By wayne witkowski
Staff Writer
CHRIS KELLY Brick Memorial’s Sean Docherty battles with CBA’s Jamie Richards for the ball during the semifinal game in Hazlet on Saturday.
For the past two seasons, the Brick Memorial High School boys’ soccer team has been a work in progress.
Now Kevin Bleim is ready to reap the results for the Mustangs, ranked No. 15 in the latest state poll.
"They’re ready," said Bleim of his team’s crucial tournament games. "This is what they played for all year. We’ve set high goals all season long. They’re pretty lofty goals that we hope to attain. We’re confident but we really do have to take each game one at a time."
Some goals have already been met, while some big games lie ahead. The Mustangs won a share of the Shore Conference A South Division with perennial power Jackson, and had hoped to meet the No. 12-ranked Jaguars again on Monday in their first trip to the Shore Conference Tournament championship game in five years. Brick Memorial earned its spot on Saturday with a 3-2 SCT semifinal victory over No. 10-ranked Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, the tournament’s No. 1 seed. But Jackson was upset by Monsignor Donovan, Toms River, 2-0, in the other semifinal. As a result, the Mustangs were set to battle Mon Don on Monday for the conference crown.
CHRIS KELLY Christian Brothers Academy’s Matt Rutkin tries to slide-tackle Brick Memorial’s Tim Sacer during their Shore Conference Tournament semifinal game in Hazlet on Saturday.
The Mustangs, who last won the Shore Conference in 1996 and 1997, carry a hefty 14-2 record into the week.
They’ll continue their bid for championship glory on Friday when they play their NJSIAA Group IV South opener at home against the winner of the Toms River East-Washington Township game.
"We expected to do well because the team has a lot of experience," said Bleim. "Although we graduated eight players from last season, the core of our team is back."
In fact, three midfielders and the sweeper have a combined 14 seasons as starters under their belt.
"That’s very unusual to have third- and fourth-year starters," said Bleim, who is in his seventh season as coach, "and they’re hungry."
Leading the way is center midfielder Ed Mallue, a senior who has been a starter since his freshman year and carries a mantle of honors from last season, including Coaches’ All-State, county Player of the Year and All-Shore selection.
Mallue scored what proved to be the game-winner against CBA (14-3) midway through the second half for a 3-0 Brick Memorial lead. Mallue is supported in the midfield by fellow third-year starters Andrew Scatuochio, a senior, and Pete Malkmus, a junior.
"Ed’s our catalyst. He’s our guy," said Bleim of Mallue, who is deciding between West Point or Elon as his leading college choices. "It’s his skills, his attitude, his work ethic. He’s a coach’s dream. And there’s his leadership. I can’t say enough about him and what he does for this team."
Mallue is trigger-man for a volatile and well-balanced scoring attack led by junior Andrew Perez, a recessed striker who is an integral part of the team’s unique 3-5-2 configuration. Perez, who has seen considerable playing time for the past three seasons, helps with the flow of ball distribution and then slips forward for the big finish at many opportune moments.
"We create a lot of opportunities. That makes us dangerous," said Bleim. "We possess the ball well and finish well throughout the team. A lot of guys score a lot of goals."
Which leads to a lot of wins. But Bleim reminds fans that defense "is our strength" with a back line anchored by junior sweeper Evan Stankovics, a third-year starter. With senior Willie Cuzco and junior Steve Scutellaro sharing time in goal and denying many well-placed shots, and junior Andrew Plunkett containing prolific scorers as the marking back, Brick Memorial has breathed easily going into the closing minutes of many games this season.
"Right now they’re all playing well, even the reserves that come in," said Bleim.
The surrounding cast has meshed into a solid lineup that includes sophomore Tim Lavarre as the other fullback; senior Tim Sager, who is in his second season as a starting outside midfielder; and junior forwards Luke Malkmus (Pete’s brother) and Sean Docherty.
Two valuable players lending welcome support off the bench are junior Chris Cannon as an outside midfielder and sophomore Chris Holmes in the midfield.