Eagles top Lancers, 3-0, as squad begins to find its soccer stride

The Middletown South High School girls soccer team is starting to find its groove on the field this fall.

Following its first victory of the season against Rumson Fair-Haven Regional High School on Sept. 12, the Eagles defeated Saint John Vianney High School of Holmdel, 3-0, on Sept. 15 in Middletown. The Lancers entered the game with an unbeaten record.

The Eagles scored two goals in the first 11 minutes of the contest and went on to post the shutout victory to improve to 2-1-1.

“It’s really encouraging” winning the last two games, Coach Megan Barry said. “The start to our season has been a competitive one. We know every game is going to be competitive. We were hoping to take it to (Saint John Vianney) and we were able to come out strong and get the job done.”

Senior Makayla Jaffe delivered the assist on all three Middletown South goals and said, ”I love being able to put my teammates in good positions to score.”

In the seventh minute, Jaffe set up Lauren Ceurvels for a goal that gave the Eagles a quick 1-0 lead.

Jaffe, a senior midfielder, led the attack moments later and sent a cross to freshman Bea Tinoco, who was streaking up the left sideline. Tinoco finished the sequence with a goal that gave the Eagles a 2-0 advantage.

“What is really special about Bea is that I know I can always trust her,” Jaffe said. “I saw the space down the line and knew she was going to make that run. It was a really good goal.”

Tinoco leads the Eagles with three goals in four matches and said, “I’m pretty pleased with myself. I think there is a lot I can do better. I always push myself to be the best.”

Jaffe dished off her third assist in the 59th minute by setting up Abby Doherty, who put home her first goal of the 2022 season.

As a junior in 2021, Jaffe scored eight goals and added two assists. Thus far in 2022, she has provided four assists.

Jaffe said Middletown South has gained a lot of momentum with its back-to-back victories and added that she is excited to see what she and the Eagles can accomplish in 2022.

“I think we can be very competitive this season,” Jaffe said.

Junior goalkeeper Allie Greco recorded nine saves against Saint John Vianney to post her first shutout of the campaign.

The Eagles will host Toms River South High School on Sept. 17.

Prior to Middletown South’s game against Rumson-Fair Haven, Barry said she and the players set a goal of winning all three games during the week. She said the players have exceeded her expectations to begin the season.

“They are so coachable every game and they are exceeding (my expectations). They are getting better in every game we play,” the coach said.