With Shore Regional moving to Class A Central at the start of last season, the 2016 B Central race appeared to be more wide-open than it ever was. That turned out to be false, however, because Asbury Park ran circles around the divisional competition last year. The Blue Bishops went 14-0 in B Central play  to win the division and also won the Central Jersey Group I champions – neither of which had been done at Asbury Park in 35 years.

This year has the makings of a more balanced race at the top now that Asbury Park, Ranney and St. Rose have graduated a significant portion of their lineups and production from last year. Class B Central also looks like the youngest overall division in the Shore Conference, with those three teams restocking with plenty of youth while Mater Dei will carry six freshmen, Henry Hudson has one senior and Keyport is almost all sophomores and freshmen.

There may not necessarily be a rags-to-riches story to the degree that Asbury Park was last year, but the race should be tighter than it was a year ago.

 

In predicted order of finish

Asbury Park

Head Coach: Jean Dortissant, 11th season
2016 Record: 18-4-1 (12-0-0, first in B Central)
Key Returners: Davensky Joinvilmar (Sr., Forward/Midfield), Shown Narcisse (Sr., Defense), Widmaier Beaubrun (Sr., Forward/Goalkeeper), Jonathan Desulme (Sr., Midfield), Stevenson Jean Baptiste (Sr., Midfield), Wenderlens Garius (Jr., Defense), Jean Osner Pierre (Sr., Forward)
Key Losses: Fenelson Etienne (Forward), Joey Johnson (Goalkeeper), Ronald Jean Vilma (Forward), Eben Landau (Defense), Fradlet Etienne (Defense), Cavialy Romulus (Jr., Defense)
Key Newcomers: Bryan Cruz (So., Midfield, Marco Solis (Jr., Forward), Oswaldo Garcia (Sr., Forward), Jodson Elveus (So., Defense), Redondo Aime (Sr., Defense), Stevens Jourdain (Sr., Defense), Jordi Gonzalez (Jr., Defense), Jovannie Frater (Sr., Defense), Woodley Cagilus (Fr., Defense/Goalkeeper), Walter Duarte (Fr., Goalkeeper), Johnny Phillipe (Jr., Midfield/Goalkeeper), Jean Roddy Salomon (Fr., Forward), Jesus Ayald Vazquez (Jr., Defense), Castano Gomez (Jr., Midfield)

Asbury Park senior Davensky JoinVilmar. (Photo by Matt Manley)
Asbury Park senior Davensky JoinVilmar. (Photo by Matt Manley)
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The Blue Bishops might not have been in the running for No. 1 in the Shore Conference last season, but it’s hard to argue any other team for “story of the year”. Coming off a five-win season in 2015 with most of the players that would make up the 2016 squad, Asbury Park went 18-4 and won both its Shore Conference division and NJSIAA section for the first time in 35 years. It’s hard to say that season came out of nowhere given the hard work the players put in for coach Jean Dortissant, but that season was as unexpected as any in recent memory.

In order to come close to replicating last year by defending the B Central and Central Jersey Group I titles, Asbury Park will rally around returning All-Shore forward Davensky JoinVilmar and hope that a big senior year from their star can help mask some of the holes left by key senior departures like Fenelson Etienne, Ronald Jean Vilma, Eben Landau and goalkeeper Joey Johnson. JoinVilmar worked well with Etienne and Jean Vilma and the production of the two former Bishops allowed JoinVilmar to play more out of the midfield.

Etienne, Jean Vilma and Landau all brought some athleticism and toughness to the lineup and while Asbury Park has some talent to replace them, the element of physicality that the trio brought will be harder to replace. Senior captain Widmaier Beaubrun will likely move to the front of the formation this year after playing in the midfield last year, while Senior Stevenson Jean Baptiste also looks to up his scoring from a year ago, when he scored five goals.

Asbury Park should be solid in the back with returning defenders Shown Narcisse and Wenderlens Garius, but losing Johnson in goal is a big hit. The all-division keeper from 2016 covered a lot of breakdowns thanks to his savvy and athleticism and Asbury Park does not have an obvious replacement. Beaubrun moved into goal for the final two games of 2016 when Johnson suffered a head injury and while he is among the options again this year, his offense would be missed in the field if he moves back in goal. There are some conundrums for Asbury Park to work through and it will take a little time for the team to replicate the chemistry of last year’s group, but the return of JoinVilmar and a handful of other starters is enough to give Asbury Park a good chance at defending its B Central title.

 

Point Pleasant Beach

Head Coach: Mike Baiata, sixth season
2016 Record: 6-11 (6-6, fourth in B Central)
Key Returners: Mike Ciorlian (Sr., Forward), Danny Savage (Sr., Forward), Ki Costa (Jr., Midfield), Jake Laduca (Sr., Defense), Ryan Brodeur (Jr., Midfield), Eric Monticello (Jr., Goalkeeper), Andrew Garrow (Sr., Midfield), Alex Atno (Jr., Forward), Max Alia (Jr., Defense), Adam DiPasquale (Jr., Defense), Connor O’Brien (Sr., Midfield), John Goldinak (Sr., Defense), Derek Depolo (Sr., Midfield)
Key Losses: Connor Prima (Midfield), Anthony Decraene (Midfield), Jeremy Tombs (Defense), Ryan Hanrahan (Defense)
Key Newcomers: Luke Marcoux (Jr., Defense), Ben Glass (Jr., Midfield), Francesco Crivelli (Jr., Defense), Matt Adao (Jr., Defense)

A 6-6 season in B Central is not up to the standard Point Beach usually meets, but the division was also as deep as it had been even when Shore Regional was in the mix. That’s not really an excuse the Point Beach players would like to hear, so they are geared up for a revival in 2017. The Garnet Gulls return most of their roster, including their two leading scorers – senior Mike Ciorlian and junior Ki Costa. Ciorlian scored 13 goals during his junior campaign, while Costa posted five goals and eight assists as a sophomore.

Senior forward Danny Savage and junior midfielder Ryan Brodeur scored three goals each last year and will help out in the scoring department again this season. Senior Andrew Garrow and junior Alex Atno will be more prominent in this year’s lineup and could also add some scoring punch for the Gulls. Senior Jake Laduca leads the defense at sweeper in front of returning senior goalkeeper Eric Monticello, while junior Max Alia and senior John Goldinak return to the back line as well. With so much back from last year, Point Beach has a chance to hit the ground running in 2017 and perhaps even have a year similar to the one Asbury Park did a year ago.

 

St. Rose

Head Coach: Brian Pringle, fourth season
2016 Record: 12-7 (9-3, tied second in B Central)
Key Returners: Dave Calloway (Sr., Forward), Michael Yuschak (Sr., Midfield), Jonathan Caputo (Jr., Midfield), Matt Forlenza (Jr., Midfield), Ethan Tombs (Sr., Midfield), Carter Vanderslice (Sr., Goalkeeper)
Key Losses: Brendan Hueth (Forward), Matty O’Malley (Midfield), Sean Breuche (Midfield), Jack Cusack (Midfield), Anthony Demaio (Midfield), Patrick Gates (Goalkeeper), Billy Tencza (Sr., Defense), Dan Clayton (Sr., Defense), Chris Gowen (Sr., Forward)
Key Newcomers: Gary Dempsey (So., Defense; transfer from Red Bank Catholic), Nick Forlano (Jr., Goalkeeper), Christian Riozzi-Bodine (So., Defense), Ethan Riozzi-Bodine (Sr., Forward), Evan Walters (Jr., Midfield), Dave Santos (Sr., Forward), Matt Santos (So., Forward)

From left, St. Rose players Jonathan Caputo, Dave Calloway and Matt Forlenza. (Photo by Steve Meyer)
From left, St. Rose players Jonathan Caputo, Dave Calloway and Matt Forlenza. (Photo by Steve Meyer)
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St. Rose will try to track down Asbury Park in the standings this year and get back to the top of the B Central table for the first time since 2010. The Purple Roses graduated 39 goals and 22 assists between four players – Brendan Hueth (21 goals), Matty O’Malley (six goals and 12 assists), Jack Cusack (eight goals) and Chris Gowen (four goals) – and also graduated top defenders Billy Tencza and Dan Clayton, as well as goalkeeper Patrick Gates.

To make up for the lost talent, St. Rose will need big contributions from senior forward Dave Calloway, junior center midfielder Jonathan Caputo and junior midfielder Matt Forlenza. Calloway led all Purple Roses returning players with five goals last year, while Caputo and Forlenza found their way into the starting lineup before season’s end. Seniors Ethan Tombs, Michael Yuschak, Ethan Riozzi-Bodine and Save Santos are also experienced returnees who will aid in the retooling effort. St. Rose is in the same boat as Asbury Park in that each lost some valuable pieces, so if the Blue Bishops take a step back, St. Rose will be among the teams ready to pounce.

 

Ranney

Head Coach: Austin Alvarado, second season
2016 Record: 11-8 (9-3, tied second in B Central)
Key Returners: Ademola Odunlami (Jr., Midfield), Marc Greenstein (Sr., Forward), Greyson Kellner (Jr., Midfield)
Key Losses: Brendan Wall (Forward), Shane Keenan (Midfield), Ian Dobrzynski (Forward), Noah Ayers (Goalkeeper), Asher Kraut (Defense), Austin Dobrynski (Midfield), Greg Marx (Defense)
Key Newcomers: Anthony Virone (So., Goalkeeper), Olukayode Oladeji (Jr., Defense)

Last year’s team was one of the more talented groups in the history of the Ranney program and most of the top players from that team have moved on via graduation. Brendan Wall, Ian Dobryzinski and Shane Keenan were the team’s top three scorers, so in addition to plugging the open spots in the lineup, second-year coach Austin Alvarado will have to figure out ways to score goals.

Junior Ademola Odunlami will be the leading candidate to pick up the scoring after two solid seasons to open his varsity career. His production slowed a bit once Wall joined the lineup in the middle of 2015, but he still managed to score four goals last year as a sophomore. Senior Marc Greenstein will also be a target on offense now that he is moving up to play forward. Junior Greyson Kellner missed last season with a leg injury and will be a big addition to the lineup this season after contributing as a freshman. Ranney will have to restock in a lot of areas, but with Odunlami, Kellner and Greenstein, they have a solid core or returnees around which to build a competitive team in B Central.

 

Henry Hudson

Head Coach: Matt Mancini, second season
2016 Record: 7-12 (3-9, sixth in B Central)
Key Returners: Odrhan King (Jr., Midfield), Wind Levybensetton (Jr., Midfield), Michael McCahon (Jr., Defense), Barrett Bremekamp (Jr., Defense), Jack Sanders (Jr., Midfield), Liam Hagan (Jr., Defense), Alejandro Santuiste (Jr., Midfield), Casey Haupt (So., Midfield), Blaise Cauvin (So., Midfield), Aidan Casey (So., Midfield), Thomas Doherty (So., Defense)
Key Losses: Brendan Carlstrom (Goalkeeper), Ethan Kelley (Forward), Josh Pinhas (Defense), Tom Colantino (Midfield), Jason Gonzalez (Jr., Forward)
Key Newcomers: Lucas Mednis (Jr., Forward), Dade Lynch (Jr., Midfield), Michael Mohr (So., Goalkeeper), Grady Hendrickson (So., Defense), Justin Murphy (So., Midfield), Theo Qirko (So., Midfield), Deontae Florek (Fr., Forward), Ricardo Santuiste (Fr., Midfield), Trevor Hendrickson (Fr., Defense), James Crowley (Fr., Defense)

Henry Hudson put together a respectable seven-win season last year thanks to a big year from Ethan Kelley (13 goals) and solid play from Brendan Carlstrom in goal. Both of those players graduated, so it will be up to the next wave of players to keep the program heading in the right direction.

Henry Hudson returns a promising group of juniors that contributed to the cause last year, led by midfielders Ordhan King, Wind Levybensetton and Jack Sanders. Classmates Michael McCahon, Liam Hagan and Barrett Bremekamp anchor the defense. Senior Alejandro Santuiste will also start in the midfield and sophomores Casey Haupt, Blaise Cauvin, Aidan Casey and Thomas Doherty all return with some experience and will contribute on the attack.  With just one senior on the roster, the Admirals will likely take some lumps, but they also have a chance to lay the groundwork for a strong showing in 2018.

 

Mater Dei Prep

Head Coach: Anthony Sherlock, first season
2016 Record: 2-15 (2-10, sixth in B Central)
Key Returners: Ryan Baird (Sr., Goalkeeper), Bobby Bialkowski (Sr., Forward), A.J. Bruney (So., Forward), Matt Carrigy (Sr., Forward), Pat Mastro (So., Defense), Andy Lin (Sr., Midfield), Justin Tumulty (Sr., Defense)
Key Losses: Sean Molicki (Sr., Midfield/Forward), Luke Lino (Sr., Defense), Liam Petry (Sr., Midfield/Defense), Sean Krueger (Sr., Midfield), Kyle Dowlen (Sr., Forward)
Key Newcomers: Justin Vidal (Sr., Defense), Nick Zajac (Sr., Midfield), Mike Dunne (Sr.), Chris Napoli (So., Defense), Aidan Balderose (Fr., Midfield), Brendan Golding (Fr., Midfield), Marcone Pessoa (Fr., Forward/Midfield), Jeremy Ramos (Fr., Forward/Midfield), Liam Stewart (Fr., Midfield), Christian Szotak (Fr., Forward/Midfield)

Mater Dei has a new head coach in Anthony Sherlock, who will try to build up a team that can play with the top squads in the division, similar to what Ranney has been able to do since joining the Shore Conference. The Seraphs will be very young this year, with six freshman on the roster to open the year, so this definitely has the makings of a rebuilding year.

There are also eight seniors on the roster, so the Seraphs won’t be without some experience and physical maturity. Bobby Bialkowski, Matt Garrigy and Justin Tumulty highlight the senior group on the field, while senior goalkeeper Ryan Baird returns as one of the division’s top goalkeepers. Sophomores A.J. Bruney, Pat Mastro and Chris Napoli will also pitch in on a team that is looking to at least take a small step in the standings and begin a program makeover.

 

Keyport

Head Coach: Brendan Hilliard, fourth season
2016 Record: 2-17 (1-11, seventh in B Central)
Key Returners: Matt Ayala (Sr., Goalkeeper), Henry Martinez (Jr., Forward), Zach Budd (Jr., Defense), Jared Sheridan (So., Midfield/Defense), Breandian Greene (So., Midfield/Forward), Angelo Madrigal (So., Midfield), Sal Tornetto (So., Defense), Nate Smith (So., Midfield), Josh Vazquez (So., Midfield), Elliot Gerhard (So., Forward), Aidan Paez (Jr., Defense), Jared Sheridan (So., Defense/Midfield), Sean Matos (So., Forward/Midfield),
Key Losses: Brendan O’Brien (Midfield), Gadiel Escobar (Midfield/Forward), Alex Castro (Forward/Midfield), Cameron Bright (Midfield/Defense), Ricardo Velasco (Sr., Forward), Noah Geraghty (Sr., Defense), William Jimenez (Jr., Midfield), Anthony Rosa (Jr., Midfield),
Key Newcomers: Kevin Hernandez (Fr., Forward), Joe Lanzaro (Fr., Midfield/Forward), Nabil El Maalem (Fr., Defense/Midfield), Mustafa Kilic (Fr., Forward), Javier Hernandez (So., Midfield)

Keyport returned a decent amount of starters and a top scorer in Brendan O’Brien last year, but it did not translate into more wins for the Red Raiders. O’Brien and second-leading scorer Gadiel Escobar both graduated in the spring and most of the team will be new starters and varsity players. Junior Zach Budd and sophomores Breandian Greene and Sean Matos earned time and gave Keyport production by the end of last season and will be a prominent part of the nucleus going forward. Senior Matt Ayala also returns in goal.

Last year’s freshman class got a dress rehearsal at the end of last season so as sophomores, they will be a key to the direction of the program over the next several seasons. The Raiders are probably where Henry Hudson was last year, but they will need someone to step up as a scorer like Ethan Kelley did for the Admirals. Even if that doesn’t happen, this will still be an important developmental year for one of the younger teams in the Shore Conference.

 

XI to Watch (With 2016 Stats)

Davensky JoinVilmar, Asbury Park (16 goals, 15 assists)

Mike Ciorlian, Point Beach (13 goals, 3 assists)

Dave Calloway, St. Rose (5 goals, 1 assist)

Jonathan Caputo, St. Rose (2 goals, 1 assist)

Ki Costa, Point Beach (7 goals, 9 assists)

Widmaier Beaubrun, Asbury Park (3 goals, 2 assists)

Shown Narcisse, Asbury Park (5 goals)

Ademola Odunlami, Ranney (3 goals, 4 assists)

Jake LaDuca, Point Beach

Stevenson Jean Baptiste, Asbury Park (5 goals, 3 assists)

Danny Savage, Point Beach (3 goals, 3 assists)

 

Goalkeepers to Watch

Ryan Baird, Mater Dei Prep

Eric Monticello, Point Beach (2 shutouts)

 

Breakout Players to Watch

Greyson Kellner, Ranney (1 goal, 2 assists in 2015)

Matt Forlenza, St. Rose

Alex Atno, Point Beach (1 goal)

Odrhan King, Henry Hudson (3 goals)

 

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