By Jim Hintelmann
LITTLE SILVER – Red Bank Regional’s boys soccer team has experienced an up and down season despite an 11-6-1 record, but the Bucs appear to be playing their best ball as the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II Tournament gets underway.
“We’ve had peaks and valleys,” said coach Sean Reid following Tuesday’s 2-0 shutout of Point Pleasant Boro in the opening round game, “but when we’re stringing the ball together, play our style of ball and concentrate on what we do well, we’re not a bad team.”
In Tuesday’s game, Red Bank senior Michael Reilly scored both of the goals as the Bucs advanced to the second round where they will travel to Holmdel, which downed Ewing, 2-1, in overtime Tuesday. Game time is Friday at 2 p.m.
Reilly scored his first goal just four minutes into the game and added the insurance goal midway in the second half.
“On my first goal, the ball was just coming in and there was a man to my right,” Reilly explained. “I turned and the goalie was cheating a little so and I just played it to the far post.”
“That goal was huge,” said Reid. “If we can get that first goal we’re in good shape. We talked about this before the game. Let’s not be the ones that have to chase victory. Lets grab it.”
Red Bank pretty much controlled the action the rest of the half but missed several good scoring chances and had to settle for the 1-0 lead at half time.
Point Boro played better in the second half, but some good saves by Buc goalie Jack Peoble, who tipped a 30-yard Point Boro shot over the top of the cross bar to prevent the tying goal early in the second half.
“They came out a little strong,” said Peoble. “I think that we got a little too comfortable, but we finally woke up and realized that they are not going to give up and that they are a good team. I’m looking forward to playing Holmdel.”
Reilly scored the insurance goal at 69:40 with a shot from 12 yards away after getting a feed from Charley Garzon, who also assisted on the first goal.
“Reilly is a very consistent young man and has a good work ethic,” said Reid. “He started out fast this season and then slumped a little, but he came back.”
“We can beat anybody if we play well,” said Peoble, who registered four saves. “I’ve been working hard with my coach,” he said. “He’s helping me with controlling the ball and making me comfortable coming out of my line.”
The Red Bank-Holmdel game will be the third meeting between the two teams. Holmdel won the first two games.
“I don’t want a perfect performance yet,” said Reid. “I want us to continue building on good things. We had a great second half against RBC and we are building on that.”
Rumson Fair Haven (5) battered Weequahic (12), 8-0, to advance to the second round led by a Pete Martin hat trick. Paul Tegen added two goals for the Bulldogs.
RFH will face Shore Regional (4) in the quarterfinals after the Blue Devils dropped Hillside (13), 5-0, in a game that also featured a hat trick by Jonathan Junqueira.
Girls
Rumson-Fair Haven (5) defeated Middlesex (12), 5-0, to advance and was lead by a pair of goals from Emily Volker. RFH faces Summit (4) in the next round.
Shore (3) topped Spotswood (14), 6-0, in a game where six different players netted a goal. Shore faces Bordentown (6) in the second round on Thursday.
CJ Group IV
Boys
Middletown South (11) was shutout, 3-0, by South Brunswick (6).
Colts Neck (2) was upended, 2-0, by 15th-seeded Rancocas Valley.
Girls
Middletown South (2) fell, 1-0, to 15th-seeded Marlboro in Monday’s first round matchup. Marlboro’s Ally Weinberg had 13 saves. South (11-4) had beaten Marlboro (9-8-1) twice during the regular season.
Non-Public A South
Boys
Top-seeded Christian Brothers Academy (bye) will face off against Gloucester Catholic (8) in the second round on Friday.
Red Bank Catholic (12) lost, 4-0, to St. Augustine (5).
Saint John Vianney (7) topped Holy Spirit (10), 4-1, on four goals from Bryan Walsh and takes on second-seed Holy Cross in the next round.
Girls
Red Bank Catholic (2) received a first-round bye and will face Holy Spirit (7) in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Saint John Vianney (8) lost, 2-1, to Monsignor Donovan (9).
Boys
Mater Dei Prep (10) lost, 3-1, to Moorestown Friends (7) in its tournament opener.
Girls
Mater Dei Prep (11) advanced past sixth-seeded St. Joseph (Hammonton) with a 3-1 victory and faces 3rd-seeded Moorestown Friends in the next round. Claire Begley, Lindsay Florio, and Shannon Glenn each picked up a goal in the game and keeper Katie Viscardi made 10 saves.
