Week 5 Boys Soccer Player of the Week: Bobby Calvo, TR East

Thrive Week 5 Boys Soccer Player of the Week

Bobby Calvo, Toms River East

There is more than one way to put together a deep postseason run, but one great way to do it is with a goalkeeper who makes the opposing team have to earn a goal -- if they score one at all.

Toms River East made it all the way to the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals as a No. 20 seed thanks to an all-around team effort and when the Raiders went up against the Shore's best, their goalkeeper is what separated them from the opposition.

Toms River East junior goalkeeper Bobby Calvo goes up over the crowd to clear the ball out of the box. (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)

Calvo was the Raiders’ star throughout the conference tournament and among the three games the Raiders player -- not to mention the group-play stage of the tournament -- his play was a significant of a reason as any the Raiders turned their season around.

During the week Toms River East spent in the knockout round, Calvo made his presence known. The junior made a huge save to prevent a golden goal in the final minute at Central on Oct. 9, then making two clutch saves during the penalty shootout to pull the Raiders through to the round of 16 while eliminating a top 10 team in the rankings.

Toms River East then pounded Colts Neck, 5-2, in the round of 16 and the Raiders scored four goals before the Cougars could get on the board. Colts Neck's two goals vs. Calvo came on a lapse in the back and a penalty kick and Calvo was on his game for the rest of the game.

The Raiders' run ended against a tournament-tested Middletown North side in a hard-fought, 1-0 game. Calvo was the reason the game remained close, with the Raiders keeper standing on his head to make 11 saves, which was nearly enough to keep the Raiders going in the tournament.

Calvo is the second straight Toms River East player to win the overall Player of the Week award, joining classmate Rowen Joice. It was all about the goalkeepers this week, with Calvo winning the award at 30 percent, Ocean's Zach Frabizio finishing second at 23 percent and Marlboro's Arnav Bitla rounding out the top three at 16 percent. Howell striker Nick Turturro was the top field player at 11 percent.

As the latest Thrive Player of the Week, Calvo will receive a shirt and free training session courtesy of Thrive.