Howell wins first Shore Conference soccer crown
Rebels use Bethel goal to win 1-0 against Manalapan
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
Howell High School slayed the demons of 2006 when the Rebels nipped Manalapan, 1-0, to win the Shore Conference Tournament for boys soccer.

It was the first SCT championship in the program's history and helped the Rebels (18- 2-1) put the lingering memories of '06 behind them Saturday night at Neptune's Memorial Field.

"By far this is our biggest win so far," said Rebel head coach Rich Yuro.

Last fall, Howell won the Shore Conference A North Division title and went through the regular season unbeaten, including a pair of wins over Manalapan. But in the postseason, Manalapan turned the tables and took the Rebels out of both the SCT and Central Jersey Group IV playoffs, leaving an emptiness to what had been an outstanding season.

Those wounds were still fresh Saturday night. Yuro said it was important that it was Manalapan standing in the Rebels' way in the final.

"It was important for the kids' psyche," said Yuro. "We had to play and beat them to prove we're where we should be."

Kyle Bethel's goal 11:00 into the match stood up for the rest of the game as goalie Brian McDonough and an underappreciated defense kept the defending champions and their explosive offense off the scoreboard.

"After we scored, they started putting some pressure on us," noted Yuro. "We moved Eric O'Neill back to a central defender position. It was like having two sweepers with him and Matt Salvatore.

"We had four guys covering George [Quintano]," he added.

Quintano had sparked the defending champion's run to a second straight final by scoring six goals in the three matches leading up to Saturday's title game. As he proved in 2006 when Manalapan won the SCT and Central Jersey titles and advanced to the State Group IV final, Quintano can break a game open at any time and is at his best in the big games.

He had his chances Saturday night, but McDonough and the Rebel defense answered the call.

George DiCharo again did a fine job shadowing the senior, and his teammates were aware of where he was at all times.

This was not the first time that Yuro had moved O'Neill back from midfield. When his club faced Monmouth Regional in the tournament's quarterfinals, they went up against a team that played similarly to Manalapan. The Falcons had their own goalscoring machine in Eric Mackin and, like the Braves, they like to send the ball long to him. To counter that, Yuro moved O'Neill back, and it worked in the 1-0 victory. It was something that he stored away for possible use against Manalapan.

The Braves had been averaging four goals a game in the SCT, led by Quintano. But in a tribute to Howell's defense, they couldn't dent the Rebel goal Saturday night.

"You never hear much about our defense," said Yuro. "They're a good bunch of players back there.

"They have to handle the ball a lot to get our offense started, and they make very few mistakes," he added.

Salvatore, DiCharo, Mike Savino and Billy Kappock have jelled as a unit despite having not played together before this year. It was a concern for the Rebels early in the season, but they quickly removed any doubts that they could hold up their end.

The game's only goal came from a through ball off the foot of O'Neill. Bethel ran to it, beating Manalapan goalie Jake Grinkevich, who was brilliant as always, and he tapped it into the open net.

Manalapan (15-3-2) displayed its explosiveness in its semifinal date with Ocean County's best team, Jackson Memorial, 5-0, as Quintano scored a three-goal hat trick in the 5-0 blowout.

"It's one of the best feelings in the world," Quintano said after the win. "Playing on the wide field is to our advantage. We can use the ball and use my speed to get to it."

Caner Semen and Brandon Russo were Manalapan's other goal-scorers.

Howell beat surprise semi-finalist Marlboro, 5-2. Chris Katona scored the first two goals of the match for Howell, with Kappock, Bethel and O'Neill following.

Sam Nunes' goal with just 31 seconds left in the first half leveled the match at 1-1.

Howell broke it open in the second half, scoring three quick goals to take a 4-1 lead. Katona broke the 1-1 tie 10:10 into the second half, and Kappock followed just 1:25 later. Bethel made it 4-1.

Jack Parkin closed it to 4-2 for Marlboro, and O'Neill closed the door with his goal.

Marlboro (12-10) was making its first SCT semifinal appearance.

There was no doubt as to the quality of play in the A North Division: it put three teams in the semifinals and four in the quarterfinal round.

The state tournament is under way with four teams from the Freehold area having qualified. Howell is the No. 4 seed in CJ IV, and defending champion Manalapan is No. 6.

Freehold Township (15) and Marlboro (17) were the others.

The Patriots were beaten by Brick Memorial on Friday, 3-2, on penalty kicks and finished the season at 9-9-2. The teams were tied 2-2 through regulation and overtime. Brick Memorial won the shootout, 5-3, to advance.

Marlboro, who went 10-3 in the last 13 games, advanced Saturday with a 3-1 win over Middletown North. Parkin scored twice and Matt LeFemina had the other goal for the red-hot Mustangs (13-10).

The Mustangs' reward was a match-up with the top seed, North Brunswick, yesterday.

Howell and Manalapan each had firstround byes. They swung into action yesterday with home matches against Trenton Central and Brick Township, respectively. The quarterfinals are Friday.