The Central Regional girls soccer team notched its biggest win of the season after the No. 13 seed Golden Eagles defeated No. 4 seed Toms River North, 2-1, in a Shore Conference Tournament first round game on Friday afternoon.
Central played on back-to-back days after defeating No. 20 seed Monsignor Donovan on Thursday afternoon for the right to take on the defending SCT girls soccer champion Mariners, who had a bye into the first round.
“It just shows what character the players have being able to win back-to-back games in this tournament,” Central coach Kristee Paknis said.
Erin Trapp scored the first goal of the game for the Golden Eagles after getting a through ball from Sarah Burg in the 30th minute, giving Central a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half. Amanda Carolan added another goal just two minutes into the second half giving the Golden Eagles a 2-0 lead.
“It feels amazing to get this win, our girls have been working so hard all season,” Paknis said. “We don’t play many teams with the quality of Toms River North in the regular season, and the girls took advantage of the game today.”
Central’s defense and goalie Lindsey Mahnken also came up big for the Golden Eagles. Mahnken came up with several big saves preserving the lead for Central.
“She had an amazing game for us today,” Paknis said. “She stopped several shots by them late in the game, she played the way we are used to seeing her play.”
Central will now play at fifth-seeded Holmdel in a quarterfinal game on Monday.
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP 3, BRICK MEMORIAL 2: Madison Dunn scored the game winner in double overtime, giving the No. 3 seed Patriots a win over the No. 19 seed Mustangs. Dunn headed in a free kick from Mimi Nowak for the clinching score. Nicole Whitley finished with two goals and Nowak finished with two assists and goalie Hayley Pascoal made eight saves. Brick Memorial’s Sami Lederle and Madison Farley each scored a goal and goalie Ciara Korber made 14 saves.
TOMS RIVER SOUTH 3, ST. JOHN VIANNEY 0: Taylor Troutman had a goal and an one assist leading the No. 2 seed Indians over the No. 15 seed Lancers. Madison Kenny also had a goal and one assist for the Indians as she scored in the 35th minute.
HOLMDEL 1, COLTS NECK 0: Catherine Cirigliano scored the only goal of the game giving the fifth-seeded Hornets the win over the 12th-seeded Cougars. Cirigliano scored in the 28th minute of an assist from Gabriella Bair.
FREEHOLD 3, RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN 0: Senior midfielder Meghan Holtz’s three assists led the top-seeded Colonials (15-2) past the No. 2 seed Bulldogs (10-6-1). Sophomore forward Jenna Huskey, junior forward SarahGrace Johnson and sophmore midfielder Ashley Latona netted goals.
ST. ROSE 4, JACKSON MEMORIAL 0: Lauren Gates notched a hat trick with goals in the 39th, 56th and 71st minutes as the No. 7 seed Purple Roses (12-2-2) defeated the No. 10 seed Jaguars (12-6). Kathleen Dailey added the other goal in the 25th minute and Jordan Nash made seven saves.
Field hockey
SHORE 3, SOUTHERN 0: Carol Middough’s one goal and one assist helped the No. 1 seed Blue Devils (16-0-1) past the No. 9 seed Rams (10-3-2) in the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals.
TOMS RIVER SOUTH 6, TOMS RIVER EAST 0: Victoria Alvarez had one goal and three assists as the Indians (12-3-1, 11-2-1) defeated the Raiders (3-11-1, 2-11-1) in a Class A South game to win the division for the first time since 2007.
Girls volleyball
TOMS RIVER EAST 2, MANCHESTER 0: Liz Kolesar’s nine kills and Georgette Galeana’s 12 assists led the host Raiders (7-11) past the Hawks (3-15) in non-divisional action. Rebecca Shawger led the Hawks with five digs.
