Colonials advance in CJ behind Mayrose's goal
Freehold Borough advances to section semifinals
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Fortress Freehold held firm once again and the Freehold Borough girls soccer team is one match away from playing for the Central Jersey Group III championship on Friday.

The top-seeded Colonials got a scare from No. 8 seed Princeton on Thursday, needing a late goal from Alyssa Mayrose to escape with a 1-0 win.

The Freehold defense, anchored by goalie Ashley Lewis and the relentless play of Alexandra Eagle, Amy Flanagan and Nikkie Paulucci, held the visiting Tigers in check while Freehold failed to cash in on one chance after another on long throw-ins by Mayrose and corner kicks from Flanagan.

"We played to their level in the first half," said coach Heshy Moses. "We didn't play the ball to the field enough. We were playing it in the air. We played better in the second half.

"I thought we controlled play, but they [Princeton] started to believe they could win," he added. "That's what happens when you don't put a team away."

The Colonials could well have been suffering championship hangover. The CJ III quarterfinal was their first game since winning the SCT final, one of the biggest wins in school history. Moses thought it only natural that the team would have a letdown after beating Red Bank Catholic, 2-0, on Oct. 28 in the SCT title game.

After squandering all those first-half opportunities and keeping the Tigers in the match, the Colonials finally struck when Flanagan served up a perfect direct kick from the right side. Caity Kane won control of the ball, and her crossing pass in front of the goal was put in by Mayrose, who was following up the play in the box. She knocked it in with 12:30 left in the match.

Flanagan's direct kicks and corner kicks have been a big part of the Colonials' arsenal this fall.

"She puts the ball exactly where it should be put between the 12- and 6-yards," said Moses. "Goalies don't know whether to come out or stay."

Fortress Freehold was rock solid, as it has been all year. It was only in the last five minutes when the Tigers moved everyone upfield to try and generate some offense, that they were able to attack the Colonials' goal. But, as has been the case in 17 of the 19 games played by Freehold, they couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. When she wasn't making a save, Lewis was leaving the goal to break up through-balls and crossing passes.

"When we don't give up a goal, we win," said Moses.

Freehold Borough, now 18-1 for the season, hosted Monday's semifinal against Hightstown, the fifth seed that knocked off No. 4 Moorestown. If the Colonials won, as the No. 1 seed they will host the sectional final tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.

Freehold is turning the retiring Moses' final season into the special campaign his players wanted for him. With two championships already won, they have something going for them. They have been able to keep teams off the scoreboard and at the same time, finding a way to score that one goal that is the difference. It won't be a surprise if Freehold Borough is playing at home tomorrow afternoon for the Central Jersey title.

Colts Neck, Freehold Township and Manalapan all qualified in Central Jersey Group IV.

Colts Neck made its Group IV debut an impressive one, toppling Jackson, the fifth seed, 2-1. Kassie Jordan's restart kicks were the difference, setting up both goals for the 12th-seed Cougars. Her first indirect kick was put into the net by Gabby Haden with just over seven minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game. In the second overtime, her kick from near midfield was headed in by Kim Campfield, advancing the Cougars to the round of 16 and a third meeting with A North champion Middletown North, the fourth seed.

The third time was not the charm for the Cougars, as the Lions scored a 2-0 win in Middletown. Colts Neck finished the season 10-6-3.

Manalapan, which finished its regular season on a roll, won its first-round match at South Brunswick. The Braves rode Lindsay Berman's goal, assisted by Amy Carhart, at 35:11 to the 1-0 win. This was a wide open game with Manalapan out-shooting the Vikings 20-16. Cassie Dipaolo stopped 13 shots to get the shutout for Manalapan.

The Braves then traveled to Steinert in Hamilton Township and fell 6-0 in the round of 16 to finish the season at 10-8.

Freehold Township saw its fine run end in the round of 16 at East Brunswick, falling 4-0 to the host Bears. The Patriots were 8-6-3 this year.