When Shore Regional’s season began to crumble due to a number of injuries last year, Point Beach pounced and won the Class B Central championship for the first time since 2006, one year after going 3-13 overall and 3-9 in the division. That turnaround gives hope to teams like Ranney and Mater Dei Prep, both of which finished 3-9 in the division last year.

While Mater Dei Prep returns some talent that could make a move up the standings, a turnaround similar to the one Point Beach pulled last year is unlikely because of a reloaded Shore roster that returns 10 starters – all of them in the field. Point Beach, meanwhile, will try to defend its title despite losing its best player, while St. Rose attempts to re-establish itself as a perennial power in the division. After last year threw a dose of parity and unpredictability into an otherwise formulaic division, Shore is looking to stick to the script this year.

Senior Jake Friedland and Shore are ready to kick off the B Central season after finishing second in the race last year. (Photo by Bill Normile)
Senior Jake Friedland and Shore are ready to kick off the B Central season after finishing second in the race last year. (Photo by Bill Normile)
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Shore

Head Coach: Christian Pontier, fifth season
Last Year’s Record: 12-10-0 (9-3-0, tied second in B Central)
Returning: Lukas Montesinos (Sr., Midfield); Eric Bolsch (Sr., Defense); Cole Allem (Sr., Midfield); Alden Aikens (Sr., Midfield); Jake Friedland (Sr., Defense); Sean Blair (Sr., Defense); Marco Armondes (Sr., Forward); J.T. Kessler (Jr., Forward); Brett Norman (Jr., Midfield); Lucas Bongarzone (Sr., Midfield); Dhillon Barbetti (Jr., Goalkeeper); Mikey Barreca (So., Defense); Stevie Johnson (So., Midfield); Dante Montesinos (So., Midfield); Dave LaPorta (So., Defense)
Departed: Zach Goldberg (Goalkeeper); Conor O’Brien (Defense); Teddy Buriani (Sr., Defense); Christian Codispoti (Sr., Defense); Emmanuel Cruz (Midfield); Jimmy Karagais; Tyler Karpe (Sr., Defense); Ricardo Mendoza (Sr., Defense)
Newcomers: Gino Cantaffa (Sr.); Evan Coffey (Jr.); Josh DeFino (Jr.); Matt Dutra (So.); Gavin Hegglin (Fr.); Jeremy Lang (Fr.); Matt Quesada (Fr.); Danny Welsh (Sr.)

While pursuing an elusive sectional championship over the last several years, a Class B Central championship has been a given for Shore Regional until last year. Point Beach shocked the Blue Devils in the final game of the regular season to win the outright division title and send a banged-up Shore team into the postseason on a sour note. This year will be one of redemption for the Blue Devils, who return a healthier, more experienced roster than they had at any point last year.

Senior Lukas Montesinos was likely primed for a breakout season last year before dislocating his elbow during the second week of the season. He is back this year in the center midfield, joining fellow senior midfielders Alden Aikens and Cole Allem.

Sophomore Dante Montesinos will also play out of the midfield after scoring 12 goals as a freshman last season, while senior Marcelo Armondes and junior J.T. Kessler handle the forward spots in the formation. Four-year starter Eric Bolsch will lead the defense along with three-year starter and senior center back Jake Friedland in front of goalkeeper Dhillon Barbetti, the lone new starter for the Blue Devils.

With so much returning talent in the lineup, Shore is a heavy favorite to hold off an improved St. Rose team and still-dangerous Asbury Park and Point Beach sides to win B Central. If the Blue Devils finish that task, they will go into the Central Jersey Group I bracket on a high note with a chance to make some noise.

 

St. Rose

Head Coach: Brian Pringle, first season
Last Year’s Record: 9-11-1 (8-4-0, fourth in B Central)
Returning: Brett O’Malley (Sr., Midfield); Joe Forlenza (Sr., Forward); Kyle Breuche (Sr., Defense); Kellen Jordan (Sr., Goalkeeper); Ryan O’Malley (Sr., Midfield); Craig Suchecki (Sr., Defense); Travis Cloney (Sr., Defense); Matt Hunt (Sr., Forward); Alex Oleck (Sr., Defense); Nick Westhoven (Sr., Defense); Connor Kusack (Jr., Defense); Bobby Tuzzio (Jr., Midfield); Jack Cusack (So., Defense); Brendan Hueth (So., Forward); Sean Breuche (So., Midfield); Anthony Demaio (So., Midfield); Patrick Gates (So., Goalkeeper)
Departed: Matt Skea (Defense); Stephen Smith (Defense); Joe Erbe (Defense)
Newcomers: Matt Frost (Sr., Defense); Enrique Barreda (Jr., Defense); Brendan Smith (Jr., Midfield); Michael Gowen (Jr., Midfield); Jeff Mahon (Jr., Defense); Matty O’Malley (So., Midfield); Billy Tenza (So., Midfield)

Although St. Rose finished fourth in Class B Central last year, the Purple Roses were a bounce or two away from grabbing a share of the division title. Thanks to some close losses, St. Rose finished behind three other B Central teams, which is a rare occurrence for a program that has won so many division titles and played for so many NJSIAA Non-Public B titles over the last two decades.

The Purple Roses return a deep roster that will likely spread the wealth around when it comes to scoring. Joe Forlenza is the team’s leading returning goal-scorer and will play up top in front of the sibling midfield duo of Brett and Ryan O’Malley. St. Rose is especially strong in the back, where seniors Kyle Breuche, Craig Suchecki and Travis Cloney lead a new-look defense that will move away from the stopper-sweeper formation, according to first-year head coach Brian Pringle – the freshman coach under former head coach Tim McInerney from 2005 to 2011.

Senior goalkeeper Kellen Jordan is back for his third year starting in goal as well, which should help offset any mistakes the new defensive shape might cause in the early part of the season. With that new look in the back and a deeper roster of talent – which includes an emerging sophomore class – St. Rose should, at the very least, be able to close the gap between itself and Shore.

 

Point Pleasant Beach

Head Coach: Michael Baiata, third season
Last Year’s Record: 11-5-1 (10-2-0, first in B Central)
Returning: Alex Ciorlian (Sr., Midfield); Cory Gross (Sr., Midfield); Matt Savage (Sr., Defense); Joe Laduca (Jr., Defense); Dan Taylor (Sr., Midfield); Nick Hartman (Sr., Midfield/Defense); John DeSalvo (Sr., Defense); Nick Antognoli (Jr., Defense/Midfield); Ryan Franzoni (Jr., Goalkeeper); Mike Favato (Sr., Forward)
Departed: Ryan Prima (Defense); Marco Bautista (Forward); Connor Coulter (Midfield); Vinny Storino (Defense); Kyle Kaiafas (Forward/Midfield); Josh Borrelli (Forward/Midfield); Charley Turro (Forward)
Newcomers: Robert Lissenden (Jr., Defense); Connor Prima (So., Midfield); Jack McDonald (Jr., Midfield); Johan Rosa (Jr., Forward); Ryan Bierbrauer (Jr., Forward); Anthony Decraene (So., Midfield); Christian Maness (So., Forward); Mike Ciorlian (Fr., Midfield); Aris Papoutsakis (Fr., Forward)

The Garnet Gulls went from 3-13 to Class B Central champions in the span of one year thanks to a strong core of seniors and some underclassmen who took their lumps two years ago and learned enough to win some big games on the way to the division title. Point Beach entered preseason camp this season with serious designs of winning a second consecutive division title, but those plans took a major hit when the team lost leading scorer and senior striker Charley Turro (16 goals last year) to a broken tibia and fibula in his leg during the team’s first scrimmage.

Without Turro, the Garnet Gulls will lack the same scoring punch they had last year, but they hope to be equally effective in different ways. Seniors Alex Ciorlian and Cory Gross are back in the midfield and newcomers Mike Ciorlian and Anthony Decraene will boost the attack in the midfield. Senior Matt Savage will lead the defense in front of returning junior Ryan Franzoni in goal. The Gulls will need to find some scoring up top, but their ability to defend and play in the middle of the field will keep them relevant in B Central, even if goals will be harder to come by.

 

Asbury Park

Head Coach: Jean Dortissant, eighth season
Last Year’s Record: 10-5-0 (9-3-0, tied second in B Central)
Returning: Carl Cazeau (Sr., Forward); Gamal Ganthier (Sr., Midfield); Williagins Nasanes (Jr., Midfield); WoodJerry Cetoute (Jr., Midfield); Fenelson Etienne (So., Defense); Fradlet Etienne (So., Defense); Jovan Richards (Jr., Midfield); Alberto Moreno (So., Midfield)
Departed: Roubens Noel Jeune (Sr., Defense/Goalkeeper); Gregory Jeannot (Sr., Defense); Priory Salomon (Sr., Midfield); Junelson Narcisse (Sr., Defense); Andre Paul (Sr., Defense);
Newcomers: Eduardo Garcia (Sr., Goalkeeper); Davensky Joinvilmar (Fr., Forward); Clevy Felix (Jr., Defense); Junior Marcelin (Sr., Defense)

After a turnaround 2012 season, Asbury Park actually improved its record last year and took the division race down to the wire before ultimately finishing tied for second place with Shore. The Blue Bishops built their attack around dangerous striker Jose Cesaire, who was a senior last season. Without Cesaire, the Bishops will move some players around in hopes of remaining dangerous at the top of the formation while also maintaining their fast-paced, physical style throughout the rest of the field.

Senior Carl Cazeau will move from the defensive end – where he played in goal some of the time – to the front of the attack in hopes of providing a threat similar to Cesaire. Midfielder Gamal Ganthier scored three goals last season and will be one of the team’s top midfielders this season, along with returning juniors Williaigins Nasanes and WoodJerry Cetoute. Fenelson Etienne, Fradlet Etienne, Junior Marcelin and Clevy Felix make up the defense in front of new goalkeeper Eduardo Garcia. Freshman Davensky Joinvilmar will get time up top with Cazeau as the Blue Bishops look to keep the pressure on opposing defenses on the field and B Central rivals in the standings.

 

Mater Dei Prep

Head Coach: Jim McLees, fourth season
Last Year’s Record: 3-17-0 (3-9-0, tied fifth in B Central)
Returning: Nic Geneve (Jr., Midfield); Matheus Giaculi (Jr., Midfield); Peter Cahill (Jr., Defense); Dan Cleary (Sr., Forward); Ryan Nortz (Jr., Defense/Goalkeeper); Lucas Durante (Jr., Midfield/Forward); Jack Taylor (So., Midfield/Defense); Sean Molicki (So., Midfield/Defense); Luke Lino (So., Midfield/Defense); Dan Deahl (Sr., Goalkeeper); Jeff Seggio (So., Forward); Liam Petry (So., Forward)
Departed: Jerry Trotta (Defense); Danny Poracky (Defense); Bobby Howley (Midfield); Brian Griffin (Defense); Rich Nielsen (Goalkeeper)
Newcomers: Dave DiMasi (Sr., Forward); Phil Cantave (Jr., Forward/Goalkeeper); Sean Kruegger (So., Midfield/Defense); Justin Vidal (Fr., Defense); Ryan Baird (Fr., Midfield/Forward); Matt Carrigy (Fr., Forward); Sammy Shapiro (Fr., Midfield/Defense); Sal Salesi (Fr., Forward/Midfield/Goalkeeper)

While Mater Dei Prep has some quality players to replace from last season, the 2013 version of the Seraphs was, all-in-all, a young team. Five seniors started on last year’s team, but almost all of the rest of the roster consisted of sophomores and freshmen, which may have caught up to Mater Dei in the end. That leaves the Seraphs with a junior-and-sophomore-heavy team this season, with a number of potential impact freshmen joining the program as well.

Junior midfield duo of Nic Geneve and Matheus Giaculi are the Seraphs’ two leading scorers back from last year and will again be top threats among Mater Dei’s attack. Freshman Ryan Baird will play a role in that attack and the goal-scoring will get a boost in October with the addition of Phil Cantave, a junior transfer from the Ranney School. Junior Pete Cahill headlines the Mater Dei defense in front of senior goalkeeper Dan Deahl, who is one of only three seniors on the team along with Dan Cleary and Dave DiMasi. With little senior influence, the Seraphs might still be a year away from kicking down the door to the top of half of B Central, but expect Mater Dei to start knocking louder this year.

 

Ranney

Head Coach: Michael Ling, 15th season
Last Year’s Record: 7-10-0 (3-9-0, tied fifth in B Central)
Returning: Youseff Awad (Sr., Midfield); Jake Palecki (Sr., Defense); James Geraghty (Jr., Midfield); Shane Keenan (So., Midfield); Noah Ayers (So., Goalkeeper); Jared Tajfel (So., Midfield)
Departed: Mo Chater (Defense); Josh Pellman (Midfield); Joe Murphy (Defense); Mostafa Meleis (Midfield); Will Rotolo (Midfield/Defense); Phil Cantave (Midfield)
Newcomers: Adelani Odunlami (Jr., Forward); Marc Greenstein (Fr.,Midfield); Eric Stavola (Fr., Midfield) Sawyer Howard (Fr., Forward)

The Panthers’ second season in the Shore Conference saw them make strides, as they finished with three division wins and a respectable seven wins overall. This year will challenge Ranney to continue to move forward despite the loss of a number of key seniors and a transfer. Leading scorers Josh Pellman and Mo Chater have graduated and Phil Cantave transferred to Mater Dei Prep, so the Panthers will have some scoring to replace.

Fortunately for Ranney, sophomore Shane Keenan is coming off a strong debut as a freshman after scoring three goals. Keenan will join senior Youseff Awad and James Geraghty in the midfield, with sophomore Jared Tajfel and freshmen Marc Greenstein and Eric Stavola vying for time as well. Jake Palecki leads the Ranney defense in front of returning sophomore keeper Noah Ayers, while junior Adelani Odunlami and freshman Sawyer Howard both join the lineup as potential scorers up top. The Panthers will suffer through some growing pains as a young team, but they have a chance to lay groundwork for the next several years.

 

Henry Hudson

Head Coach: Justin Grimes, second season
Last Year’s Record: 0-15-0 (0-12-0, eighth in B Central)
Returning: Matt Young (Sr., Forward); Christian Farwell (Sr., Midfield); Austin Manning (Sr., Defense); Brendan Carlstrom (So., Goalkeeper); Frank McConnell (Sr., Midfield); David Fitzgerald (Jr., Midfield); Will Reynolds (Sr., Defense)
Departed: Patrick Delatore (Defense); Tyler Brick
Newcomers: Justin Santiago (Sr., Forward); Daniel McCahon (Sr., Defense); Euan Pedley (Sr., Defense); Adrian Velez (Sr., Forward); Alonso Olsen (Sr., Defense/Goalkeeper)

The Admirals were hit hard by Keyport’s adoption of boys soccer to its athletic program, losing nearly a whole lineup to the Red Raiders last year (Soccer players from Keyport and Keansburg could play for Henry Hudson because those schools did not offer programs). With a gutted roster and a young group of replacements, the Admirals struggled to a 0-15 record and could not compete with the top teams in the division. With a year to regroup, Henry Hudson is looking to rebound with a more competitive season from a group that remains largely intact.

Seniors Matt Young and Christian Farwell return as the team’s top two scoring threats on the attack, while fellow senior Austin Manning is back in the middle of the defense. Fellow seniors Frank McConnell and David Fitzgerald will also settle into starting roles, while Justin Santiago, Dan McCahon, Euan Pedley, Adrian Velez and Alonso Olsen all join the roster as seniors. Sophomore goalkeeper Brendan Carlstrom got plenty of work last year and will be battle-tested heading into his second year in goal, while junior David Fitzgerald is another rare non-senior who will crack the starting lineup. There is a long way to go, but Henry Hudson should be past last season’s worst-case scenario.

 

Keyport

Head Coach: Brendan Hilliard, first season
Last Year’s Record: N/A
Returning: William Torres (Sr., Defense); Pasquale Cuahurzo (Sr., Forward); Jake Caverly (Sr., Goalkeeper); Mike Pettinato (Jr., Defense); Brendan O’Brien (So., Midfield); Gadiel Escobar (So., Midfield); Alex Castro (So., Forward); Cameron Bright (So., Defense)
Newcomers: Ricardo Velasco (Fr., Forward); Noah Geraghty (Fr., Defense); Matt Ayala (Fr., Defense)

After a season on the junior varsity and freshman levels, Keyport debuts its varsity team this season in Class B Central. It’s hard to figure how the Red Raiders will measure up, whether it’s the middle of the pack, the bottom of the standings or competitive with everybody, but this season will be a chance to develop as a program, no matter what.

Keyport has some senior presence, led by goalkeeper Jake Caverly, fullback William Torres and forward Pasquale Cuahurzo. Caverly has a chance to be one of the better goalkeepers in the division, according to coach Brendan Hilliard. Junior Mike Pettinato and sophomore Cameron Bright will also play in the back with Torres, while sophomore Brendan O’Brien leads the midfield. The Red Raiders may come in and shoot up the standings right away, but this ranking is more acknowledging that they are an unknown than prognosticating doom.

 

The B Central 11

Dante Montesinos, Shore

Coming off a 12-goal season as a freshman, Montesinos will look to continue his scoring spree this year and perhaps start a conversation about some school records.

Joe Forlenza, St. Rose

While the Purple Roses score with more balance than most teams, Forlenza has shown he can score and will be top target as a striker.

Carl Cazeau, Asbury Park

After playing in the back and in the goal over the last couple of seasons, Cazeau will be the Blue Bishops' top scoring option as a senior.

Cole Allem, Shore

While Montesinos led the Blue Devils in scoring, the attack ran mostly through Allem, who contributed nine goals and five assists.

Lukas Montesinos, Shore

Montesinos missed almost all of last season to injury, so he should be champing at the bit to take the field and produce his best season for a quality Shore team.

Brett O’Malley, St. Rose

As the Purple Roses attempt to get back to the top of B Central, their attack will run through O’Malley and his brother, Ryan, in the middle of the field.

Alden Aikens Shore

The Blue Devils’ top assist man, Allem will be the team’s top facilitator from out of the middle of the field, with plenty of places to send the ball.

Alex Ciorlian, Point Beach

With Charley Turro out for the season, Point Beach will run the attack through the midfield more than it might have otherwise, which might mean more statistical production for Ciorlian.

Eric Bolsch, Shore

A four-year starter in the back, Bolsch and fellow senior Jake Friedland make up one of the better fullback duos in the Shore Conference.

Kyle Breuche, St. Rose

St. Rose is strong in the back, led by Breuche. The senior will help the Purple Roses transition from a stopper-sweeper formation to a flat back as they try to get back to winning championships.

Ryan Franzoni, Point Beach

The Shore Sports Network all-division keeper from a year ago, Franzoni thrived as a first-year starter in net as a sophomore and has gone from a question to a strength.

 

Breakout Players to Watch

Jake Caverly, Keyport – An experienced keeper for an inexperienced program, Caverly will be a strength of Keyport’s first varsity team.

Anthony Decraene, Point Beach – Point Beach lost some talent in the middle of the field and will now turn the reins over to Decraene in the central midfield.

Mike Ciorlian, Point Beach – The Garnet Gulls are going young in the middle, with Ciorlian joining Decraene as part of a promising midfield duo.

Matheus Giaculi, Mater Dei Prep – After scoring three goals last year, Giaculi could emerge as a top scorer for a reinvigorated program at Mater Dei.

Williagins Nasanes, Asbury Park – Asbury Park has a lot of scoring to replace and Nasanes will help fill that void by simply providing steady play in the midfield while scoring the occasional goal.

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