Way-too-early thoughts about 10 Shore teams for next year's 2024 NJSIAA soccer tournament

This year's edition of the Point Pleasant Beach girls soccer team was better in virtually every way.

The Garnet Gulls entered the state playoffs with a 15-3 record compared to 13-6 in the previous season. They returned their top three goal scorers from 2022, each with an added year of growth and experience, and added another top goal scorer with a freshman. And after a 5-1 loss in last year's state title game, the Gulls allowed less goals while scoring more in this year's Group 1 final. But it still wasn't enough.

For the second straight year, Point Pleasant Beach fell to Mountain Lakes in the title game. After falling behind 2-0, the Gulls clawed their way back to cut the deficit to 3-2 heading into the final minutes. But a final goal by the Lakers in the 79th minute sealed Beach's 4-2 demise.

"They were scrapping for it," said Point Pleasant Beach head coach Adam Grant. "Those games like that, one goal difference, high school soccer turns into a scrap fest. And it's who can get it, who can get that lucky bounce and react the quickest. Just didn't happen."

More: Point Pleasant Beach falls again to Mountain Lakes in Group 1

Although this year's squad came up short in agonizing fashion, they are once again shaping up to be even better next year. The defeat, while painful, is one example of the marked improvement by the Gulls as they battled with the reigning state champs down to the final minute.

Two other examples are the team's goal scorers from Sunday's game. Baileigh Johnson will be a junior next year and is one of the top players in the class of 2026. She has led the team in scoring in each of the past two seasons, accumulating 39 career goals. Katie Kirchner, a freshman, has been a revelation alongside her older sister Gabby. The sisters combined for 30 goals last season and both will be back next year.

And current juniors Gabby Kirchner and Izzy Kurzon will step into leadership roles next season as seniors. For the past two seasons, both have been among the top four goal scorers on the team.

"This junior class, they've come in as freshmen and they just wanted to make it their own and really step up," said Grant. "They're just getting better and better each year. And we're adding new pieces to the puzzle every year with Katie and Baileigh and Ellie (Loffreno). And get a couple more next year and put some more pieces together and finish the job before they graduate."

There's no doubt that the Garnet Gulls continue to be on an upward trajectory, the only question is whether that flight path will end with a state championship.

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More takeaways for next season from Shore teams in NJSIAA playoffs:

Howell boys capable of winning state title next season

The manner in which Howell's season ended was not indicative of the team's quality. Even so, there's little shame in a 5-1 defeat to eventual Group 4 state champ Princeton. The Rebels were already riddled with injuries when they beat Old Bridge 3-0, and were not at full strength for the section final against the Tigers.

Howell also returns several of its most important contributors. Captain Nick Turturro displayed maturity beyond his years as a team leader, and has elite athleticism that rivals any of the top players in the Shore Conference. Tyler Borenstein had a hat trick in the victory over Old Bridge even as he was playing through injury setbacks. Tye Maser, also a captain, has been the creator for this group while also setting the tone at both ends. All three players will be seniors next season.

Howell had a lot of senior depth on this year's squad and that underlying experience was key. But if the team can find young guys to step into those roles, they'll be a serious contender for conference, section and state titles.

In a deep Shore Conference, Midd South girls the early favorite for '24

Middletown South was the stunning omission from the state finals in Somerset. And while Freehold Township is primed to reload next season after back-to-back state titles, it's hard to deny that Middletown South would be the early favorite after winning the Shore Conference this season (beating Freehold Township and Central Regional in the process) and returning most of its key contributors.

The Eagles return five of their top six goal scorers from that team, including their two leaders in goals in Amanda MacGregor and Bea Tinoco. They also return late-blooming star Natalie Percello. The three glaring losses are all-division selections: midfielder Camryn Szotak, defender Jen Schuster and goalkeeper Allie Greco.

Midd South was narrowly eliminated in the Central Group 3 section title after Brick Memorial scored a goal in the second overtime to win 2-1. The Mustangs were led by an experienced group of seniors, and will lose three of their top four scorers next season. There is no shortage of top level competition as Howell, Wall and Freehold Township all return most of their starters, but Midd South's youthful resume stands out.

CBA needs more offense to maintain elite standard of success

In the lead up to Friday's state final against Seton Hall Prep, Christian Brothers Academy had managed to come away with victories despite not scoring a goal for more than 160 minutes across three games. The Colts managed to win on penalty kicks against St. Augustine and in overtime against Pingry, but ultimately only posted two scores over their four NJSIAA playoff games.

The lack of offensive productivity was the team's undoing, as the Colts found themselves unable to keep pace with Seton Hall Prep in the final, losing 3-0. And with the looming loss of five of the team's top six goal scorers, there are certainly some question marks offensively moving forward. The team's defense will also take a hit with the loss of stalwart goalkeeper Miles Gallagher.

Brayden Perry, the lone returner of that aforementioned group, will be entrusted with spearheading next years attack. Of course, there's no shortage of depth and talent waiting in the wings at CBA. But time will tell how this Colts team goes about improving their offensive production while replacing key contributors.

Wall, Rumson-Fair Haven, Point Pleasant Borough, Holmdel, Manasquan - Group 2 girls sectionals already shaping up to be a gauntlet

While some teams face uncertainty as they aim to replace key seniors, the squads from the Central Group 2 section mostly return with key contributors in what is already shaping up to be the most competitive section for Shore teams.

Of course there's two-time reigning section champ Wall, which narrowly came up short in the state title game for the second year in a row on Sunday. The Crimson Knights return two all-division selection in Madison Miller and leading scorer Erin Farrell. In fact, Wall returns five of their top six goal scorers from this year's team.

Although Wall won back-to-back section titles, they narrowly escaped Rumson-Fair Haven on penalty kicks. The Bulldogs return all-division midfielder Aubrey Scoble and leading scorer Stella Saad, but will have to replace key all-division selections Paige West and goalkeeper Katie Walls.

And then there's Point Pleasant Borough, which was eliminated by Wall 1-0 in just the second round of the NJSIAA playoffs. The Panthers return a remarkable four all-division selections, and all of them will be seniors next season. Three of those four are key defenders — goalkeeper Ava Bjorndahl along with backers Gabby Mellett and Molly Heras. The team loses top scorer and all-division selection Kyleigh Cilento, but returns five of their top seven goal scorers.

Holmdel and Manasquan were also semifinalists in the Central Group 2 bracket but will have to overcome some key departures with graduating seniors. Still, this section is absolutely loaded heading into 2024.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore soccer: 2024 NJSIAA Tournament lookahead