Surf Taco Week 8 Boys Soccer Team of the Week: Manasquan
Only three teams in the Shore Conference are averaging more goals per game than the Manasquan boys soccer team is and during the NJSIAA Tournament, the Warriors have been even better than their season-long scoring average.
For the first time in five years, Manasquan will play in an NJSIAA sectional championship game and in order to get there, the Warriors posted 12 goals in three consecutive wins during its run through the Central Jersey Group II section.
Manasquan hopes to win its first ever sectional title in boys soccer Saturday at Holmdel, but in the meantime, they can boast the Week 8 Surf Taco Boys Soccer Team of the Week.
Entering the tournament as the No. 6 seed in the section, the Warriors pummeled their first two opponents -- Spotswood and South River. The tournament did not start off as Manasquan intended, with Spotswood's Kieran Barlow burying a 25-yard missile in the first two minutes of the match. From there, however, the Warriors took off.
Manasquan rattled off consecutive goals by Brandon Kunz, Luke Roy, Jorge Cruz Cruz and Cristian Gonzalez to open up a 4-1 lead and sealed a 5-2 win with a goal by Lucas Farkas.
There was no deficit to overcome in the quarterfinal round at third-seeded South River. Gonzalez, Tristen Davalos-Guillen and Farkas scored three straight goals for Manasquan on the way to a 4-1 Warriors win over the Rams.
This week's win came on Wednesday, when Manasquan broke out with three goals in the final 15 minutes of regulation and overtime in a 3-2 win at No. 2 Governor Livingston. Kunz broke a scoreless tie in the 72nd minute and after the home team tied it up two minutes later, Gonzalez scored directly off the ensuing center kick to give Manasquan the lead back just seconds later.
The Warriors conceded an equalizer in the final two minutes, but prevailed on a golden goal by Shayne Byrne.
Manasquan will ride its hot streak into Holmdel Saturday in search of its first ever sectional title. Holmdel -- the No. 1 seed in the section -- defeated Manasquan, 3-2, in overtime on Sept. 22.
2023 Surf Taco Boys Soccer Team of the Week Winners
Week 1: Central
Week 2: Colts Neck
Week 3: Howell
Week 4: St. Rose
Week 5: Middletown South
Week 6: Middletown North
Week 7: CBA
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