Boys Soccer – New Foe Stands Between CBA and Non-Public A Championship

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For the second straight year, CBA will look to punch its ticket to the NJSIAA Non-Public A final on its home field and it will be the first time the Colts do so on their new, turf surface at Dan Keane Field. The Colts have been to the state final in five out of the last seven seasons – five of the last six if you discard the COVID-shortened 2020 season in which there was no state final – and enter Wednesday as a favorite to make it six out of eight.

CBA is coming off winning its second straight Shore Conference Tournament championship and what made it additionally impressive was that the Colts won the last three rounds with All-Shore forward Will Thygeson sidelined by a hamstring injury. With 10 days off between the SCT final and a quarterfinal match vs. St. John Vianney, Thygeson got himself back in game form and his return has helped sparked CBA to a pair of shutout wins over SJV and Pingry.

Speaking of Pingry, CBA will be squaring off against an unfamiliar program in the sectional final. Pingry has often been a North Jersey team, but the Colts and Big Blue have crossed paths before. St. Augustine has been CBA’s traditional nemesis in the South Jersey section, while Notre Dame and St. Joseph of Metuchen have both had their share of showdowns with CBA as well. This year, however, St. Peter’s Prep out of Jersey City is considered a South Jersey team and will be the side standing between CBA and the sectional title.

From the Marauders’ perspective, CBA is standing between them and their first ever sectional championship. The North Jersey gauntlet that includes Seton Hall Prep and Delbarton has not been kind to St. Peter’s over the years, so perhaps moving into South Jersey – where they debuted a year ago – pays off.

With a 17-game winning streak to its credit and the homefield advantage, CBA has to be considered the favorite on Wednesday. The trio of Thygeson, Jack D’Eletto and Dylan Millevoi up top continue to present problems for defenses and the midfield and back lines continue to improve each game, not to mention emerging standout goalkeeper Miles Gallagher.

St. Peter’s Prep will be a longshot to knock off the Colts, but the Marauders have major contributors in their starting lineup who are juniors or younger, led by sophomore leading scorer Matt Sobreiro. CBA may fend off St. Peter’s Prep on Wednesday, but if the are once again in the South Jersey section next year, the Marauders should be even closer to championship form.

NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public A Championship

No. 3 St. Peter’s Prep at No. 1 Christian Brothers Academy, 2 p.m.

St. Peter’s Prep (13-5-2)

Head Coach: Josh Jantas

Last Sectional Championship: None

Road to the Final: Defeated No. 6 St. Joseph Metuchen, 2-1; No. 7 Paul VI, 1-0.

Players to Watch

Matt Sobreiro, So. (12 goals, 10 assists)

Andy Mayorga, Jr. (10 goals, 2 assists)

Jon Dereka, Sr. (6 goals, 5 assists)

Jaiden Reid, Jr., (6 goals, 3 assists)

John Carey, Jr. (5 goals)

Lucas Santos, So. (3 goals, 7 assists)

Quientin Weintraub, Sr. (3 goals, 6 assists)

Luke Gilhawley, Sr. (3 goals, 2 assists)

CBA (17-1)

Head Coach: Tom Mulligan

Last Sectional Championship: 2021

Road to the Final: Defeated No. 8 St. John Vianney, 4-0; No. 4 Pingry, 2-0.

Players to Watch

Jack D’Eletto, Sr., Forward

Will Thygeson, Sr., Forward

Dylan Millevoi, Jr., Forward

Dimitry Corba, Jr., Midfield

Cameron D’Alterio, Jr., Midfield

Charlie Paparella, Sr., Midfield

Lawrence Mancino, Jr., Defense

Max Koczan, Jr., Defense

Christian DeOliveiro, Jr., Defense

Joe Lucignano, Sr., Defense

Miles Gallagher, Sr., Goalkeeper

SSN Prediction: CBA, 3-1