Boys Soccer – Photo Gallery: Jackson Memorial 3, Toms River South 0

JACKSON TWP. - There is still a lot of season standing between the Jackson Memorial boys soccer team and a second consecutive division championship, but the Jaguars cleared one of its highest hurdles Thursday and did so in convincing fashion.

Senior Joe Schlageter scored the first two goals of the game and junior Ben Schnaak added an extra insurance tally as the Jaguars rolled over Toms River South, 3-0, to extend their perfect start to the season.

Toms River South won the Class A South division title in three straight seasons between 2014 and 2016 and have captured an NJSIAA sectional championship in each of the past three seasons. The Indians have not, however, had an answer for Jackson Memorial over the past two seasons, with the Jaguars going 2-0-1 against their rivals in that span.

Last season, Jackson Memorial won at Toms River South, 1-0, on a late goal by current junior Dan Russo and settled for a scoreless draw in the second meeting. The Jaguars also won the last meeting of 2016, which was No. 19 Jackson Memorial upsetting No. 3 Toms River South in the Shore Conference Tournament round of 16.

On Thursday, Schlageter got the scoring started earlier than usual in this rivalry, finishing from close range in the 22nd minute for the only goal of the first half.

Midway through the second half, Schlageter again scored, this time on a penalty kick. The Jaguars capped the scoring when Schnaak finished off a corner kick by senior Ben Schnaak in the 65th minute.

While Jackson Memorial still has work to do in sewing up a second straight Class A South title - Southern and Toms River North are both also unbeaten in divisional play - Toms River South has a nearly impossible road in trying to win it with already two losses in the division.