Boys Soccer – 2021 All-Shore Final Vote Winners

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Voting for the final four spots on the 2021 All-Shore Boys Soccer Team is complete and there is a twist in 2021: there are now five spots.

For the first time in any of the All-Shore Final Vote contests across the Shore Sports Network coverage spectrum, two players finished tied for the top spot in the voting at a position.

The voting came in heavily from three schools in particular, with two of them earning two winners each and the third picking up one Final Vote winner and missing out on a second by a single vote.

With that backstory out of the way, let’s get to the winners.

2021 All-Shore Final Vote Winners

Forwards (Tie)

Billy Caruso, Jr., Brick Memorial

Brick Memorial was back in the Shore Conference Tournament this season for the first time since 2017 and it was Caruso who led the Mustangs’ scoring attack with his eight goals and three assists. The two biggest wins in Brick Memorial’s pursuit of an SCT berth were back-to-back victories over Toms River East and Toms River South and Caruso scored three of the Mustangs’ four combined during that stretch of two games. His two goals in the 2-1 win over Toms River East tied a season-high, which he also notched later in the season vs. Point Pleasant Beach.

R.J. Eckelman, Jr., Howell

The 2021 season was a breakout campaign for Eckelman, who was part of a deep stable of forwards for Howell. The junior posted six goals and his 12 assists were tied for fifth in the entire Shore Conference. Eckelman scored four of his goals in the first three games of the season, including a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Middletown North that helped Howell shake off a 0-2 start.

Top Five Final Vote Forwards

Midfield

Charles Latendorf, Sr., Point Pleasant Boro

Latendorf and his classmates entered the Point Boro High School program in the fall of 2018 hoping to continue the tradition as one of Ocean County’s steadiest contenders. The Class of 2022 got a chance to play early but they were asked to carry a heavy load for a young, rebuilding side that endured losing seasons in each of Latendorf’s first three years at the school. This year, it finally came together, with Point Boro finishing 13-8 and Latendorf leading the way with 11 goals and three assists.

Top Five Final Vote Midfielders

Defense

Aidan Huhn, Sr., Point Boro

The expectations at Point Boro were once again high heading into the season, with the Panthers focused on ending the run of three straight losing seasons. While Point Boro still has some noteworthy talent that will be back in 2022, the Panthers leaned on an experienced defense, led by Huhn and classmate Jeff Thompson. Huhn scored two goals and an assist out of the back and captained a defense that surrendered 26 goals in 21 games (1.24 per match) with seven shutouts.

Top Five Final Vote Defenders

Goalkeeper

Rich Kijack, Sr., Brick Memorial

Kijack was a steady presence in goal, both in his ability to protect the net (1.5 goals per game, two shutouts) and as a vocal leader in the back. With the senior in goal, Brick Memorial never conceded more than three goals and that only happened three times – in an overtime loss to No. 8 Rumson-Fair Haven, a 3-0 loss to No. 2 Toms River North and a 3-1 loss to Freehold Boro that came between the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Tournaments.

Top Five Final Vote Goalkeepers