This week’s schedule

The start of regular-season high school football and Salem CC’s inaugural game highlights the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Aug. 24-29; football games from WJFL, x-scrimmage

MONDAY, AUG. 24
BOYS SOCCER
x-Penns Grove at Deptford, 10 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Deptford at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Lower Cape May, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Clearview at Woodstown, 10 a.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 25
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Audubon at Schalick, 10 a.m.
x-Highland at Salem Tech, 10 a.m.
x-Salem at West Deptford, 10 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Vineland at Schalick, 9:30 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Salem at Cumberland, 10 a.m.
x-Schalick at Vineland, 10 a.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Schalick at Buena

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26
BOYS SOCCER
x-Medford Tech at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
x-Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech
GIRLS SOCCER
Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 9 a.m.
x-Bridgeton at Salem, 10 a.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Williamstown at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Pennsville at Vineland, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Ocean City, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Middle Twp.
VOLLEYBALL
x-Lindenwold at Salem Tech, 10:30 a.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 27
FOOTBALL
Pitman at Wildwood, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
Riverside at Clayton, 6 p.m.
Overbrook at Haddonfield, 7 p.m.
Pope John vs. Washington Twp, 1 p.m.
Princeton vs. Ocean City, 4 p.m.
Donovan Catholic vs. Kingsway, 5:30 p.m.
Nottingham at Northern Burlington, 6 p.m.
Seneca at Lenape, 6 p.m.
WW-Plaiinsboro at J.P. Stevens, 6 p.m.
Cinnaminson at Lower Cape May, 6 p.m.
Middle Twp. at Gateway, 6 p.m.
Pemberton at Cherry Hill West, 6 p.m.
Eastern at Hunterdon Central, 6 p.m.
Rahway at Willingboro, 6 p.m.
Middletown South at Cherokee, 6 p.m.
Lawrence at Lacey, 6 p.m.
Pleasantville at Mainland, 6 p.m.
Vineland at Delsea, 6 p.m.
Burlington Twp. vs. Passaic Tech, 6:15 p.m.
Hightstown at Holmdel, 6:30 p.m.
Sterling at Pt. Pleasant Boro, 6:30 p.m.
Shabazz vs. Atlantic City, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-KIPP at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Millville at Schalick, 10 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Palmyra, 10 a.m.
x-Penns Grove at Highland, 10 a.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Friends Central at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
x-Salem, Bridgeton, Nottingham at Cumberland, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Bridgeton at Salem, 10 a.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 28
FOOTBALL
Maple Shade at Schalick, 6 p.m.
New Egypt at Buena, 6 p.m.
Woodbury at Deptford, 6 p.m.
Kinnelon vs. West Deptford, 10 a.m.
Camden Catholic vs. Pennsauken, noon
Wayne Valley vs. Rancocas Valley, 1 p.m.
Delran vs. Cherry Hill East, 2:30 p.m.
Shawnee vs. Old Bridge, 4 p.m.
Ewing vs. Franklin, 4 p.m.
Mastery Camden at Haddon Heights, 4:30 p.m.
Barnegat at Absegami, 5 p.m.
Williamstown vs. Timber Creek, 5 p.m.
Highland vs. Oakcrest, 6 p.m.
Conwell-Egan (Pa.) at St. Joe (Hamm.), 6 p.m.
Moorestown at Bishop Eustace, 6 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Paul VI, 6 p.m.
Bonner Predergast (Pa.) at St. Augustine, 6 p.m.
Clearview at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Long Branch at Hammonton, 6 p.m.
Hopewell Valley at Montgomery, 6 p.m.
St. Mary (Ruth.) at Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Trenton at Pennsbury (Pa.), 7 p.m.
Warren Hills at Voorheen, 7 p.m.
New Hope-Solebury (Pa.) at South Hunterdon, 7 p.m.
Egg Harbor at Robbinsville, 7 p.m.
Glassboro vs. Immaculate, 8 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Salem at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Pennsville at Gloucester, 9 a.m.
x-Woodstown at Deptford, 9 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Cedar Creek at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Audubon, 10 a.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 29
FOOTBALL
Salem at Ironton (Ohio), 1 p.m.
Paulsboro at KIPP, noon
Burlington City vs. Steinert, 5 p.m.
Southern vs. Bridgeton, 10 a.m.
Skyridge (Utah) at Hun, 11 a.m.
Atlantic Tech at Lakewood, noon
Hamilton West vs. Morris Knolls, noon
Simon Gratz (Pa.) at Camden Eastside, 1 p.m.
Cedar Grove vs. Gloucester, 1 p.m.
Collingswood vs. Pinelands, 2:30 p.m.
Monsignor Farrell (NY) vs. Holy Spirit, 4 p.m.
Camden at Imhotep Charter (Pa.), 6 p.m.
Erasmus Hall (NY) vs. Millville, 7 p.m.
Winslow vs. Neptune, 8 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Woodstown at Williamstown, 9 a.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Hudson Valley CC vs. Salem CC, Pennsville H.S., 1 p.m.

The World (Cup) view

Salem County soccer coaches weigh in on Sunday’s World Cup final. Is it Spain or Argentina? It’s a split decision

All the world’s a stage and the biggest stage in the futbol world is set. The FIFA World Cup final.

Spain v. Argentina. Euro champs v defending World Cup champs. Yamal v Messi. Prodigy v Legend.

One can argue whether it’s the best matchup for this year’s final, but after 39 days and 103 matches it’s the one they’ve got. The game already has been dissected and analyzed from every angle in every corner of the globe, and no doubt will be in the weeks that follow.

Riverview Sports News reached out to some of Salem County’s high school soccer coaches to bring some local flavor to the international analysis and provide their pick to raise the golden trophy Sunday night in MetLife Stadium. The consensus is as close as the game is expected to be. Here are their insights, and picks, as told to Al Muskewitz.

Mano Massari, Penns Grove: Passing the torch

THE PICK: Spain.

THE REASON: Spain is going to win the game because of their dominance in their possession and build up play. They are patient with their attack and really do a nice job with their positional rotations. Their midfielders control the pace and tempo of the game. Rodri, Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz, they are great at overloading and work around compact defenses. I also think Lamine Yamal is going to really control the right side of the pitch on the attacking side.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: It’ll be the passing of the torch from Messi to Lamine Yamal. I think Lamine Yamal is going to take over the game. I think he’s going to put a goal in the back of the net and have an assist as well. I think he’s going to take over. He looked really good in their semifinal game against France. This is going to be like closing the door on Messi and now it’s Lamine Yamal’s turn. I think he’s going to solidify himself in this tournament with this game. I think it’s just going to be like a passing of the torch moment.

As for the best moment of the World Cup it’s got to be the Cape Verde story, with them being the smallest island ever to get to the World Cup, making it out of the knockout round and then going toe-to-toe with Argentina. That goal that kid scored against Argentina to tie the game was absolutely electric. Cape Verde, to me, is the story of the entire World Cup. I just love it. It’s such a good message to send. I look at it like my guys are small-town players and that’s what happens when you’re believing in a goal. You guys can go toe-to-toe with the defending champs if you all believe and you all put the work in. I just think it’s a great message and why the World Cup is so great.

Will Kemp, Schalick: Always my pick

THE PICK: Spain

THE REASON: They were actually inside my original pick. I said it was either going to be Spain or France that could actually be able to win this, just because France is such a powerhouse. But it’s Spain. Their midfield is unbelievable. The same exact thing for their backline. I’m definitely nodding towards Spain.

When you have a team that has only let up two open-play goals inside the entire tournament, especially with one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Unai Simon, you have Rodri, who is probably one of the best midfielders without a doubt pulling the strings, and then you have Lamine Yamal, there are so many different variables that go into this Spanish team. It seems like they’re finally clicking, especially with the way they played against France; that was the best match that they had, they controlled it completely, shut down the best attack inside the world on the international stage and prevented them from even getting any type of hope.

Now they’re going against Argentina and arguably one of the best players ever inside this same format, a struggling Argentina that really only scores goals inside the last 15-20 minutes of a match. I think if Spain gets up early and controls the game they’re going to have a really good shot at winning this thing.

So my bet’s on Spain, just from their forward attack. You’ve got Lamine Yamal, who’s finally starting to really get back into a groove after his hamstring injury. Then you have one of the best, if this were basketball you’d say sixth man, but inside this the 12th man (Mikel Merino), with him coming off the bench and scoring vital goals; plus he’s an Arsenal player, so, of course, I’m going to root for them.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: I don’t think the championship moment inside this match is going to be a goal; I think it’s going to be a save. I think it’s actually going to come from the goalkeeper to actually save them and win the match. Unai Simon has been actually amazing this whole entire tournament. There’s been a debate between him and David Raya, once again an Arsenal player. I’m not showing any bias right now, but I should, but Unai Simon’s clearly better than David Raya. I think the moment of the match is actually come from a goalkeeper save – in open play. It’s definitely not going to go to PKs.

Derek Foglein, Pennsville: One more magical day

THE PICK: Argentina.

THE REASON: I honestly think it’s going to be a very close game, and it could go either way. I will definitely be watching the match up between the explosive offense of Argentina and Spain’s defense that has already set the record for most shutouts in a single World Cup. It does seem like Messi and Argentina have that something special that has helped them pull out games (maybe even when they weren’t the better team), so I’m going to take them to have one more magical day and Messi can secure his place atop soccer history.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: I think it’s going to be a close game, will likely go to PKs, so I’ll say the defining moment will be Lamine Yamal missing his PK and that secures the win for Argentina.

Joe Mannella, Schalick: More Messi magic

THE PICK: Argentina.

THE REASON: I think it’s really hard to pick. It can go either way. I’m going to go with Argentina just because they seem to be playing that style that gets you through this type of situation. They remind me of Haddon Twp. They play a lot of those physical mind games that you see and then they have the quality on top of it. They don’t care how they win, they just win. They just seem to get it done and I think they’ll get it done.

I don’t know if technically they’re better than Spain. They’re kind of a complete team in that they all know their roles and are crazy resilient and they just kind of wait for their opportunity. Obviously they’ve got the best player in the world. If Spain can figure out a way to neutralize him, which no one has ever really been able to do, then certainly it’ll be tough for Argentina to score.

Spain’s probably going to have the ball most of the time and it’s not like Argentina is a fast, counter-attacking team, they just kind of wear you down and punish you when you make a mistake. If I’m going to put my money on somebody, I’m going to put it on the team that’s done it and has done it the whole tournament.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: If you’re going to put money on anything it’s on Messi doing something outrageous. That’s the easy money on Messi scoring some amazing goal or having a ridiculous pass to set up a goal. Not on the conspiracy side, but I’ve seen VAR have too much to say in some of these games and I’d hate the thing to remember about this World Cup final is that VAR pulled a goal back that shouldn’t have been or allowed a goal that shouldn’t have been.

Argentina plays on such of an edge there could be a red card. I could see them going down to 10 men and winning anyway. Just your backs are against the wall – again – red card, a guy getting his second yellow in the second half and them just holding on, holding on and then Messi putting the ball in the box and somebody getting a head on it. Game over.

Darren Huck, Woodstown: Spain is too solid

THE PICK: Spain

THE REASON: I think Spain overall plays very well defensively and I think they’re going to be a little bit better than some of the teams so far that Messi has gone up against. I think they’re going to contain him pretty well. I think they’re going to keep him in front and I think they’re going to not let him all of a sudden break free. Defensively, they stay very tight, very organized, they don’t give up a whole lot of shots let alone goals, so I think with their defense and the way they work together as a team defensively is what’s going to do it. I think Yamal is going to score the game-winner. I think they’re going to win 2-1.

Spain plays a very simplistic game. They keep it very simple and they’re very disciplined. They’ve been through this before, they know the game is not going to be won in the first 10 minutes. It’s not going to be won in the first 20 minutes. It’s not going to be won in the first half. So, they’ve got stay organized, which they will, and they’ll stay compact and they’ll have good possession. This game is not going to be a bunch of risks. It’s not going to be like that England-France game. It’s going to be a very close game. They’re going to stay behind the ball and they’re not going to give any big transition type goals or breakaways. They’re just too good, they’re too solid. Argentina might want to open it up a little bit, but I don’t think they’re going to be able to.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: One of Yamal’s gifts, and he’s so young which is so impressive that he can do this, is he’s really good on set pieces. If Argentina gets a little chippy and they play a little too aggressive – it’ll be very interesting to see how the referee calls the game in the beginning – Spain’s going to be looking to take a foul 20-22 yards out and I think the game winner is going to come from something like that. I think he’s going to have a direct kick and he’s going to put it in a spot the Argentinian goalkeeper is not going to be able to get.

Wall of Famers

The 12 newest members of Woodstown soccer elite enshrined on program’s Wall of Fame; brings total to 146 inductees

CLASS OF 2025	CLASS OF 2026
Adrian Ibarra	Blake Bialecki
Benjamin Stengel	Bryce Ayars
Dante Holmes	Delaney Walker
Erich Lipovsky	Ellie Wygand
Grant Prater	Emma Morgan
Talia Battavio	Emma Perry

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – The Woodstown soccer program welcomed the latest group into its Wall of Fame and it includes some of the most prolific scorers and staunchest defenders in its history.

Twelve players from the last two graduating classes were enshrined earlier this week, bringing the total number of inductees on the Wall to 146.

The inductees from the Class of 2025 are Adrian Ibarra, Ben Stengel, Dante Holmes, Erich Lipovsky, Grant Prater, and Talia Battavio. The inductees from the Class of 2026 are Blake Bialecki, Bryce Ayars, Delaney Walker, Ellie Wygand, Emma Morgan and Emma Perry

“They were the most balanced as far as scoring and also defending so our goal differential was good, but most importantly is that they were great teammates,” Wolverines boys coach Darren Huck said. “They played the game the right way and they enjoyed playing for each other and for the programs. They weren’t selfish and that group, the both of them, boys and girls, won a lot of games.

“(It was a) great combination of leadership and skill and passion for the boys and girls soccer programs.”

Inclusion to the Wall takes in numerous factors that reflect a commitment to excellence and teamwork, and celebrates the lasting impact the honorees have made on the program. In addition to various career statistical categories, other criteria includes individual postseason honors and team achievements.

The Class of 2025 boys went 51-26-2 during their careers. Ibarra scored 49 goals, including a class-record 26 as a junior, and had 123 points. Holmes was part of a defense that allowed two goals or fewer in 19 of 21 games his senior year

The 2026 boys were 47-23-8 and left the program five wins shy of 500 all-time. Ayars scored 37 goals in his career, 27 the last two seasons, and finished with 95 points. With his control of the midfield, the defense allowed more than two goals only once in 19 matches.

The Class of 2025 girls went 47-25-3. Battavio scored 64 career goals and had 153 points. The 2026 girls were 50-22-4. Wygand made 291 career saves in 62 games and was part of 29 shutouts.

“Being inducted into the Soccer Wall of Fame is something that I never would have imagined being part of but it is truly something special,” Bryce Ayars said. “It was also a special moment for my family for me to be able to share the Wall of Fame with my father (Don, Wall Class of 2001).

“Getting the chance to receive that type of award recognizes how much of an impact you made on and off the field. None of this would be possible without Darren Huck, by making me the player I am today and especially with creating the Wall of Fame.”

Bialecki also was appreciative of being included in the induction class.

“I’m grateful that Coach Huck would induct me into the Wall of Fame,” he said. “It’s a recognition of years of hard work, but also a reflection of great teammates that I’ve had over the years.”

Here are the members of the 2025/2026 Woodstown Soccer Wall of Fame Class who were on hand for Monday’s induction ceremonies. (Top row, from left) Dante Holmes, Blake Bialecki, Erich Lipovsky, Bryce Ayars and Ben Stengel. (Bottom row, from left) Delaney Walker, Ellie Wygand, Emma Perry, Emma Morgan.

From Woodstown to the world

Wolverines recognizes14 more senior athletes who have signed with various colleges and universities to continue their playing, academic careers

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Joe Ursino was getting ready for another day in the life of Woodstown athletics director Thursday morning, but he knew this day felt different than most of the others.

For this was the day he got the enjoyable task of introducing the next wave college-bound Wolverines to the world. This was the day of Woodstown’s spring signing celebration, one of the AD’s favorite days of the year.

Ursino presided over festivities announcing 14 future college athletes to the world. Most had already signed their official paperwork for their programs of choice, but this was a day for collective public recognition and celebration.

“This is one of the days you get up to come to work (and) you’re not coming to work,” Ursino said. “We normally try to do it before the prom, so this is like the first celebration into the celebration season, so I like to be able to take advantage of that as the athletic director.

“Spent a lot of time with these kids. They’re all great kids. They all have different personalities, but like I said it doesn’t matter what their personality is, they all lean on each other, they appreciate each other. For me, I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

The group was impressive for its size, variety of schools chosen and the kaleidoscope of school colors on display.

It included Elizabeth Daly (Ursinus women’s lacrosse), Bryceton Rooney (Rochester football), Kyia Leyman (RCSJ-Gloucester women’s basketball), Ellie Wygand (FDU-Florham softball), Bryce Ayars (RCSJ-Cumberland soccer), Aidan Taulane (Rowan track), Sara Lodge (Rowan track), Anthony Costello (Georgian Court track), Kami Casiano (Wilmington track), Jacob Marino (Bloomsburg track), Emma Morgan (TCNJ women’s lacrosse), Joanna Winchell (TCNJ cheer) and Josh Crawford (Sacred Heart track).

That’s 11 different colleges and seven different sports represented Thursday. Add the group from the signing celebration the school held earlier this year and it’s another three schools and two more sports.

“It definitely impresses me seeing that people reached out to other places besides our local schools,” Ayars said. “It definitely impresses me that people reached out to farther places to see what they want to do in college and where the next home is for them.”

“It speaks to our individuality,” Marino said. “Everyone’s found something they loved at all these schools and I think that’s really impressive. To find a place you love and want to be at is great, and I feel like it’s amazing that everyone found their home.”

Putting up his Dukes

Woodstown’s Ayars commits to play college soccer at RCSJ-Cumberland, picks Dukes over system rival; updated with new material

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

Bryce Ayars is always up for a good rivalry. He played in one of the best during his high school career at Woodstown and he’s about to become part of another now that he’s committed to playing his college soccer at RCSJ-Cumberland.

The Wolverines senior confirmed his commitment in December after several weeks wrestling with his choices. He chose the Dukes over their RCSJ system rival Gloucester, a decision that is bound to heighten the experience even more when the teams play the next two years.

**Woodstown’s Bryce Ayars had a big weekend with his travel team in the run-up to tonight’s signing celebration at RCSJ-Cumberland. (Submitted photo)**

“There’s always a pretty heated rivalry between the two,” Ayars said. “You know me, I’m always ready for a good rivalry with my past experience with Schalick, so I’m looking forward to that next big rivalry in my career.

“It’s definitely going to be a heated game. It’s something I’m looking forward to, just being out there on the pitch, going against another great team, to see who comes out on top. I’ve always loved the intensity in those games, no matter if we won or lost. Having that intensity is just something you can’t take for granted. You’ve just got to enjoy every minute of it.”

He officially joined program tonight when he joined the Dukes’ signees in soccer, basketball, softball and golf for a formal signing celebration. Woodstown coach Darren Huck was even on hand to support his captain.

Ayars’ senior high school soccer season ended in early November, but he was on the field honing his craft this weekend, captaining his Deptford Premier EDT travel team to a 2-1 record st the Loudoun (Va.) College Showcase. He anchored a defense that allowed only four goals in three games and scored the game-winner in one of the wins on a header off a corner kick.

Ayars was impressed with the consistent communication the Dukes had with him throughout the season. He watched the game with Gloucester during the season and although the Dukes lost, he was impressed with the way they played.

Once he decided he was going to one of the RCSJs, the final decision came down to “what program would fit me better and which one can help me develop into the player I want to be and take my talent to the next level after these two years.”

Ayars was a two-way threat for the Wolverines and that’s what the Dukes like in him. He controlled the game from his center back position, but became a goal scorer this past season.

He scored a team- and career-high 17 goals this year, 27 over the last two seasons, and finished his four-year career with 95 points. The Wolverines were 19-2-1 the last two seasons when Ayars scored a goal. Along with his father, Don (1998-2000), they formed the second-deepest family legacies in Woodstown soccer history — 135 games (83-41-11), seven playoff appearances and 38 combined goals.

Bryce was a first-team Tri-County Diamond Division pick and played in the TCC-Colonial, South Jersey and All-State all-star games.

“I think I played to the best I could, taking a big leap from my junior to senior year,” he said. “Being able to score goals and getting assists doesn’t just help me but helps the team. I feel like I’d done everything I could for the team and it just didn’t go the way I wanted to in the playoffs.”

**Woodstown’s Bryce Ayars (seated left) celebrates his signing to play soccer at RCSJ-Cumberland with his family. (Submitted photo)**

Stars align for TCC

Tri-County Conference sweeps Colonial in soccer all-star games, boys score five goals in final 10:30, girls score shutout

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CLAYTON — Darren Huck was about 30 seconds away from walking down the sideline to ask his opposite number how he wanted to play it if their all-star soccer game ended in a tie. Overtime? PKs? Coin toss at 20 paces?

Turns out he didn’t have to have that conversation at all.

After nearly 70 minutes of close calls, the Woodstown coach’s Tri-County Conference boys soccer all-stars erupted for five goals in the final 10 and a half minutes of the match and wrecked the Colonial Conference stars 5-1 Monday at Haupt Field.

“Just got lucky,” Huck said with some serious side-eye when asked if he planned it that way. “How did they say it on TV, the ‘A-Team,’ ‘I love it when a plan comes together.’

“It worked out really, really well. We had some weapons we were able to make us look like we knew what we were doing on the sideline.”

Actually, the game went a lot like Huck envisioned, for the first 70 minutes at least. It was a close game between two evenly matched teams, nothing like last year’s 9-1 TCC rout.

The Colonials took a 1-0 lead when Gateway’s Ethan LaCroix hit a shot from about the PK spot that was just out of Pennsville keeper Coen Rinnier’s reach less than four minutes before the break.

And it stayed that way until shortly after the TCC’s last wave of substitutions.

Just about the time Huck was headed over to make his overtime pitch GCIT’s Mike Stanwood got the equalizer when he finished Schalick senior Anthony Sepers’ sharp pass through the box with 10:26 to play.

The coach stopped, turned around and decided to rethink this overtime thing. Then the goals came fast and furious.

Before it was over, Sepers had another assist and GCIT’s Cole Madgey and Williamstown’s Amadu Jalloh had two goals apiece. All five goals came in a span of 9 minutes and 12 seconds.

“Sometimes it just clicks and when you score one, then you’re feeling good and get more adrenaline and you score another and then another and then another,” said Sepers, one of nine Salem County players and four Cougars in the game. “I thought it was going to be a really close game, which it was for the most part, and it just opened up.”

The Tris might not have gotten the first goal if Sepers weren’t so good at reading the field. He was going to shoot it from the left side, but saw Stanwood making a run from behind and pushed the ball through to where he anticipated the receiver would be. It would be the play that changed the game.

“The energy completely shifted,” Madgey said. “It was like no one was really caring and then we scored, then it became a huge energy shift and we all started having more fun and it became more of a game. We scored one and we couldn’t stop.”

Jalloh scored the go-ahead goal two minutes later. About 90 seconds after that Madgey lit the lamp for the first time. Madgey got his second goal moments later off a Sepers corner kick and Jalloh closed the scoring with 64 seconds to play shortly after banging one off the post.

“The corner kick (assist) was actually funny,” Sepers said. “A lot of us all used to play on a club team together so we were messing around and calling that one play and it actually worked.”

“They were all talking about a play they had and I joined in,” Madgey said. “They all said ‘crash,’ and went to the goalie. I just joined in and it kind of found its way to me.”

When the train comes in, everybody rides.

Tri-County 5, Colonial 1

Tri-County	0	5-	5
Colonial	1	0-	1

GOALS — C: Ethan LaCroix, 36:08; T: Mike Stanwood (Anthony Sepers), 69:34; T: Amadu Jalloh, 71:32; T: Cole Madgey, 73:00; T: Cole Madgey (Anthony Sepers), 74:30; T: Amadu Jalloh, 78:46.

**Schalick teammates Quinn Berger (L) and Cali Fisler talk about scoring the first two goals of the match in the Tri-County all-stars’ 3-0 win over the Colonial Conference stars.**

Girls: ‘It’s a Schalick show’

CLAYTON – No sooner had Quinn Berger’s goal from the corner settled inside the goal, Cali Fisler ran over to her teammate and enthusiastically proclaimed, “It’s a Schalick show.”

Fisler and Berger scored the first two goals of the game, about five minutes apart in the first half, and Woodstown’s Ellie Wygand made a big save in the second half as the TCC girls won 3-0.

Fisler, who’s normally assisting other players’ goals, scored the first goal of the night when she lined straight up on Colonial keeper Egypt Bolan (Lindenwold) and buried a shot from about 15 yards out inside the left post with 15:07 left in the first half.

“That was pretty exciting considering I’m not much of a goal scorer in the season, I usually get a lot of assists,” the Cougars’ all-time assists leader said. “But I saw the ball open and I had a shot on net, so I was like I’m just going to take it and it wound up in the back of the net so I’m pretty happy.”

Berger made it 2-0 about five minutes later, and of course it came on a corner kick. The set piece specialist, who had five corner-kick assists on Emily Miller goals in a two-game stretch late in the season and scored directly on a corner in the South Jersey Group I semifinals, put a ball on goal from the right corner that exploded off the keeper’s forearms into the goal.

“That’s literally Quinn,” Fisler said. “That’s the definition of Quinn. That’s what she does.”

Berger had two other corners in the half that had chances to go in. The first was headed over the crossbar by one of her teammates and the other was saved by the keeper and cleared by the defense.

“I honestly don’t know (why it works so well),” Berger said. “I just try to aim for the goal and I have my spot to where I put it on the corner.

“I was always the one who took free kicks, so I was always used to that, but this year is just on a whole different level of excellence. I know where to put it and I know the mindset of where people will be and just put it in the box so they can get it.”

Gianna Simon of Overbrook deposited the TCC’s third goal with 2:36 left in the match.

Wygand played at the end of the first half and started the second. She kept the shutout alive when she reached out with her arm to knock away a shot by Audubon’s Charlie Owens targeted for the upper right corner 11 minutes into the second half.

“I was really focused in that moment when I saw the girl coming at me and all I had to do was make the save,” Wygand said. “I definitely knew she was going toward the back post because of the way she was angled. I kind of just planted and it went the right way.

“Once I made it, I was good and I knew I had people to back me up on the back line and everywhere else. It was awesome.”

Tri-County 3, Colonial 0

Tri-County	2	1-	3
Colonial	0	0-	0

GOALS — T: Cali Fisler (Elizabeth Anderson), 24:53; T: Quinn Berger, 29:19; T: Gianna Simon, 77:24.

All-Star Soccer

The Tri-County and Colonial Conference soccer stars face off in annual all-star games Monday at Clayton

By Riverview Sports News

CLAYTON – The Tri-County Conference will put its recent series dominance on the line with another strong roster of all-stars when the games are played on the artificial turf at Haupt Field here Monday night.

TCC has won the boys game the last two years with one-sided outcomes – 9-1 and 5-2 – that weren’t anticipated but just happened.

“The whole point of the game is for it to be competitive and fun and for these guys to play with some really good players and just have some fun with it; that’s the main part of it,” said Woodstown coach Darren Huck, who has the TCC boys team. “I don’t want to see a blowout on either side, that’s not good for anybody. I’m expecting a close game.”

Salem County is well represented with five players in the 5 p.m. girls game and nine in the boys 7 p.m. nightcap.

Among the girls are Schalick’s set-piece specialist Quinn Berger and all-time assists leader Cali Fisler, Woodstown’s Delaney Walker and Ellie Wygand, and Pennsville’s Taylor Bass.

Schalick has four players on the TCC boys roster – Steve Chomo, Jaxon Weber, Anthony Sepers and Michael Nelson – and they’re joined by Woodstown’s Bryce Ayars and Josh Crawford, Pennsville’s Steve Fatcher and Coen Rinnier, and Salem Tech’s Kameron Brown.

“I think we’re going to have a very good showing,” Huck said. “I think we’re going to be very strong with very quality, quality players. It’s a privilege to coach them.”

Huck hasn’t determined his starters, but he does have a plan for the groups. He’ll play with three forwards, giving each of the two groups 20 minutes per half. The two sets of four midfielders also will get 20 minutes per half and the three sets of four defenders will each get 13-minute shifts. Each keeper will get 20 minutes.

“I expect the Colonial Conference to come out with their strongest lineup in the beginning of the game, so we want to make sure we put our strongest goal keeper out there,” Huck said.

Ten of the TCC girls and 12 of the TCC boys will be playing in the South Jersey Soccer Coaches All-Star Game Tuesday at Rutgers-Camden. The Colonial has seven and four players, respectively, in that game.

Girls rosters, 5 p.m.

NO.	TRI-COUNTY GIRLS	COLONIAL GIRLS
1	x-Taylor Stuart, Washington Twp.	x-Charlie Owens, Audubon
2	x-Carli Scrivana, Williamstown	x-Brielle Connor, Haddon Hts.
3	x-McKenna Eaton, Williamstown	x-Rylee Delaney, W. Deptford
4	Casey Vilary, Clearview	Penny Floyd, Gateway
5	Allison Wiggins, Kingsway	Alexis Nelson, Gloucester
6	Mackenzie Barry, Kingsway	Ayanna Miller, Woodbury
7	Brianna Weiss, Washington Twp.	Montgomery Graham, Sterling
8	Brooke Jones, GCIT	x-Kylie Tocco, Audubon
9	x-Deondria Simon, Clayton	x-Alexis Varela, W. Deptford
10	Alyssa Shinskie, Clayton	Joselyn Hauck, Haddon Twp.
11	LeighAnn Nage, Clayton	Madison Eastlack, W. Deptford
12	Audrey Duffield, Pitman	x-Kayleigh Daley, Gateway
13	Lauren Narolewski, Glou. Cath.	Whitney Okeke, Lindenwold
14	Kaitlyn Capalbo, Glou. Cath.	x-Emily Sewell, Gateway
15	x-Olivia Capecci, Delsea	Madison Sims, Sterling
16	x-Ayress Maitland, Delsea	Mariela Fuentes Ramirez, Lindenwold
17	Emma Serrano, Delsea	Egypt Bolan, Londenwold
18	Gracie Mills, Deptford	Molly Sullivan, Audubon
19	x-Anna Lawyer, Deptford	Sydney O;Loughlin, W. Deptford
20	Ciana Ragonese, Cumberland	Moira Schroeder, Haddon Hts.
21	Elizabeth Anderson, Highland	Jayleen Peebles, Haddon Twp.
22	x-Amina Brown, Glassboro	Lily Henning, Haddon Twp.
23	Quinn Berger, Schalick	Alex Billingsley, Haddon Twp.
24	x-Cali Fisler, Schalick
25	x-Delaney Walker, Woodstown
26	Ellie Wygand, Woodstown
27	Gianna Simon, Overbrook
28	Taylor Bass, Pennsville

x-Playing in SJSCA Game Tuesday at Rutgers-Camden

Boys rosters, 7 p.m.

	TRI-COUNTY BOYS	COLONIAL BOYS
1	William Gallagher, Triton	Connor Wendell, Audubon
2	Mason Henry, Deptford	Phelan Pizzutillo, Collingswood
3	x-Kenny Cockerill, Deptford	Mason McCarthy, Haddon Twp.
4	Brody Rowe, Timber Creek	Ethan LaCroix, Gateway
5	Aidan Worley, Highland	Juan Flores-Sanches, Collingswood
6	Joshua Holt, Cumberland	x-Eammon Sheehan, Haddon Twp.
7	x-Danny Bird, Delsea	x-Riley Yearicks, W. Deptford
8	x-Bryce Ayars, Woodstown	x-Ben Cameron, Audubon
9	Steve Chomo, Schalick	Max Ciavarelli, Haddon Hts.
10	x-Jaxon Weber, Schalick	Allan Medina, Gloucester
11	Anthony Sepers, Schalick	Zach Fayer, Audubon
12	x-Michael Nelson, Schalick	Allen Eastlack, W. Deptford
13	Josh Crawford, Woodstown	Nate Durst, Collingswood
14	x-Joey Zubert, Pitman	Lester Saba, Woodbury
15	Zach Payne, Glou. Cath.	Brendan Rettig, Gloucester
16	Alex Osorio, Wildwood	Shawn Rizzi, Audubon
17	Steve Fatcher, Pennsville	Quinn Dahem, Haddon Hts.
18	Ju’son Stewart, Clayton	Alton Rattle, Gateway
19	Steven Benckert, Clayton	Carter Watson, W. Deptford
20	Coen Rinnier, Pennsville	x-Bayron Guardado, Lindenwold
21	Kameron Brown, Salem Tech	Hendrick Guerrero, Lindenwold
22	x-Connor Brown, Kingsway	Jonathan Rojas, Haddon Hts.
23	x-Ayden Anderson, Washington Twp.	Jack McGarrigel, Haddon Twp.
24	x-Cole Madgey, GCIT	Patrick Farrow, Collingswood
25	Luke Marino, Clearview
26	x-Robbie Finnegan, Washington Twp.
27	x-Amadu Jalloh, Williamstown
28	Cristian Russell, Williamstown
29	Angel Lara, Wildwood
30	x-Sean Tarsatana, Washington Twp.

x-Playing in SJSCA game Tuesday at Rutgers-Camden.

All-TCC boys soccer

Here are the first and second team selections for the Tri-County Conference Diamond and Classic All-Star Teams; 27 Salem County players recognized; x-known TCC-v-Colonial All-Star Game picks

Diamond Division

POS	FIRST TEAM	SECOND TEAM
F	Luke Price, Schalick	Tyler Vanlier, Schalick
F	x-Bryce Ayars, Woodstown	Trevor Leach, Pitman
F	Steve Chomo, Schalick	Josh Lewis, Overbrook
M	Jaxon Weber, Schalick	Nolan O’Toole, Schalick
M	Anthony Sepers, Schalick	Thomas Mason, Overbrook
M	Jake Lewis, Woodstown	Nate Newcomb, Pitman
M	Jake Bowen-Ashwin, Pitman
D	Michael Nelson, Schalick	JT Fleming, Schalick
D	x-Josh Crawford, Woodstown	Rooby Dorival, Penns Grove
D	Cooper Willoughby, Schalick	Tommy Tucci, Woodstown
D	Grady Datz, Pitman	Lucas Razze, Pitman
G	Joey Zubert, Pitman	Dwayne Guzman, Penns Grove

Classic Division

	FIRST TEAM	SECOND TEAM
F	Jonathan Rehm, Clayton	Sam Hassler, Pennsville
F	Zach Payne, Gloucester Cath.	Angel Rosario, Wildwood
F	Danny Bunay Coronel, Pennsville	Kameron Brown, Salem Tech
M	Justin Michaca, Pennsville	Edwin Castaneda-Sanchez, Pennsville
M	Jackson Venuto, Clayton	JP Laughrey, Pennsville
M	Alex Osorio, Wildwood	Jason Grossman, Gloucester Cath.
M	Logan Pace, Salem Tech
D	x-Steve Fatcher, Pennsville	Steven Benckert, Clayton
D	Ju’son Stewart, Clayton	Carrington Proffitt, Salem Tech
D	Angel Lara, Wildwood	Oscar DeJesus, Wildwood
D	Brant Regner, Pennsville	Jackson Mecholsky, Pennsville
G	x-Coen Rinnier, Pennsville	Justin Delaney, Clayton

Tough day

Top-seeded Schalick falls on penalty kicks, Woodstown shut out in South Jersey Group I girls soccer semifinals

SJ GROUP 1 GIRLS SOCCER
Wednesday’s Semifinals
Audubon 3, Schalick 2 (PK, 4-1)
Haddon Twp. 6, Woodstown 0
Friday’s Championship
(6) Haddon Twp. at (5) Audubon, 3 p.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE — Schalick coach Will Kemp searched for the right words. The top-seeded Cougars had just come off the pitch after falling to Audubon 3-2 in a South Jersey Group I semifinal penalty kick shootout and he wanted to make a point, but he wanted to with the proper amount to decorum.

The wind blew steadily throughout the game and although it calmed in the overtime and shootout the Cougars’ coach said it was “another type of influence” that impacted the way his team could play the game.

Several Schalick players were taken to the ground for some extended medical attention and the only yellow card issued was assessed to the Cougars for a contact foul that occurred on the sideline near the Audubon bench.

“It’s a game where we have multiple players who are trying to play proper but kind of get held on a short leash when it comes to the way that we usually play,” Kemp said. “Taking our players out of the game and not being able to get back to our style obviously influenced our game in a negative way.

“Audubon is a tough team to play against. They’ve been to the South Jersey final multiple times. It’s a program that continues to challenge at the top, but at the same exact time we’re a program that challenges at the top as well. I definitely believe we deserved a lot more than what we got today and for this game to go to pens (PKs) it’s unfortunate.”

The Cougars held a 2-0 lead, but Audubon scored twice in the second half with the wind to force extra time. After a scoreless overtime, the Green Wave hit all four of their penalty kicks and won the shootout 4-1.

Kylie Tocco, Charlie Owens, Gi Heller and Molly Sullivan scored in the shootout for Audubon, all of them going for the left post. Cali Fisler hit Schalick’s penalty kick to make it 2-1 in the shootout.

Green Wave keeper Kylie Cannaday stoned Quinn Berger on the Cougars’ first attempt PK and not just for that save Kemp said “in my true heart she actually saved this game for them.”

It was the second year in a row the Cougars were eliminated on PKs, having gone out that way against Glassboro in the quarterfinals last year. The Green Wave is now 3-0 in playoff PK shootouts since 2018.

“I believe the 2-0 lead should have stuck,” Kemp said. “You see the way their players react when it comes to getting touched and things like that, so it’s unfortunate our players get taken out of the game over inexperience from the officiating crew. I hate to say that, but at the same time it’s just the truth.

“Our players get absolutely destroyed and they get nothing for it. I hate that. For that type of influence to happen inside of a high-level game like this, it takes away from two teams out there very competitive that want to win. “

The Cougars (13-6-1) built their lead on a left side corner kick by Berger that sailed into the upper right corner with 5:19 left in the first half and Olivia Vanacker’s breakaway six minutes into the second half. The Green Wave (12-8-1) tied it on goals by Sullivan and Owens three and a half minutes apart midway through the second half.

“We have a group of fighters,” Green Wave coach Bill Scully said. “We played an incredibly tough schedule this year. There were a lot of times when we could have given in a little bit and they never did. Down 2-0 is tough and sometimes you can see a team have doubt, but the fight was actually stronger at that point. They’re just so relentless. This team, they just refused to stop fighting. They’re not going to stop until somebody says it’s done. We have a tough group of kids.”

“That’s something every team says about us, no matter what,” Sullivan said. “We could be losing 4-0 and then come back. We’re going to keep fighting whether we win or lose.”

The goal by Berger gave her 100 career points (31 goals, 38 assists). Fisler joined the 100-Point Club earlier this season.

“For Quinn, it’s an amazing feat to join the 100-Point Club,” Kemp said. “I’m not sure exactly how many players are in there, but even if there are a lot of players in there it’s still an amazing feat especially when it comes to Schalick soccer. We have a special group that’s up there and I’m glad that Quinn will join it.”

Audubon will host Haddon Twp. (11-9-1) Friday, 3 p.m. for the South Jersey Group I championship.

HADDON TWP. 6, WOODSTOWN 0: Aubrey Carson scored two goals in the second half to complete her first career hat trick and set the game on track for a mercy-rule finish. The sophomore also had two assists and now has seven goals and six assists in the Hawks’ three playoff games.

Kaitlyn Martin scored a pair of goals for the Hawks and Abby Wiedeman had their other goal.

“It just didn’t go right for us,” Wolverines coach Kieran Keyser said. “We started off slow and Haddon Twp. didn’t back down. From the first minute to the last minute of the game they poured it on. They were solid throughout. Everyone was on on their team.”

The Wolverines fell behind in the first three minutes when Carson scored on a ball knocked loose after Woodstown keeper Ellie Wygand appeared to make an initial save.

About five minutes later freshman Hailey Kucharczuk had a good chance to tie the game. She gathered the rebound after her initial shot was stopped and had an open goal with the goalie beaten when Hawks’ center back Jocelyn Hauck came out of nowhere, threw her leg up and deflected the ball over the crossbar. Keyser called it “one of the better defensive saves I’ve ever seen a high school center back make.”

Wiedeman made it 2-0 and then Martin scored her first goal on a penalty kick to make it 3-0.

“From that point on it was really an uphill battle,” Keyser said. “Mistakes that we made today we did not make against Gateway (in the quarterfinals), we did not make in the regular season. It wasn’t our best showing today. Sometimes you just don’t always have it. It was an unfortunate way to end the season, but still lots to be proud of.”

GROUP 1 GIRLS SOCCER
Saturday’s Section Finals
South
(6) Haddon Twp. at (5) Audubon, Friday
Central
(9) Point Pleasant Beach at (6) Shore
North I
(5) Pequannock at (2) Midland Park
North II
(11) Glen Ridge at Verona or Mountain Lakes

Tails, they win

Schalick takes the wind in the second half, scores game’s only goal in win over Audubon to reach SJ Group I finals

SJ GROUP 1 BOYS SOCCER
Tuesday’s Semifinals
Schalick 1, Audubon 0
Haddon Twp. 4, Palmyra 1
Friday’s Championship
(2) Schalick (16-3-2) at (1) Haddon Twp. (15-5-1), 6 p.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE — The Schalick boys soccer team is headed back to the South Jersey Group I title game after a windy, workmanlike 1-0 win over Audubon Tuesday and some might say they won this at the coin toss.

The second-seeded Cougars won the toss, defended against the wind in the first half and got the game’s only goal with the wind at their back in the second half.

It wasn’t just a little breezy. The wind was howling straight down the field at 20 mph, with gusts up to 30. The team that could take advantage of the conditions best had the best chance of winning and having control of when you got the wind was as big a factor in the match as any strategic move.

“It’s bigger than you think, especially on days like today when the wind’s ripping like that; definitely got the luck of the coin there,” stopper Cooper Willoughby said. “You don’t really think of it that much – it’s more of just an afterthought, like let’s get this over with and start playing – but it really helped us today.”

“That was the thing,” captain Jaxon Weber said. “We knew the wind was a huge factor today and capitalizing on the coin toss, luck, but we took our side that we wanted to go against first knowing the second half we could come out and dominate.”

The Cougars almost always will take the wind in the second half because it’s much harder to score an equalizing goal against the wind.

“Especially when we’ve got wind like this we love taking the harder end, having the wind coming against us, in the first half, just to weather the storm,” Willoughby said, “so we can really get it going in the second half hopefully with the wind, which we did manage to do today.”

The Cougars (16-3-2) now play at top-seeded Haddon Twp. in the sectional final Friday. There is talk of the game being played at 6 p.m., which would put it opposite of Schalick’s sectional final football game at Glassboro, but nothing has been determined.

Weber scored the game’s only goal, heading home a long, curling shot from Josh Stecher into the top left corner with 21:17 to play.

Stecher was about 25 yards out on the right side and his shot cut through the wind to the far post where Weber was positioned for the finish. The freshman assisted an Anthony Sepers goal on a similar shot from the left side on Senior Night.

“I really like to cross in the box a lot, that’s one of the good things I like to do,” Stecher said. “I was really hoping someone could get a head on it and get it in.”

The Cougars almost scored eight minutes before Weber broke the ice when Steve Chomo banged a shot off the crossbar.

Weber just missed a goal with three seconds left in the first half when the Cougars were going against the wind.

“That one was really close,” Weber said. “That keeper made an unbelievable save. He couldn’t have made a better save I put it in the exact spot at the exact place I wanted it, so him making that save was incredible.”

“That would’ve been perfect,” Schalick coach Joe Mannella said. “We finally got a little patience. It seemed like we were settling in and really had a nice little sequence there. Anthony put it on the platter and Jaxon hit a shot and the keeper made a great save. That would’ve been some nice momentum going into halftime.”

Audubon did mount some attacks with and against the wind, but each time they did the Cougars’ senior back line gobbled it up and cleared the ball to the most open side to start their own attack. And when the Green Wave tried to clear those, the Cougars intercepted and attacked again.

“That’s a big thing with Coach Joe,” Willoughby said. “Get it wide and move it quick.”

GROUP 1 BOYS SOCCER
Friday’s Section Finals
South
Schalick (16-3-2) at Haddon Twp. (15-5-1)
Central
Middlesex (14-6-2) at Delaware Valley (18-5)
North I
North Warren-Emerson Boro vs. Pompton Lakes-Waldwick
North II
Verona-Wallington vs. Glen Ridge (17-4)