Shore Conference Soccer 2024 Preview: Class B South
Class B South was one of two Shore Conference divisions to finish with co-champions atop the standings, with Lacey and Manchester sharing the title. Both those teams remain in the division this season and while they say goodbye to rival Point Pleasant Boro, both will have to deal with a formidable Toms River South side instead.
That trio of teams figures to battle it out for the No. 1 spot, but the other three teams come with their share of intrigue. Lakewood made life difficult on many of its opponents last year, Jackson Liberty is moving into the division from a stacked Class A South field, and New Egypt brings back a strong collection of returning talent for its first season in the Shore Conference.
In predicted order of finish
1. Toms River South
A move out of Class A South into B South is likely a welcome move for Toms River South, which played an unforgiving schedule in 2023 that included Lacey, St. Rose, Wall, Middletown South, Long Branch and Ocean City, as well as an additional game vs. Southern. If was a difficult test for a team that started only two seniors and was under the direction of a first-year head coach in Mike Conover after more than two decades with Ron Laycock as either the head coach or the assistant.
The two seniors that graduated were key pieces to the 2023 operation, with Kenny Caruso leading the team in scoring and Owen Heale protecting the goal. Other than that, though, Toms River South returns its entire starting lineup – one that will be heavy on seniors this go-round. Four of the six player on the attack will be seniors: forward Caden Langan and midfielders Noah Beaton, David Mandica and Jake Hall. Junior Shane Gambarony will take over at forward in hopes of replicating Caruso’s speed and finishing ability, while classmate Jacob Myers returns to the starting midfield.
Senior Anthony Johnson leads an experienced back four that will back first-year senior starter Nolen Mahoney in goal. Robert Boemio is the other senior starting on the back line, with sophomore Brody Robillard and junior Nigel Graham both returning after starting as underclassmen. All those returnees should allow Conover to tap into the team’s depth more this season and with the move to B South lightening the schedule somewhat, the record should look much better for Toms River South come playoff time.
Toms River South at a Glance
Head Coach: Mike Conover, second season
2023 Record: 5-10-3 (1-3-3, sixth in Class A South)
SCT Group: D (Toms River North, Freehold Twp., Matawan, Point Beach)
Key Losses: Kenny Caruso (Forward), Owen Heale (Goalkeeper)
Potential Starters
Shane Gambarony, Jr., Forward (1 goal)
Caden Langan, Sr., Forward (4 goals, 1 assist)
David Mandica, Sr., Midfield (2 goals)
Noah Beaton, Sr., Midfield (3 goals)
Jake Hall, Sr., Midfield (2 goals, 4 assists)
Jacob Myers, Jr., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assists)
Anthony Johnson, Sr., Defense (3 assists)
Nigel Graham, Jr., Defense (1 goal)
Brody Robillard, So., Defense (5 assists)
Robert Boemio, Sr., Defense
Nolen Mahoney, Sr., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Zach Sullivan, Sr., Midfield
Hernie Mujica, Sr., Defense
Jack Wasik, Sr., Forward
Isaac Mercado, Sr., Forward
Dennis Jones, Sr., Forward/Goalkeeper
Karsin Migliori, Jr., Midfield
Owen Beneciuk, Jr., Midfield
Blake Naibert, Jr., Defense
Juan Bedoya, Jr., Midfield
Christian Oberti, So,, Defense
Nate Johnson, So., Forward
Knolbe Mujica-Melendez, So., Defense
Guiseppe Raso, Fr., Midfield
2. Lacey
One of two defending Class B South co-champions, Lacey has a lot of production and talent to replace from last year’s division-winning squad as it gets set to defend its title in a new-look division. Lacey went 3-1 against the teams in this year’s Class B South division and the one loss came in a second meeting vs. Manchester after Lacey won the first, 5-0. Although there will be five new starters, Lacey will have confidence it can match up with this field of teams.
The junior trio of Tanner Grozinski , Anthony Introna and Aiden Schmitt are the top returning scoring threats, with 13 goals and 12 assists between them in 2023. Seniors Aiden Fitzgerald, Jack Considine and Colin Hayes will also contribute on the attack, with Fitzgerald up top and both Considine and Hayes in the midfield.
Sophomore goalkeeper Dylan Graham impressed as a freshman starter and his return in net will help mitigate any drop-off in the back that might come as a result of graduating three starters. Senior Brendan Schuler is back on the defense and classmate Charles DeMay joins the starting unit. Junior Noah Riley is ready for a full-time starting spot in the back, as is classmate John Heckel. Losing two top scorers raises the degree of difficulty, but Lacey’s rising juniors and standout sophomore in goal give the Lions a foundation for the next two years.
Lacey at a Glance
Head Coach: Steve Torre, eighth season
2023 Record: 12-7 (6-1, tied first in Class B South)
SCT Group: F (Point Boro, Middletown North, Freehold Boro, Barnegat, Keyport)
Key Losses: Matteo Pasqualichio (Midfield), Connor Noon (Forward), Jay Velez (Midfield), Nik Vecchio (Defense), Owen Graham (Defense)
Potential Starters
Aiden Fitzgerald, Sr., Forward
Tanner Grozinski, Jr., Forward (4 goals, 4 goals)
Anthony Introna, Jr., Forward (5 goals, 2 assists)
Aiden Schmitt, Jr., Midfield (4 goals, 6 assists)
Jack Considine, Sr., Midfield
Colin Hayes, Sr., Midfield (2 goals)
Brendan Schuler, Sr., Defense
John Heckel, Jr., Defense
Noah Riley, Jr., Defense (2 goals)
Charles DeMey, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)
Dylan Graham, So., Goalkeeper (7 shutouts)
Other Players
Sam Wilson, Sr., Defense
Brody Kontouris, Sr., Defense (Transfer from Donovan Catholic)
Christian Gilani, Jr,, Defense
Braedyn Giallanella, Jr., Defense
Madden Mozal, Jr., Defense
Kenshin McCugh, So., Forward
Will Reid, So., Midfield
Logan Hope, Fr., Midfield
Paul Guerriero, Fr., Forward
3. Manchester
The Manchester roster looks a lot like the Toms River South roster in that the Hawks graduated their top scorer and return almost everybody else. Manchester even brings back its starting goalkeeper, senior Noah Cundiff, which Toms River South cannot say. The other difference, though, is Manchester did not lose just any leading scorer. Joey Kurak was a First-Team All-Shore forward in 2023 after leading the Shore Conference in scoring with 28 goals and six assists. The impact Kurak made won’t be easily replaced – perhaps not replaced at all – but the Hawks will have plenty of capable players helping to cover it.
Senior Gabe Occhipinti set up more Kurak goals than any other Manchester player and racked up 10 assists as a junior. He will team with sophomore Muiz Aderogba as a dynamic midfield pair, with sophomore Bechweb Sevilla Mejia joining them as a first-year starter. The defense is even more stable, with all four starters – Aidan Clauburg, Brayden Kurak, Sullivan Nolan and Yoel Santos-Zarco – back in front of Cundiff.
The focus will be on the trio of forwards slated to start this season – two of whom started with Kurak last season. Seniors Cody McLeod and Anderson Ordoñez Mejia combined for seven goals playing off Kurak last year and will lead the scoring effort up top along with junior Josh Rosado, who came off the bench last year.
Coming off its first division championship since 2002, Manchester is hoping for a follow-up performance that can best Toms River South and Lacey for the top spot in Class B South. The Hawks and first-year coach Nick Salvemini will also have their hands full in a loaded SCT Group B; if the Hawks advance to the knockout round past CBA, Middletown South and St. John Vianney, that would be even more impressive than a second straight division title.
Manchester at a Glance
Head Coach: Nick Salvemini, first season
2023 Record: 11-9 (6-1, tied first in Class B South)
SCT Group: B (CBA, Middletown North, St. John Vianney, Monmouth)
Key Losses: Joey Kurak (Forward), Jan Tracz (Forward/Midfield), Joel Panora (Midfield), Brandon Cruz (Midfield)
Potential Starters
Anderson Ordoñez-Mejia, Sr., Forward (3 goals, 1 assist)
Cody McLeod, Sr., Forward (4 goals)
Josh Rosado, Jr., Forward (3 assists)
Gabe Occhipinti, Sr., Midfield (3 goals, 10 assists)
Muiz Aderogba, So., Midfield (1 goal, 3 assists)
Bechweb Sevilla Mejia, So., Midfield
Aidan Clauburg, Sr., Defense (5 goals, 4 assists)
Brayden Kurak, Jr., Defense (4 assists)
Sullivan Nolan, Sr., Defense
Yoel Santos-Zarco, Jr., Defense (2 assists)
Noah Cundiff, Sr., Goalkeeper (7 shutouts)
Other Players
Eric Balkius, Sr., Midfield/Defense
Cole Sarama, Fr., Midfield
Dominick Day, Sr., Defense
Michael Thomas, Jr., Midfield/Defense
Servando Gonzalez, Sr., Midfield
4. Lakewood
Lakewood got a major shot in the arm last year with the midseason addition of Jose Oliva, who scored 20 goals despite missing the first six games of the season. Although he was a junior a year ago, Oliva was an older junior and won’t play for the Piners this year, leaving Lakewood to replace a fair amount of scoring from 2023.
Six players with starting experience return for the Piners, led by junior Eric Vargas and sophomore Steven Aguilar Matias – the latter of whom led all returning Lakewood players in scoring. Sophomore Jonathan Bravo and senior Sergio Martinez will play up top, with Bravo returning after playing as a freshman. Two more sophomores – Dennis Cardoz and Ember Bonilla – join the starting midfield, giving Lakewood four sophomores on the attack.
Efrain Garcia is one more sophomore returning to the lineup, with Garcia joining senior Hector de los Santos and junior Yosiah Cruz as returning defensive starters. Freshman Johan Rodriguez will either play in the back or push up top in his rookie season and senior Brian Diaz-Bonilla rounds out the starting XI in goal. Coming off a .500 season with some major players to replace, Lakewood might not reach the top of the standings, but the Piners always make themselves heard in the Class B South race.
Lakewood at a Glance
Head Coach: Gene Drumwright, 24th season
2023 Record: 7-7-2 (4-2-1, fourth in Class B South)
SCT Group: H (Rumson-Fair Haven, Jackson Memorial, Manalapan, Henry Hudson)
Key Losses: Jose Oliva (Forward), Chris Pedraza (Midfield), Pedro Saavedra (Midfield), Nick Avila (Defense), Anthony Soriano (Defense), Jonathan Flores (Goalkeeper), Javaughn Johnson (Forward), Jaheim Kennedy (Midfield/Forward)
Potential Starters
Jonathan Bravo, So., Midfield/Forward
Sergio Martinez, Sr., Midfield/Forward
Eric Vargas, Jr., Midfield/Forward (1 goal, 1 assist)
Steven Aguilar Matias, So., Midfield (7 goals, 5 assists)
Dennis Cardoza, So., Midfield
Ember Bonilla, So., Midfield
Johan Rodriguez, Fr., Forward/Defense
Hector de los Santos, Sr., Defense
Efrain Garcia, So., Defense
Yosiah Cruz, Jr., Defense
Brian Diaz-Bonilla, Sr., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Ramiro Villanueva, Jr., Defene
Rafael Salazar, Sr., Midfield
Jefferson Ramos, Sr., Forward
Rodrigo Jimenez, Jr., Forward/Defense
Yair Barrios, Sr., Midfield
5. New Egypt
Two years removed from a 14-win season, New Egypt makes its Shore Conference debut with a team that could not quite get back to .500 a year ago but will bring back plenty of scoring and experience to deploy against its new schedule. The Warriors also have a new head coach in Jerry Harris, who is looking to find the right mix for what will be an experienced attack while also filling in some noteworthy vacancies at the back of the formation.
New Egypt has depth at the forward position, with senior Jesus Madrigal returning off a nine-goal season and still battling for playing time with three other capable scoring options in senior Alex Rojas, junior Dylan Harper and sophomore Wyatt Burgess. Junior attacking center midfielder Braeden Fischer also scored nine goals last year and will lead the charge from the middle, with classmate Bryce Giordano also returning as a starter in the midfield.
Sophomore Nick Ferriolo will round out the starting midfield and classmates Dylan Rotundo and Nick Pizzolongo also join the starting lineup as defenders. Seniors Logan Cerniglia and Ryan Reynolds return to lead the back line and junior Cameron Cassandra takes over in goal after senior Tommy Merlucci opted to play football this season. In its maiden voyage in the Shore Conference, the Warriors will have plenty of experience to lean on and if they can adjust to the new competition, they have a chance to make a great first impression.
New Egypt at a Glance
Head Coach: Jerry Harris, first season
2023 Record: 8-10-1
SCT Group: G (Marlboro, Wall, Neptune, Pinelands)
Key Losses: A.J. Colarocco (Defense), Gavin Myers (Defense), Tommy Merlucci (Sr., Goalkeeper)
Potential Starters
Alex Rojas, Sr., Forward (2 goals, 1 assist)
Dylan Harper, Jr., Forward/Midfield (3 goals, 5 assists)
Wyatt Burgess, So., Forward/Midfield (3 goals, 2 assists)
Braeden Fischer, Jr., Midfield (9 goals, 6 assists)
Bryce Giordano, Jr., Midfield
Nico Ferriolo, So., Midfield
Logan Cerniglia, Sr., Defense
Ryan Reynolds, Sr., Defense
Dylan Rotundo, So., Defense
Nick Pizzolongo, So., Defense
Cameron Cassandra, Jr., Goalkeeper
Other Players
Jesus Madrigal, Sr., Forward/Midfield (9 goals, 3 assists)
Jayden Scott, Jr., Midfield
Jared Anderson, So., Defense
6. Jackson Liberty
After a one-year stay in Class A South, Jackson Liberty is back in Class B South. The slate of division games definitely is not as difficult as an A South schedule that includes behemoths like Toms River North and Southern, but it remains a challenging schedule for the Lions – particularly when you factor in SCT group games vs. Manasquan, Colts Neck and Raritan.
With the graduation of all-division standout Giovanni Batista, the Lions will look to a group of returning players who gained valuable experience last year. Returning senior Rich Kosek figures to be Jackson Liberty’s top scoring threat going into the season, with classmates Dan Salazar and Connor Behm also figuring into the front of the formation. Junior Ryan Monday and senior Tyler Mirao are back in the starting midfield, with junior Mason Edwards joining them.
Junior Rafael Cruz will be a key cog in the defense after starting as a sophomore in 2023 and senior Michael Diaz is ready to step in on the back line. The defense will take time to gel, but senior Rocco Malangone is a major safety net as the Lions’ standout goalkeeper. Scoring remains a question, but Malagnone and the defense will keep Jackson Liberty in more games this season and with a slightly more forgiving schedule, the Lions should pull out a few more results in their favor.
Jackson Liberty at a Glance
Head Coach: Justin Siering, fourth season
2023 Record: 5-9-1 (0-6-1, eighth in Class B South)
SCT Group: I (Manasquan, Colts Neck, Raritan, Red Bank Catholic)
Key Losses: Giovanni Batista (Defense), Jose Mayorga (Midfield), Josh Hybbeneth (Defense), Mateo Sanabria Ramirez (Defense), Jose Lainez Martinez (Defense), Salvatore Georgiano (Forward)
Potential Starters
Dan Salazar, Sr., Forward
Rich Kosek, Sr., Forward/Midfield (1 goal, 2 assists)
Connor Behm, Sr., Midfield/Forward
Ryan Monday, Jr., Midfield
Tyler Mirao, Sr., Midfield
Mason Edwards, Jr., MIdfield
Rafael Cruz, Jr., Midfield/Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)
Michael Diaz, Sr., Defense
Rocco Malangone, Sr., Goalkeeper (3 shutouts)
