Shore Sports Insider Girls Soccer Top 10, Oct. 7
Another week, another team on top.
The parity in the Shore Conference this season continues to the point where you can put the top teams in a hat and pick that way. Four of the top five teams lost a game last week, and with division schedules wrapping up this week, you can expect similar chaos this time next week. Shore Conference Tournament group play ends Tuesday with a few SCT spots still up for grabs.
Shore Sports Insider Girls Soccer Top 10 – Week 5
1. Wall (9-1-1). Last Week: No. 5
For the second straight week, we have a team returning to the top spot in the Shore Conference. After being upset three weeks ago, Wall has gone unbeaten in its last seven games. Last week, the Knights went 2-0-1 and secured their spot in the Shore Conference Tournament. Wall tied Monroe, which was ranked No. 12 in New Jersey, 2-2. After trailing 1-0, the Knights scored two goals to take the lead but gave up the equalizer late in the second half. Wall ended the week defeating No. 3 Freehold Township, 2-0, to secure their spot in the SCT. On Tuesday they host No. 9 Rumson-Fair Haven to decide the winner of Class A Central.
Erynn Richey had the game-winner against Marlboro on a corner kick. (Photo by Eric Braun)
2. Middletown South (9-2-1). Last Week: No. 1
Middletown South started the week with wins over Asbury Park in an SCT Group I game and Shore Regional in a non-divisional game. The Eagles were upset by No. 10 Toms River South, 4-2, in am SCT Group I game. Middletown South has a big week ahead. The Eagles host Trinity Hall on Tuesday and Manalapan on Thursday and need to win both games to secure a share of the Class A North title depending on Red Bank Catholic’s results this week.
Junior Maria DeGregorio anchored the defensive line for Middletown South on opening day. (Photo by Eric Braun)
3. Freehold Township (6-5). Last Week: No. 3
The Patriots started the week beating Raritan in a SCT Group H game. Freehold Township ended the week losing to No. 5 Wall to wrap up their SCT Group games. Freehold Township finished on top in Group H on goal differential. The Patriots finish their regular season schedule on the road with two Class A North games versus district rivals. On Monday they travel to Manalapan and on Thursday they head across Route 9 to face No. 7 Howell.
Danielle Howard scored a goal and had an assist in a 2-0 victory over Red Bank Catholic. (Photo by Tom Smith)
4. Point Boro (8-0-2). Last Week: No. 6
The Panthers secured first place in SCT Group G with a win over Southern and a 0-0 draw against Trinity Hall. Point Boro also tied Manalapan 0-0 in a non-divisional game. Point Boro will travel to Jackson Memorial on Wednesday to finish their Class A South schedule. The Panthers have already clinched the division championship.
5. Red Bank Catholic (8-3-1). Last Week: No. 4
The Caseys defeated division opponent Mansaquan in a back-and-forth battle, 3-2. RBC ended the week falling to Brick Memorial, 1-0, in a SCT Group A match. The Caseys finished in second place in SCT group play. They host Jackson Memorial on Monday in a non-divisional game and travel to Trinity Hall on Thursday. A win by RBC will secure a share of the Class A North title and the Caseys can win the title outright if Middletown South loses a game.
Sophomore Nina Bicej sealed the victory for RBC against Howell with a goal late in the second half. (Photo by Tom Smith)
6. Lacey (12-1). Last Week: No. 8
Lacey clinched the Class B South title with a victory over Toms River East last week. Mackenzie Brotherston scored the game-winner off a pass from Natalie McGovern with less than 30 seconds left. Lacey can secure the top spot in SCT Group E with a win over No. 7 Howell on Monday. The Lions travel to New Egypt on Tuesday to finish their Class B South schedule and on Saturday they end their regular-season schedule against Middletown North.
Lacey senior Reece Paget. (Photo by Eric Braun)
7. Howell (8-2). Last Week: No. 2
Howell lost 2-1 to Trinity Hall in a Class A North game last week. The Rebels still have a chance to secure a piece of the division title but will need RBC and Middletown South to each lose a game. The Rebels will also need players to step into bigger roles with a couple of injuries on the back line. Howell hosts No. 6 Lacey on Monday with the winner claiming the top spot in SCT Group E. The Rebels finish their Class A North schedule when they host Manasquan on Tuesday and No. 3 Freehold Township on Thursday.
Madelyn Roberto receives a pass against Red Bank Catholic. (Photo by Tom Smith)
8. Toms River South (8-3). Last Week: No. 10.
It was a roller coaster week for Toms River South with the Indians falling to division rival Jackson Memorial to open the week before a resounding 4-2 win over then-No. 1 Middletown South to secure the top spot in SCT Group I. Senior Keira Mulvihill scored two goals in the victory over the Eagles. Toms River South travels across town to play Toms River North on Tuesday and then hosts Southern on Thursday.
9. Rumson-Fair Haven (9-3). Last Week: not ranked
Rumson earned its first win against a ranked team when it defeated Central, 2-1, on Saturday. The victory secured first place in SCT Group C and earned the Bulldogs a bye in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament. Rumson travels to No. 1 Wall on Tuesday to decide who will win Class A Central. If Rumson defeats Wall and has a win or draw vs St. John Vianney on Thursday, the Bulldogs will be the division champion.
10. Central (7-2-1). Last Week: No. 7
Central opened the week with a 2-1 win over division rival Toms River North. The Golden Eagles lost to Rumson-Fair Haven, 2-1, in an SCT Group C game. The loss dropped Central to second place in the group and out of a first-round bye in the Shore Conference Tournament. Central hosts Brick Memorial on Tuesday to finish Class A South play and then squares off against Toms River East on Saturday.
Dropped out
Manasquan (No. 9 last week)
On the Bubble
Manasquan, Toms River East, Trinity Hall
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