Girls Soccer – 2023 Season Preview: Class B North

It is a realignment year in Shore Conference soccer and the Class B North division gets a noticeable shakeup on the girls side. Exiting the division are Red Bank Regional, St. John Vianney and Long Branch and entering the division are Freehold Borough and Trinity Hall. The only teams currently in B North that earned a spot in the Shore Conference Top 10 last season were Colts Neck to start the season and Manasquan during the Shore Conference Tournament.

Last season, Manasquan and Red Bank were co-champions in Class B North. Manasquan brings back a good portion of their team and will be the favorites in 2023, with Red Bank moving to Class A Central. It will not be an easy road for the Warriors; Colts Neck and newcomer Trinity Hall from Class A Central will challenge for the top spot. Trinity Hall went 2-1 last season against current B North opponents. 

Last season, Ocean Township finished just two points behind Manasquan in the division and will be contenders if they can replace a couple key pieces. Newcomer Freehold Borough moves out of the brutal Class A North and should be competitive with all the teams in B North. The Colonials went 0-3 last season against current B North opponents, but all three losses were by one goal.

Both Neptune and Matawan have first-year coaches and are in a rebuilding mode with young rosters this season.

In predicted order of finish

Manasquan Warriors

Head Coach: Bailey Price, sixth season

Assistant Coaches: Mary Mills, Nicole Proctor, Christie Rampone

Record Last Year: 12-7

Returning Players: Talia Blum (SR. Def; 4 G), Bianca Chiarella (SR. Mid; 4 G, 6 A), Renee Herbert (SR. Mid; 3 G, 5 A), Willow McGovern (SR. Def), Lily McKiever (SR. Def), Violet Nolan (SR. Mid; 2 G, 5 A), Rylie Rampone (SR. Def/Fwd; 7 G 1 A), Kali Saito (SR. Fwd; 14 G, 1 A), Giovana Restivo (JR. GK), Ella Condon (JR. Mid; 1 G, 1 A), Addison Gunnell (SO. Def), Alexandra Attardo (JR. Def), Emma Franklin (JR. (Def/Mid), Joanna McDonald (JR. Mid; 1 G), Tess O’Reilly (JR. Mid)

Newcomers: Samantha Price (FR. Def), Jordyn Hollawell (SO. Mid/Fwd)

Team Outlook: Manasquan was one of the surprise teams of the Shore Conference, becoming co-champs in B North last season and upsetting Middletown South in the second round of the Shore Conference Tournament. The Warriors play every game whistle to whistle, which they showed by scoring the equalizer against Middletown South in the 77th minute and again in the first minute in extra time. They return a good part of their roster from last season, including leading scorer and senior Kali Saito. The Warriors have two senior leaders on the back line with Talia Blum and Willow McGovern returning. Junior goalie Giovana Restivo stepped up and got valuable postseason experience last season. One of Manasquan’s best weapons is senior Renee Herbert with her ability to put the ball in dangerous spots on set pieces. The Warriors will get a big boost when senior Rylie Rampone is cleared to play after suffering an injury in last year’s postseason.

Colts Neck Cougars

Head Coach: Kevin Hein, sixth season

Assistant Coaches: Heather Westen, Devyn Josko

Record Last Year: 8-7-2

Returning Players: Anna Casler (SR. Def; 1 G, 4 A), Mia Nikolic (SR. GK), Valentina Sepulveda (SR. Mid; 5 G, 4 A), Ally Knice (SR. Def), Jami Van Orden (JR. Mid; 1 G, 3 A), Marianna Banco (SR. Mid; 1 A), Nikki Cataneo (SR. Fwd; 2 G, 1 A), Shannon Cody (SR. Mid; 1 G), Kristin Blind (SR. Def), Caileigh Siedenburg (JR. Def; 1 G), Olivia Gehman (JR. Fwd; 5 G, 4 A), Terri Morgan (JR. Fwd; 4 G, 3 A), Ava DeRosa (JR. Def; 1 A), Charli Pagano (SO. Fwd; 3 G) Isa Suarez (SO. Def; 1 G)

Team Outlook: Colts Neck brings back the majority of its defense, which is always strong. Senior Anna Casler has played mostly outside back, but has played center back for the Cougars. Her flexibility will give them some options. Senior goalkeeper Mia Nikolic has plenty of experience and will be in conversation for the All-Shore team this season. One thing that Colts Neck will want to improve on is finishing games and more consistent shooting. They out-shot opponents six out of the seven games they lost last season. The Cougars bring back two of the three girls who led the team with five goals last season. Senior Valentina Sepulveda and junior Olivia Gehman will look to increase those numbers to help Colts Neck win B North.

Trinity Hall Monarchs

Head Coach: Patrick Trombetta, 17th season

Assistant Coaches: Cheryl O'Kelly, Michael Winchell, Samantha Amey

Record Last Year: 11-7-2

Key Returners: Reilly Sullivan (SR. Fwd; 6 G, 5 A), Amel Morales (SR. Mid; 2 G, 2 A), Kaylin McCarthy (SR. Mid), Bella Anzevino (JR. Def), Lily Wood (JR. Mid), Mary Catherine O’Connor (JR. Mid; 1 G, 1 A), Ryan Raynor (SO. Mid), Emily Venezia (SO. GK), Maris Child (SO. Mid; 1 G, 4 A), Eliza Chiles (SO. Def; 5 G, 3 A) Haley Noorigian (SO. Mid; 2 G, 3 A)

Newcomers: Grace Greene (FR. Def), Maeve Bradley (FR. Def), Kailyn Fitzgerald (FR. Fwd), Danielle Connors (FR. Mid), Anna Martin (SO. GK),  Amelia Appel (SO. Mid) Paige Backofen (JR. Mid/Def),  Caroline Ferguson (SO. Mid),  Winnie Popham (SO. Fwd)

Team Outlook: Trinity Hall moves from a very competitive Class A Central and will compete for the B North title. This is the third time in three years Trinity Hall has changed divisions, starting in Class B Central in 2021 before moving into A Central last year. The Monarchs bring back a good portion of their team this season but lost two key players to transfers. The Monarchs will need someone to step up on the offensive end to make up for the production they lost with last year's leading scorer Aubrey Scoble transferring to Rumson-Fair Haven. Senior Reilly Sullivan has made an impact for Trinity Hall since freshman year and will look to increase her point total in her final season. Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Venezia had a great rookie season, posting seven shutouts, including one in the opening round of the Shore Conference Tournament. The sophomore class got a lot of playing time last season and that will help the Monarchs replace the players who graduated and transferred. 

Ocean Township Spartans 

Head Coach : Alex Pickett, second season

Record Last Year: 7-8-3

Key Returners: Natalie Feniger (SR. Mid; 7 G, 6 A), Jane Rogers (SR. Def) Jailyn Wells (SR. Fwd/Mid; 1 G, 1 A), Sophia Mammano (SR. Fwd; 3 A), Grace Boudreau (SR. GK), Mallory Brannen (SR. Def), Amanda Brannen (SR. Mid), Alex Foley (JR. Def), Grace Taylor (JR. Def), Isabella Santucci (JR. Mid/Fwd; 7 G, 3 A), Kaia Abbatiello (JR. Fwd; 2 G, 2 A), Maddie Woodward (JR. Def; 3 G, 1 A),  Madison Clark (JR. Mid. 2 G, 2 A), Olivia DeGirolamo (JR. Mid; 1 G. 3 A), Rachel Walsh (JR. Def), Maddie Suchodolsky (JR. Mid; 1 G) 

Newcomers: Erin Toppi (FR. Def/Mid), Mia Fiorentino (FR. Fwd/Mid)

Team Outlook: The Spartans bring back a good portion of their team that came up two points short of the top spot in B North last season. The biggest position change will be in goal, with four-year starter Juliet Nies graduating. Ocean can be a dangerous team on the counter-attack with junior Isabella Santucci’s speed and ability to get up the field. Her and senior Natalie Feniger both scored seven goals last season, which was second highest on the team. Junior defender Alex Foley had a good season last year and will be one of the leaders on the back line this season. 

Freehold Boro Colonials

Head Coach: Elyse Ingui, 16th season

Assistant Coach: Emily Holtz

Record Last Year: 4-13

Key Returners: Taylor Atkinson (SR. Def; 2 G), Riley Turner (SR. Fwd; 3 G, 2 A), Jaylin Davis (SR. Def), Lily Hague (JR. Mid; 1 G), Kendall Livingston (JR. GK), Reese Wiley (JR. Mid), Emma Caruso (JR. Def), Olivia Preston (JR. Mid; 1 G, 2 A), Shea Richmond (JR. Fwd; 1 A), Brittney Koppleman (SO. Mid), Makayla Sekerka (SO. Def)

Newcomers: Casey Xavier (SO. Fwd), Brielle Loize (SO. Mid), Alyssa Larsen (SO. Mid), Shea Patmore (FR. Fwd)

Team Outlook: The Colonials will benefit from moving out of A North and look to be more competitive in B North. They will be strong on the defensive side of the field with senior Taylor Atkinson ability to slow down opposing forwards and junior goalkeeper Kendall Livingston returning, who showed she can handle the job in net when she saw playing time last season. On the offensive side of the field, they will look to senior Riley Turner, who finished second last year in team scoring, and freshman Shea Patmore will look to make an impact. 

Neptune Scarlet Fliers

Head Coach: Nicholas Paratore, first season

Assistant Coach: Liz Andrews

Record Last Year: 4-13-2

Key Returners: Kaitlyn Hankins (SR. Mid/Fwd; 12 G, 9 A), Adriana Sicliano (SO. Mid), Rebecca Bolan (JR. Mid; 1A), Cayla Carslon (SR. Def), Kadidja Braxton (JR. GK), Elizabeth Podlaski (JR. GK/Def), Charlie Curto (JR. Def/Mid), Elle Gomez (SO. Mid/Fwd; 4 G, 4 A), Casey McGhee (SO. Mid; 2 G), Aly Reynolds (SO. Def), Katina Kalfin (SR. Fwd), Leslie Vasquez (JR. Def), Mia Santiago Lorenzo (SO. Fwd), Nylah Sapp (SO. Fwd), Megan Saunders (SO. Mid), Joselyn Jackson (JR. GK/Fwd)

Newcomers: Madison Ellis (FR. Def), Angela Hughes (SO. GK), Stella Curto (FR. Def), Charlotte Donoway (FR. Mid/Fwd)

Team Outlook: Neptune graduated a good part of their team, but brings back leading scorers senior Kaitlyn Hankins and sophomore Elli Gomez. They combined for 16 out of Neptune's 30 goals last season. The Scarlet Fliers have four freshmen that look to make an impact this season and will help Neptune improve on its record.

Matawan Huskies

Head Coach: Katie Popowych, first season

Record Last Year: 5-9-1

Key Returners: Natalie Queenan (SR. Mid; 1 G 2 A), Alexa Scarpinato (JR. GK), Ella Frye (JR. Def), Riley Benko (JR. Def; 3 A)

Newcomers: Paitynn Cali (FR. Def)
Team Outlook: The Huskies graduated two All-Shore players in forward Shannon Reiser, who is playing at Rutgers this season, and defender Sophia Garafalo. They combined for 27 out of the team’s 32 goals last season and will need to find a way to replace that production. With Matawan in a rebuilding season, they will rely on the experience junior goalie Alexa Scarpinato’s earned last season.