Boys Soccer – Photo Gallery: No. 5 Marlboro Downs No. 3 CBA to Continue Hot Start

PHOTO GALLERY: CBA at Marlboro by Paula Lopez

MARLBORO - The Marlboro boys soccer team was eager to make another statement Tuesday, this time on its home field against defending NJSIAA Non-Public A champion Christian Brothers Academy - the No. 3 team in the Shore Sports Network Top 10.

It took a little more than two minutes for the Mustangs to make that statement and the remaining 80-plus minutes to verify it.

Senior Mike Steinberg scored off a pass from classmate Mitchell Katsman in the third minute of action and the No. 5 Mustangs held on to beat the Colts, 1-0, for their fifth straight win to open the 2019 season.

With its win on Tuesday, Marlboro is one of five remaining unbeaten teams in the Shore Conference and one of four teams (Holmdel, Jackson Memorial and Barnegat) without a loss or tie.

Steinberg's goal Tuesday was his sixth of the season and was the lone offensive highlight of the game for either side. Senior center back Ethan Schlesinger came up with the game's biggest defensive play when he cleared the ball off the goal-line just as it was about to cross over for the equalizer.

Schlesinger's save secured the third shutout in a row for sophomore goalkeeper Nick Tango.

Marlboro's win over CBA puts the Mustangs two games ahead of the Colts in the Class A North standings with four matches left for each team. Marlboro has not won an outright division championship since 2009, when the Mustangs also won their only Shore Conference Tournament title.

Marlboro will try to cap another perfect week when it takes on Howell on Thursday and closes out the week at No. 4 Wall on Saturday. CBA will attempt to rebound against Middletown South at home on Thursday.