Braves’ defense secures win over Jags BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer      Manalapan continually left the door open for a Jackson comeback Saturday night. More ... BCC men beginning to progress BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer      Although the trip delayed Wayne Palmer’s first win of his coaching career, Brookdale Community College’s new men’s soccer coach is glad the team went to Maryland to open the season. More ... Sports Shorts      Boston College’s Tom Martin was considered a preseason all-star candidate, and the senior defensive tackle is doing his best to earn it on the field. Martin was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career last week for his play in Boston College’s 27-14 win over Penn S... More ... Saffer, Hand finish first at Battle of Monmouth meet Colts Neck hosting Cougar Invitational on Saturday BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer      Laura Saffer and Kellee Hand are beginning to feel at home on the Battlefield State Park cross country course. More ... Mustangs are contenders for tennis championships BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer      Dave Kretzmer sees similarities between the 2003 Marlboro High School girls tennis team and last spring’s boys squad. More ... Boys soccer season has potential for suc­cess Manalapan is 3-0 after upset of CBA BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer      If the 2003 boys soccer team is anything like previous years in the Freehold District, it will involve postseason play. More ... Kelly wins celebratory race down Main Street Race highlights Freehold Raceway’s 150th year celebration      Harold Kelly got a view of Main Street Freehold Borough from behind a harness sulky on Saturday. More ... Sports Shorts      Colts Neck’s Ryan Aldridge is playing soccer for the Gettysburg College men’s team. Aldridge is a junior and plays defense. The Bullets play in the Centennial Conference, where they last won the championship in 2001, Aldridge’s freshman season. More ...