#5 Brick Memorial at #2 Toms River North

In a battle of two top ten teams in the Shore Conference we had #5 Brick Memorial (2-0-1) go on the road and defeat #2 Toms River North (1-1) 2-1. The victory gives the Mustangs an early edge in A South, but we have a long season ahead of us. The first victory over TRN since the 2014 season going 0-13-2 in that span. 

"That is the biggest win we have had here in a long long time," Brick Memorial Head Coach Billy Caruso said.  "I am still sky high, we haven't won here since 2014."

The game opened up with both teams feeling each other out and both getting a couple shots off until Brick Memorial picked up the pace.  They were able to score first when junior Gabby Hernendaz put in a cross from senior Makenzie Fanning 16 minutes into the game. 

The Mustangs did not let up; they scored again three minutes later when senior Emily DeAlmedia put one past Mariner goalie, senior Kyran Thievon, from 25 yards out off a pass from Fanning, who notched her second assist of the game.

"My game plan was to play simple and do what I do best," Fanning said. "After four years, especially last year, last year we were in the competition and this year we came in and knew we could beat them as long as we performed and I think we got the job done."

Brick Memorial kept the pressure on for the rest of the first half, sophomore defender Jordan McCullough had a couple good chances off free kicks but they went just wide.

Toms River North's best chance in the first half came at the 29th minute off a free kick by junior Alexis Garcia, but Mustang senior goalie Hayley Tighe was able to make the save. 

The Mariners started out the second half strong and was able to get one goal back on the 47th minute when junior Kaylee Nagle recieved a pass from junior Arliana Torres and was able to beat a Mustangs defender and then put it past Tighe. 

Toms River North's attack got stronger the final 12 minutes. Senior Madison DiEugenio put a free kick just wide of the post and Garcia shot just wide with four minutes left in the game.  Tighe and the Mustang defense was able to hold off and finish the game out with the victory.

"They are a great team," Caruso said of TRN. "Garcia and DiEugenio, they scare us. They are so good. Our backs have been playing awesome. They played great against Middletown South. I am so proud of our kids in the back."

The difference from last years' games was Brick Memorial's ability to control the midfield, especially in the first half and keeping the pressure on the Mariners defense. 

"The secret today was our midfield," Caruso explained. "Emily, Mia, Brooke, and Gabby, if they owned the midfield we would win the game and that's what happened. We have one of the best midfields in the Shore."

My player of the game Brick Memorial Makenzie Fanning. Besides having both assists, she battled her injury all game and fought her for her team. 

"She could hardly move and all I have to do is tell Makenzie to run through a wall and she will tell me what part of the wall and how much do you want knocked down," Caruso said about Fanning's performance.

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