State Musings
I hope everyone fulfilled their soccer fix somewhere Friday. We didn't have too much in the paper considering everything that happened, so here are my thoughts on some of the games.
Howell 1, Montgomery 0
Sloppy game from what I gathered. Both teams were just launching the ball into the wind for much of the second half, according to Rich Yuro. He said his team's actually excited about playing on the road.
But how about Kyle Bethel? I've metioned his resurgence many times in this spot and in the paper and there's really not much to add. He's one of the most dangerous players in the state and he's playing like it now. The thing that has impressed me most is that last year, as the defenses gave him more looks getting into tournament time, he had a little trouble adjusting, particularly against Manalapan. Now, he's learned a lot by playing through injury and in just getting used to drawing so much attention that he can play with it now. Cody Calafiore is going through a bit of the same thing Bethel went through last year in dealing with more attention, but I think his production has levelled off more because he has played a true midfield now that Bethel is playing like Bethel again. Before, he'd push up more, and he can score as well as anyone, and now he's moving the ball and playing more defensive-minded. I've said it once and I'll say it again: I find it hard to believe there's a better team in CJ IV than Howell. Tuesday's game against North Brunswick should be a good one.
Manalapan beats Hunterdon Central on PKs
Jake Grinkevich is certainly on my mind for All-Shore goalie and he is starting to build up that list of All-Shore performances. He played a great game in the SCT final and was brilliant against HC Friday. George Quintano got his second yellow in the middle of the second half, something that Manalapan can't afford anymore. Hunterdon Central has played GQ tough in their last two meetings, but he still broke loose in last year's meeting. This year, the defense and Grinkevich stepped up and won this game for the short-handed attack, which didn't seem to do much without Quintano. Rancocas Valley shutout two Shore teams already, but it sounds like Manalapan should take them. The way the keeper and the defense is playing, Manalapan is in good shape.
TR North beats Cherry Hill West on PKs
I have to thank both TRN and Washington Twp. for both winning their games Friday. For anyone that didn't read my notebook in the paper Saturday, the first part was about a possible Wash-TRN rematch this year. I wrote it on Thursday thinking I did a good job writing regardless of what happened in the game. My editors didn't think so, and they were very happy both won so they didn't have to change everything.
Anyway, the Mariner ship sails on. Coach Dave Mitchell felt very confident about this game when I talked to him Thursday, although no coach feels confident about a shootout, especially with a sophomore in goal. The good thing for East, in my eyes, is that they haven't really been able to string victories together, and despite not playing as well as they would have liked in this one, they still played a tough game and got a great win. They went to kicks with Washngton last year and the M's have some key players back. Obviously the sophomore platoon in goal will have to keep doing the job (No GA in states), but they could use a couple early goals to help them out. TRN is a talented team and not only can win this game, but could certainly beat TRE or Lenape in the finals.
Neptune Shocks Princeton 3-0
When I heard Neptune was up 3-0, I was pretty surprised, but if you look at this Fliers team, it shouldn't be that shocking. First of all, they are very talented and can score the ball. But look at the Fliers schedule this year. The first time through Class B North, Neptune went 2-4. Second time through? 6-0. Their four game losing streak? Hamilton, Red Bank, Freehold Twp., Central. Now they've won back-to-back games against Lawrence and Princeton.
So what can we gather from this? For whatever reason, Neptune is excellent against teams it is familiar with. Hamilton, Red Bank, FT, and Central were all teams the Fliers hadn't seen before. Lawrence gave Neptune trouble, but seeing Hamilton (also from the CVC like Lawrence) had to help them a little bit in that game. Princeton beat up on Neptune last year 5-0 and both teams returned most of their players. Neptune made their adjustments defensively and converted on an early opportunity and took it from there. It's is a tribute to coach John Knight and his players that they can make adjustments and prepare for an opponent. Getting past WWPN will be a new challenge, but a familiar opponent awaits in the finals: Neptune has seen both Ocean and Red Bank.
Ocean stuns Monmouth 3-2
Speaking of Ocean, the Spartans are rolling. This isn't that surprising, but I use the term "stun" because this was a very talented Monmouth team with a lot of seniors that expected to be in the championship game. Ocean wasn't having it though and they have shown some of the ability that helped them start the year 5-0. It seems like the Spartans do just enough to get the job done. They won just enough games to get into the SCT and states, and once they got in they've played about as well as you can play.
Manasquan tops Gov. Livingston 2-1 in OT
Typical Manasquan tournament game here with Moises Iniguez coming up with both goals. They have become used to these down-to-the-wire games in the state tournament in recent years, and here are the Warriors again in the sectional semis. I said before that I like Manasquan to win the section, but defending sectional champion Somerville will be very tough. Whoever wins this game would be my pick to win the seection, no disrespect to Shore or A.L. Johnson.
Some thoughts on the next round later tonight.
Howell 1, Montgomery 0
Sloppy game from what I gathered. Both teams were just launching the ball into the wind for much of the second half, according to Rich Yuro. He said his team's actually excited about playing on the road.
But how about Kyle Bethel? I've metioned his resurgence many times in this spot and in the paper and there's really not much to add. He's one of the most dangerous players in the state and he's playing like it now. The thing that has impressed me most is that last year, as the defenses gave him more looks getting into tournament time, he had a little trouble adjusting, particularly against Manalapan. Now, he's learned a lot by playing through injury and in just getting used to drawing so much attention that he can play with it now. Cody Calafiore is going through a bit of the same thing Bethel went through last year in dealing with more attention, but I think his production has levelled off more because he has played a true midfield now that Bethel is playing like Bethel again. Before, he'd push up more, and he can score as well as anyone, and now he's moving the ball and playing more defensive-minded. I've said it once and I'll say it again: I find it hard to believe there's a better team in CJ IV than Howell. Tuesday's game against North Brunswick should be a good one.
Manalapan beats Hunterdon Central on PKs
Jake Grinkevich is certainly on my mind for All-Shore goalie and he is starting to build up that list of All-Shore performances. He played a great game in the SCT final and was brilliant against HC Friday. George Quintano got his second yellow in the middle of the second half, something that Manalapan can't afford anymore. Hunterdon Central has played GQ tough in their last two meetings, but he still broke loose in last year's meeting. This year, the defense and Grinkevich stepped up and won this game for the short-handed attack, which didn't seem to do much without Quintano. Rancocas Valley shutout two Shore teams already, but it sounds like Manalapan should take them. The way the keeper and the defense is playing, Manalapan is in good shape.
TR North beats Cherry Hill West on PKs
I have to thank both TRN and Washington Twp. for both winning their games Friday. For anyone that didn't read my notebook in the paper Saturday, the first part was about a possible Wash-TRN rematch this year. I wrote it on Thursday thinking I did a good job writing regardless of what happened in the game. My editors didn't think so, and they were very happy both won so they didn't have to change everything.
Anyway, the Mariner ship sails on. Coach Dave Mitchell felt very confident about this game when I talked to him Thursday, although no coach feels confident about a shootout, especially with a sophomore in goal. The good thing for East, in my eyes, is that they haven't really been able to string victories together, and despite not playing as well as they would have liked in this one, they still played a tough game and got a great win. They went to kicks with Washngton last year and the M's have some key players back. Obviously the sophomore platoon in goal will have to keep doing the job (No GA in states), but they could use a couple early goals to help them out. TRN is a talented team and not only can win this game, but could certainly beat TRE or Lenape in the finals.
Neptune Shocks Princeton 3-0
When I heard Neptune was up 3-0, I was pretty surprised, but if you look at this Fliers team, it shouldn't be that shocking. First of all, they are very talented and can score the ball. But look at the Fliers schedule this year. The first time through Class B North, Neptune went 2-4. Second time through? 6-0. Their four game losing streak? Hamilton, Red Bank, Freehold Twp., Central. Now they've won back-to-back games against Lawrence and Princeton.
So what can we gather from this? For whatever reason, Neptune is excellent against teams it is familiar with. Hamilton, Red Bank, FT, and Central were all teams the Fliers hadn't seen before. Lawrence gave Neptune trouble, but seeing Hamilton (also from the CVC like Lawrence) had to help them a little bit in that game. Princeton beat up on Neptune last year 5-0 and both teams returned most of their players. Neptune made their adjustments defensively and converted on an early opportunity and took it from there. It's is a tribute to coach John Knight and his players that they can make adjustments and prepare for an opponent. Getting past WWPN will be a new challenge, but a familiar opponent awaits in the finals: Neptune has seen both Ocean and Red Bank.
Ocean stuns Monmouth 3-2
Speaking of Ocean, the Spartans are rolling. This isn't that surprising, but I use the term "stun" because this was a very talented Monmouth team with a lot of seniors that expected to be in the championship game. Ocean wasn't having it though and they have shown some of the ability that helped them start the year 5-0. It seems like the Spartans do just enough to get the job done. They won just enough games to get into the SCT and states, and once they got in they've played about as well as you can play.
Manasquan tops Gov. Livingston 2-1 in OT
Typical Manasquan tournament game here with Moises Iniguez coming up with both goals. They have become used to these down-to-the-wire games in the state tournament in recent years, and here are the Warriors again in the sectional semis. I said before that I like Manasquan to win the section, but defending sectional champion Somerville will be very tough. Whoever wins this game would be my pick to win the seection, no disrespect to Shore or A.L. Johnson.
Some thoughts on the next round later tonight.
posted by Matt Manley at 5:54 PM
7 Comments:
Good idea not commenting on the Shore Rumson game.
Wheres Shore- Rumson, you made a big deal about sean pahler coming up big on the 2nd game, and how about roberto novoa, he came up huge this game, and you didnt say one thing. also , when Rumson won you said they deserved it but Shore, beating #1 seeded Rumson, you kinda dont care, whats up with that?
Please stop crying. This is why no one likes shore or rumson. Youre a bunch of babies
why is shore regional always posting on here??? no one cares about your team. your biggest was against rumson!!! and it took u 3 tries to actually beat them
Both shore and rumson need to shut up- all i ever see on here is you to going at it. theres 30 other teams out there you know, most of them better.
Matt- stop hating on the sophs at trn please. theyll be carrying the load for the M's for the next two years. watch out for these kids- they can play.
I don't know what made you think I'm hating on the TRN sophs. I ranked them preseason No.4 in the Shore in part because of that sophomore class and there's a good chance they'll be the favorites to win A South next year.
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