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Four undefeated teams remain in latest Morris/Sussex boys soccer rankings

jane havsy, morristown daily record
·3 min read

There are four undefeated boys soccer teams left in Morris and Sussex counties.

Delbarton isn't on that short list. The Green Wave lost to national powerhouse St. Benedict's Prep. Lenape Valley, Kinnelon and Hackettstown all have perfect records, while Mount Olive has a scoreless draw with West Morris.

None of those four teams play each other, but all have plenty of competition this week. Check out the current Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings.

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10. High Point (6-1)

Last week: Unranked

With four goals and an assist in a 5-4 defeat of Vernon on Tuesday, Wildcats senior Luke Anderson has scored 14 of his team's 22 goals. Can High Point avenge its lone loss to Hackettstown on its second trip through the NJAC-Freedom?

Up next: Thursday vs. Hackettstown, Saturday at North Warren, Tuesday at Newton

9. Hanover Park (6-1)

Last week: No. 5

The Hornets' streak of four shutouts to open the season was snapped in a 2-1 NJAC-Liberty loss to Parsippany Hills on Sept. 18. Hanover Park has allowed just three goals, with Billy Carlucci and Mateo Echavarria combining on five clean sheets.

Up next: Thursday vs. Dover, Saturday at Boonton, Tuesday vs. Mountain Lakes

Giacomo Zizza, #14 of Morris Knolls heads back to midfield following his goal against Mount Olive in the second half during the NJAC-National boys soccer match at Mount Olive High in Flanders on 10/25/22.
Giacomo Zizza, #14 of Morris Knolls heads back to midfield following his goal against Mount Olive in the second half during the NJAC-National boys soccer match at Mount Olive High in Flanders on 10/25/22.

8. Morris Knolls (6-2)

Last week: Unranked

Seniors Giacomo and Giovanni Zizza have combined for 25 goals and 20 assists, the vast majority of Morris Knolls' total. While the Golden Eagles have scored a NJAC-National best 34 goals, they've allowed 12.

Up next: Friday at Pope John, Monday at West Morris

7. Lenape Valley (7-0)

Last week: No. 10

Aidan Waters and Lucas Granada have combined for 23 goals, four-fifths of Lenape Valley's total. The Patriots opened with three consecutive shutouts, and added another, 4-0, against Morris Tech on Tuesday.

Up next: Thursday vs. Sussex Tech, Saturday at Kittatinny, Tuesday at Wallkill Valley

6. Kinnelon (6-0)

Last week: No. 7

The Colts, who have scored 20 goals and allowed just three, are atop the NJAC-Independence. Junior Jaival Kang has 10 goals. Junior Jason Osterman and the back line have posted three shutouts, one versus Morristown Beard, Kinnelon's opponent on Thursday.

Up next: Thursday at Morristown Beard, Saturday vs. Bergen Charter, Tuesday at Parsippany

5. Hackettstown (7-0)

Last week: No. 8

With three NJAC-Freedom matches, including a trip to second-place High Point, this is a particularly challenging week for Hackettstown. Goalkeepers Bryan Smith and Shay Patel have four shutouts and five goals allowed.

Up next: Thursday at High Point, Saturday vs. Newton, Tuesday vs. Vernon

Mt. Olive, NJ September 27, 2023 — Mt. Olive celebrates their second goal of the game, giving them a 2-0 lead over Morris Knolls early in the second half. The goal was scored by Devin Conway. Mt. Olive held on to top Morris Knolls 3-2 in NJAC-National boys soccer played at the Marauder Dome in Mt. Olive on September 27, 2023.
Mt. Olive, NJ September 27, 2023 — Mt. Olive celebrates their second goal of the game, giving them a 2-0 lead over Morris Knolls early in the second half. The goal was scored by Devin Conway. Mt. Olive held on to top Morris Knolls 3-2 in NJAC-National boys soccer played at the Marauder Dome in Mt. Olive on September 27, 2023.

4. Mount Olive (6-0-1)

Last week: No. 4

Senior Devin Conway has five goals and six assists, about a quarter of Mount Olive's total. The Marauders have shutouts in five of seven matches, including a scoreless draw with West Morris on Sept. 13.

Up next: Friday at Sparta, Monday vs. Pope John, Wednesday at Morristown

3. Morris Hills (5-1-1)

Last week: No. 3

Morris Hills has scored only 12 goals thus far, but junior Dharm Desai and the defense are keeping the team competitive after its move to the NJAC-American. The Scarlet Knights rebounded from Saturday's 1-0 loss to Mendham by tying Delbarton, 1-1, on Tuesday.

Up next: Friday vs. Chatham, Monday vs. Delbarton, Wednesday vs. Roxbury

Randolph's Bryan Garcia, right, plays with pressure from Mendham's Griffin Coutts during the North 2, Group 3 boys soccer semifinal in Randolph on Nov. 2, 2022.
Randolph's Bryan Garcia, right, plays with pressure from Mendham's Griffin Coutts during the North 2, Group 3 boys soccer semifinal in Randolph on Nov. 2, 2022.

2. Mendham (5-1)

Last week: No. 2

The Minutemen's lone loss came against Delbarton, 2-1 on Sept. 21, but they rebounded with a 1-0 victory against Morris Hills. Mendham starts its second trip through the NJAC-American with Roxbury on Saturday.

Up next: Saturday vs. Roxbury, Monday at Randolph, Wednesday at Montville

1. Delbarton (5-1-2)

Last week: No. 1

On a quest to prove the 2022 season was a meaningless blip, Delbarton is powering through the NJAC-American. But while senior Shea Coughlin has helped the Green Wave score a division-best 15 goals, they've allowed 10 goals, placing them in the middle.

Up next: Monday at Morris Hills, Wednesday vs. Randolph

Also considered: Parsippany (4-2-1), Sparta (4-3)

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ boys soccer: Four undefeated teams still in Morris/Sussex rankings