A North Division lead is on the line today
Defending champion Braves host first-place Howell
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

The long-anticipated showdown between Manalapan and Howell on the soccer pitch will finally take place this afternoon in Manalapan.

The rain deluge the weekend of Sept. 15-16 forced the postponement of the first game at Howell between two of the Shore area's finest boys soccer teams, who are vying for the A North Division title (that game has been rescheduled for Oct. 13 in Howell).

In the wake of that postponement, both teams have had to settle for watching each other from afar.

John Natoli's Braves, the defending division champions, are considered the No. 1 team in the Shore, but they stubbed their toe for the first time on Friday, falling at Marlboro, 3-1. With the loss, the Braves fell to 8-1 overall and in the division.

Rich Yuro's Rebels had their misstep earlier, tying Middletown South, 2-2. Howell finds itself in first, heading into the showdown with an 8-0-1 log.

Both coaches acknowledge that today's game will be a measuring stick for them. They will find out if they are as good as their records indicate.

Natoli points to his team's experience for Manalapan's current position.

"The core of our players have at least three years of experience," he said. "We have a lot of experience and it shows."

The heart of the team is its midfield play, which happens to be where the Braves have a lot of that experience. Dan DeLorenzo, Erik Illsjie, Adam Rice and George Quintano have all had a minimum of three years on the varsity.

"Our midfielders are our strength," said Natoli. "They dominate midfield and have given us more opportunities to score."

If there has been one change in Manalapan this fall it has been the scoring - it is up. The Braves made a habit of winning one-game overtime games last year. This fall, they have yet to go to overtime.

It has been forwards like Conor Semen and Eric Morgenstern, who are seasoned veterans themselves, who have been converting the scoring chances created by the team's midfield play. Newcomers Jay Berger and Jeff Weitz have been lending a hand.

Brandon Cohen and Dan Musto are anchoring a defense that has recorded seven shutouts.

Protecting the goal has been sophomore Jake Grinkevich. He played well beyond his years and experience last year, and is performing at that same high level this fall.

"Jake reminds me of a senior," said Natoli. "He takes charge out there."

What has kept the Braves undefeated is their intensity. They come prepared to play hard every game.

"We pride ourselves in being physical and playing hard," said Natoli. "Teams know that we will play hard for 80 minutes."

Howell knows that as well as anyone having played the Braves three times last year. The Rebels were the only team in A North to beat the Braves last year, but what they remember most is the loss at Manalapan that eliminated them from the state playoffs.

Revenge, however, is not what the Rebels are seeking. Like Manalapan, they want to find out how good they are and win the division championship, and that road goes through Manalapan.

Seniors Paul Calafiore and Mike Krol are the team leaders not just by their play, but with their leadership.

"Paul leads by his attitude, while Michael Krol does it on the field," said Yuro. "They took charge when they were young.

"Mike is a solid sweeper," said Yuro. "Teams are not getting a lot of shots on goal. Pauly is our stopper. He can mark forwards and bring the ball upfield."

Junior Kyle Bethel, who emerged last fall as a legitimate scorer, has been getting the ultimate compliment from defenses. They have been geared to stop him. While his goal-scoring is down, Howell's isn't and that's because he's getting everyone else involved and not forcing things.

"Kyle Bethel is a very unselfish player," said Yuro. "He creates at lot of space for everyone else because he draws two and three defenders. He's an excellent passer, he'll find the open man."

Justin Schmid, Joe Parella and Eric O'Neill are all pitching in as both scorers, and passers Luke Glashan and Cody Calafiore have been contributing as well.

With Paul Calafiore and Krol in the back, the Howell defense is in very good shape. Yuro has been rotating his goalies between Brian McDonough and Chad Mascitelli. At this point, Yuro has no problem with going with a two-goalie rotation.

"Both are doing well," he said. "Both have earned it."

Howell has something else going for it - something you can't describe but know what it is when you see - the intangibles.

"We have good chemistry," said Yuro. "There are no divisions on the team. They see the big picture."

Today's meeting could be the first of four possible meetings between the District rivals.

Besides the makeup game on Oct. 13, there are possible matchups at the Shore Conference Tournament and the state sectionals next month.

The state deadline (Oct. 20) is fast approaching. Neither Manalapan nor Howell has anything to worry about. Other area teams still have work to do to be .500 or better.

Marlboro took a big step toward the postseason on Friday, improving to 6-5 with its win over rival Manalapan. Freehold Borough (4-5) and Freehold Township (4-5-1) have some work to do.