It took 16 extra minutes than expected, but Jaycen Santucci's 31-point performance sent No. 3 Central home with a quadruple-overtime win over No. 14 Southern.
Gaby Parker and Hailey Santiago each had a two-goal half as Freehold Township defeated Central Regional to advance to its third straight Group 4 Final.
Middletown South played hard defense and goalie Allie Greco made diving save after diving save to advance into the SCT Finals for the first time since 1998.
With a senior leader back from a nasty injury that ended his 2022 season, an experienced, hungry Central side is off to its best start in over a decade.
With a pair of wins over ranked teams and a climb into the top five of the Shore Sports Network Shore 16, Central is the first Surf Taco Girls Soccer Team of the Week of 2023.
Teams from Class A South took some lumps against the rest of the Shore last year, but this year features a deeper, more talented field, led by perennial contender Toms River North.
Multiple injuries to key players derailed Central's 2022 season. The silver lining is an experienced group of returners ready to get the program back into contention.