Lakewood Boys Soccer Makes State Tournament; Gets Experience for Young Players

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Halloween was no treat for the Lakewood boys soccer team. Senior midfielder Jake Brower scored two goals to lead eighth-seeded Freehold Boro to a 3-1 victory over ninth-seeded Lakewood in the first round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 3 tournament in Freehold...

Rumson’s Croddick seeks fourth consecutive Shore Conference Championship

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

Four years ago, the Rumson-Fair Haven field hockey program was without a Shore Conference Tournament championship. Then Lily Croddick stepped on campus, and everything changed. “She’s been one of the key players who helped bring this team to the level it is now,”...

Monmouth University Field Hockey Cruises Past Siena, 9-1

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

Loudonville, NY – Junior Kelly Hanna registered a hat trick and freshman Tamar Klinkhammer scored two first-half goals to help lead the Monmouth University field hockey team to a commanding 9-1 win at Siena, last Friday. The Hawks, who improve to 12-3 on the season...

Talented Colts Neck Girls Soccer Is Still A Work In Progress

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

COLTS NECK – From 2014 through 2016, the Colts Neck girls soccer program went a combined 59-6-2 for the winningest three-year run in school history. With former New Jersey Player of the Year and USA Women’s National team member Frankie Tagliaferri as the catalyst, the...

Freehold Township Field Hockey Aims High in Shore Conference Tournament

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

The Freehold Township field hockey team prepares throughout the regular season with their eyes on the post season, beginning with the Shore Conference Tournament. The Patriots are ranked fifth in the Shore Conference Tournament this season and defeated Jackson...

Shore Conference Football Week 5 Recap

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

Howell 42, Neptune 3 Howell improved to 5-0 thanks to a pair of touchdowns by quarterback Eddie Morales III, wide receiver Naseim Brantley and Gerard Urso, who added an interception on defense. Braedon Baldwin also added a rushing touchdown. Saint John Vianney 38,...

Herculean Effort By Johnny Buchanan Powers Saint John Vianney Over Red Bank Catholic

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

RED BANK – Senior running back Johnny Buchanan bulled his way to 231 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 26 carries and had a drive-killing interception that thwarted a Red Bank Catholic comeback bid powering Saint John Vianney to a 35-17 win over Red Bank Catholic...

Keansburg Football Turning Its Program Around One Step At A Time

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

KEANSBURG – After winning just five games, including three consecutive 1-9 seasons the past four years, the Titans of Keansburg are off to their best start since 2012 when they began the season 4-1 before going winless the rest of the way and finishing at 4-5-1....

Holmdel Football off to Best Start in Years

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

In only his second year leading the program, Holmdel football coach Jeff Rainess is leaving his mark. The program is off to its best start in years, with a 4-3 record through week six and people are beginning to take notice. “Being able to look up in the stands and...

Monmouth Regional Looks to Continue its Success Off Bye Week

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

With a bye last week, the Monmouth Regional football team can’t wait to get back on the field again. Running back Ian Fitzgerald had 17 carries for 148 yards and had two receptions for 120 yards from quarterback Ryan Convery, totaling four touchdowns to lift Monmouth...

Wall Field Hockey Rounding Into Form For A Post Season Run

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

WALL TOWNSHIP – Following a 2016 season which saw the Crimson Knights go undefeated in the regular season and win the Class B North title before losing to Shore Regional in the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament and Rumson-Fair Haven in the Central Jersey...

Toms River North Setting Sights On State Playoffs After Shore Conference Tournament Exit

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

TOMS RIVER – Entering Tuesday’s Shore Conference Tournament first-round game against Wall, the Mariners (13-3) were ranked No. 7 in the Shore Conference but were coming off a hard-fought 4-2 loss to division rival Southern – ranked third in the Shore and 20th in the...

Ocean Township Boys Soccer Advances in Central Jersey, Group 3 State Playoffs

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

Junior forward Santieno Harding and junior midfielder Andrew Shaw each scored a goal with an assist in the second half to lead top-seeded Ocean Township to a 2-0 victory over eighth-seeded Moorestown in the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 3...

The Unexpected Gift Of Solitude

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

I can still vividly remember that fall day in 2006 that started it all. I was then a five-year-old avid Power Rangers’ fan. One Sunday afternoon, I switched on the TV to find the channel JETIX so that I could watch them. I never did find JETIX. Instead, I accidently...

RBR Legendary Coach Honored as a “Father to his Players”

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

Little Silver – On September 15, at Red Bank Regional’s first home football game, history was memorialized as RBR’s legendary football coach Robert Strangia was honored by friends and family, as well as the many students whose lives he touched and changed forever. Two...

Red Bank Catholic Hoping Last Year’s Post-Season Run Will Pay Dividends This Year

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

RED BANK – Last season Red Bank Catholic came out of nowhere to win a sectional title and capture its fifth state championship in program history and first since 2010 when they shared the Non-Public A title with Immaculate Heart Academy. “Last year we got off to a...

Colts Neck Captures First Divisional Title in Program History

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

After a two-game winless skid, the Colts Neck field hockey team created some history of its own last Thursday. Amy Flood scored two goals and Jenna Filingeri added one goal to lead Colts Neck, No. 19 in the latest NJ.com Top 20 rankings, to a 4-0 victory over Howell...

Shore Conference Gridiron Highlights Week 3 Wrap-Up

Nov 04, 2017 | Fall

Saint John Vianney lands 32nd Straight Win Over Conference Opponents Saint John Vianney registered another lopsided victory over a local opponent with a 31-7 decision over Red Bank Regional in Week 3. However, the final score doesn’t depict how close this contest was...

CBA Boys Soccer Earn Top Seed in South, Non Public A Tournament

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

One look at the stats page for the Christian Brothers Academy boys soccer team and one would probably not guess the Colts have won 18 of 21 games this season. After all, the team has only scored 45 goals through 21 games. Such is the case for CBA under second-year...

Holmdel Boys Soccer Captures First SCT Title

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

The Holmdel High School Hornets captured their first Shore Conference Tournament title in boys soccer thanks in large part to Anthony Arena, who scored a tournament final record five goals en route to a 7-1 victory over fifth-seeded Ocean Township. The Hornets, who...

Howell Boys Soccer Falls to Washington Township in State Tourney Quarterfinals

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

The Howell boys soccer season came to end last Friday. Junior midfielder Arturo Serano and senior midfielder Josh Strickon scored one goal apiece to lift second-seeded Washington Township, No. 20 in the current NJ.com Top 20 rankings, to a 2-1 victory over 10th-seeded...

Colts Neck Beats Freehold For Program’s First-Ever Sectional Field Hockey Championship

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Top-seeded Colts Neck took a two-goal lead into halftime then dominated time of possession in the second half to defeat seventh-seeded Freehold, 2-0, in Thursday’s NJSIAA North 2, Group 3 final at Colts Neck’s home field. In defeating defending champion Freehold, the...

Rumson Field Hockey Captures Fourth Consecutive SCT Title

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Having already captured the North 2 Group 2 title, the Rumson-Fair Haven field hockey team made it a four-peat in the Shore Conference field hockey tournament as they shut out Southern Regional, 5-0, at Raritan High School on Nov. 4. “I am so proud of the efforts of...

A Lot to be Proud of for Shore Field Hockey

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

When you win 18 games in a season and all but three of them are shutouts, people are going to take notice, even if one of only three losses came in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinal. Such is the case for the Shore Regional field hockey team as the second...

Lakewood’s Star Defensive End Josh Lezin is Leader On and Off the Field

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall, Football

Senior defensive lineman Josh Lezin had a monster 2016 season on the field for the Lakewood Piners football program but it’s the way he acts off the field that impresses head coach L.J. Clark the most. “Josh is as good a person as he is a football player,” Clark said...

Mayfield’s Five Touchdowns Help Manalapan Clinch Class A North Title

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Senior running back Naim Mayfield rushed for 197 yards on just eight carries including four rushing touchdowns and added a 93-yard kickoff return for a score – all in the first half –

Shore Conference Football Week Seven Recap

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Naim Mayfield added to his storybook career with a career-high 313 yards and five touchdowns on just nine carries as Manalapan improved to 7-0 on the season. Senior quarterback Luke Corcione threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to tight end Alex Claro, and senior wide receiver Symir Blacknall added a 16-yard touchdown run.

Alexis Casella Leaves Mark on Jackson Memorial Soccer Program

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

When people talk about soccer, defenders are not usually the people that get the most recognition. That is far from the case when it comes to Jackson Memorial’s Alexis Casella.

Monmouth-Bound Jillian Conklin Leads Toms River East

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Shore Regional Keeps Hopes of Three-Peat Alive with 2-1 Quarterfinal Win Over Point Beach

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Five-time defending sectional champion Shore Regional advanced to the Central Jersey Group I semifinals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over fifth-seeded Point Pleasant Beach Thursday in West Long Branch.

Royson Leads Toms River North Past Jackson and Into Semifinals

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Emily Royson’s direct-kick goal in the 77th minute of a NJSIAA South, Group IV quarterfinal match vaulted fourth-seeded Toms River North over No. 5 seed Jackson Memorial, 2-1, Thursday in Toms River.

Wall Captures Girls Soccer Shore Conference Tournament Title

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

The second-seeded Crimson Knights upended top-seeded Freehold Township, 4-2, to capture the 2017 girls soccer Shore Conference Tournament championship and first since 2014.

Here are Your 2017 Fan Favorite Cheerleaders!

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Rumson-Fair Haven Girls Soccer in Search of Signature Win

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

The Rumson-Fair Haven girls soccer program is one in search of a signature win. With an overall record of 7-4-0 and sitting in third place in a Class A Central division featuring a pair of Shore Conference titans in Saint John Vianney and Shore Regional, the Bulldogs...

Shore Regional Girls Soccer to Challenge for Division Championship Nov 2, 2017 | Fall

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

Local soccer enthusiasts would be hard pressed to find two more evenly matched conference powers than Saint John Vianney and Shore Regional. In their current form, the Class A Central standings have these two clubs gridlocked atop the division at 8-0-1. Their only...

Long Branch Visits Red Bank Regional in 95th Thanksgiving Day Meeting

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

The 95th renewal between Long Branch and Red Bank Regional during the Thanksgiving holiday involves two schools going in opposite directions, but the tradition between both schools is alive and well.

Freehold’s Ashante Worthy Continues to Rewrite State and Shore Record Books

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

If there’s a better offensive player in high school football in the state of New Jersey other than Freehold’s record-breaking quarterback Ashante Worthy, please let me know about him because he must have supernatural powers.

Congratulations Saint John Vianney

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

Congratulations Saint John Vianney: I am proud to announce this year’s JSN Fan Favorite: The Saint John Vianney Cheerleaders!

Johnny Buchanan is a Throwback to the “Golden Years” of Football

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

Saint John Vianney senior linebacker Johnny Buchanan should be the spokesman for “Throwback Thursdays.”

Alive for Five: Rumson-Fair Haven One Win Away From Entering Record Books

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

Early in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinal at Borden Stadium in Rumson, the Bulldogs held a precarious 21-13 lead with fifth-seeded Wall at the Bulldogs 33-yard line needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie the game.

Shore Conference Football Week Eight Recap

Nov 07, 2017 | Fall

Senior running back Peter Lucas powered the Rumson offense on 299 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs (6-1) past Monmouth Regional (5-2). Junior fullback Alex Maldjian added two touchdown runs for Rumson-Fair Haven. The Falcons were led by senior Devon Johnson, who had two touchdown catches, added a 2-point conversion catch and kicked a 41-yard field goal.

Mayfield Aims to be Manalapan’s Best Ever

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

When Manalapan football takes the field this season, all eyes are on one player: senior running back Naim Mayfield. Mayfield has amassed an astounding 1,410 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on the season through just six games. He joined the varsity team as a sophomore...

Boys Soccer: Middletown South Getting Hot After Win Over Middletown North

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

The Class B North division is a treacherous one, stacked with talent from top to bottom…and Middletown South is planted in the middle of the standings. “We’re a pretty good team, so I think it says a lot about the type of talent we have in this division,” said...

Southern Regional Gymnastics Primed for Post Season

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

After its first loss of the season, the Southern Regional gymnastics team bounced back with a win at home during Senior Night versus Barnegat on Oct. 16. Southern Regional (9-1) upended Barnegat, 102.52-86.95 in Manahawkin, behind a wide array of solid performances,...

Shore Conference Football Week 6 Recap

Oct 24, 2017 | Fall

Manalapan 49, Howell 28 Senior running back Naim Mayfield had his best game to date, rushing for 275 yards and five touchdowns in the Braves’ convincing win over Howell. He now has 1,410 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns on the season. Senior fullback Chris Maksimik...

North-South Game a Middletown Thanksgiving Tradition Like No Other

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

One of the longest Thanksgiving football rivalries in the Shore Conference resides in Middletown.

Lakewood Looks to Make it Two Straight Over Toms River South in Thanksgiving Showdown

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

With last Saturday’s sectional semifinal game under its belt, the Lakewood football team looks toward the 97th edition of its annual Thanksgiving morning tilt with Toms River South at 11 am in Lakewood.

Shore Conference Football NJSIAA Quarterfinals Recap

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

Senior running back Naim Mayfield ran for 254 yards and five touchdowns and breaking the Shore Conference single-season touchdown record with 41 in the process, leading Manalapan past Perth Amboy. The record was previously held by Middletown South’s Knowshon Moreno, who ran for 40 touchdowns in 2004. Senior wide receiver Symir Blacknall added a 16-yard touchdown run. Manalapan will host fourth-seeded Freehold Township in the semifinals.

Shore Conference Football Week Nine Recap

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

Naim Mayfield ran for 197 yards and four touchdowns on eight carries and also returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to lead the Braves past the Patriots and clinch the Class A North title. Luke Corcione threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Alan Presler and Symir Blacknall added a 10-yard touchdown run.

Raritan, Holmdel Look to End Season on Strong Note

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

Both Raritan and Holmdel suffered losses in the NJSIAA quarterfinals and thus ended their state title hopes. For Holmdel, it was their first playoff appearance since 2007. The two teams look to put those games behind them when they take the field at Bob Roggy Memorial...

Manalapan Seeks Redemption in State Finals

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

With a 63-22 victory over fourth-seeded Freehold Township, the top-seeded Manalapan Braves will have a chance to do something they did not do a season ago: finish the season 12-0 and win a state championship.

Manasquan, Wall Thanksgiving Day Clash is a Shore Classic Rivalry

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

Neighboring schools Manasquan and Wall will once again go at it in one of the fiercest rivalries the Shore Conference has to offer in their annual holiday skirmish Thursday at Wall.

It Wouldn’t Be Thanksgiving Without the Asbury Park- Neptune Thanksgiving Day Classic

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

The Asbury Park-Neptune Thanksgiving Day game is one of the oldest rivalry games in the state and they’ll go at it again when Asbury Park hosts Neptune at 10 am Thursday in the 90th renewal of the Thanksgiving Day classic.

Tyler Sindel And Tony Thorpe Help Brick Memorial Get Past Central In Key A South Tilt

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

BRICK – Brick Memorial’s Dylan Vill returned a late first quarter Central Regional fumble deep in their own territory for a 12-yard touchdown and the Mustangs rushed for two second-half scores then held off held off the Golden Eagles for a 21-7 victory Friday night at...

A Rebuilding Year With an Eye to the Future for Marlboro Boys Soccer

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

It’s been a bit of a rebuilding year with an eye toward the future for the Marlboro boys soccer team. Under first-year head coach Will Gould, Marlboro enters the second week of October with a 0-11-2 overall record. Last Friday, Isaac Ball and Cameron Elslager each...

Asbury Park Picks Up 23rd Straight Class B Central Win

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

ASBURY PARK – Last season the Asbury Park boys soccer team won the program’s first sectional state title since 1981 when they defeated Palmyra, 1-0, for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I championship. They also went undefeated in Class B Central play to take the...

Barnegat Field Hockey Finding its Way

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

It’s been an up-and-down season thus far for the Barnegat field hockey team. In its last game, Donna Polhemus tallied two goals and Meghan Iurato and Jade Rivera each added a score apiece to lead Jackson Liberty to a 4-0 victory over Barnegat last Friday in Jackson....

Christian Brothers Academy Hasn’t Skipped A Beat After Graduating Ten Starters From Championship Team

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

LINCROFT – Last season Christian Brothers Academy boys soccer hit for the cycle. They captured the Class A North and Shore Conference Tournament titles before adding the South, Non-Public A championship and the Non-Public A title to its 2016 resume. The only blemish...

Holmdel Boys Soccer Off to a Flying Start

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

To say the Holmdel boys soccer team is off to a great start is an understatement. Anthony Arena tallied three goals, converting two penalty kicks, with an assist and senior Michael Neff added a second-half goal with an assist to lead Holmdel, No. 12 in the latest...

Howell Girls Soccer Looks to Build off Manalapan Win

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

After a tough five weeks to open the season, the Howell girls soccer team celebrated with a win to start the first week of October. Senior Megan Meyers and sophomore Julianna Caccamo each scored a goal apiece and junior Jessica O’Brien and senior Gianna Enea each...

Manasquan Boys Soccer a Tough Team to beat in Class B North

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

A stacked Class B North division has gotten the better of Manasquan in this 2017 campaign, but the Warriors have shown that there isn’t much separating them from the division leaders. “We’re close. I think we had one bad loss this year where we just didn’t come to...

McAllister a Defensive Force for Rumson-Fair Haven

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

For so long the discussion surrounding Elijah McAllister has been solely about the numbers. Scouts and recruiters have marveled at his 6’6, 230-pound frame. Questions were raised about his two knee injuries and surgeries that sidelined him for much of his sophomore...

Middletown South Banking On Experience To Move Forward In Post Season Play

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

MIDDLETOWN – Last season Middletown South limped into the state playoffs going 0-4-2 in their final six games of the regular season, including a first-round loss to Brick Township in the Shore Conference Tournament. However, they ended the season on a high note...

Middletown South Girls and Ocean Boys Capture Cross Country B North Divisional Championships

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

Winning divisional titles has become a habit for the Middletown South girls cross country team. The Eagles recently captured the B North Division championship besting seven teams in a meet held at Holmdel Park. South has now strung together four years of undefeated...

Paternoster Pacing Powerful Wall Township Girls Soccer

Oct 10, 2017 | Fall

As a junior she broke onto the Shore Conference soccer scene authoritatively. As a senior, Amy Paternoster is cementing her stature as one of the top producers of offense in the state of New Jersey. “She’s a special, special player and an incredible leader for us,”...

RBR Inducts Foundation Members into its Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

For years, the Red Bank Regional School district, through its educational, and then BUC Backers Foundation, has inducted alumni into its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. This year, however, a separate and distinct Hall of Fame was established exclusive to its athletes.

Rumson-Fair Haven Looks for First Thanksgiving Victory Over Shore

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

While there are admittedly not as many Thanksgiving Day football games as there used to be, it is always good to see new rivalries pop up in recent years.

Pinelands Looks to End Thanksgiving Holiday Losing streak at Barnegat

Nov 21, 2017 | Fall, Thanksgiving issue

Traditional Thanksgiving Day Dinner at Salt Creek Grille

Nov 07, 2017 | Editorials, Fall