Shore Conference Girls Soccer Final Top 10 Rankings

Shore Sports Insider Girls Soccer Final Top 10 Rankings

 

1. Manalapan (20-1) Preseason Ranking: 1

The Shore Conference’s best team fell short of their ultimate goal of winning the Group 4 state title when they fell in the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional title game to rival Freehold Township. Based on their overall body of work the Braves were the best team, winning 20 straight games including their first Shore Conference Tournament title since 1988 and an outright Class A North title. Manalapan had one of the most experienced teams this season, returning every player from the 2024 team that reached the sectional final. Seniors Daniella Butash and Olivia Ziobro, who missed 2024 with an injury, led the team in scoring as both of them finished with over 40 points on the season. The Braves will have a lot of positions to fill next year all over the field, especially on the defensive side with only goalie Aryanna Lake returning from the back side of the field. 

2. Trinity Hall (18-4-2) Preseason Ranking: 6 

Trinity Hall made history this season in girls soccer, reaching the Shore Conference Tournament final for the first time in program history. The Monarchs strong postseason continued in the South Jersey Non-Public A tournament where they made the final for the second time in three seasons. Trinity Hall fell to Paul VI, who is nationally ranked, in the final. The Monarchs, who won the Class A Central division title, had a combination of seniors and underclassmen and will be one of the favorites in 2026 to challenge for the Shore Conference Tournament. One key position they will need to replace is goalkeeper with Emily Venezia graduating. Venezia returned from missing her junior season to compile 16 shutouts this year helping lead a Monarch defense that started three freshmen. Trinity Hall returns leading scorers junior Kailyn Fitzgerald and sophomore Kaylee Davis next season, but will be replacing midfielder Ryann Raynor, who was one their top playmakers. 

3. Central (18-2-1) Preseason Ranking: 3 

For the second straight year, Central fell in the South Jersey Group 4 final. The Golden Eagles, who won the Class A South division title, were one of the best teams in the Shore Conference all season led by a strong defense. Behind the leadership of seniors Emma Christensen and Nicole Kangas, Central only allowed five goals all season. Those are two important players that Central will have to replace, but they do bring a talented and experienced team next year. Sophomore Addison Frulio, who finished with 17 shutouts this season, will return in goal with juniors Logan Lisewski and Emma Boturla on the backline. One question will be the health of outside back Katie Ytreboe, who tore her ACL in the sectional playoff. Two-time All-Shore player Leah DiCillo, who is one of the best playmakers in the Shore Conference, will lead the team on the offensive side of the ball.

 

4. Howell (16-5) Preseason Ranking: 7

Every year Howell graduates a star or two from the team and every year it seems like they make the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals. For the fourth straight year, the Rebels reached the Shore Conference Tournament semifinal and for the second straight year they lost 1-0. Howell was led on the field by Makenzie Memmolo who set school records for goals scored, assists and points scored as a junior. One position Howell will need to replace is goalkeeper with four-year starter Leila Shaw graduating. Sophomores Isabella Farinick and Kylie Keating emerged as future leaders of the team this year with Farinick scoring 15 goals and Keating emerging as one of the top defenders in the Shore Conference. 

5. Point Boro (14-4-1) Preseason Ranking: 8 

After winning the Group 2 State Championship in 2024, Point Boro had to replace several key players who helped bring home the title. With new players stepping into bigger roles, the expectations for the postseason was uncertain, but the Panthers showed it does not matter who is on the field, they can compete for sectional titles. Point Boro returned to the Central Jersey Group 2 title game, but lost in overtime to Allentown. The Panthers will be one of the favorites in 2026 after graduating only three seniors on the roster this year. The biggest position they will need to replace is forward with Elise Viggiano and Lily Scalabrini graduating. Viggiano led the team the last two seasons in goals scored even after battling injuries this year. Sophomore Maddie Renna will have to take over as a leader on the field and can create scoring chances for the forwards. Renna has 23 assists in her first two seasons as a Panther. Coach Mike Edolo might need to make some changes on defense next season with junior Khloey Cilento going down with an injury in the sectional playoff.

6. Red Bank Catholic (13-5-1) Preseason Ranking: 4

The Caseys had a strong regular season, beating six teams who were ranked in the top ten at some point during the season however Red Bank Catholic failed to make it to the quarterfinal round of the Shore Conference Tournament for the fourth straight year. The Caseys had one of the deepest teams in the Shore Conference, which will benefit them next season with only six players graduating. Maryland commit Paige Foye will be the biggest piece the Caseys need to replace after leading them in scoring the last two seasons. Sophomores Grace Pauwels, Lexi Sinatra and Izzy Fasano took big steps forward and will cause problems for opponents the next two seasons. Junior Heidi Wierman emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in the Shore this season and gained a lot of experience the last two years as the starter. If Red Bank Catholic can put it all together at the right time, they can be the favorites in 2026 to be the Shore Conference Tournament champions. 

7. Toms River South (12-6-2) Preseason Ranking: 9

Toms River South had a strong start to the season, only losing one out of their first 13 games. The Indians, who had only one senior, took Shawnee to the limit in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinal, losing 1-0. Sophomore Daniella Gordon emerged into one of the top scorers in the conference, scoring 10 goals in the second half of the season. Sophomore Reese Lindemann earned 10 shutouts in her first season as the starting goalkeeper and gained valuable experience for next season. Toms River South was one of the fastest teams in the Shore Conference which gave them a huge advantage in 50-50 balls this season. Junior Ava Knight does it all for the Indians, helping out on defense and leading a counter attack on offense. With the talent returning next year, the Indians will build off this season and be one the favorites for next season to reach the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals.

8. Freehold Township (10-11-2) Preseason Ranking: 10

The young Patriot team had an up-and-down season as they gained confidence and chemistry with each other before hitting their stride during the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional tournament, upsetting the top three seeds to win the title. The Patriots handed top-seeded Manalapan their only defeat of the season, 1-0, in the sectional final. Junior Violet Matthews raised her game to another level throughout the postseason, making a key save in penalty-kicks against Howell and was a stonewall against Manalapan. The seniors played an important role in the title run. Defenders Christina Celano, Gianna Neron and Madeline Reiser prevented the Manalapan attack from breaking through. Senior Reese Metcalfe caused problems for opposing defenders throughout the season and scored the game-winning penalty kick against Howell. With two freshmen on the All-Freshmen team, the Shore Conference got a glimpse of what is to come from Freehold Township in the upcoming seasons. 

9. Rumson-Fair Haven (13-10) Preseason Ranking: Unranked

After an unpredictable run in the Shore Conference Tournament, Rumson-Fair Haven faced off with Central Jersey Group 2 rival Wall one more time in the quarterfinal round and falling in penalty kicks. The Bulldogs had to replace several starters this season and will have to do so again next year, but they do return leading scorer Jordyn Sullivan. The Duke commit finished tied for first in the Shore Conference with 32 goals scored and is a finalist for Player of the Year. Rumson will need to replace Ella Curran who has been their starter in goal for the last two seasons. Even though the Bulldogs only finished three games above .500, their only losses came against ranked teams during the regular season. After upsetting Red Bank Catholic in the second-round of the Shore Conference Tournament, Rumson defeated Point Boro to reach the semifinal round where they fell to top-ranked Manalapan.

10. Middletown South (11-8) Preseason Ranking: 2

Middletown South had an up-and-down season in part due to several key injuries. They entered the season without All-Shore defender Maria DeGregorio and Nicolette Prince and lost goalkeeper Juliana Fiore midway through the season. The Eagles still battled in the hardest division in the Shore Conference and reached the semifinal round of the North Jersey 2 Group 3 playoffs. Rutgers commit Bea Tinoco scored 24 goals to finish as the all-time leader in the school’s history with 83 goals. With the injuries throughout the season, several players gained valuable experience which will help Middletown South next season.

 

Bubble:

Wall (11-8-1), St. John Vianney (12-6-2), Shore Regional (17-7)