Group IV Finals Preview
Edit: Game is at 5:30 p.m., not 6.
Manalapan (20-3-2) vs. Clifton (20-5)
Friday, at The College of New Jersey, 5:30 p.m.
From everything I'd seen, heard, and read, the Group IV final was supposed to pit Howell against North Jersey power Columbia. Instead, we'll see the two teams that took out them out.
The first thing I'd like to find out Friday before I leave for the game or when I get to the field is when the last time any team won a state title without allowing a goal in the playoffs. It's probably not that rare, but it's worth noting. Manalapan has a chance to do that with a shutout win over Clifton, which is within the realm of possibility the way Jake Grinkevich and the defense have been playing.
Clifton will present a number of challenges to Manalapan, mainly up front with a pair of forwards, Oscar Gonzalez and Eddie Olave. Gonzalez leads the team in goals as a freshman, so I'm interested to get a look at him. With two forwards up top and a pretty good center-mid in Manny Caicedo, the Mustangs have enough fire power to put one past Grinkevich.
Clearly, Clifton has defensive potential as well. They must if they can blank Columbia and West Orange, and goalie Chris Kosciolek has 11 shutouts.
You can look at Clifton in two ways: They can beat you a couple different ways, but then again they are not consistent. They can win 1-0 games against West Orange and Columbia, or they can endure a high-scoring 4-3 win over Montclair in the Sectional Semis. But that also shows they can be scored upon.
We know all about Manalapan. Quintano will look to break free and create for himself or someone else and Grinkevich will make a big save here and there. The key to this game is who is more affected by the astroturf, and in that respect, I think Manalapan is in good shape. They have some speed to make up for the surface and they don't rely on possession as much as they did last year. The only scenario I could see it hurting them is if Grinkevich misplays a ball by being too aggressive.
With some of the names they've played and knocked off, Clifton should have everyone's attention. They are a worthy champion and can beat Manalapan no matter what kind of game it turns out to be. But the Braves are tough, and I can't see Clifton presenting more problems than West Orange did last year. A year better, I think the Manalapan gets it done and gives me a research assignment in the process.
The Pick: Manalapan 1-0.
Manalapan (20-3-2) vs. Clifton (20-5)
Friday, at The College of New Jersey, 5:30 p.m.
From everything I'd seen, heard, and read, the Group IV final was supposed to pit Howell against North Jersey power Columbia. Instead, we'll see the two teams that took out them out.
The first thing I'd like to find out Friday before I leave for the game or when I get to the field is when the last time any team won a state title without allowing a goal in the playoffs. It's probably not that rare, but it's worth noting. Manalapan has a chance to do that with a shutout win over Clifton, which is within the realm of possibility the way Jake Grinkevich and the defense have been playing.
Clifton will present a number of challenges to Manalapan, mainly up front with a pair of forwards, Oscar Gonzalez and Eddie Olave. Gonzalez leads the team in goals as a freshman, so I'm interested to get a look at him. With two forwards up top and a pretty good center-mid in Manny Caicedo, the Mustangs have enough fire power to put one past Grinkevich.
Clearly, Clifton has defensive potential as well. They must if they can blank Columbia and West Orange, and goalie Chris Kosciolek has 11 shutouts.
You can look at Clifton in two ways: They can beat you a couple different ways, but then again they are not consistent. They can win 1-0 games against West Orange and Columbia, or they can endure a high-scoring 4-3 win over Montclair in the Sectional Semis. But that also shows they can be scored upon.
We know all about Manalapan. Quintano will look to break free and create for himself or someone else and Grinkevich will make a big save here and there. The key to this game is who is more affected by the astroturf, and in that respect, I think Manalapan is in good shape. They have some speed to make up for the surface and they don't rely on possession as much as they did last year. The only scenario I could see it hurting them is if Grinkevich misplays a ball by being too aggressive.
With some of the names they've played and knocked off, Clifton should have everyone's attention. They are a worthy champion and can beat Manalapan no matter what kind of game it turns out to be. But the Braves are tough, and I can't see Clifton presenting more problems than West Orange did last year. A year better, I think the Manalapan gets it done and gives me a research assignment in the process.
The Pick: Manalapan 1-0.
posted by Matt Manley at 5:27 PM
1 Comments:
Matt,
Any preview or comments on coach/team/players for all-shore?
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