Week 2 Shore Sports Insider Boys Soccer Top 10
Through two weeks of the Shore Conference boys soccer, eight of the teams that began the season in the Shore Sports Insider Boys Soccer Top 10 remain ranked. What makes this week’s update noteworthy is the two teams in the field that started the season unranked find themselves squarely in the top five. Both teams entered the season with talented rosters that also had something to prove and so far, both have proved plenty.
As for the rest of the rankings, the top three teams hold steady while the bottom five have been solid, if not spectacular through three or four games so far.
1. Howell (2-0, 1-0) Last Week: 1
At this time last week, Howell had yet to play a game in 2024. Now, the Rebels have two games on the board and while both were close calls of sorts, they were also against two quality programs (Ocean, Rumson-Fair Haven). With nine returning seniors in the starting formation, Howell is going to lean on big-game experience throughout the year and that experience helped the Rebels win a pair of games in which things were not always smooth. The schedule stays challenging this week with matches against Long Branch and at Manasquan.
2. Christian Brothers Academy (3-2, 1-0) Last Week: 2
After going 2-2 against a big-name non-conference schedule, CBA opened its season with a 1-0 win at Marlboro. It was not the prettiest game, but it was a result against a quality opponent on an away field that can be very challenging for the Colts and the style they want to play. Ultimately, that win showed CBA may not be the juggernaut of the past four seasons, but the Colts can compete and prevail against other Shore Conference Tournament title contenders.
CBA senior Brayden Perry. (Photo: Toms Smith | tspimages.com)
3. Colts Neck (4-0, 2-0) Last Week: 3
The Cougars faced their first deficit of the season on Thursday, when they conceded against Wall in the early minutes. Their response was three goals prior to halftime on the way to a 5-1 win over a Crimson Knights team that figures to be a strong defensive unit going forward. With an aggregate scoring total of 15-1 in four matches, Colts Neck again looks poised to be the highest-scoring team in the conference, although its prowess will be put to the test this week against Middletown North and Manasquan.
4. Ocean (3-1, 1-0) Last Week: Not ranked
From not ranked to No. 4 at the Shore, Ocean proved its top-five status last week by pushing Howell to the limit in a 4-3 loss, then picking apart Southern in a 2-0 victory in a Shore Conference Tournament group-play match. The Spartans have a revamped defense with the return of senior Leon Leon from the academy ranks, while sophomore Connor Shaw has taken a big leap forward to go along with Jacob Gomez and Noor Eraky on the attack. There is still work to do, but Ocean looks poised to earn a first-round bye in the SCT after the convincing win over Southern.
Howell senior Tye Maser defended by Ocean senior Evan Moran. (Image: Matt Manley)
5. Manalapan (4-0, 2-0) Last Week: 8
Last week, Manalapan broke into the top 10 behind a 1-0 win over Middletown North. This week, convincing wins over St. John Vianney and Freehold Township, plus a come-from-behind win over a Jackson Memorial side that had just tied Southern further solidify the Braves as a top-10 squad. That win over Jackson Memorial was in SCT group play, so Manalapan has set itself up to make a run at both the top of Class A South and SCT Group H.
6. Southern (3-1-1, 0-0-1) Last Week: 4
After dismantling defending Group I champion Shore, 8-0, at the start of the week, Southern stumbled twice – first in a 2-2 draw at Jackson Memorial and again in a 2-0 loss at Ocean. Jackson went on to nearly upset Manalapan, while Shore beat Central Regional on Saturday, so neither result is especially alarming, but for a talented, experienced team with major aspirations for October and November, last week should serve as a wake-up call of sorts.
Southern senior Aidan Donnelly with Freehold Township senior Michael Gorman defending. (Photo: Tom Smith | tspimages.com)
7. Toms River North (2-2, 1-0) Last Week: 5
Like CBA, Toms River North started its season with two challenging out-of-conference games and suffered two losses at the hands of Kearny and Lenape. Since returning to the Shore Conference for their opponents, the Mariners have handled Point Pleasant Boro in Class A South divisional play and Matawan in SCT group play. With a starting unit of mostly-new starters, the early lumps should pay off for Toms River North, especially with a loaded week coming up: Toms River East, Jackson Memorial and CBA.
8. Marlboro (3-1, 0-1) Last Week: 6
A 1-0 loss to CBA on Thursday could have gone either way and it was an own goal that sunk the Mustangs in their fourth straight home loss to the Colts. While frustrating, the result certainly won’t drain Marlboro of its confidence that it can compete with the top-tier programs in the conference. The Mustangs defense has been solid so far and will be tested this week vs. Manasquan, Holmdel and Middletown South.
9. Manasquan (3-0, 0-0) Last Week: 7
If Manasquan has a strong showing this week, its two-spot drop in the rankings will only be temporary. The Warriors have handled their business to date, with wins over Wall, Red Bank and Raritan, but the schedule is about to pick up in a big way. This week, Manasquan will host Marlboro and Howell in Class A North play, then closes the week with a trip to Colts Neck in SCT group play.
10. Middletown North (3-1, 1-1) Last Week: Not ranked
The Lions return to the top 10 after they responded to an opening-day loss to Manalapan by winning three straight over St. Rose, Allentown and Barnegat. It is a résumé similar to Marlboro’s, so even without a signature result to this point, Middletown North can inch back into the top 10 after opening the season at No. 8. The No. 10 ranking will immediately be tested on Tuesday with a trip to Colts Neck.
Middletown North senior Josiah Stepney shadowed by Manalapan defender Ethan Dass. (Photo: Tom Smith | tspimages.com)
Dropped Out
Shore (3-1, 1-0) Last Week: 9 – If Shore’s loss to Southern was not by an 8-0 margin, the Blue Devils would almost certainly remain in the top 10. In any case, Saturday’s overtime win over Central has Shore on the path back.
Toms River East (2-1, 0-1) Last Week: 10 – An overtime loss to Central bumps the Raiders, but they will have plenty of chances to claw back, starting with Tuesday’s showdown with Toms River North, followed by a date with Southern on Saturday.
Top 10 Watch List
Central (2-1, 1-0) – The loss to Shore keeps the Golden Eagles on the waiting list, but the quality of soccer Central is playing so far would lead one to believe they won’t be kept out for long.
Jackson Memorial (3-2-1, 0-0-1) – After a surprising 1-0 loss to Freehold Boro, Jackson Memorial has responded by tying Southern and nearly upsetting Manalapan on the road. That is a wide range of results, but it is clear that the Jaguars will have a major say in the Class A South outcome.
Holmdel (2-1, 1-0) – After an overtime loss at Toms River East to open the season, the Hornets are still lurking near the periphery of the top 10 and will have their share of chances to make an impression against Class A North competition.
