VERONICA YANKOWSKI Brick Memorial’s Evan Stankovics battles for the ball with Washington Township’s Calvin Colclough during Friday’s game in Brick.
Which Brick Memorial boys’ soccer team will show up for its NJSIAA Group IV, South game at Jackson this afternoon?
Will it be the team that prevailed, 5-0, in an early season meeting? Or on the other end of the spectrum, will it be the team that lost to Jackson the second time, 4-0, five games ago?
One thing is for certain: the No. 15-ranked Mustangs learned some valuable lessons in the loss, lessons they will take with them in pursuit of their 16th victory against two losses.
"The players know it’s crunch time, the time to move on, and that they have to be more aware of their goal-scorers, the two players on top (forwards)," said coach Kevin Bleim.
Brick Memorial comes off a 3-0 victory over Washington Township in its state tournament opener, evidently bouncing back from a 3-1 loss to Monsignor Donovan in the Shore Conference Tournament championship game. Andrew Scatuocchio scored twice and Chris Cannon got the other goal against Washington.
"That was hard to swallow," said Bleim of the Monsignor Donovan loss. "We seem to be focused and ready. Our only problem is health. Our players have to be ready to step up."
Ed Mallue, the Mustangs’ marquee player at center halfback, played against Washington despite a tender ankle that leaves him "85 percent" effective, says Bleim. Other players who saw little or no action because of injuries or illness but who are expected to see extensive playing time against Jackson include midfielder Pete Malkmus and his brother Luke, a forward, and forward Sean Docherty.
Willie Cuzco, who has shared playing time in goal with Steve Scutellaro, played all the way against Washington. How Bleim plays his goalies depends on the game situation, he says, as each brings a different style to the nets.
The winner of the Brick-Jackson game plays the survivor of the other bracket between Shawnee, a perennial state finalist in recent years, and Eastern in the South section finals.
The Jaguars are a vastly improved team this year, and entered the state tournament as the Shore Conference’s second-ranked team. But the Mustangs have proved they cannot only play with Jackson, but can beat them, which is something they’ll look to do once again later today when the teams square off in what should be a thrilling state tournament contest.