Thursday brings a number of Top 20 teams into the fold and we’ve got highlights from Essex County and Monmouth County. West Orange battles past Montclair Kimberley while Manalapan and Freehold Township fight to a draw. Stay tuned for the coverage as the night unfolds!

West Orange 1 Montclair Kimberley Academy 0 | Boys Soccer

Justin Amaya’s redirected header in second half was the lone goal scored in this matchup of two Top-10 statewide programs Thursday night. Mountaineers goalie Augie Arietta made a number of saves in the final 40 minutes to keep West Orange (2-0) unblemished through the first week of the season. Montclair Kimberley Academy (1-1) will try to regroup when they travel to face Hun over the weekend.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights from West Orange:

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of both West Orange and Montclair Kimberley Academy is brought to you by Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

Manalapan 2 Freehold Township 2 | Shore Conference | Boys

Dan Altman’s penalty kick in the 71st minute allowed the Braves to avoid an upset in the opening game for both the Braves and Patriots.  Freehold Township was 6-13-1 a year ago and had the #20 team in the preseason state rankings on the ropes.  Gabriel Bormolini scored early to give Freehold Township a 1-0 lead then Caine Massey put the Patriots in front 2-1 with a goal in the 32nd minute.  Both teams were a man down for the last part of the second half.  Ethan Lustig was the other Manalapan goal scorer on a gorgeous shot in the 19th.

JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights from Freehold:

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Freehold Township is made possible by JAG Physical Therapy.