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 head coach Tom Mulligan. The Colts are led in goals this season by juniors Dominic Bellomo and Charlie Daly with just seven apiece.
Still, the Colts are 18-2-1 overall and finished the regular season 12-1 in the Shore Conference A North division. They were rewarded with the top seed in the Shore Conference Tournament and the top seed and a first-round bye in the South, Non-Public A Tournament. The Colts are seeking their third consecutive trip to the Non-Public A final.
The Colts were upset in the quarterfinal round of the Shore Conference Tournament on Oct. 21, suffering a 1-1 tie against eight-seeded Toms River South and falling short in penalty kicks after two overtime periods.
“It was tough for us, but these are high school kids,” Mulligan said. “These kids just want to have an opportunity to play another game. As long as they are able to do that, they will be fine.”
The Colts shut out Saint John Vianney, 3-0, in the second round of the Non-Public A Tournament.
Senior John Askin leads the team with five assists and senior goalkeeper Shane Keenan has an astounding 82 saves. Both have been vital to the team’s success this season.
This is Keenan’s first year playing soccer for CBA, as he was committed to playing soccer for Cedar Stars Academy during his first three years of high school. He earned a scholarship to play at the University of Connecticut before ever taking the field for CBA, and will head to Storrs, CT next fall. Mulligan noted that Keenan’s presence goes well beyond his eye-opening stats.
“He really has stepped us for us many times throughout the year,” Mulligan said. “You can look at his stats and his number of saves. But what you won’t see there is the quality of the saves. He has come up with a lot of big stops for us in many key situations.”
The Colts hope to continue their winning ways as they host St. Joseph on Nov. 7 in the semifinals.
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