Manasquan Warriors Boys soccer Triumph in Tough 4-2 Battle Against Long Branch

MANASQUAN, NJ – The Manasquan High School (MHS) Boys soccer team entered their matchup against Long Branch with a pressing need to accumulate Conference points in their highly competitive A-North division. With Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) leading the pack with a 9-3 record, including a recent 3-0 victory over MHS, the Warriors were determined to secure a much-needed win. On the other hand, Long Branch, sitting at the bottom of the standings with a 1-8 record, seemed like a straightforward opponent.

However, nothing came easy for the Warriors in their eventual 4-2 victory over an aggressive Long Branch side. MHS Head Coach McGill praised the opposition post-game, saying, “I’ve seen Long Branch play several times, and it’s amazing they haven’t had more success in terms of wins and losses. They’re one of the toughest tackling teams we’ve faced. They never give up, and that’s a credit to them.” This resilience showed in the first half, as both teams went into halftime tied 2-2.

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Manasquan started strong, with Tristan Davolos-Guillen scoring just 57 seconds into the game. But Long Branch responded 17 minutes later with Chris De Oliveira’s equalizer, leveling the score at 1-1. Nine minutes before the half, MHS center-back Griffin Linstra regained the lead for the Warriors. However, Long Branch was not done, as Thomas Silva Ferreira beat Warriors goalkeeper Dylan Morris with 7:52 left in the half, sending the teams into the break tied. Much of the play in the first half was a defensive battle between two aggressive teams, where the ball was played between the boxes.

The second half mirrored the physicality of the first, with numerous stoppages due to fouls, holds, and tackles. Despite the intense physical play, MHS began to open up the field, creating more chances. Cruz Farkas capitalized on one such opportunity, breaking free to blast in a goal that put MHS ahead 3-2. As Long Branch pressed forward in search of another equalizer, the Warriors continued launching long passes to stretch the defense. Brandon Kunz sealed the victory with a late goal, making it 4-2.

After the match, Coach McGill reflected on the team's recent challenges, stating, “We’ve been in a bit of a rut, facing the top teams in the Shore Conference. We had a balanced attack today but need the courage to keep possession with a purpose. We had that earlier in the season, and we’ll get it back.”

Manasquan’s scoring breakdown included one goal from Davolos-Guillen, one each from Kunz and Farkas (both of whom also had assists), and one from Linstra. Additionally, both Mack and Cruz provided assists, and Morris finished the game with six saves.

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The Long Branch scoring came from Oliveira Santos and Ferreire each with one goal and an assist from Lopez. Carols Andre Rodas ended with 8 saves on the day.

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