Shore Sports Insider Girls Soccer Top 10 – Oct. 28
Shore Sports Insider Girls Soccer Top 10 – Monday, Oct. 28
1. Freehold Township (12-6). Last Week: No. 5
The Patriots return to the top spot of the Shore Conference for the first time since the first week of the season by defeating No. 2 Point Boro 1-0 in the Shore Conference Tournament final for their third SCT title in the last four years. Freehold Township started the week by defeating top-ranked Middletown South 2-0 behind Gaby Parker’s two goals. In the SCT semifinal round, the Patriots defeated Lacey 2-1. Freehold Township will now prepare to defend their Group 4 title. They are projected to be the top seed in Central Jersey Group 4 and host Princeton in the opening round.
Freehold Township receives the SCT Trophy. (Photo by Tom Smith)
2. Point Boro (13-2-2). Last Week: No. 2
Point Boro made it to the SCT final for the first time since 1990 but fell short to Freehold Township, 1-0. In the semifinal round, the Panthers got revenge for the 2022 semifinal game against Howell by defeating the Rebels 1-0 in double overtime. Point Boro will be the top seed in Central Jersey Group 2 where they hope to dethrone defending champions Wall.
Senior Abby Hannemann had the game-winning assist in double overtime against Howell in the SCT semifinal. (Photo by Tom Smith).
3. Lacey (16-2-1). Last Week: No. 4
Lacey defeated No. 10 Manalapan in double overtime to advance to the SCT semifinal. They fell short of making their first SCT final since 2004, falling to eventual champions Freehold Township, 2-1. The Lions went down 2-0 but did not give up, getting one goal in the final 10 minutes of play to give themselves a chance at an equalizer. Lacey will prepare for the South Jersey Group 3 tournament which they won in 2021 when they defeated Mainland in penalty kicks.
Lacey goalkeeper Ava Schmidt corrals a ball in the box. (Photo: Tom Smith | tspimages.com)
4. Howell (12-5). Last Week: No. 6
Howell overcame key season-ending injuries to its back line to advance to their third straight SCT semifinal. The Rebels fell short of making it to three straight SCT finals, falling to No. 2 Point Boro 1-0 in double overtime. Howell is projected to be the No. 3 seed in Central Jersey Group 4 and host Sayreville in the opening round.
5. Middletown South (13-3-1). Last Week: No. 1
Middletown South lost to eventual SCT champion Freehold Township in the quarterfinal round, 2-0. Junior Bea Tinoco returned from injury in a limited role and will have time to heal before Middletown South starts the state tournament. Middletown South moved to North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 this season. They made it to back-to-back Central Jersey Group 3 finals against Brick Memorial going 1-1. The Eagles are projected to be the No. 2 seed and host Matawan in the opening round.
Bob Badders | rpbphotography.com
6. Wall (14-2-1). Last Week: No. 3
Wall has gone 3-0 with three shutouts since falling in the opening round of the Shore Conference Tournament. The three wins helped Wall unofficially earn the No. 2 seed in Central Jersey Group 2 where they will go for their third straight sectional title. They are projected to host Monmouth in the opening round.
Erynn Richey had the game-winner against Marlboro on a corner kick. (Photo by Eric Braun)
7. Central (13-3-1). Last week: No. 7
Central won all three games since being eliminated from the SCT in the second round. Freshman Addison Fruilio posted three shutouts last week and has nine in her rookie season. Many thought it would be a rebuilding year with a strong graduating class last year, but Central will be the top seed in South Jersey Group 4 as it looks to defend its sectional title. They are projected to host Vineland in the opening round
8. Rumson-Fair Haven (12-5). Last Week: No. 9
Rumson won two consolation games since falling to Howell in the second round of the SCT. The Bulldogs defeated Jackson Memorial and Toms River East by scores of 3-0 last week. Senior Stella Saad had two goals and two assists in those games. Rumson is projected to be the No. 6 seed in Central Jersey Group 2 and will Holmdel in the opening round. Last year, Rumson fell in penalty kicks to Wall in the Central Jersey Group 2 final.
9. Toms River South (11-5-1). Last Week: not ranked
The Indians gave the eventual SCT champion a scare in round two before Freehold Township scored a late goal to advance. Last week they defeated Red Bank Catholic in an SCT consolation game and tied St. John Vianney, 1-1. Toms River South is projected to be the No. 6 seed in South Jersey Group 3 and host Hammonton in the opening round.
10. Brick Memorial (8-7-1). Last Week: not ranked
Brick Memorial has had a resurgence in the second half of the season after losing five out of their first eight games. After falling to No. 1 Middletown South in double overtime in the second round of the SCT, the Mustangs defeated Trinity Hall and Toms River East in consolation games. The 2-0 victory over Trinity Hall gave Coach Billy Caruso his 400th career win, the most for a girls soccer coach in Shore Conference history. Brick Memorial is heading in the right direction as it prepares to defend its Central Jersey Group 3 title. They will be the No. 2 seed and are projected to play Hamilton West in the opening round.
Bob Badders | rpbphotography.com
On the Bubble
Red Bank Catholic, Manalapan
