By Jim Hintelmann
LITTLE SILVER – Despite defeating regular season B North Division Champion Wall twice, Red Bank Regional’s boys soccer team (12-4-1) still finished behind the Crimson Knights in the division race. But the sixth-seeded Bucs still have the NJSIAA Tournament remaining, and Red Bank scored a pair of second-half goals to beat Northern Burlington, 2-1, in the opening round and earn a shot at third-seeded Hightstown. Princeton is the top-seeded team in this group.
Also advancing was 11th seeded Rumson-Fair Haven Regional which upset sixth-seeded Carteret, 3-0 Monday.
Red Bank coach Sean Reid didn’t think his team played that well Monday and they made a few mistakes, but the important thing was winning, as far as Reid was concerned.
“I don’t think we played our best game today,” Reid admitted. “But all that counts are the Ws and advancing in the tournament and we did that. This was a very strong division and you have to play everybody.”
Red Bank dominated the game, but couldn’t score until three minutes into the second half when Justin Gilson scored his 23rd goal of the season with a shot from in close following a scramble from in close.
–Photos by Sean Simmons
Red Bank got the insurance goal 12 minutes into the second half when Justin Delaney rebounded a missed Buc shot and slapped it from right in front of the net.
Rumson, just 5-14-2 after winning the Central Jersey Group II title a year ago, not only advanced to the next round, but the Bulldogs also earned a home game Thursday when the third-seeded team Matawan was upset by 14th-seeded Bordentown, 2-1.
“Our defense played very well,” said Rumson coach Will Gould. “We switched three of our defenders to zone the back, where it is hard to defend. Our goalie, Marker Krikorian, has been playing phenomenally this year.”
Jamie Martin, Paul Criscitiello and Matt Maisto scored the goals for the Bulldogs, who will play host to Bordentown Thursday.
