Which boys’ soccer teams are going to punch their tickets to the sectional final round? We’ve got highlights from around the state of numerous sectional semifinal matchups. Stay tuned as everything rolls in throughout the night!
Wall 0 Manasquan 0 (Crimson Knights win 6-5 in PK’s) | Boys | Central Group 2 Semifinal
Sophomore goalkeeper Kellen Clauburg made six saves in the second half and overtime and clinched the win with a save in the seventh round of penalty kicks to give the #11 seed a spot in the Central Jersey Group 2 final. Clauburg shares net with Harrison Novick who played in the first half. Wall hit a crossbar in the 42nd minute but Manasquan had a number of high quality scoring opportunities the rest of the way. Following 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, Quinn Petrulla stopped the opening shot to give Manasquan the upper hand. But Wall would convert six straight kicks setting the stage for Clauburg’s heroics. Wall (11-10) has scored upsets over #6 Ocean, #3 Point Pleasant Boro and #7 Manasquan to reach the finals. The Crimson Knights will take on Robbinsville in Friday’s CJ G2 championship game. Manasquan finishes the year with a 13-8 record.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-match reaction from Manasquan:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Wall is brought to you by Monmouth Medical Center.
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Manasquan is made possible by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Middletown South 1 Northern Burlington 0 | Boys | Central Group 4 Semifinal
Connor Saul’s 29th minute goal proved to be the one and only tally in a hard-fought sectional semifinal played amidst frigid and windy temperatures. Carson Perry and the back line helped second-seeded Middletown South (15-3-1) to their first sectional final appearance 22 years. They will host top-seed Colts Neck in the CJG4 final on Friday – that game will be a rematch of this year’s Shore Conference Tournament final.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights from The Swamp:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Middletown South is brought to you by Monmouth Medical Center.
Moorestown 1 Toms River South 0 | Boys | South Group 3 Semifinal
Chances came at a premium throughout the contest with heavy winds dictating the pace of play, but Sahas Kadire broke through for his third goal of the season in the 40th minute to lift the top-seeded Herd to a second-straight sectional final appearance. Ryan Takio earned a clean sheet with five saves for Moorestown (19-3). Connor Starr had four saves in the loss for fourth-seeded Toms River South (12-5-2). Moorestown will face Delsea for the SJ Group 3 championship on Friday.
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction from Moorestown:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Toms River South is made possible by Community Medical Center in Toms River.
Robbinsville 3 Bordentown 2 | Boys | Central Group 2 Semifinal
The Ravens are on a Quest Four Glory. For the fourth straight year, Robbinsville (15-7-1) finds themselves in a sectional final — 2022-2023 in Group 3, and 2024-2025 in Group 2 — with a chance to capture a fourth consecutive sectional title. The fourth-seeded Ravens battled through heavy winds on the road against top-seeded Bordentown (17-5). Nico Matthews scored twice to bring his team-leading total to 21 goals, while Max Goldberg added his third playoff goal of the season. Everett Barrett netted two impressive goals for the Scotties. Robbinsville now has a chance at a four-peat on Friday, when they host eleventh-seeded Wall.
JSZ’s Tyler Mroz has the highlights from Bordentown:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Robbinsville is brought to you by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates.
