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Morris/Sussex boys soccer rankings as 2023 NJ state tournament begins

jane havsy, morristown daily record
·4 min read

The boys soccer Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex and Morris County Tournaments are over.

That means two things.

First, some teams are celebrating. This year, it's Hunterdon Central and Delbarton. The Red Raiders had little trouble with archrival North Hunterdon, winning Saturday afternoon's final, 8-1 behind a hat trick from senior forward Thomas Shreiber. Meanwhile, sophomore Owen Miller had his first high school hat trick as the Green Wave ended Hanover Park's Cinderella run in the MCT, 3-0, on Saturday night.

Now it's time to start the NJSIAA Tournament. The boys soccer brackets were released on Monday. Public schools start games on Wednesday. Non-public teams must wait until Friday.

Will Morris and Sussex schools have more success this fall? We'll find out soon enough. But first, let's check out the last boys soccer Top 10 rankings before the playoffs begin.

More: 2023 NJSIAA boys soccer tournament bracket, schedule

10. Hackettstown (11-3-2)

Last week: No. 8

Junior midfielder Yasseen Zoklat has 16 goals and five assists for the Tigers, who captured the NJAC-Freedom (9-0-1).The third seed in North 2, Group 2, Hackettstown will host No. 14 Leonia on Wednesday.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Leonia in North 2, Group 2

9. Parsippany Hills (12-4)

Last week: Unranked

Parsippany Hills sails into the postseason off four straight victories, including a second NJAC-Liberty win against Hanover Park to move into the top spot based on winning percentage. Senior goalie Simeon Washington has helped the Vikings post shutouts in three of their last four matches

Up next: Wednesday at Morris Knolls in North 1, Group 3

8. Morris Hills (10-7-2)

Last week: No. 9

Seniors Jayden Roldan (6g) and Tyrese Brown (6g, 1a) and freshman Leonardo Belloni (5g, 2a) are lighting up the scoreboard. The Scarlet Knights have posted shutouts in two of their last three matches heading into an 8-9 playoff game against Northern Highlands on Wednesday.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Northern Highlands in North 1, Group 3

Mt. Olive, NJ September 27, 2023 — Brandon Chan and Arato Nakano of Morris Knolls and Devin Conway of Mt. Olive in the first half as 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 — Brandon Chan and Arato Nakano of Morris Knolls and Devin Conway of Mt. Olive in the first half as 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.

7. Mount Olive (13-2-2)

Last week: No. 7

The Marauders captured the NJAC-National despite a 3-1 loss to Morris Knolls to wrap up the regular season. The third seed in North 1, Group 3, they'll host No. 14 Montville on Wednesday.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Montville in North 1, Group 3

6. Morris Knolls (12-7)

Last week: No. 6

The Golden Eagles head into the postseason off three losses in the last four matches, two of them 1-0 shutouts. Can the dynamic Zizza brothers get back on track? Giacomo Zizza has 30 goals and 12 assists, while Giovanni Zizza adds 10 goals and 20 assists. The seventh seed in North 1, Group 3, Morris Knolls hosts No. 10 Parsippany Hills in the opening round.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Parsippany Hills in North 1, Group 3

5. Hanover Park (13-3)

Last week: No. 5

Hanover Park made a surprise run to the MCT final, but the dream ended there in the loss to top seed Delbarton. Just before that, the Hornets fell, 1-0, to Parsippany Hills to slip out of first place in the NJAC-Liberty. They are the No. 2 seed in North 2, Group 2, and open hosting Technology of Newark on Wednesday.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Technology in North 2, Group 2

4. Mendham (8-7)

Last week: No. 3

The Minutemen head into the NJSIAA Tournament off three straight losses. No surprise, they're the 12th seed and will visit No. 5 Rahway in the opener. Senior Max Bziukiewicz has a team-high seven goals and two assists.

Up next: Wednesday at Rahway in North 2, Group 3

3. Chatham (7-6-2)

Last week: No. 4

The Cougars head into the postseason riding a rollercoaster, with four wins, three losses, and a scoreless draw in their last eight matches. The 13th seed in North 2, Group 3, Chatham opens at No. 4 Belleville.

Up next: Wednesday at Belleville in North 2, Group 3; Thursday at 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. Randolph (8-5)

Last week: No. 2

Junior Bryan Garcia has four goals and two assists for Randolph, which has scored just 18 goals – least in the challenging NJAC-American. Awarded the ninth seed in North 2, Group 3, the Rams start the postseason at No. 8 Cranford and would face the 1 vs. 16 winner in the second round.

Up next: Wednesday at Cranford in North 2, Group 3

1. Delbarton (16-1-2)

Last week: No. 1

The Green Wave extended its winning streak to 11, including their eighth MCT title in 10 seasons. They also received the top seed in Non-Public A North and a bye to the second round, and await the winner of No. 9 Pope John and No. 8 Oratory. Senior midfielder Shea Coughlin has 12 goals and 11 assists.

More: Delbarton soccer ends Hanover Park's Cinderella run through Morris County Tournament

Also considered: Dover (10-7), High Point (11-4-1), Kinnelon (11-5), Lenape Valley (12-4), Morristown (9-6-2).

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ boys soccer: Morris/Sussex rankings as NJSIAA tournament begins