Preseason Top 30 Shore girls soccer team rankings, including a team in national rankings
Introducing the 2023 Shore Girls Soccer Preseason Top 30 rankings. We start with a look at No. 1 Freehold Township. The full Top 30 is below the story.
Dave Patterson still remembers when he began coaching the Freehold Township girls soccer team. He was with the girls on the sideline and they were talking about boys and braiding each other’s hair. He was out of his element, he thought.
“I wasn’t sure what I was in for, but as soon as they stepped over the line, and I saw them go out and compete…it wasn’t much of an adjustment,” Patterson said. “They are all high-level players and they want to win.”
Do they ever.
The defending state Group 4 champions are intent on dominating again this fall. They bring back nine of last year’s impact players and, overall, there’s just a whole lot of talent on the squad.
“I always go into the season expecting to compete in the championship. A lot of things have to go right between now and then,” Patterson said. “We have to be healthy, we have to make sure everyone is buying in, and we have to get a little bit of luck along the way and we have to be playing good soccer at that point.”
Patterson, a former Freehold Township player himself, believes the girls keep the program elevated by passing the torch, with upperclassmen leading by example.
“They come out here with their talent, and our job as coaches is to continue to put them in position to be successful. They put the work in. They are out there training on their own and doing work on the track. They want to be successful,” he said.
Success at the end of last season came via a goal by Ainsley Moy, who’s making an argument to be considered as one of the best players the program has ever had, according to Patterson. The Texas Christian University commit had the lone goal in the Group 4 title game against Ridgewood - the Patriots’ third state title in program history.
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“Last year we were just so upset from the year before, and that motivated us,” Ainsley said about the 1-0 loss to Westfield in 2021 for the title. “So this year we know we are able to get to that goal. We did it before and not much has changed about us. We already know what we can accomplish and what we are capable of.”
Hailey Santiago, a Florida Atlantic commit, said she plays off her teammates’ will to win.
“We’re all very competitive, and we all want to win,” Hailey said, crediting unselfish play and group efforts for the program’s perennial successes. She scored 23 goals and tallied nine assists last season. “We like to pass a lot and move around. We want to control the game that way.”
Cassidy Corcione, named an All-American by United Soccer Coaches, missed the entirety of her junior year due to a torn ACL, but the Michigan State commit is ready to suit up as a senior.
“Being out with an injury has taught me not to take one moment for granted and gave me a greater appreciation for the game,” Cassidy said. “Watching the team was hard but experiencing them win a championship was awesome.”
She had a decorated sophomore campaign with 23 goals and 15 assists. While she will see time in her natural position as a defender, she will lead the team as a forward and at mid.
“I feel as if I have unfinished business in proving to myself that all of my hard work has paid off from my recovery. Getting back on the field was my ultimate goal,” she said. “Winning another championship with my team would be icing on the cake.”
Keeper Ashley Moore is coming into her third season as a starter in goal. The junior allowed just five goals scored against, recording 17 shutouts for the season.
Other notables returning at forward are senior Shea Jackson and juniors Gaby Parker and Courtney Speck. Midfielders returning include senior Grace Sciarra and juniors Danielle Howard and Sophie Tonino. Defensively, Freehold Township returns seniors Grace Miraglia and Taryn Conover and junior players Chloe Walters and Sophia Santorelli.
“We just have a great group of girls, and it is so easy to play together. All of us working together helps us stand out more. We have the common goal in mind and it’s to win,” Moy said.
2023 Shore Girls Soccer Preseason Top 30
1. Freehold Township
No. 9 nationally in preseason rankings per United Soccer Coaches.
2. Howell
This Shore Conference Tournament finalist deserves to remain in the Top Two until disproven otherwise. Ashley Smith is the top returning goal scorer after tallying 10 times as a sophomore.
3. Manalapan
Senior Vanessa Sarf, who had a 23-goal season in 2022, along with fellow top returnees senior sweeper Julia DiStefano, senior midfielder Sydney Spilsbury, senior back Kasey Resker and sophomore Daniella Butash are rejoined by senior GK Emma Guidotti, who missed last year with a torn ACL.
4. Middletown South
Forward Bea Tinoco in her debut year was the only freshman honored with All-Shore recognition (second team).
5. St. John Vianney
SJV moves to A North and thus the division sweeps the Top 5 in the first rankings. The Lancers had a deceptively good season despite going 9-7-1 and boast plenty of returning experience.
6. Red Bank Catholic
Controversial exit for Frank Lawrence but longtime assistant and new coach George Black says the Caseys “have a great mix of varsity veterans and young players that makes for good competition at every position.”
7. Point Pleasant Borough
The Panthers started last season 9-0, then lost to Shore which was having a down year, then went to the SCT semis, then lost a state tournament warmup game to Brick Township (3-10-2 at the time). This ranking is either perfect or way off.
8. Central Regional
One of the Shore’s more consistent teams after an 0-1-1 start.
9. Toms River South
Over final 13 games, only lost to Freehold Township and Howell (plus an exit in the state tournament on penalties).
10. Brick Memorial
The Mustangs went on a nice state tournament run, scoring a payback victory over Jackson Memorial in the Central Group 3 quarterfinals before exiting in the finals.
11. Holmdel
Can’t forget this program went 34-1-1 over 2020 and 2021.
12. Jackson Memorial
Strong finish to last season including capture of the Shore Conference Coaches Tournament (SCT consolation).
13. Wall
Annie Menafra, an assistant coach to Mike Juska for five years, takes the reins and has a defense built around senior center back Aileen Carr, a three-year starter.
14. Manasquan
Rylie Rampone, Bianca Chiarella and Kali Saito all earned postseason All-Division honors.
15. Marlboro
The Mustangs held their own in the rugged Class A North.
16. Toms River North
Alexis Garcia (18 goals) and Kylee Nagle (10 goals) are formidable returnees
17. Matawan
Best win last year: Colts Neck.
18. Rumson-Fair Haven
Now under the guidance of first-year coach Jeff Herkimer. Returning starters Kate Hennen (a Northwestern commit), Ella Mason, Ellie Mee, Katriana Walls, Paige West, Chloe Dengler, Addison Duffy, and Stella Saad are joined by Trinity Hall transfer Aubrey Scoble.
19. Red Bank Regional
Best win last year: St. John Vianney.
20. Toms River East
Five losses to teams in these rankings came via one-goal games, including against No. 3 Manalapan; lost on penalties in the Shore Conference Coaches Tournament; advanced in the state tournament.
21. Middletown North
A finalist in the Shore Conference Coaches Tournament (SCT consolation), losing to Jackson Memorial.
22. Lacey
Can’t afford repeating 2022’s 0-2 start.
23. Donovan Catholic
Four returning starters including senior defender Grace Oliver, who received conference, county and division postseason recognition.
24. Shore Regional
Improved after a 1-9 start last year. Boasts veteran senior leadership from fullback Amelia Agresti and University of Delaware commit Ava Agresti, a midfielder who can play any position.
25. Jackson Liberty
Three high-scoring underclassmen are back.
26. Trinity Hall
Five of the Monarchs’ seven losses were one-goal games.
27. St. Rose
Advanced in both the SCT and NJSIAA tournaments.
28. Colts Neck
Took down Manasquan, Holmdel and Jackson Liberty.
29. Raritan
0-5-2 in final seven games.
30. Point Pleasant Beach
State Group 1 finalist in 2022 – what a year the Garnet Gulls had.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore girls soccer preseason Top 30 team rankings led by Freehold Township
