NJSIAA Boys Soccer – TR East Knocks Off Rival TR North

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TOMS RIVER – The Toms River East boys soccer team got an unexpected home game Tuesday in the first round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV playoffs because fifth-seeded Toms River North was having work done on the track surrounding its field.

Toms River East senior Lorenzo Scala (2) challenges Toms River North senior Mike Karpinsky for the ball. (Photo by Matt Manley)

After 80 of their best minutes of the season, the 12th-seeded Raiders earned themselves yet another unexpected home game in the state tournament.

Senior Anthony Batelli scored the game’s lone goal 2:02 into the second half and Toms River East beat its Shore Conference Class A South division rival 1-0 for its first win in three tries against the Mariners this year to advance to the South Jersey IV quarterfinals Friday.

The Raiders will host No. 13 Shawnee, which upset No. 4 Rancocas Valley in penalty kicks after playing the Red Devils to a scoreless draw.

“It’s great to be on our home field,” senior forward Enzo Scala said. “Our fans were going to make the trip to North anyway, but they were out in full force today to support us. It’s definitely a boost to play at home, but it’s not all good news because now we have to get through Shawnee. Any team that goes on the road and beats (Rancocas Valley) is a dangerous team.”

Neither team had many scoring chances Tuesday, with the two teams combining for only four shots on goal and 11 shots total, but the Raiders cashed in on one of their three shots on net. Two minutes into the second half, the Raiders earned a free kick on the left side of the field between the outside of the 18-yard box and the sideline.

Scala sent a low ball into the box as Batelli made a run to the near post. With a sliding shot from six yards out, Batelli struck the ball past Mariners goalkeeper Brian Brannagan and into the far right corner of the net to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead.

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“I had no idea where (Scala) was going with the ball,” Batelli said. “I saw a lane to the near post, so I made the run and then I saw the ball right there. I just reacted to it and hit it in.”

The intensity picked up following the game’s only goal. In the 49th minute, Toms River North senior center fullback Nick Sica and Toms River East junior midfielder Josh Sommerer got into a heated exchange after getting tangled up while challenging for a loose ball.

Neither player was booked, but Toms River North coach Joe Mahon drew a yellow card for protesting the decision on the field. Three minutes later, Mahon was carded for a second time and ejected from the sideline for arguing a foul call near the Toms River North bench.

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The Mariners’ best chance came on their lone shot on goal in the 73rd minute. Sean Moore ripped a left-footed shot ticketed for the upper part of the goal, but Toms River East goalkeeper Justin Tegeder pushed the ball over the crossbar and the Raiders cleared away the ensuing corner kick.

Toms River North also bid for a goal in the eight minute when sophomore defender Kyle Unger challenged a cross in front of the goal by Brad Lupo and cleared the ball away before Mariners forward Lee Scheck could get to it.

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During the regular season, Toms River North won the season series against its crosstown rival, 1-0-1. The two teams battled to a 2-2 draw in the first meeting thanks to a hand ball in the box with 10 seconds left that allowed Toms River East to tie the game on a penalty kick. Toms River North later won the second meeting 3-0 to clinch the Class A South division title.

“I don’t think there was that much of a difference between the way we played today and the way we played the last time we played them,” first-year Toms River East coach Brian Huttemann said. “I think we just had more to play for today. That last game, they were playing for the division title and while we wanted to win, it wasn’t a do-or-die game for us. When you get to the state tournament, seniors are going to make a big difference and our seniors have been huge for us as far as preparation and intensity.

“We haven’t been able to consistently get everyone playing well together this year, but when we get everybody playing together, we can be a pretty dangerous team. Hopefully, this is the start of us starting to put it all together.”

The Raiders are playing with a healthier roster than they have for the past several weeks, although they are still without junior forward and top scoring threat Jon Meola, who injured his ankle and has since sat out for precautionary reasons. Meola – son of former U.S. National Team goalkeeper Tony Meola – is a also a standout baseball player who has committed to the University of Virginia.

“There was a stretch for about three games when we were losing two guys a game,” Huttemann said. “What I’m most proud of is the guys who needed to step in and contribute while everyone was going down stepped in and made the most of their opportunity.

“We needed to beat Southern (on Oct. 19) just to qualify for the state tournament and Shore Conference Tournament and in that game, we had to play a lot of guys who didn’t play much up to that point. They stepped up and won that game for us and that shows you that it has to be a total team effort to win game in and game out, and I’m really proud that we’ve pulled together and overcome that adversity.”

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Box Score

Toms River East 1, Toms River North 0