Shore Sports Insider Girls Soccer Top 10, Sept. 9

With a light schedule of games for the opening week of the school year, there were not many changes from the Shore Sports Insider Preseason Top 10. The biggest surprise to start the season came from Toms River East, which enters the rankings after upsetting then-No. 4 Manalapan in its opening game. There are several top-10 battles in Week 2 that can shake up the rankings early in the season.

 

Shore Sports Insider Girls Soccer Top 10, Week 1

 

1. Freehold Township (0-2). Last week: No. 1

Most teams would panic after losing their first two games of the season, but not when it is against the No. 1 team in New Jersey and another top-20 team in the state. Freehold Township lost its season opener against top-ranked Rutgers Prep, 3-1, and then fell to Ramapo in double overtime. The Patriots can get back on track when they host division rival and fourth-ranked Middletown South on Tuesday and travel to Manasquan on Friday.

 

2. Wall (1-0). Last week: No. 2

The Crimson Knights opened their season with a 1-0 victory over rival Manasquan during the first game of a boys/girls doubleheader between the rival schools. The Knights created several scoring chances but struggled to finish on the Warriors’ strong back line. Wall travels to Jackson Memorial on Tuesday and visits Ocean Township on Thursday.

 

3. Red Bank Catholic (1-1). Last week: No. 3

The Caseys began a new era under head coach Brian Blue with a nonconference defeat on the road against Allentown. RBC rebounded with a 4-0 victory over Shore Regional where Maryland commit Paige Foye notched a hat trick. She has four goals in the first two games for the Caseys. RBC welcomes a pair of ranked teams to Count Basie Field this week when it hosts No. 8 Rumson-Fair Haven on Tuesday and No. 5 Manalapan on Thursday. 

 

4. Middletown South (1-0). Last week: No. 5

The defending Shore Conference Tournament champion opened its season with a 2-1 overtime victory over crosstown rival Middletown North. Freshman Riley Kapler showed no nerves in her debut, scoring the golden goal to lift the Eagles to a dramatic victory. Middletown South has a difficult week ahead, playing two Class A North rivals on the road. On Tuesday, the Eagles travel to No. 1 Freehold Township, and on Thursday they travel to No. 7 Howell.  Middletown South hosts Steinert in a nonconference game on Saturday.

 

5. Manalapan (1-1). Last week: No. 4

Manalapan split its two games during the opening week of the season. The Braves were upset by Toms River East, 2-0, to start the season, but rebounded and defeated then-No. 9 Brick Memorial, 3-2. Manalapan controlled the majority of the game against Toms River East but could not get any open looks at the net. Manalapan travels to No. 9 Lacey on Monday and No. 3 Red Bank Catholic on Friday. On Wednesday, the Braves host district rival Marlboro.

 

6. Central (0-0). Last week: No. 6

Central’s season does not begin until Tuesday when it travels to Manasquan. On Friday, they begin their defense of the Class A South division title when they travel to Point Boro, which enters its first season in the division.

 

7. Howell (1-0). Last week: No. 7

Howell started its season with a 3-0 non-conference win over Notre Dame. Senior Allie Nase, who is playing more of an offensive role this season, scored two goals in the opener. Howell hosts No. 4 Middletown South in a key Class A North game on Thursday and on Saturday the Rebels play their first Shore Conference Tournament group-stage game against Red Bank.

 

8. Rumson-Fair Haven (1-0). Last week: No. 8

Rumson opened the season with a 6-3 non-conference win over Pascack Valley. Senior Stella Saad scored three goals and assisted on two others to lead the Bulldogs. Rumson travels to No. 3 Red Bank Catholic on Tuesday and Marlboro on Friday. 

 

9. Lacey (2-0). Last week: No. 10 

Lacey opened the season up with wins against Toms River North (3-0) and Ocean Township (2-1). Senior Natalie McGovern looks to be on pace for her fourth season with double-digit goals, scoring three in the opening week. The Lions have a busy week ahead with three games on the schedule. On Monday, they host No. 5 Manalapan, on Wednesday the Lions travel to face Southern and on Friday they host Point Beach in a Class B South matchup.

Senior Natalie McGovern had a goal and an against in a 2-1 win over Ocean. (Photo by Eric Braun)

 

10. Toms River East (1-0). Last week: not ranked

The Raiders opened the season by knocking off then-No. 4 Manalapan, 2-0, for an early-season statement victory. They prevented Manalapan’s offense from getting any open looks at the goal and seemed to always have a defender in the correct spot. Toms River East is on the road in Barnegat on Monday, begins Shore Conference Tournament group-stage play on Wednesday at home vs. Ranney, and on Friday travels to Manchester for a Class B South game. 

 

On the Bubble

Toms River South (1-0)

Brick Memorial (0-1)

Point Boro (0-0)