NJ high school field hockey rankings: 3 teams make major moves in Shore Conference
The first regular season Asbury Park Press Shore Conference Field Hockey Top 20 sees some changes from the pre-season rankings.
The rankings are through matches of Tuesday, September 12.
The biggest move was Southern moving up to No. 5 after its 5-1 win over then-No. 5 Wall in the opener for both teams.
Another big change sees Holmdel moving up four spots after wins over two teams that were ranked ahead of it.
Manalapan also moved up four spots after its win over St. John Vianney.
Middletown South is in the rankings after inadvertently being omitted from the pre-season rankings.
Here is this week's Shore Conference Field Hockey top 20:
NJ field hockey rankings: Shore Conference
Through games of Sept. 12, 2023
1. Point Pleasant Borough (2-0): Last week: No. 1.
The Panthers outscored their first two opponents 12-0. They opened with a 2-0 win over No. 8 Middletown South and then defeated Barnegat 10-0. They hosted No. 9 Lacey on Wednesday and will host No. 19 Toms River South on Tuesday.
2. Shore Regional (2-0): Last week: No. 2.
The Blue Devils outscored their first two opponents 11-0. They defeated Freehold Township 6-0 and St. Rose 5-0. Shore is at No. 17 St. John Vianney on Thursday and will host No. 5 Southern on Monday.
3. Toms River North (0-0): Last week: No. 3.
The Mariners opened their season Wednesday with a home match against No. 5. Southern. Toms River North is also at No. 19 Toms River South on Friday, will host No. 8. Middletown South on Monday and No. 13 Barnegat on Tuesday.
4. Rumson-Fair Haven (3-0): Last week: No. 4.
The Bulldogs outscored their first three opponents 22-2. They defeated both Manasquan and Trinity Hall 5-1 and Matawan 12-0. Rumson-Fair Haven will host No. 12. Holmdel on Thursday, is at No. 20 Red Bank Catholic on Monday
5. Southern Regional (1-0): Last week: No. 8.
The Rams defeated then No. 5 Wall 5-1. They played at No. 3 Toms River North on Wednesday. Southern will also be at No. 9 Lacey on Friday and No. 2 Shore on Monday.
More: Shore Conference Field Hockey Preseason Top 20: See who is No. 1 and who is ranked where
6. Colts Neck (2-0): Last week: No. 7.
The Cougars defeated Jackson Memorial 5-1 and No. 10 Ocean 3-2. Colts Neck will host No. 14 Manalapan on Thursday and play at No. 16 St. Rose on Monday and host No. 18 Freehold Township on Sept. 20.
7. Wall (1-1): Last week: No. 5.
The Crimson Knights were defeated 5-1 by No. 5 Southern and then rebounded to defeat Freehold Township 2-0. Wall will host No. 10 Ocean on Thursday, is at Howell on Monday and will host No. 16 St. Rose on Sept. 20.
8. Middletown South (2-1): Last week: Not ranked.
The Eagles, who were inadvertently omitted from the pre-season rankings, were defeated 2-0 by No. 1 Point Pleasant Boro. They defeated then No. 13 Howell 8-0 and Monmouth 7-0. Middletown South will host Matawan on Thursday, play at No. 3 Toms River North on Monday and host No. 20 Red Bank Catholic on Sept. 20.
9. Lacey (0-0): Last week: No. 6.
The Lions opened their season Wednesday at No. 1 Point Pleasant Boro. They will host No. 5 Southern on Friday and play at No. 11 Central on Tuesday,
10. Ocean Township (2-1): Last week: No. 9.
The Spartans defeated No. 19 Toms River South 1-0 and No. 20 Red Bank Catholic 2-0 and were defeated 3-2 by No. 6 Colts Neck. They are at No. 5 Wall on Thursday and at No. 18. Freehold Township on Monday.
11. Central (1-0): Last week: No. 10.
The Golden Eagles opened their season with a 6-0 win over Brick Memorial. They are at No. 13 Barnegat on Thursday and will host No. 9 Lacey on Tuesday.
12. Holmdel (2-0): Last week: No. 16
The Hornets defeated No. 17 St. Rose 3-2 and No. 16 St. John Vianney 4-1. Holmdel is at No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven on Thursday.
13. Barnegat (1-1): Last week: No. 11.
The Bengals opened with a 3-2 win over No. 15 Toms River East and then were defeated 10-0 by No. 1 Point Pleasant Boro. Barnegat was at No. 19 Toms River South on Wednesday, will host No. 11 Central on Thursday and is at No. 3 Toms River North on Tuesday.
14. Manalapan (1-0): Last week: No. 18.
Manalapan opened its season with a 2-1 win over No. 17 St. John Vianney. Manalapan hosted Neptune on Wednesday and will be at No. 6 Colts Neck on Thursday.
15. Toms River East (2-1): Last week: Not ranked.
The Raiders defeated Long Branch 5-1, were defeated 3-2 by No. 13 Barnegat and defeated then No. 15 Pinelands 6-0. Toms River East will host Jackson Liberty on Friday and is at Manchester on Thursday.
16. St. Rose (0-2): Last week: No. 14.
The Purple Roses were defeated 3-2 by No. 12 Holmdel and 5-0 by No. 2 Shore. St. Rose is at Howell on Thursday, will host No. 20 Red Bank Catholic on Saturday and No. 6 Colts Neck on Monday.
17. St. John Vianney (0-2): Last week: No. 12.
The Lancers were defeated 2-1 by No. 14 Manalapan and 4-1 by No. 12 Holmdel. They host No. 2 Shore on Thursday.
18. Freehold Township (1-2): Last week: No. 17.
The Patriots sandwiched a 3-1 win over Middletown North around 6-0 and 2-0 defeats to No. 2 Shore and No. 7 Wall. Freehold Township will host No. 10 Ocean on Monday and is at No. 6 Colts Neck on Sept. 20
19. Toms River South (1-1): Last week: No. 19.
Toms River South was defeated 1-0 by No. 10 Ocean before it defeated Trinity Hall 5-2. Toms River South was at No. 13 Barnegat on Wednesday, will host No. 3 Toms River North on Friday, is at Pinelands on Monday and at No. 1 Point Pleasant Boro on Tuesday.
20. Red Bank Catholic (0-1): Last week: No. 20.
The Caseys were defeated 2-0 by No. 10 Ocean. They will host Monmouth on Thursday, are at No. 16 St. Rose on Saturday, host No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven on Monday and is at No. 8 Middletown South on Sept. 20.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore field hockey rankings: Southern, Holmdel, Manalapan surge
