Boys soccer state tournament preview & picks, 2024: Central Jersey quarterfinals

The NJSIAA boys soccer state tournament is down to the sectional quarterfinals, and NJ Advance Media is breaking down every bracket in preparation.
The first round saw big wins and surprising upsets, so what will the next round bring?
Below, find our preview on all four Central Jersey brackets.
9-Brearley (8-5-1) at 1-Shore (14-8), 1
This game is a rematch of last year’s Group 1 final, in which Shore won its first state title with a 1-0, overtime victory over Brearley. These two teams were in separate sections last year, but this time around are meeting in the sectional quarterfinals. Ninth-seeded Brearley knocked off eighth-seeded Piscataway Magnet 3-0 behind two goals and one assist from David Lopes. It was the fourth-straight win for the Bears, which have outscored opponents 11-4 with two shutouts over that span. Top-seeded Shore defeated 16th-seeded South Amboy in the first round with two goals from Silvio Pessoa and two assists from Stephen Molnar. That win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Blue Devils to the likes of Long Branch, Toms River South and Rumson-Fair Haven.
The Pick: Shore
5-College Achieve Central (14-5) at 4-Roselle Park (12-8), 2
These two non-conference opponents will meet for the second time this season after College Achieve Central defeated Roselle Park 1-0 on Oct. 15. Fifth-seeded College Achieve Central, which is riding an 11-game win streak, defeated 12th-seeded Delaware Valley 5-3 in the first round behind three goals from Angel Cruz. The Phoenix made a run last year as the eighth-seed and advanced to the sectional final where it fell to Shore 1-0 in overtime. Fourth-seeded Roselle Park, which fell to Shore in the semifinals last year, defeated 13th-seeded Thrive Charter 2-1 in the first round. It was the third win in four games for the Panthers.
The Pick: College Achieve Central
6-Manville (13-8-1) at 3-Middlesex (11-8-1), 10
These two teams last met in the sectional semifinals in 2021, when Middlesex advanced with a 2-1 victory. Sixth-seeded Manville advanced with a 4-2 win over 11th-seeded Point Pleasant Beach, the same team that knocked the Mustangs out in the first round last year. Manville has gone 4-0-1 in its last five games, outscoring opponents 22-4 with two shutouts. Third-seeded Middlesex advanced with a 3-0 win over 14th-seeded Metuchen thanks to a hat trick from Diego Ortiz. It was the seventh win in eight games and seventh shutout of the season for the Blue Jays.
The Pick: Manville
7-Bound Brook (13-8) at 2-Florence (12-7-1), 2
These two teams meet for the first time since 2019 when Bound Brook won in a shootout in the sectional semifinals. Seventh-seeded Bound Brook advanced with a 3-0 win over 10th-seeded Highland Park with two goals and one assist from Camilo Murillo. It was the third win in four games for Bound Brook, which outscored opponents 17-0 in those three wins. Second-seeded Florence advanced with a 4-1 win over 15th-seeded South Hunterdon to snap a 0-3-1 streak with losses to Seneca, Shawnee and Palmyra.
The Pick: Florence
8-Holmdel (11-6-1) at 1-Cinnaminson (15-4-1), 10:30
Eighth-seeded Holmdel, which won this section last year with a 1-0 win over Manasquan and fell to Delran in the Group 2 semifinals, advanced with a 4-0 win over ninth-seeded Spotswood. It was the third-straight win for the Hornets, which have outscored opponents 9-1 with two shutouts over that span. Top-seeded Cinnaminson, which was in South, Group 2 last year, advanced with a 3-2 victory over 16th-seeded Allentown to win for the third time in four games. Cinnaminson has only four losses this season to Moorestown (twice), Delran and Bordentown.
The Pick: Cinnaminson
5-Ocean Township (14-4-1) at 4-Delran (10-7-2), 11
Ocean Township advanced to the quarterfinals for the eighth time since 2015 with a 4-0 win over 12th-seeded Point Pleasant Boro. It was the second-straight win and fourth in five games for Ocean Township, which won sectional titles in 2015 and 2018 and last advanced to the final in 2019. The Spartans have only lost four games this season – to Howell, St. John Vianney, Newark East Side and Colts Neck and have posted 11 shutouts. Fifth-seeded Delran, which moved from South, Group 2 prior to this season, advanced with a 3-2 win over 13th-seeded Johnson for its third-straight win. The Bears, which won Group 2 titles in 2021 and 2022, fell in the state final last year 2-0 to Ramsey.
The Pick: Ocean Township
6-Manasquan (12-6-1) at 3-Bordentown (13-5-1), 2
Sixth-seeded Manasquan, which advanced to the final last year and fell to Holmdel 1-0, defeated 11th-seeded South River 3-0 behind two goals from Cristian Gonzalez and two assists from Cruz Farkas. It was the second-straight win for Manasquan after losing two-straight to Colts Neck and Southern. Third-seeded Bordentown defeated 14th-seeded Roselle 3-2 behind two goals from Tyler Kunkel and two assists from Joey Klama to win for the seventh time in eight games.
The Pick: Bordentown
7-Rumson-Fair Haven (12-7-1) at 2-Robbinsville (17-1-2), 4
Seventh-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven defeated 10th-seeded Wall 4-0 to win its third-straight game and post its seventh shutout of the season. Second-seeded Robbinsville, ranked No. 12 in the NJ.com Top 20, defeated 15th-seeded Raritan 4-0 behind two goals and one assist from Nicholas Grippa. The Ravens, which moved from Central, Group 3, won the Group 3 title in 2022 and advanced to the state final last year where it fell to Garfield. Robbinsville has only lost one game this season, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Notre Dame in the Colonial Valley Conference Tournament semifinals.
The Pick: Robbinsville
9-Long Branch (9-10) at 1-Colts Neck (18-0-2), 10
Ninth-seeded Long Branch defeated eighth-seeded Hopewell Valley 2-0 behind goals from Evan Santiago and Brendan Mendoza. It was the seventh-straight win for Long Branch and fifth-straight shutout after the Green Wave started the season 2-10. Top-seeded Colts Neck, ranked No. 15, defeated 16th-seeded Freehold Borough 9-0 in the first round to remain undefeated. It was the 10th shutout of the season for the Cougars, which are coming off winning their first Shore Conference Tournament title in program history.
The Pick: Colts Neck
5-Westampton Tech (13-7) at 4-Middletown South (9-7-3), 10
Fifth-seeded Westampton Tech advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in recent memory with a 2-1 victory over 12th-seeded Neptune thanks to Efe Tiryaki’s double-overtime goal. It was the third win in four games for Westampton Tech, which has posted eight shutouts this season. Fourth-seeded Middletown South advanced with 4-3 shootout win over 13th-seeded Jackson Memorial after battling to a 1-1 tie. That win snapped a two-game skid against the likes of Lacey and Toms River North.
The Pick: Middletown South
6-Red Bank Regional (13-7-1) at 3-Steinert (14-4-3), 12
Sixth-seeded Red Bank Regional advanced with a 3-1 victory over 11th-seeded Brick Memorial thanks to a hat trick from Alex Salvo. It was the second win in three games for Red Bank Regional, which was coming off a 2-2 tie against Freehold Borough in the final game of the regular season. Third-seeded Steinert advanced with a 5-2 win over 14th-seeded Lakewood with two goals from Brayden Quinn and one goal and three assists from Chris Dimarco. Steinert, which fell to Robbinsville in the sectional final last year, snapped a two-game losing streak to then-No. 19 Princeton and Monroe.
The Pick: Steinert
7-Burlington Township (9-9-1) at 2-Northern Burlington (11-6-1), 10
These two Burlington County Scholastic League Liberty Division foes will meet for the third time this season after Northern Burlington won both previous matchups. The Greyhounds won 2-1 back on Aug. 30 and 3-0 on Oct. 11. Seventh-seeded Burlington Township advanced with a 1-0 win over 10th-seeded Lawrence to win for the third time in four games. Second-seeded Northern Burlington defeated 15th-seeded Nottingham 1-0 thanks to Lukas Kekesi’s sixth goal of the season. It was the sixth win in seven games for Northern Burlington, which was coming off a 3-1 loss to Haddonfield.
The Pick: Northern Burlington
8-Montgomery (14-7) at 1-Hunterdon Central (14-2-1), 11
Eighth-seeded Montgomery advanced with a 9-0 win over ninth-seeded North Brunswick to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2017. It was the fifth win in six games for the Cougars and fourth shutout of the season. Top-seeded Hunterdon Central, which moved over from North 2, Group 4, advanced with a 2-1 victory over 16th-seeded West Windsor-Plainsboro North thanks to two goals from Rene Rincon. The Red Devils, ranked No. 8, have only lost two games all season – to Monroe 2-1 and then-No. 11 Pingry 3-0.
The Pick: Hunterdon Central
13-East Brunswick (4-10-5) at 5-Monroe (14-5-1), 5
These two Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division foes face off for the third time this season. Monroe defeated the Bears 3-0 back on Sept. 17 and then 4-2 on Oct. 22. East Brunswick, the No. 13-seed, upset fourth-seeded Marlboro 4-3 in a shootout after battling to a 1-1 tie. The win snapped a 0-3-1 streak for the Bears with losses against Monroe, Elizabeth and Ocean Township. Fifth-seeded Monroe, which fell to Princeton in the semifinals last year, advanced with a 3-0 victory over 12th-seeded Freehold Township behind a hat trick from Aidan Ayar. It was the third-straight win for the Falcons and ninth win in 10 games.
The Pick: Monroe
11-New Brunswick (6-7-4) at 3-Princeton (15-2-4), 12
New Brunswick, the No. 11-seed, advanced with a 1-0, overtime win over GMC Red Division opponent South Brunswick. It was the second-straight win for the Zebras after losing two-straight and the seventh shutout of the season. Third-seeded Princeton, the reigning Group 4 champion, advanced after with a 3-2 shootout victory over CVC opponent and 14th-seeded Hightstown after battling to a 0-0 tie. The Tigers, ranked No. 13, have gone 8-0-1 in their last night games with six shutouts.
The Pick: Princeton
10-Old Bridge (7-7-4) at 2-Manalapan (16-3-1), 10
These two teams meet for the first time since 2022 when Old Bridge won 3-2 in the first round of the sectional tournament. Old Bridge, the No. 10-seed, advanced with a 1-0 upset over seventh-seeded Franklin. The win snapped a three-game losing streak against the likes of South Brunswick, Colonia and then-No. 7 Westfield. Second-seeded Manalapan advanced with a 6-1 victory over 15th-seeded Trenton, which was the second win in three games for the Braves. Manalapan has only lost three games this season – to Toms River East, Colts Neck and Toms River North and has posted six shutouts.
The Pick: Manalapan
Lauren Knego may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her at @laurenknego.
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