SCT Quarterfinals

After much deliberation, here are the picks.

#8 Monmouth (12-3-2) at #1 Howell (15-2-1)

This game reminds me of last year's quarterfinal game between Howell, who was the No. 1 seed, and No. 9 Holmdel. Like that Holmdel team from last year, there are a lot of seniors on Monmouth who have been playing together fo a long time, and there has to be a "now or never" mentality with the team. They've had a nice run up to this point, but it's games like this that can define a team, a class, and/or a program. This is the biggest game in the history of the program, so the Falcons will be geared up to play, but there are a few concerns: 1) The health of Tiago Dutra; 2) Eric Mackin against an A North team that can match his athleticism; and 3) Kyle Bethel. Dutra played well in the win over Brick, but wasn't going to play unless needed. If he's not himself, it's going to be hard for Mackin to be himself. Mackin could not do anything against Marlboro without Dutra and it's going to be more of the same if the senior midfielder is not their for Mackin. Monmouth is going to need Jared Flynn to step up in the midfield, which he has done on several occasions this year, as well as a big performace from Josh Martin, who will presumably be marking Bethel.


Monmouth is going to be fired up to play and I think they will throw everything they have at Howell. But if it's not Bethel that beats you, there is Cody Calafiore, who has been the backbone of the team this year, or Billy Kappock, or Eric O'Neill. This Rebels team is on a mission and they have played well when teams have challenged them. They'll get challenged here, but they'll be up for it.

The Pick: Howell 4-2.





#12 Marlboro (11-9) at #4 CBA (11-4-1)

I was surprised it took this long for the CBA crowd to start making some noise on these comment threads, but it's funny what a little perceived disrespect can do. I was leaning towards Marlboro earlier on the "third time's a charm" theory, since CBA won the first two meetings 4-3 and 3-2. But there could be another dynamic at play here. What if CBA is so much better than Marlboro, and those first two games were the result of Marlboro's best efforts? Then, presumably, CBA has yet to play its best game against Marlboro this year and instead of the third time being a charm for a Marlboro win, the third time would be a charm for CBA domination. People fail to mention that when talking about how it's hard to beat a team three times.

What I love about this game is that these are two teams that have raised their play in big games and when a game is on the line. CBA showed its vulnerability by letting its guard down against Freehold Twp. in the second game of the year, but has been great in close games since, going 8-3 in games decided by one goal (to go with one tie), and has won its last five games, each by one goal. The Colts are scoring the ball better than they did last year, but their defense has not been as strong. Jim Lannon is as good a sweeper as there is in the Shore Conference, but he likes to push up to strengthen to attack, which leaves the back vulnerable. Last year, CBA had a better keeper to offset any mistakes, where as this year, Alessio is a keeper that needs more protection. Marlboro will make them pay, and has made them pay for defensive lapses. CBA is a patient team, but they need to be even more patient and stay stong defensively for 80 minutes. Marlboro did not respond well when TR East played more physical second half, and I'm not sure CBA will play that physical, or that they even should, but the they have to keep Marlboro's chances to a minumum. The third time will be a charm, but for whom? I'm sensing a big game from CBA.

The Pick: CBA 3-1.





#6 Monsignor Donovan (16-2) at #3 Jackson Memorial (13-3-2)


If Toms River South can't go into Manalapan and win, this could be the closest thing we'll get to an Ocean County Championship game. The two teams are coming off of opposite games, with Monsignor Donovan winning in impressive fashion over a Freehold Township team that was supposed to give them trouble, and Jackson needing keeper Alex Morgans to save them against a Red Bank team that it was supposed to be too big, too fast, and too good for. In addition to the opposite performances, the two teams play opposite styles. It's been mentioned several times in this space that Jackson relies on its athleticism, which is a nice way of saying they play kick-and-run. The difference between them and some of the lesser teams that play that style, is that they probably have the best defense in the Shore and are indeed the most athletic team. Mon Don, meanwhile, will try to play possession with Brian Thomsen and Tim Hojnacki playing All-Shore level soccer in the midfield. The element the Griffins have going for them is that they have the edge in skill in the midfield, but they also have an excellent defense to go with an excellent keeper. I've said a number of times that Mon Don could have won A South if they were in it, considering the parity of the division coupled with the talent of Mon Don. I think they'll prove it against the Jags in, what I think, turns out to be the game of the day.

The Pick: Donovan 2-1

#7 Toms River South (12-5) at #2 Manalapan (13-2-2)

Some of you may already realize how poor of a prognosticator I am, but in case you don't, consider that I picked TR North and TR East to be the two best teams in Toms River. Meanwhile, Mon Don and TR South are the last two from Toms River standing, and they both deserve it. Outside of a loss to Jackson, Toms River South is playing about as well as anyone can play, going 6-1 in the month of October. The Indians now take on the Braves in a rematch of the 1995 World Series. One game does not have much bearing on the next, but TRS's 4-0 win over Middletown North was telling in that it showed how legit its attack is by scoring four goals against a team that limited Manlapan to none in their last meeting with them. Manalapan, meanwhile can strike just as quickly as TR South and probably even quicker. South defenders Dan Chrashewsky and Kyle Thompson will have their hands full with George Quintano, who was the tournament's top scorer last year and started this year off in similar fashion with two goals against Central. Brandon Russo is an underrated defender and I think he can stay with Ian Martin if he's committed to it. I don't think South can stop Quintano, Adam Rice, and Caner Semen. Having Jake Grinkevich in goal makes it almost unfair that Manalapan has so much talent elsewhere on the field. Both teams have a lot of weapons, but Manalapan has more. Much like the 1995 World Series, I'll take the Braves by the same score.

The Pick: Manalapan 4-2.