GIRLS SOCCER 2015 TOP 10

If this season was any indication on the talent of girls soccer at the Jersey Shore than the Shore Conference is in for some great soccer for years to come.  On the final day of the soccer season there stood just eight teams from all of New Jersey and the Shore Conference was in the mix for all four state titles at Kean University.

In the opener in the NJSIAA Group I finals Shore took down their nemesis in Glen Ridge 2-1 in double overtime to capture their second state title but first outright title in Group I.  Next up was reigning state champion Holmdel who fell to Ramapo 2-0 in the Group II championship.  The third game was the game of the year in New Jersey as Colts Neck earned its first state title by knocking off the #1 team in the country in Northern Highlands 1-0 to capture the Group III title.  The night cap saw Freehold Township battle through regulation and double overtime to tie Ridge 0-0 for a share of the Group IV title and their first ever state state title.

Then there were programs who came close to a state title but earned the respect around the state as programs on the rise in Manalapan, Manchester, Point Pleasant Boro, Rumson-Fair Haven, Toms River East, Toms River North, Toms River South and Wall.

1-Colts Neck (Overall 24-0-1…B-North 11-0-1)…From opening day Colts Neck was the team to beat and they lived up to the expectations thrust upon them. Capturing B-North, Shore Conference Tournament, CJ Group 3 Sectional and the school’s first ever NJSIAA Group 3 title capped off an incredible undefeated run lead by top point scorer in Frankie Tagliaferri.

2-Freehold Township (Overall 20-4-2…A-North 10-2-0)…What a way for this senior group to go out, battling Colts Neck to a 1-0 loss in the Shore Conference Tournament and then battled to a scoreless draw in the NJSIAA Group 4 title against Ridge for a share of the Group 4 Championship. Led by senior Nicole Whitley, the Patriots finished off their most successful season in school history.

3-Shore Regional (Overall 21-4-1…B-Central 8-0-0)…Getting to the post season is no easy task, but coach George Moutus has found the right formula over the past four years capturing two state titles but this year was their first outright Group Championship. The Blue Devils will be in great shape again next season after the freshmen pair of Frankie McDonough and Hannah Birdsall combined for 41 goals this season.

4-Holmdel (Overall 16-7-1…A-Central 9-3-0)…After capturing its first state title in school history last year the Hornets once again made its way back to the finals before falling short this season. This year Gabby Bair and Hannah Lee carried the Hornets past Shore Conference rivals Rumson and Point Boro in the opening rounds of states scoring 3 goals combined.

5-Rumson-Fair Haven (Overall 18-3-2…A-Central 11-0-1)…The Bulldogs may not have finished the way they were hoping for following a great regular undefeated conference season, but Rumson led by Grace Forsyth, Grace Karagjozi and Margot Ridgeway present one of the deepest offensive units at the Shore with 49 goals combined.

6-Toms River South (Overall 17-6-0…A-South 11-3-0)…The Indians flew under the radar all season and almost pulled the upset in the quarterfinals against Colts Neck before losing 1-0 in double overtime. South captured A-South, and NJSIAA Sectional 3 titles behind leadership of Madison McCelland, Charly Slavick and Tori Babcock.

7-Toms River East (Overall 16-6-1…A-South 9-4-1)…Coach Nichols mix of veterans a underclass players led the Raiders to their best season in recent years. Heading into the final week of the regular season they still had a shot at the regular season crown before two heartbreaking loses. The Raiders battled Colts Neck to a scoreless first half before falling 3-0 in the sectional Group 3 finals. Lead by scoring tandem of Jillian Conklin and Kylie Meola the pair combined for 36 goals.

8-Pt Pleasant Boro (Overall 19-3-1…B-South 13-0-1)…The Panthers finished their third straight double digit wins season, capturing B-South and NJSIAA Sectional 2 titles behind the top goal scorer in the Shore in Devon Wondolowski with 29 goals.

9-Wall (Overall 15-6-1…B-North 10-2-0)…Always a force to be reckoned with, the Knights were once again a tough out in every game. They battled Colts Neck four times this season losing 4-3, 1-0, 2-0 and 2-1. Their final game of the season they held a 1-0 lead over the Cougars with just under 14 minutes to go before falling 2-1. The Knights were led in scoring this season by sophomore Amy Paternoster with 25 goals and 7 assists.

10-Manalapan (Overall 14-3-1…A-North 10-2-0)…The Braves did not get much respect this season but showed the Shore Conference that this young group will be a force the next couple of years. Capturing A-North over Freehold Township the Patriots battled deep into both tournaments, falling to Wall and Hunterdon Central. Arianna Ferraro Ariella Kaplan pace the Manalapan scoring with 30 goals and 25 assists combined.

Honorable Mention-Toms River North (Overall 12-3-6…A-South 8-2-4), Red Bank Catholic (Overall 14-8-2…B-North 7-4-1), Manchester (Overall 12-8-4…B-South 8-4-2).