Shore Sports Insider Week 5 Boys Soccer Top 10
As the final days of September fall off the calendar, the soccer season in New Jersey is hitting its stride and the intensity at the Shore is set to pick up beginning this week. That would be the case in any year, but this year has the makings of an even more exciting October given the parity throughout the Shore Conference. Manalapan is making its case as the favorite to win the Shore Conference Tournament and finish No. 1 in the Shore Sports Insider Top 10, but the list of contenders for that spot is as deep as it has been in recent memory.
The 10 teams in this week’s Top 10 are deserving, but there are teams just on the other side of the wall with the pedigree and potential to win hardware later this month and beyond.
1. Manalapan (6-0-1, 4-0-1) Last Week: 1
Since scoring five goals in its first four games, Manalapan’s attack has switched to juggernaut mode. In their last three matches, the Braves have scored 17 goals and are now set up to win the Class A North division championship this week if they can take down Middletown South on Wednesday.
2. Christian Brothers Academy (7-2-1, 3-1-0) Last Week: 2
CBA already rebounded from a 4-3 loss to Manalapan prior to the start of last week by beating Central Regional in a Shore Conference Tournament group game, but a 2-1 win over Freehold Township on Thursday was the true bounceback the Colts needed. This week marks the continuation of a crucial stretch for CBA that includes a division match vs. Colts Neck on Wednesday, a non-public clash with Seton Hall Prep on Saturday, and a showdown at Manasquan on Oct. 6 for first place in SCT Group 1.
3. Marlboro (5-2-1, 2-1-1) Last Week: 4
A loss to CBA on Sept. 14 seems to have jolted Marlboro in the most positive way possible. Since that 4-1 defeat, the Mustangs are 4-0 with a 14-1 aggregate score vs. Rumson-Fair Haven, St. Rose, Colts Neck and Middletown South. The Mustangs are looking at a four-game week upcoming, capped by a trip to play perennial Group IV power Kearny.
4. Jackson (7-0-3, 3-0-1) Last Week: Not ranked
From unranked to top five, Jackson soccer is back. Technically, the Jaguars have arrived, because the last time the black and red were this high in the rankings, it was as Jackson Memorial and not as this unified version known as Jackson Township. Last week’s win over Freehold Township provided significant validation to Jackson’s undefeated start and also planted the Jaguars at the top of their SCT group. A win over Holmdel on Monday would clinch a first-round bye in the tournament and a win at undefeated Point Beach on Wednesday would secure the Class B South division.
5. Freehold Township (6-3-1, 2-0-1) Last Week: 3
The Patriots entered last week undefeated against the Shore Conference, then wore two close losses – one at Jackson and another at CBA. Worse than the losses are the injuries, with both forward Christian Blanco and center back Julian Polo limping off the field at CBA. The Patriots still have three division games remaining as they try to clinch a Class A Central championship, but an SCT berth is on the table next week vs. Matawan, with Freehold Township needing only a tie.
6. Manasquan (7-2, 3-1) Last Week: 6
Defense has carried the Warriors in their seven wins, which have included four shutouts and three goals allowed in those seven matches. When Manasquan has lost, its defense has faltered: Freehold Township and Southern Regional scored four goals apiece in their respective wins over Manasquan. The Warriors rebounded nicely after losing to Southern on Sept. 16 and will looking to stay in the running for an SCT bye and division title this week.
7. Ocean (5-2-1, 2-2-1) Last Week: 9
Make it three straight Class A Central squads in the rankings, with Ocean following Freehold Township and Manasquan – the lone two teams to beat the Spartans this season. Those two defeats have effectively knocked Ocean out of the running for a division championship, but a 3-2 win at previously-unbeaten Toms River East last week has the Spartans set up to earn a first-round bye in the SCT if they can beat Barnegat on Monday.
8. Toms River East (5-1, 3-0) Last Week: 5
After suffering their first loss of the season, the Raiders take a drop in the rankings. Ocean handed Toms River East its first defeat and the Raiders may now have to make their hopeful run in the SCT without the luxury of a first-round bye. Despite that setback, Toms River East is still in position to win the Class A South championship by beating Toms River South and Brick Memorial to finish out the cycle.
9. Toms River North (6-3, 3-1) Last Week: 7
The Mariners have dominated inferior competition this season and have come up a goal short vs. the three ranked teams on their schedule: Toms River East, Freehold Township and CBA. Monday’s SCT group match vs. Ranney is a potential trap game, but if Toms River North survives it, the following two games vs. Southern and Colts Neck – the second of which could be for a bye in the SCT – will be huge games.
10. Shore (4-2-1, 1-2-1) Last Week: Not ranked
After a convincing win at Howell Thursday to all but clinch a spot in the SCT, the Blue Devils join the Top 10 for the first time this season. Shore has a draw vs. Freehold Township and a loss to Rumson was early enough in the season that it can be forgiven within the context of the Top 10. The next four games for Shore (Donovan Catholic, Long Branch, Neptune and Manchester) will be about taking care of business before the division finale at Ocean on Oct. 8.
Dropped Out
Colts Neck (5-3, 2-2) Last Week: 8 – The Cougars are still in search of their first win vs. a team with a winning record, which is why they have been squeezed out of the Top 10 for the time being.
Howell (8-1, 5-0) Last Week: 10 – The Rebels thrived on a softer schedule for a few weeks before running into Shore last week. They will have a chance to prove themselves Top 10 worthy this week vs. both Ocean and Freehold Township.
The Next 10
Southern (3-2-2, 2-1-1)
Rumson-Fair Haven (5-2-2, 2-0-2)
Middletown South (3-4, 1-3)
Point Pleasant Beach (8-0, 4-0)
Matawan (6-1-1, 4-0-0)
Lacey (5-4-1, 2-1-1)
Red Bank (5-3, 2-2)
St. John Vianney (4-6, 2-3)
Toms River South (3-4-1, 2-1-1)
Freehold Boro (5-3, 3-1)
