salvo in the midfield.

Senior Max Ansell returns to lead what will be a three-man defense in front of a new goalkeeper. Senior Noah James will also play in the back while junior Jackson Whitehead adds athleticism after being sidelined due to injury last fall. Four players entered camp in the mix for the starting goalkeeper job and it will likely be a position share to open the season, which it was throughout last year as well.

The step down in competition that comes with the division change only covers part of the schedule, as the Bucs find themselves in a loaded Shore Conference Tournament Group with Howell, Central and Shore Regional. After a sixth-place finish in a talented Class A Central division last year, Red Bank should find life in B Central more conducive to winning a division championship.

Red Bank at a Glance

Head Coach: Dave Santos, second season
2023 Record: 6-11 (1-5, sixth in Class A Central)
SCT Group: C (Howell, Central, Shore, Brick)
Key Losses: Carlos Guerra (Forward), Brady Walsh (Forward), Shane Victor (Midfield), Sean Chenery (Defense), Peter Barreca (Defense), Derek Navarrete (Defense), Dan Dougan (Defense), Ricky Whohler (Midfield), J.P. McDonald (Midfield/Defense), Colin Williams (Goalkeeper), Kyle Borenius (Goalkeeper)

 

Potential Starters

Trey Cummings, Sr., Forward (5 goals, 1 assists)

Gus Kowalczyk, Jr., Forward

Gavin McTighe, Sr., Forward (2 assists)

Alex Salvo, Jr., Midfield (3 goals, 3 assists)

Jason Monge, Sr., Midfield (1 goal)

Brian Garcia, So., Midfield

Carlos Segura Trapp, Jr., Midfield

Jackson Whitehead, Jr., Defense

Max Ansell, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 2 assists)

Noah James, Sr., Defense

 

Other Players

Brandon Carreon, Sr., Goalkeeper

Eric Minetti, Sr., Goalkeeper

Nate Pelensky, Jr., Goalkeeper

Ryan Deverin, Jr., Goalkeeper

Michael Chico, Sr., Midfield

Quinn Gibb, Sr., Defense

Joseph Sevidio, Jr., Defense

Alex Flores, Sr., Midfield

Leandro Tlalpachito, Jr., Midfield

Joe Henry, So., Defense

Jack Krueger, Jr., Defense

 

 

2. Monmouth

Monmouth makes the move to from A Central to B Central along with Red Bank and the Falcons will definitely get a boost in their record thanks to the change of scenery. Only two teams from this year’s version of Class B Central were on Monmouth’s schedule last year and those results were a 5-4 loss to Red Bank and a 7-2 win over Henry Hudson. Despite only winning two games, the Falcons reached the knockout round of the Shore Conference Tournament because both wins came in SCT group play.

The Falcons will have to march on toward a Class B Central title without standout Anthony Cano, who was an impact player for four years. Despite that loss, Monmouth brings back a strong returning group that includes leading 2023 goal-scorer Robert Sherman at forward along with fellow returnee Luca Tvrdik and senior Lua Mendoca-Braga. Senior Tanner Simpson is back to lead the midfield along with junior Devin Ryan and sophomore Dario Dwomoh.

Monmouth’s defense and goalkeeper figures to be a strength this year, with three starting fullbacks and a goalkeeper returning. Will Theobald, Jayden Gomez, Evan Kelly and Alan Vinarskiy form an all-senior back line in front of classmate Anthony Jimenez in goal. The task at hand is to beat Red Bank and Ranney on the way to a division championship and with experience throughout the formation, that is a realistic goal for 2024.

Monmouth at a Glance

Head Coach: Charles Seelinger, third season
2023 Record: 2-9 (0-6, seventh in Class A Central)
SCT Group: B (CBA, Middletown South, Manchester, St. John Vianney)
Key Losses: Anthony Cano (Midfield), Hakeem Joseph (Midfield), Devon Yeboah (Defense), Matt Porto (Forward), Max Porto (Midfield), Ryan Brown (Defense)

 

Potential Starters

Luca Tvrdik, Jr., Forward (1 assist)

Robert Sherman, Sr., Forward (8 goals)

Lua Mendonca-Braga, Sr., Forward

Tanner Simpson, Sr., Midfield (4 assists)

Devin Ryan, Jr., Midfield

Dario Dwomoh, So., Midfield

Will Theobald, Sr., Defense (1 goal)

Jayden Gomez, Sr., Defense

Evan Kelly, Sr., Defense

Alan Vinarskiy, Sr., Defense

Anthony Jimenez, Sr., Goalkeeper

 

Other Players

Roosevelt Azard, So., Midfield

Alex Bylander, Jr., Midfield

Alex Ranta-Nanta, Jr., Midfield

Dimitrios Papantoniou, Jr., Midfield

 

 

3. Ranney

Last year was an up-and-down season for Ranney, but a lot of the bright spots were the result of young players emerging as key pieces of coach Donny Gray’s operation. With most of its scoring back from 2023, the Panthers will now look to climbing back to the top of Class B Central – particularly with St. Rose and St. John Vianney in other divisions this season.

Ranney’s three top scorers from last season are back, led by senior midfielders Saaed Torres and Dev Nayar. Junior Eddie Magherini has been a regular contributor since his freshman year and he delivered six goals during a breakout sophomore season a year ago. Junior Tyler Yang is also back in the starting midfield and underclassmen Braedin Morin and Juan Torres will also play on the attack – Morin at forward and Torres in the midfield.

Junior Alex Lennon is also back as a starter and gives Gray versatility as a midfielder or defender. The defense projects to be young, with freshman Luke O’Hagan, sophomore Trevor Davis and junior Jack Fallon among the pool of candidates to carry the back line in front of senior goalkeeper Andrew Granik.

Ranney at a Glance

Head Coach: Donnie Gray, eighth season
2023 Record: 8-8-2 (3-2-2, fourth in Class B Central)
SCT Group: A (Holmdel, Toms River East, St. Rose, Donovan Catholic)
Key Losses: Trey Junkin (Midfield), Gabe Garnette (Defense), Kevin Mortenson (Defense), Joe Celler (Goalkeeper)

Potential Starters

Eddie Magherini, Jr., Forward (6 goals)

Braden Morin, Fr., Forward

Saaed Torres, Sr., Midfield (10 goals, 5 assists)

Dev Nayar, Sr., Midfield (9 goals, 6 assists)

Tyler Yang, Jr., Midfield (2 goals)

Juan Torres, So., Midfield

Alex Lennon, Jr., Midfield/Defense

Jack Fallon, Jr., Defense

Luke O’Hagan, Fr., Defense

Trevor Davis, So., Defense

Andrew Granik, Sr., Goalkeeper

 

 

4. Red Bank Catholic

A move from Class A Central into Class B Central did not help Red Bank Catholic significantly improve on its record, although the Caseys did make progress in the form of winning a divisional game. In year two under John Killick, RBC expects to be markedly improved thanks to the in-house improvements of the group that is returning, plus the addition of a freshman class that is generating some excitement within the program.

Senior Andrew Torregrossa heads into his fourth year as a starter and will serve as the team’s striker. The rest of Red Bank Catholic’s starting attack will be underclassmen, including three freshmen: Holden Szuwalski, James Main and Cathel McStravick. Sophomore Nick Salinas will be the fourth starting midfielder.

In the back, Red Bank Catholic returns a host of defenders to piece together, led by the senior trio of Luke Meyers, Jack Keefe and Christian Sherman, as well as junior center back Teagan McCarthy. Landon Laido is back in goal for his junior season, with his Caseys looking to give him less stress in goal while putting more of the pressure on opponents in 2024.

Head Coach: John Killick, second season
2023 Record: 1-13 (1-6, eighth in Class B Central)
SCT Group: I (Manasquan, Colts Neck, Jackson Liberty, Raritan)
Key Losses: J.J. Titone (Defense)

 

Potential Starters

Andrew Torregrossa, Sr., Forward

Holden Szuwalski, Fr., Midfield

James Main, Fr., Midfield

Cathel McStravick, Fr., Midfield

Nick Salinas, So., Midfield

Luke Meyers, Sr., Defense

Teagan McCarthy, Jr., Defense

Jack Keefe, Sr., Defense

Christian Sherman, Sr., Defense

Jack Denver, So., Defense

Landon Ladio, Jr., Goalkeeper

 

Other Players

Brian O’Hare, Fr., Midfield

Scott Baldwin, Jr., Forward

Christian Blakie, Fr., Goalkeeper

 

 

5. Keyport

For the first time, Keyport’s boys soccer team will welcome players from Keansburg High School as part of a co-op between the two neighboring schools friendly rivals. The merger moves Keyport into Group II come NJSIAA Tournament time, which will make life harder when it comes to postseason aspirations. Within the division, however, the Red Raiders will enjoy the lift that adding a new crop of players can give them.

It just so happens that Keyport is already returning most of its own players from last season, so this year’s roster will still lean heavy toward the Keyport side. Junior Brayan Rodriguez has proven he can create and finish scoring chances as a varsity player and fellow junior John Covert stepped up as a contributor a year ago as well. Senior Cristhian Morris is the only senior in the junior-heavy lineup and will play in the midfield along with Covert, junior Jacob Pinto and junior Ryan Troisi. Junior Justin Visaggio and sophomore Allen Evans will also play up top on the attack.

Juniors Danny Metrick, Moises Vasquez and Diego Rocha will lead the defense, with sophomore Gavin Healy returning in goal. Juniors Mikey Clayton and Devin Levine join the squad from Keansburg and will look to gain traction as regular contributors on a junior-heavy team. The Keansburg factor won’t be significant right away, but it’s an exciting twist for a Red Raiders program looking for a jolt in its 11th season as a varsity sport.

Keyport at a Glance

Head Coach: Brendan Hilliard, 11th season
2023 Record: 3-12 (2-5, tied fifth in Class B Central)
SCT Group: F (Point Boro, Middletown North, Lacey, Freehold Boro, Barnegat)
Key Losses: Edwin Prudente (Midfield), Matt Lewandowski (Goalkeeper), Luke Budd (Defense)

 

Potential Starters

Justin Visaggio, Jr., Forward

Brayan Rodriguez, Jr., Sr., Forward (3 goals, 2 assists)

Allen Evans, So., Forward

Jacob Pinto, Jr., Midfield

John Covert, Jr., Midfield (3 goals)

Cristhian Morris, Sr., Midfield

Ryan Troisi, Jr., Midfield

Diego Rocha, Jr., Defense

Moises Vasquez, Jr., Defense

Danny Metrick, Jr., Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)

Gavin Healy, So., Goalkeeper

 

Other Players

Devin Levine, Jr.

Mikey Clayton, Jr.

Colin Woodruff, Jr.

 

 

Asbury Park

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Asbury Park at a Glance

Head Coach: Dimitrios Vassiliadas, first season
2023 Record: 1-11-2 (1-5-1, seventh in Class B Central)
SCT Group: E (Long Branch, Southern, Ocean, Brick Memorial)
Key Losses: Joel Guzman, Jalens Phillipe, Gustabo Lazo-Garcia

 

Potential Returning Starters

Dain Salazar, Jr., Forward (3 goals, 1 assists)

Hermsley Louisius, Sr. (1 goal)

Jessie Cifuentes, Fr. (1 goal)

Eli Flores, Jr., Goalkeeper

 

 

Henry Hudson

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Henry Hudson at a Glance

Head Coach: Murphy O’Donnell, fourth season
2023 Record: 5-10 (2-5, tied fifth in Class B Central)
SCT Group: H (Rumson-Fair Haven, Jackson Memorial, Manalapan, Lakewood)
Key Losses: Dylan Gonzalez (Midfield), Hayden Kurdes (Defense)

 

Potential Returning Starters

Leo Koerning, Sr., Forward (1 goal)

Jack Carlstrom, So., Midfield (1 goal, 5 assists)

Tyler Studer, Sr., Midfield (3 goals)

Ubaldo Garcia, Sr., Defense (3 assists)

Phinn Kozic, Sr., Goalkeeper (5 shutouts)