South Jersey H.S. Boys’ Soccer Primer

The South Jersey boys’ soccer season is upon us. Teams can play regular season games as early as this week. Here is our primer for the season.

Oct. 24: Round one at higher seed

Oct. 27: Round two at higher seed

Oct. 29: Semifinals at DeCou (Cherry Hill), 6 and 8

Nov. 1: Championship at DeCou, 6:30

Defending champion: Washington Township

Round 1: Nov. 4 at higher seed

Round 2: Nov. 6 or Nov. 7 at higher seed

Round 3: Nov. 11 at higher seed

Sectional finals: Nov. 13 or 14 at higher seed

State semifinals: Nov. 18 at team with higher power points.

State finals: Nov. 22 at Franklin High School

Round 1: Nov. 2 at higher seed

Round 2: Nov. 5 at higher seed

Round 3: Nov. 9 at higher seed

Sectional finals: Nov. 12 at higher seed

State finals: Nov. 15 at Franklin High School

SJ Group 1: Haddon Township

SJ Group 2: Seneca

SJ Group 3: Moorestown

SJ Group 4: Southern Regional

SJ Non-Public A: Pingry

SJ Non-Public B: Ranney

Group 1: Glen Ridge

Group 2: Madison

Group 3: Ramapo

Group 4: West Orange

Non-Public A: St. Benedict’s Prep

Non-Public B: Montclair Kimberly

Can a South Jersey team reach the state final?

Last year South Jersey was shut out of the state championship. As recently as 2024, South Jersey had four teams reach the state final. Shawnee won the Group 3 state championship and Sterling was the champ in Group 2. Meanwhile, Haddon Township reached the title game in Group 1 and Moorestown Friends did in Non-Public B.

One team that figures to challenge for a state title and the No. 1 team in South Jersey is St. Augustine. The Hermits lost to Washington Township, 1-0 in overtime in last year’s Coaches Tournament championship. Senior Mike Coluzzi was a first-team All-South Jersey selection by the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association. He had 17 goals and 13 assists. Senior John Lamanteer added 14 goals and three assists. Senior midfielder Will Law contributed five goals and four assists.

Another state title contender is Haddon Township. Senior Bobby McIlvaine was a third-team All-South Jersey selection after totaling 14 goals and 12 assists. Junior Brody Beals added 12 goals and 10 assists. Senior Collin Feeley, who recorded nine shutouts last season, is expected to be among the top keepers in South Jersey.

The Hawks have won consecutive South Jersey Group 1 titles and were a state finalist in 2024. Coach Nick Hanuscin’s team plays one of the top schedules for a Group 1 team, both competing in the Colonial Conference Liberty Division and a challenging non-league schedule, but that will prepare the Hawks for the rigors of the state tournament.