And then, there was one.
After almost four weeks of the area boys soccer season, there is just one local team still unbeaten: the Florence Flashes.
How many people around the area would have picked Florence as the last unbeaten squad left before the season? While many teams had hype surrounding them heading into the 2019 campaign, the Flashes have produced. Florence has outscored its opponents 21-3 heading into Thursday, and currently sit on top of what is looking to be a loaded NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 1 bracket.
The Flashes have two big tests next week, and if they come through unscathed, will most certainly lock up at least two home games in the bracket.
TOP GAMES FROM LAST WEEK
Princeton back in CVC Colonial lead after 1-0 win over Allentown, Tuesday, Sept. 24: The Little Tigers rebounded from last week’s loss to Trenton by beating Allentown on the road. The Princeton defense, which is looking like the best unit in the league, now has four clean sheets, and has allowed just four goals in league play.
Trenton builds on Princeton win with 3-2 victory over Steinert, Tuesday, Sept. 24: There was little talk about this Trenton side heading into the season, after heavy losses to graduation. But that is not the case now: the Tornadoes are cutting a swath of destruction through the CVC of late, and the Spartans were the latest victim. Trailing by two goals at the break, Trenton scored three times in the second half to pull out a late victory. Harison Samayoa had a goal and two assists, while Antoneil Barker had the game winner in the 73rd minute.
WW-P South ends Hopewell Valley’s unbeaten start, Tuesday, Sept. 24: The Bulldogs were off to a 7-0 start to the season, but that unbeaten run ended Tuesday at the hands of West Windsor-Plainsboro South. The Pirates plundered Hopewell’s defense for three goals in the 3-0 shutout.
A LOOK AHEAD TO THE BEST GAMES OF THE NEXT WEEK
Saturday, Sept. 28, Pennington at LaSalle, 12 p.m.: Coming into this game off a narrow 1-0 loss to St. Benedict’s Prep., the Red Raiders will continue to build towards the silverware at the end of the season.
Tuesday, Oct. 1, Florence at Northern Burlington, 3:45 p.m.: Two of the top eight teams in the area battle it out, with a huge haul of power points on the line.
Wednesday, Oct. 2, St. Benedict’s Prep at Lawrenceville, 2 p.m.: The defending national champions, and current USA Today number one team in the country, make their way to Mercer County for a match against the Big Red.
Thursday, Oct. 3, New Egypt at Florence, 3:45 p.m.: The second match of the week for the Flashes is the bigger one, with a chance to all but lock up the BCSL Freedom Division title. Florence already has a 4-2 win over the Warriors from Sept. 10.
Thursday, Oct. 3, Allentown at Trenton, 4 p.m.: The Tornadoes are suddenly hot, and have a big CVC Colonial Division battle with Allentown.
TIMES PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Antoneil Barker, F, Trenton, Sr.: The striker has put himself near the top of the CVC in goals scored after a huge week. Barker had four goals last Friday in a 5-0 win over Robbinsville, then had the game-winner Tuesday as Trenton came back to stun Steinert. He totaled six goals for the week.
AREA PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH
1A. Babacar Niang, F, Pennington, Jr.
1B. Mansour Diop, MF, Pennington, Jr.
3. Conlan Paventi, F, South Hunterdon, Sr.
TIMES GREAT EIGHT
1. Pennington (6-3)
2. Florence (8-0)
3. Princeton (7-2)
4. Hopewell Valley (7-1)
5. Northern Burlington (5-4-1)
6. New Egypt (6-1-1)
7. Allentown (5-2)
8. Notre Dame (7-2)