Week 3 Shore Sports Insider Boys Soccer Top 10
The Shore Conference Boys Soccer Top 10 of the past four seasons has been dominated by Christian Brothers Academy, so when the Colts came into 2024 with one of the least experienced varsity rosters in the conference, it figured the battle for No. 1 would feature several different teams. That is indeed the case, with Howell opening the season at No. 1 and two different teams playing over the weekend with the No. 1 ranking on the line.
Not only is there is a new No. 1 team this week, but it is not hard to envision a new name at No. 1 in the not-too-distant future.
1. Colts Neck (7-0, 4-0) Last Week: 3
For the first time since 2012, Colts Neck is the No. 1-ranked team in a Shore Conference boys soccer ranking and while it is still early, the Cougars have been convincing in the role. They have scored more goals than any team in the Shore Conference other than Manalapan, and after struggling to keep the ball out of its own net in 2023, Colts Neck has conceded just four times in seven matches so far. Wins over Manasquan, Middletown North, Wall, Toms River South and Rumson-Fair Haven make for an impressive résumé so far, but the Cougars will again be tested this week when Manalapan pays them a visit on Wednesday.
2. Manasquan (4-1, 1-0) Last Week: 9
Despite losing a heartbreaker at Colts Neck on Saturday, Manasquan is the biggest mover in the Top 10 this week. The Warriors upended previous No. 1 Howell on Thursday and erased a 2-0 deficit at Colts Neck in the final seven minutes of regulation before losing in extra time. Manasquan still has five Class A North games remaining, but beating Howell in its first try makes the Warriors a favorite – especially if they can beat CBA this Wednesday.
3. Howell (4-1, 2-1) Last Week: 1
The No. 1 ranking was nice, but the Rebels have their sights set on their two ultimate goals: the Shore Conference Tournament and Group IV. Standout senior midfielder Tye Maser is currently out with a hamstring injury and during a 2-1 loss to Howell, top scorer Nick Turturro let the game with a facial laceration that required stitches. On Saturday, Turturro returned to post two goals and an assist in a win over Middletown North that got the Rebels back on track.
4. Ocean (5-1, 2-0) Last Week: 4
It was a relatively low-stress week for Ocean, which locked down shutout wins over Matawan and Red Bank. The Spartans have not allowed a goal in any of their five wins and although they conceded four in their 4-3 loss at Howell, they were in the game throughout and even led, 3-2, before a scrum in the box led to the equalizer. This week will be an important one for Ocean, which will play two SCT Group games against Long Branch and Brick Memorial, with a big Class B North division tilt vs. St. John Vianney sandwiched between them.
5. Christian Brother Academy (4-3, 1-1) Last Week: 2
CBA was in danger of a longer drop from its previous spot at No. 2, but a convincing, 2-0, win over Toms River North on Saturday was a nice recovery following a 1-0 overtime loss at Rumson-Fair Haven. It’s not a surprise that this year’s CBA squad has taken some lumps given its lack of experience and despite some of those early slip-ups, the Colts are still well-positioned to win a division and Shore Conference championship – especially if they can author wins over Manchester in Manasquan this week.
6. Toms River North (4-3, 3-0) Last Week: 7
The Mariners had a four-game winning streak snapped Saturday at CBA and it was the product of a first half that got away from them – particularly the first 22 minutes. They settled in and played a more even second half, with sophomore goalkeeper Gavin Stryker making a series of huge saves to keep CBA from putting the game completely out of reach. Prior to that loss, Toms River North handled Jackson Memorial and Toms River East to establish itself as the likely Class A South favorite. The Mariners will try to solidify their first place position this week when they travel to Southern on Wednesday.
7. Toms River East (4-2, 1-2) Last Week: Not ranked
Even with a loss to Toms River North this week, the Raiders return to the rankings thanks to two more statement wins. They opened the season by beating a ranked Holmdel team in overtime and this past week, they stunned unbeaten Manalapan in overtime and then scored a late goal to knock off Southern. The Class A South race would have to get more jumbled for Toms River East to win the division, but the Raiders are very likely to win SCT Group A, which would give them a first-round bye.
8. Manalapan (6-1, 4-0) Last Week: 5
An overtime loss at Toms River East drops Manalapan in the rankings, but everything is still in play for the Braves. They will head to Colts Neck on Wednesday with the Class A Central championship on the line and once that is decided, Manalapan will turn its attention to grabbing the top spot in SCT Group H over Rumson-Fair Haven. The first three weeks of the season have gone very well for a team low on varsity experience while rich in talent, so Manalapan will have to show it can bounce back from a loss and handle the success.
9. Southern (4-2-1, 1-1-1) Last Week: 6
The Class A South title is up for grabs and Southern is still in the running, but a draw at Jackson Memorial and Saturday’s loss at Toms River East put the Rams behind the eight-ball. They will likely have to settle for the second or third spot in SCT Group E if they advance to the Shore Conference Tournament, but there is still a lot in front of Southern, particularly with a home game vs. Toms River North coming up this week.
10. Marlboro (4-2, 1-1) Last Week: 8
Health was an issue for Marlboro last week, which is why the Mustangs get a pass after losing to Middletown South on Saturday. Coach Ryan Morris is getting over a bout with pneumonia, which prompted him to miss a 1-0 win over Holmdel and for the Mustangs to reschedule Tuesday’s game vs. Manasquan. On Saturday, Marlboro was missing four starters vs. Middletown South, including All-Shore midfielder Trevor Barrett. They will have to prove themselves this week vs. Howell and Burlington Township to stay in the rankings, but the Mustangs still have the look of a team that is among the Shore’s 10 best.
Dropped Out
Middletown North (3-4, 1-3) Last Week: 10 – A three-game losing streak knocks the Lions from the rankings and injuries have been a culprit.
Top 10 Watch List
Wall (4-3-1, 1-1-1) – A 4-0 win over Rumson-Fair Haven after the Bulldogs beat CBA is another strong result for a Crimson Knights squad that has lost to three top 10 teams: Colts Neck, Manasquan and Marlboro.
Middletown South (4-2-1, 1-1) – A tie vs. Holmdel, a win over Marlboro and a loss to Manalapan on two late goals was a good showing that has the Eagles on the edge of the Top 10.
Central (3-2, 2-1) – Both Central’s losses are in overtime (Shore and Southern) and the Golden Eagles can still get back into the Class A South race with games remaining against Jackson Memorial and Toms River North.
Holmdel (3-2-1, 1-1) – The Hornets recovered from a shaky first half at Middletown South to salvage a draw and will continue to find the right mix to make a play for Class A North and in the postseason.
Rumson-Fair Haven (3-3, 2-1) – The Bulldogs started the week with a huge, 1-0 win over CBA and followed it up with another 1-0 thriller over Long Branch. A 4-0 loss to Wall on Saturday put Rumson’s climb toward the Top 10 on hold for the moment.
Shore (5-2, 2-1) – With a win over Central, the Blue Devils remain among the teams on the top 10 periphery. A loss to St. John Vianney hurts Shore’s chances to win the Class B North championship, but the Blue Devils still have first-place Ocean on the schedule.
St. John Vianney (3-1, 2-0) – A win over Shore was the first eye-opening win for this St. John Vianney roster, which is still rounding into good health.
Toms River South (5-1, 3-0) – Since losing to Colts Neck on opening day, Toms River South has rattled off five straight wins and is a near-lock to win the Class B South championship after moving out of Class A South as part of this year’s realignment.
Point Pleasant Beach (5-0, 3-0) – Other than Colts Neck, Point Beach is the only unbeaten team left in the Shore Conference and the Garnet Gulls are doing it with a team that remains on the young side.
