Freehold Township girls soccer wins back-to-back Shore Conference Tournament titles

NEPTUNE – Ever since its heartbreaking loss in last year’s state final, Freehold Township set its eyes on November 2022 and another potential crack at the state title. That still is the ultimate goal for the Patriots.

But there’s plenty stepping stones between the Patriots and the final game of the season. One came on Saturday afternoon, and the Patriots took care of it decisively.

An early goal by Hailey Santiago and more dominant defensive play led top-seeded Freehold Township to a 1-0 shutout of No. 6 Howell in the Shore Conference Tournament final.

The Patriots (15-1) became the first team in program history to win consecutive conference titles. It’s the third overall conference crown for Freehold Township.

And while their eyes are still set on the Group 4 final, the Patriots were still able to mark off something on their checklist.

“I feel like this year we came with an expectation of what we needed to accomplish,” Freehold Township junior Ainsley Moy said. “We understand what we need to do at this point. This is a checkpoint in our season. We knew we could do this. It’s having the mindset and the ability to execute it.

“We’re so ready for the next chapter and continuing the journey.”

More Santiago magic

With its potent offensive attack, Freehold Township very quickly grabbed the lead.

In the 29th minute, Moy sent a corner kick into the box. The ball sailed over the head of a leaping Gaby Parker but fell to the feet of Hailey Santiago. The junior one-touched the ball with her right foot into the net.

Santiago has been a revelation for the Patriots this season, especially with the torn ACL of last year’s Shore Conference Player of the Year Cassidy Corcione keeping her on the sidelines. Santiago was great last year, but her 18 goals thus far have paced the Patriots.

“I just wanted to prove myself this year,” Santiago said. “Obviously with Cassidy gone, we needed people to step up like she did. I took the step up.”

Every opposing team knows to mark Santiago. She just keeps getting open for big goals. In four tournament games, she netted six goals.

“I just think she’s so fast, she creates her own space out there,” Freehold Township head coach Dave Patterson said. “When she gets the ball at her feet, we know she’s beating the first defender and a lot of the times, she beats the second and third defender as well.”

Masterful defense

Once Santiago got Freehold Township on the board, the defense dug in for a sparkling 51 minutes. It came as no surprise for a team that has allowed only six goals all year long.

As Howell desperately searched for an equalizer in the second half, the defense held strong. It held up so well that not many of Howell’s chances were particularly dangerous.

“What I think is underrated is our defense and that we do have so many shutouts,” Freehold Township senior center back Gabby Koluch said. “In the tough games when it’s really close, it’s our defense that keeps us going. It gives us that momentum.”

Where Freehold Township also kept Howell off the scoreboard was in the center midfield with Moy and senior Kayla Wong. The clinical precision in which the two pass the ball and keep it from the opposing team is unmatched.

“We’ve worked so much on our tactical understanding of the game,” Moy said. “I feel like one strong thing about our team is our ability to pass the ball and our ability to be so dynamic on the attack and in transition.”

Unprecedented success

Patterson has been the head coach at Freehold Township for the last 13 years and has seen his fair share of talented teams.

This current team is clearly full of talent with multiple Division 1 players like Moy (TCU), Wong (Princeton) and Goluch (Villanova) littering the field. But in Patterson’s mind, their cohesiveness is what has helped this group accomplish what no other was able to do before.

“They love being around each other, they love playing together and for each other. That leads to their confidence on the field,” Patterson said. “No team has had the energy that this team has had.”

Girls soccer SCT finals history

2022 -- Freehold Township 1, Howell 0

2021 -- Freehold Township 3, Toms River North 1

2020 -- Tournament canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

2019 -- Red Bank Catholic 2, Toms River North 0

2018 -- Toms River North 1, Red Bank Catholic 0

2017 -- Wall 4, Freehold Township 2

2016 -- Colts Neck 3, Freehold Township 0

2015 -- Colts Neck 1, Freehold Township 0

2014 -- Wall 1, Colts Neck 0

2013 -- Red Bank Catholic 1, Central 0

2012 -- Toms River North 2, Freehold Boro 0

2011 -- Freehold Township 1, Wall 0

2010 -- Red Bank Catholic 4, Wall 0

2009 -- Red Bank Catholic 3, Jackson Memorial 1

2008 -- Red Bank Catholic 1, Freehold Boro 0

2007 -- Jackson Memorial 2, Brick Memorial 1

2006 -- Freehold Boro 2, Red Bank Catholic 0

2005 -- Brick Memorial 3, Middletown North 1

2004 -- Middletown North 1, Lacey 0

2003 -- Lacey 3, Red Bank Catholic 0

2002 -- Toms River South 3, Lacey 0

2001 -- Red Bank Catholic 3, St. John Vianney 0

2000 -- St. John Vianney 2, Red Bank Catholic 1

1999 -- Red Bank Catholic 4, Brick Memorial 1

1998 -- Wall 3, Middletown South 1

1997 -- Freehold Boro 2, Brick Memorial 0

1996 -- St. Rose 3, Jackson Memorial 1

1995 -- St. Rose 0, Brick Memorial 0 (co-champions)

1994 -- Lacey 1, Wall 0

1993 -- Middletown North 3, St. Rose 0

1992 -- Middletown North 1, Brick Memorial 0

1991 -- Middletown North 3, Wall 2

1990 -- Point Boro 4, Wall 1

1989 -- Lacey 4, Middletown North 2

1988 -- Manalapan 2, Toms River North 1

1987 -- Point Boro 4, Wall 1

1986 -- Manalapan 1, Lacey 0

Danny LoGiudice has covered local sports across New Jersey since 2014. Contact him at dlogiudice@gannettnj.com or @danny_logiudice on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore Conference NJ girls soccer: Freehold Township wins SCT title again