Trinity Hall beat Toms River South 1-0 in overtime to win the school’s first Shore Conference championship. Michael Griggs
By Rich Chrampanis
NEPTUNE – Kailyn Fitzgerald’s 41st career goal will be remembered at Trinity Hall for a long time.
The senior forward chased down a pass from Sienna Parker in overtime, got just enough of her right foot on the ball and watched it trickle into the net. The golden goal gave Trinity Hall a 1-0 victory over Toms River South and the first Shore Conference Tournament girls soccer championship in school history.
“I just feel so overwhelmed and proud,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m happy I was able to step up for my team because every single person on this team deserves it so much.”
The Monarchs’ celebration came after a championship battle that featured a spectacular penalty-kick save, a disallowed goal and a determined effort from a Toms River South team playing a player down for most of the afternoon.
In the 10th minute, Fitzgerald was fouled inside the penalty area, earning Trinity Hall a penalty kick. Toms River South’s Fiona McGrath received a red card on the play, leaving the Indians with 10 players for the rest of the match.
But goalkeeper Reese Lindemann kept the Monarchs from taking advantage of the opportunity: she made a tremendous diving stop on Kaylee Davis’ penalty kick to keep the game scoreless.
Nine minutes later, Davis flicked a header to Fitzgerald, who put the ball in the net. Trinity Hall appeared to have the lead, but Toms River South appealed to the officials and the goal was ruled offside.
The Indians, seeking their first Shore Conference title in 24 years, held on through the remainder of regulation despite the player disadvantage. Eighty minutes were not enough to separate the teams, sending the championship into overtime.
In the 84th minute, Parker sent the ball up the left wing for Fitzgerald, who raced toward goal as Lindemann came out to challenge her. Fitzgerald got a piece of the ball and sent it slowly past the keeper. The TRS keeper came within inches of getting her glove on the ball as it slowly rotated and eventually reached the net, sending the Monarchs into jubilation and earning the school’s first Shore Conference championship.
The West Point commit was quick to recognize the support Trinity Hall received on its way to the title from students and families.
“Our school is awesome,” she said. “They’re here supporting us every step of the way… It’s just awesome to do it for them.”
Trinity Hall improved to 14-3-1 and will carry its first Shore Conference championship into the state playoffs.
Trinity Hall’s Road to the Shore Conference Championship
The fourth-seeded Monarchs received a first-round bye and did not allow a goal in four tournament matches.
Round Result
First Round Bye
2nd Round Trinity Hall 1, Manasquan 0
Quarterfinal Trinity Hall 4, Wall 0
Semifinal Trinity Hall 0, Central Regional 0 (4-3 in PKs)
Championship Trinity Hall 1, Toms River South 0 (OT)
CBA’s Shore Conference
Tournament Run Ends in Final Against Manasquan
Christian Brothers Academy took the long road to the Shore Conference Tournament boys soccer final, winning four games to earn a shot at the championship. But the ninth-seeded Colts fell one goal short as Manasquan claimed its first Shore title with a 1-0 win in Neptune.
Junior Noah Matuch scored in the 30th minute, which proved to be the lone goal of the match. Manasquan upset the Colts 2-0 in the group stage, forcing CBA to enter the tournament as a No. 9 seed.
CBA opened its tournament run with a 4-1 win over Red Bank Regional, then shut out Middletown South 3-0 in the round of 16. Shane Landau scored the lone goal in a 1-0 quarterfinal upset of top-seeded Manalapan.
In the semifinals, the Colts rallied from a 1-0 deficit against Colts Neck. Roger Macky tied the match before Liam Wheeler scored the second-half winner in a 2-1 victory, sending CBA to the championship game for the 17th time in program history.
The Warriors prevailed again in the title game, ending the Colts’ bid for a 14th Shore Conference championship. CBA stands at 15-5-1 following the loss.
This article originally appeared in the October 29-November 4, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
