SHORE CAPTURES 7TH STRAIGHT CENTRAL JERSEY, GROUP 1 TITLE

Make it seven straight NJSIAA/Wilson Sporting Goods Central Jersey, Group 1 titles for Shore Regional. The top-seeded Blue Devils (17-5) posted their latest championship victory with a 2-0 decision over third-seeded Point Pleasant Beach (17-3), thanks to a pair of goals from Frankie McDonough. Shore, seeking its fourth straight Group 1 title, advanced to the group semifinals on Wednesday where it will play South Jersey champion Audubon (16-4-2) at Paul VI High School at 7:30 p.m. “Playing Point Beach now every year for the last seven years (regular season), they’re a a great opponent and today, I think their goalie and our goalie made some great saves,” said Shore head coach George Moutis. “Even though it was 2-0, it was still a great game from both teams.” Shore’s star senior found the back of the net in the 32nd minute, assisted by Julia Eichenbaum, to give Shore a 1-0 lead. McDonough’s second goal came in the 62nd minute, a strike from about 25 yards out, assisted by Mia Agresti, giving Shore some extra breathing room. McDonough scored her 100th career goal in a 2-1 victory over Manalapan on Oct. 25. Moutis feels with that milestone behind her, she has taken her game to another level. “I think getting to that 100th goal took some pressure off her,” Moutis said. “In the past three games, she’s scored at least two goals in each game. Not only is she a great goal scorer, she’s a great passer. We had a couple of breakaways from Hannah (Birdsall) and Julia, and those passes were made by Frankie. She’s a great finisher.” Shore outshot Point Beach, 25-18. Both goalies played well, with Shore’s Julia Valinoti recording 15 saves and Point Beach’s Toni Abdy making 20 stops. It was another strong defensive effort from the Blue Devils, who have allowed just two goals over their past five games. “Our game plan was just to push up and kind of create a brick wall and not let them passed our line,” said Shore defender Ashley Davidson. “I feel like that worked and we were able to shut them out.” Having reached this point in each of the last six years, there was an expectation for this team to get to this point again this season. Moutis knows those expectations are there, and creates a family atmosphere that keeps his team focused. “There’s a lot of pressure and the girls obviously know that every year with people expecting them to do this,” Moutis said. “But I never talk to them about winning any game. When I talk to them, I tell them to go out and support one another, give it your best and leave it all on the field. Even the girls who are aren’t playing, they do a great job cheering on their teammates. We try to make everyone be a part of the game and we’ve created a family atmosphere with the girls, and I think that helps them. They want to keep the season going for as long as they can.” For seniors like McDonough, the opportunity is there to be a state champion all four years. They are now just two wins away from that remarkable accomplishment. “This is indescribable,” McDonough said. “I would have never thought I would be a part of something like this. I am so proud of my team because none of us could have done this without each other. We have become such a family unit and so close together and to win something like this with your best friends is awesome, and as a senior, to do this four years in a row is more than I could ask for.”

SHORE CAPTURES 7TH STRAIGHT CENTRAL JERSEY, GROUP 1 TITLE

JOHN SORCE

The Star Ledger | 11/9/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Mark R. Sullivan