RED BANK – Among the improvements to the Red Bank boys soccer team over the last calendar year, Bucs senior Justin Gilson counts the return of two academy soccer players to the team’s midfield as chief among them.

Coach Sean Reid, meanwhile, cites the improvement of the back line as the most important development as his team looks to progress from late-season Cinderella story in 2013 to tournament favorite this year.

With the additions, improvements and overall changes that the Red Bank players and coaches hope will help the Bucs build on their late-season surge from a year ago, one thing remains constant: it is hard to find a defense that can contain Gilson, the Shore Conference's co-leader in goals last year.

Justin Gilson (34) celebrates his first goal with his teammates, including Justin Delaney (7) and Sam MacPherson (6). (Photo by Matt Manley)
Justin Gilson (34) celebrates his first goal with his teammates, including Justin Delaney (7) and Sam MacPherson (6). (Photo by Matt Manley)
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The senior forward scored for the third straight game to open the season, this time tallying two of Red Bank’s three goals in the second half as the Bucs – No. 9 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10 – stormed to a 3-0 win over No. 8 Wall on Monday.

“This win gives us some energy, some motivation to keep working,” said Gilson, whose team lost to Wall in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs last season. “We want to keep moving forward, so winning this game was an important step to get to where we want to go.”

Red Bank owned a 3-2 edge in shots and a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks during the first half and turned its edge into domination in the second half. It began in the 43rd minute, when senior Sam MacPherson sent a deflected pass into the 18-yard box that Gilson ran down as it rolled to the left side of the box. Gilson directed a left-footed shot on the ground past goalkeeper Jack Wishart that tapped the far right post and rolled into the goal.

“I was trying to pick my spots a little bit,” Gilson said. “I try not to force it. You just play with the team and make the most of the opportunities that come.”

Gilson then initiated the second Red Bank goal in the 54th minute with a long throw-in from the right side of the field. Junior midfielder Michael Colao flicked a head ball from the near post across the mouth of the goal and senior Justin Delaney one-timed a shot back across the goal and in.

The Bucs added the clincher in the 72nd, started by senior outside midfielder Dylan Fogerty, who sent the ball up the right flank. Gilson outmaneuvered a defender to the ball, touched it toward the top of the 18-yard box, and ripped a shot off the left post and into the netting.

“In the first half, we weren’t aware enough of the opportunities to get around the back,” Reid said. “Once we fixed that, it stretched them (Wall) out and allowed Gilson to score that cracker, the third one, which was just unbelievable. On the money.”

Over 80 minutes, Red Bank owned a 10-5 edge in shots and an 11-3 advantage on corner kicks, none of which resulted in goals. The Bucs also nearly headed three goals in, with MacPherson, Delaney and Colao all one-timing headers around the goal. Colao one-timed a 60-yard free kick by senior center back Joe Malley out of the air with his head, but Jack Wishart swatted the ball away to momentarily keep the Wall deficit at 2-0.

Red Bank dominated the midfield and kept the Crimson Knights away from senior goalkeeper Miguel Valdez. Colao and senior Randy Boehler have joined Delaney, Fogerty and junior Luis Tiro to bolster Red Bank’s play in the middle over its first three games. Colao and Boehler elected not to play last season, instead playing academy soccer.

“We got a couple guys back from the academies and that’s made us a much better all-around team,” Gilson said. “We started to figure things out at the end of last year and getting those guys back will hopefully put us over the top.”

Malley, senior Brian Fuentes and sophomore Chris Fuentes have led the defense, with Colao playing a defensive role out of the midfield. Malley is the lone returnee of the group, with the elder Fuentes brother, Brian, making great strides to earn a spot, according to Reid.

“Chris Fuentes and Brian Fuentes in the back have been huge for us,” Reid said. “Brian Fuentes went from starting jayvee and seeing nothing to being thrown in the fire this year and has just been amazing. He and his brother have been the keys to the team so far. And now, you have a little more leeway with a guy like Colao in the back playing next to Malley, who, I think, has just been tremendous.”

Red Bank will take on Ocean on Wednesday in a match-up of the only two remaining unbeaten teams in the Class B North standings.

“There is absolutely no time to rest,” Reid said. “B North is loaded. There’s just a lot of talent. I know A North is always loaded and I know A South is loaded, but this year, I think B North can hold their own against any of those teams.”

 

Box Score

Red Bank 3, Wall 0

1

2

F

Wall (2-2, 1-1)

0

0

0

Red Bank (3-0, 2-0)

0

3

3

 

Goals (Assists): Gilson (MacPherson) 43’, Delaney (Colao) 54’, Gilson (Fogerty) 72’
Shots: Red Bank, 10-5
Saves: (W) Wishart 3; (RB) Valdez 2

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