Post Game Thoughts
Great performance by Howell tonight from every single player that saw action. It's easy to pick out a team effort when five different guys score goals, but watching them execute their gameplan makes you appreciate just how good each of their players is.
The two plays of the game were the goal by Bethel that just got over the line in the 11th minute and a near-goal by Caner Semen with about 15 minutes left. In case you didn't see it or hear about it, Semen took a shot that Brian McDonough got a hand on. The ball was about to go over the line when Howell defender Kevin Carbone kicked it out just in time. Very similar plays that both turned into Howell bounces.
I got a pretty good look at both plays. Bethel's goal was definitely the right call, but Semen's was questionable. At first look, it looked like it crossed the line, but I wasn't in great position to see it myself. One of the Brick Memorial girls coaches said they thought it crossed the line too, but take that for what it's worth.
Based on those two plays, that game could have also ended 1-0 Manalapan or tied going into overtime. Based on the rest of play Howell deserved to win the game. They moved the ball beautifully, got more shots, got more quality shots, and played lock-down defense on George Quintano.
I've seen Howell more than any team in the Shore this year, and this is far and away the best Bethel has looked. The first goal was a great set up by Matt Salvatore and Eric O'Neill, but Bethel's speed is what finished it. I talked to Jake Grinkevich real quick and he said he went after the ball like he always would, but when he has to beat Kyle Bethel to the ball, there's not much he can do. In addition to the goal, Bethel created a lot of opportunities and almost had two other goals, but hit the corner of the crossbar and right post on a direct kick and had a shot saved by a leaping Grinkevich late in the game.
Grinkevich couldn't get to the ball on Bethel's first goal, but after that mistake, he played a great game. He made five quality saves in the second half, with three of them being very tough stops. I thought Quintano played okay, but Grinkevich kept Manalapan in the game.
So how good is Howell? I think on a good day, they may be better than last year's Manalapan team. They are more consistent defensively, and while they don't have the size in the midfield, they certainly have the skill. North Brunswick is always tough and they have the number one seed in CJ IV, and I saw Hunterdon Central against Manalapan last year and they are a tough team as well. I've heard Rancocas Valley is good, but not better than Howell, so we'll see.
With only three starters graduating (granted one of those is Bethel), Howell is going to be a good bet to repeat next year. Calafiore, Kappock, Katona, McDonough, Salvatore, Carbone, and DiCharo have all been big and will all be back. I don't know what's going to follow this junior class, but at the very least, we're looking at a pretty major three-year run for the Rebels.
The two plays of the game were the goal by Bethel that just got over the line in the 11th minute and a near-goal by Caner Semen with about 15 minutes left. In case you didn't see it or hear about it, Semen took a shot that Brian McDonough got a hand on. The ball was about to go over the line when Howell defender Kevin Carbone kicked it out just in time. Very similar plays that both turned into Howell bounces.
I got a pretty good look at both plays. Bethel's goal was definitely the right call, but Semen's was questionable. At first look, it looked like it crossed the line, but I wasn't in great position to see it myself. One of the Brick Memorial girls coaches said they thought it crossed the line too, but take that for what it's worth.
Based on those two plays, that game could have also ended 1-0 Manalapan or tied going into overtime. Based on the rest of play Howell deserved to win the game. They moved the ball beautifully, got more shots, got more quality shots, and played lock-down defense on George Quintano.
I've seen Howell more than any team in the Shore this year, and this is far and away the best Bethel has looked. The first goal was a great set up by Matt Salvatore and Eric O'Neill, but Bethel's speed is what finished it. I talked to Jake Grinkevich real quick and he said he went after the ball like he always would, but when he has to beat Kyle Bethel to the ball, there's not much he can do. In addition to the goal, Bethel created a lot of opportunities and almost had two other goals, but hit the corner of the crossbar and right post on a direct kick and had a shot saved by a leaping Grinkevich late in the game.
Grinkevich couldn't get to the ball on Bethel's first goal, but after that mistake, he played a great game. He made five quality saves in the second half, with three of them being very tough stops. I thought Quintano played okay, but Grinkevich kept Manalapan in the game.
So how good is Howell? I think on a good day, they may be better than last year's Manalapan team. They are more consistent defensively, and while they don't have the size in the midfield, they certainly have the skill. North Brunswick is always tough and they have the number one seed in CJ IV, and I saw Hunterdon Central against Manalapan last year and they are a tough team as well. I've heard Rancocas Valley is good, but not better than Howell, so we'll see.
With only three starters graduating (granted one of those is Bethel), Howell is going to be a good bet to repeat next year. Calafiore, Kappock, Katona, McDonough, Salvatore, Carbone, and DiCharo have all been big and will all be back. I don't know what's going to follow this junior class, but at the very least, we're looking at a pretty major three-year run for the Rebels.
posted by Matt Manley at 6:55 PM
4 Comments:
How about the SCT Seeding Committee. 24 of 27 matches went to the higher seed. The only upsets were Ocean over RFH with RFH playing man down and a hot Marlboro over TRE and CBA. The committee deserves credit giving Marlboro the 12 seed in light of their last minute entry into the tournament.
As far as the battle of A North vs A South and all else, it seems the committee had insight there as well. Freehold Twp was a let down and Middletown North could have done better, but A North clearly showed why it was the most competitive division in the Shore Conference.
Good Luck to all in the States. Make us Shore dwellers proud.
Sounds like it was a great game. The poster should be greatful the "B" and "C" divisions are willing to compete against them. The group two and group three schools line up at a big disadvantage. I do agree the seeding committee did a great job, and Matt did a nice job covering the tourney. Congrats to Howell on a well deserved championship.
B and C are willing to compete- We will see what happens next year-Can tell you that one B central team will suprise everyone. One B Central team had 2 Freshman, 4 Soph, 3 Juniors and 2 Seniors Starting and did fairly well. Next two years will swing believe me- I coach many of this kids on the club level and I know whats coming
Matt- I have been on this blog, but have not participated-I have one question. What is up with Rumson and Shore? Did you go to the games? Was it really that intense? If they play each other will the game be worth attending? I guess it was four questions.
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