Shore Conference Girls Soccer Week 1 Games of the Week
The first week of the 2024 Shore Conference girls soccer season saw several out-of-conference and nondivisional games to open the season, but we quickly move into divisional play and the start of the Shore Conference Tournament group play in Week 2. Below is a look at some of the games of the week based on rankings, divisional play and rivalries.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
No. 8 Rumson-Fair Haven (1-0) at No. 3 Red Bank Catholic (1-1), 3:45 p.m.
RBC got the better of Rumson in last year’s Class A Central game with a 4-1 victory on its way to the division title. With realignment this season, this top-10 matchup will be a non-divisional game and a test to see how each team stacks up against the best teams in the Shore Conference. Both teams will look different from last season with several starters graduating.
No. 4 Middletown South (1-0) at No. 1 Freehold Township (0-2), 4 p.m.
Two of the Shore Conference’s best teams over the last several seasons meet again early in the year looking to get a leg up in Class A North. The Patriots defeated Middletown South on opening day last season, but the Eagles got their revenge in the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament.
Junior Bea Tinoco opened the season with two assists for Middletown South. (Photo by Eric Braun)
Wednesday, Sept. 11
Brick Memorial (0-1) at Point Boro (0-0), 3:45 p.m.
Point Boro’s first game in Class A South is against the defending NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 3 champions Mustangs. The Panthers bring back the majority of their team from last season and look to make a statement in a division that looks to be wide open. Brick Memorial earned a share of the Class A South title in 2022 but the Mustangs’ last outright title was in 2008.
St. John Vianney (1-0) at Middletown North (0-1), 3:45 p.m.
This is a rematch of last year’s Shore Conference Coaches Cup where Middletown North won, 2-0. Both teams played in Class A North last season but were realigned this season into new divisions. The Lions defeated the Lancers 1-0 in the regular season. Both teams graduated several pieces but also brought back experienced players.
Rutgers commit Jayme Malanda against rival Middletown South. (Photo by Eric Braun)
Thursday, Sept. 12
No. 4 Middletown South (1-0) at No. 7 Howell (1-0), 5:45 p.m.
A rematch of the Shore Conference Tournament final, Middletown South will play its second straight game against a Class A North rival ranked inside the Top 10. Last season, Howell defeated the Eagles during the regular season but fell 2-1 in the final. Both teams are in a similar situation, graduating their leader on the field and their goalies, but bring back several starters from last year’s roster.
Junior Maria DeGregorio anchored the defensive line for Middletown South on opening day. (Photo by Eric Braun)
Jackson Memorial (0-1) at Toms River North (1-1), 7 p.m.
In the past, this Class A South game would be a battle of top-10 teams, but both teams start the season outside the rankings entering this season. Even with both teams not starting out with the hype they usually do, it still will be another hard-fought game between rivals. It also is a battle between a senior-heavy Toms River North lineup and a young Jackson Memorial side.
Toms River North sophomore Olivia Forlenza playing center back against Lacey on opening night. (Photo by Jim Rosa)
Friday, Sept. 13
No. 6 Central (0-0) at Point Boro (0-0), 3:45 p.m.
Point Boro starts its first season in Class A South against two teams that have been battling for the top spot the last two seasons. It is a tale of two different teams with the Panthers returning the majority of the roster from last season and Golden Eagles replacing the majority of their starters from last season. Central is coming off a record-setting season when it won the division title and its first NJSIAA sectional championships. These two teams met two seasons ago with the Panthers winning, 3-2.
No. 5 Manalapan (1-1) at No. 3 Red Bank Catholic (1-1), 3:45 p.m.
RBC will play its second opponent inside the Top 10 this week, and with the new realignment, it will now be a division opponent. Manalapan also will play its second ranked opponent in a week after defeating Brick Memorial, 3-2, last week. Both teams will use the early part of the season to build chemistry after graduating the majority of their offenses.
Saturday, Sept. 14
Brick Memorial (0-1) at Toms River South (1-0), 10 a.m.
Over the last two seasons, this matchup has impacted the top of the standings in Class A South. Two years ago the Indians defeated Brick Memorial to edge the Mustangs out of the division title. Last season Brick Memorial returned the favor and defeated Toms River South to knock it out of contention for the division title.
