James Brady (3) vof Christian Brothers Academy moves the ball past Harrison Hackett (4) of Pingry during the boys soccer game at the Pingry School in Basking Ridge NJ on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.Tom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
Saturday, Oct. 26 at Summerfield School, Neptune, 6 | BRACKET
No. 18 Colts Neck (16-0-1) vs. Christian Brothers (15-4)
Colts Neck
The Cougars won their Shore Conference Tournament group, going undefeated in Group play. But, they weren’t one of the group winners that got a first round bye, so that set them up with a first round game against Freehold Township, which they won 4-0. They then took on Manalapan, and after trying Manalapan 3-3 earlier in the year in a game which Colts Neck lead 3-0, the Cougars left no doubt this time as they downed Manalapan 3-0. In the quarterfinals, they battled with Manasquan yet again and came out ahead 3-2 and in the semifinals against Ocean Township, needed a 75th minute goal to break a 1-1 tie and win the game 2-1 to advance to the finals.
Christian Brothers
The Colts were one of the lucky group winners that got a first round bye and while they haven‘t been an offensive juggernaut like Colts Neck has this season, the Colts haven’t conceded yet in the tournament. They beat Wall 1-0 in the second round, Holmdel 1-0 in the quarters and shut out Lacey 2-0 in the semifinals.
Colts Neck
The Cougars have made the finals of the Shore Conference Tournament just once in program history, back in 2001 just three years into the program’s existence. There, they lost to Ocean Township, 3-0 and as such are seeking their first Shore Conference Tournament title.
Christian Brothers
No team has hoisted more Shore Conference Tournament crowns than the Colts, with 13 trophies that have gone back to Lincroft. They started with a bang, winning back-to-back titles in 1984 and 1985 and then again in 1988. They won twice in the 1990s, with titles in 1993 and 1998 and now have eight titles in the last 20 years. They took home titles in 2004, 2010-11, 2015-16 and most recently three in a row from 2021-23, so they’re eyeing their fourth title in a row and 14th overall.
Colts Neck
Christian Brothers
Colts Neck
One of just six remaining unbeaten teams in the entire state, Colts Neck has been tested of late, which may bode well for them. Known for their offensive prowess thanks to the exploits of the Moore brothers, the Cougars burst into the state rankings this week as they’re currently the No. 18 ranked team in the state in the latest NJ.com Top 20. While this whole season has been uncharted territory for the Cougars, they‘ve taken it in stride. And for as good as their offense (and defense, for that matter) as has been, perhaps the most encouraging thing is Colts Neck’s ability to be resilient in close games and get timely goals at seemingly the perfect moment, which should serve them well in the final.
Christian Brothers
This is largely a new-look CBA team from the previous three that have won Shore Conference titles, but the championship DNA is still there. Coach Tom Mulligan has had to deploy different styles, different personnel and different formations this year to win games, but he seems to have pushed all the right levers up to now, especially recently. After starting the season at 3-3, CBA has gone 12-1 since including six wins in a row with five shutouts and a scoring margin of 16-1 over these last six games. They haven’t given up a goal all tournament yet, as was the case last year, so if this stout defense can hold and neutralize the Moores, forcing someone else to make plays for Colts Neck, another title could very well be heading back to Lincroft.
Colts Neck 2, Christian Brothers 1 (OT)
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Jake Aferiat can be reached at jaferiat@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @Jake_Aferiat.
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