Boys Soccer – VOTE: Week 2 Surf Taco Player of the Week

Each week, beginning this week, Shore Sports Network recognizes the top players in each Shore Conference boys soccer division over the past seven days and gives the readers a chance to vote for the top performers.

Read about each of the divisional players of the week, plus the two wild cards, and vote for your favorite. Vote once per hour through the Wednesday deadline at 10 p.m. The top vote-getter will win a $25 gift card to Surf Taco.

Class A North Player of the Week

Max Shushkovksy, Marlboro

The Mustangs are off to a scorching start in 2019 and the senior has led the balanced effort. Last week, Shushkovsky scored a goal in each of Marlboro’s three wins over Middletown South, Manalapan and Toms River North, including the deciding goal in a 2-1 win over Middletown South.

A North Honorable Mention: Luke Pascarella, CBA; Patrick O’Dwyer, Long Branch; Tyler Abbot, Long Branch; Mike Romero-Vargas, Freehold Boro; Isaac Ball, Freehold Boro; Noah Brower, Freehold Boro; Mitchell Katsman, Marlboro; Matt Glynn, Middletown South

Class A Central Player of the Week

Rich Maloney, Manasquan

Maloney went off in Manasquan’s 9-0 win over Red Bank Catholic, scoring three of the team’s goals for his first career hat trick. The senior then scored two minutes into Friday’s game vs. Ocean before the Spartans mounted a second-half comeback.

A Central Honorable Mention: Jack Giamanco, Holmdel; Mason Martonelli, Monmouth; Tommy Johnson, Manasquan; Connor Hinds, Holmdel; Joe Seber, Raritan;

Class A South Player of the Week

Preston Geerinck, Toms River South

With his team in desperate need of a win against rival Toms River East on Thursday, Geerinck stepped up with a big goal during regulation, then upped the ante with the golden goal to end a classic, 5-4 Toms River South overtime win.

A South Honorable Mention: Drew Walenty, Jackson Memorial; Nolan Raimonde, Toms River East; Jalen Folsom, Toms River South; Dan Bodziak, Toms River East; Tyler Howlett, Jackson Memorial

Class B North Player of the Week

Robert Lopes, Ocean

The Spartans have an inexperienced team and desperately needed a win, so naturally, they turned to their holdovers from the decorated 2018 team to get them a big one. Lopes scored two goals to help Ocean erase a 2-0 halftime deficit against No. 6 Manasquan, including the golden goal in the 11th minute of overtime to seal the 3-2 win. Ocean’s other returning starter, Eli Brandimarte, scored the equalizer.

B North Honorable Mention: Kyle Schembri, Neptune; Johnny Troiano, St. John Vianney; Denzel Boeteng, Middletown North; Eli Brandimarte, Ocean; Aidan Tisony, Ocean; Alex Perez, Middletown North; Tagg Ancrum, Wall; David Tuschmann, Colts Neck; Erik Christie, Red Bank

Class B Central Player of the Week

Morgan Fahy, St. Rose

The Purple Roses have had good showings outside of B Central so far, including last week’s 1-0 win over Central. Fahy scored the game-winner in the 75th minute to seal that win, which came after he notched a goal and an assist earlier in the week in a 3-1 win over Asbury Park.

B Central Honorable Mention: Josh Boyan, Point Beach; Owen Marcoux, Point Beach; Matt Kirkpatrick, St. Rose

Class B South Player of the Week

Johnny Hart, Pinelands

Hart’s hot start has helped Pinelands overcome some significant scoring losses to graduation and last week was a perfect example. The junior midfielder scored two picturesque goals in a 2-0 win over Lacey and was one of five different goal-scorers in a 5-1 win over Jackson Liberty later in the week. Hart has scored in each of Pinelands’s first four matches, totaling five goals in those four games.

B South Honorable Mention:  Preston Kyriakoulis, Donovan Catholic; Troy Schnappauf, Point Boro; Logan Duffy, Manchester; Matt White, Barnegat; Vincent Paolillo, Manchester; Alex Zuniga, Barnegat

Wild Cards

Mike Romero-Vargas, Freehold Boro

The Colonials had plenty of heroes during a 3-0 week, including senior Noah Brower (two game-winning goals) and Isaac Ball (hat trick vs. Brick). Romero-Vargas, however, was Freehold’s most productive player, posting three goals and three assists over the three wins. He put up two goals and two assists in the 6-1 win over Brick, assisted a goal in a 2-0 win over Middletown South and scored the equalizer in a come-from-behind, 2-1 win over Point Boro.

Drew Walenty, Jackson Memorial

While the Jackson Memorial players and coaching staff acknowledge they have no single player who can replace Dan Russo, the committee approach is working and Walenty is leading that effort. The junior striker struck for three goals in three Jackson Memorial wins last week, including the game-winner in a 2-1 road win over Howell.