Brick Memorial Girls’ Soccer
GREATEST WINS
April, 1981 v. Howell
The Mustangs, a team without any seniors, defeat the Rebels 5-2. Eileen Reilly scores four goals for ‘Stangs. This marks the program’s and Head Coach Hank Handchen’s first victory.
May, 1985 v. Manalapan
In the first ever Shore Conference Tournament the 15th seeded Mustangs meet the 2nd seeded Braves on the day of the senior ball. All the seniors leave at half time! But junior Dina Bastianelli scores late in the game for the 1-0 victory.
May, 1991 v. Toms River East
Due to rain out games, Memorial faces the raiders in back-to-back matches with the ‘A’-South title on the line. The ‘Stangs romp in the first game 5-0. Two days later they defeat TRE again to claim the program’s first Championship! Coach Handchen ends his career with a long awaited victory lap!
April, 1992 v. Jackson
New Head coach Tommy Reilly wins in his debut as the mentor of the Lady Mustangs. This physical match takes place in Jackson. The 1-0 win is pivotal in Memorial’s march to Back-to-Back ‘A’-South Championships!
May, 1992 v. Wall
The Mustangs defeat the Crimson Knights in the Shore Conference Semifinals, on their home field. Memorial overcomes the narrow pitch for the 2-1 victory. Cindy Beltran leads the way as Memorial makes its first appearance in the S.C.T. Championship game.
April, 1995 v. Manasquan
Billy ‘B.C.” Caruso becomes the third coach in Brick Memorial history. In his debut the ‘Stangs thump the Warriors 2-0 and “The Hardest Working Team at the Shore” era begins.
May, 1995 v. Raritan
Janene Leinweber saves the day! The senior stopper scores on a header and moment’s later clears a sure goal off the line. Incredibly, both happen in over-time. The 3rd seeded Mustangs are headed to their second Shore Conference Championship game.
June, 1995 v. St. Rose
Jen Yanchosky records her 17th shutout of the season as Memorial ties the Purple Roses 0-0 in Wall. The Mustangs go unscored upon throughout the tournament to pave the way to share a Shore Conference Tournament Co-Championship.
May, 1996 v. Brick
The 16th seeded Mustangs shock the 1st seeded Dragons and the Shore Conference! The 2-0 victory is the only time a last seeded team knocks out a first seed. A corner kick goal by Jessica Sorice is all Memorial needs but Jamie Jobes tacks one on for insurance anyway.
November, 1996 v. Mainland Regional
The Shore Conference finally enters the State Tournament and the Mustang’s first win is a big one. Kristina D’Antonio registers a hat trick, while Lauren Tabolinsky & Missy Carroll also score. The 5-0 winners get a taste of a “state victory.” The added bonus: it comes at James V. DiFabio field.
November, 1996 v. Holy Cross
Two days later D’Antonio does it again. The 8th seeded Mustangs defeat the top seed and defending State Champions in Delran. Memorial scores early then hangs on, playing into a fierce wind in the second half. The road win comes in front of a rowdy catholic school crowd of several hundred. It’s an enjoyable ride home for the ‘Stangs after their first “Big Win” in the states.
October, 1997 v. Brick
The ‘B’-South title comes down to the final division game, played at DiFabio Field. The setting is a perfect situation, Brick v. Brick Memorial; winner takes all. Lauren “Rudy” Tabolinsky converts a penalty kick to send the game to overtime. At 4:22 into the first over-time, Missy Carroll serves the ball to Dee LaSalle who buries the game-winning header. A minute later Melissa Daley makes a heroic sliding tackle to preserve the championship. The pile-on at midfield tells the story, as the Mustangs celebrate the most emotional victory to date!
November, 1999 v. Toms River East
Three years of state frustration and futility come to an end. The Mustangs play a near perfect game, exploding for five first half goals. Kristina D’Antonio, Katie Harney (2), Kim Hainzl & Cara McCarthy score for Memorial. Kelly Brady marks TRE’s high scoring threat while Shannon Plunkett & Lori Wooley stop anything that gets through. In the second half the starters get a rest and Brick Memorial cruises into it’s first ever South Jersey Sectional Final!
November, 1999 v. Eastern
The drought is finally over! Memorial makes its first trip to the sectional finals a memorable one. Memorial’s two greatest scorers get one each. Kristina D’Antonio scores 35:17 to stake the ‘Stangs to a 1-0 lead. Playing on their home field, Memorial’s first sectional championship seems like a sure thing until an Eastern goal with under six minutes to play, sends the game to overtime. Incredibly, Memorial regroups and Crystal Petraccoro scores the greatest goal of her career off a feed from Tierney Brady just 40 seconds into overtime. The wild celebration begins as Brick Memorial finally gets the Sectional Championship that they have been desperately striving for.
November 1999 v. Hunterdon Central
Brick Memorial & Hunterdon Central both show up for the State Semi-Finals but the referees do not. They are forced to cancel and play the next day. The wait only makes the victory sweeter. The ‘Stangs start the game playing into a gusting wind, but they do not allow a goal. Lorie Wooley tips one over the crossbar in the closing minutes to keep the score knotted at zero. In the Mustang huddle at the half, everybody knows it’s only a matter of time. Seniors Crystal Petraccoro, Katie Harney & Pam Mihansky score second half goals and Wooley registers the shutout. You can hear the cries throughout the town, “We’re going to Trenton!” The Lady ‘Stangs are making their first appearance in the New Jersey State Finals.
November, 1999 v. Wayne Valley
DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE! Katie Harney, Katie Harney, say it twice because her two first half goals come just 56 seconds apart. The first one comes of a serve by Tierney Brady (via the Kim Hainzl dummy) and the second off a free kick. With the defense recording their 18th shutout, it is all the Mustangs need. The astro-turf is no match for Memorial, as they record their 24th win of the season. The tears & screams of joy begin, because “The Hardest Working Team at the Shore” are the 1999 New Jersey Group IV State Champions! The Champs are escorted back to Brick Memorial High School by a fire engine and ambulance! Their fans are able to celebrate one of the “Greatest Mustang Wins” ever!
October, 2000 v. Toms River South
After being predicted to finish as low as third in the division, the Mustangs win 4-2 in the final game of the regular season. Tierney Brady(2), Becky Burt & Danni Benfatti score for the’ Stangs as they win their fifth divisional title. After graduating several stars from the 1999 State Championship team the Mustangs must earn back the respect of the Shore Conference. This championship sends the message: Mustang Soccer is a winning tradition!
October, 2001 v. Toms River South
In front of a standing room only crowd the Mustangs avenge an earlier last second defeat against the Indians. Jenn Olszewski hits a shot the South keeper cannot hold onto and Becky Burt buries the rebound. Lauren Acosta registers the shutout, as the Mustangs do not allow a single shot after the Burt goal. For the third year in a row Brick Memorial wins their division. South and Memorial are ‘A’-South Co-Champs.
November, 2001 v. Lenape
The Mustangs advance to their third consecutive South Jersey Final. Only this time nobody expects them to be there. Incredibly, the Lady ‘Stangs reach the final with only two seniors in the starting line-up. Freshman Shana Brady scores two first half goals, assisted by her sister Tierney and Jenn Schweizer. In the second half Lenape applies unrelenting pressure. In a five-minute span they earn six consecutive corners. During that time Carlye Kane heads a sure goal off the line. Lauren Acosta has the greatest game of her career as the junior smothers numerous point blank shots for the victory. The Mustangs enjoy another championship ride home to Brick Memorial High School.
October, 2002 v. Brick
The Mustangs blank the Dragons 2-0. Becky Burt scores five minutes into the second half off a Shana Brady feed. Later in the half Kristen Kolibas scores on a Jess Fuccello assist. The victory clinches a share for the ‘A’-South Title. The fourth consecutive divisional championship means the seniors win a championship every year at Memorial.
November, 2002 v. Shawnee
In the sectional semifinals Jenn Schweizer’s late goal sends the game to overtime. The first year of “sudden death” overtime is huge for the ‘Stangs. Becky Burt strips a defender and serves a ball to Kristen Kolibas, whose shot hits the post. Jess Fuccello shoots the rebound only to be deflected by the goalkeeper. Shana Brady then buries the game winner off the third rebound. The pile-up tells the story. Game over- the Mustangs advance to their fourth consecutive championship game.
November, 2002 v. Lenape
For the third straight year it is Lenape & Brick Memorial in the South Jersey Championship game. Freshman Jess Fuccello scores two head ball goals off of senior Jenn Schweizer’s throw-ins. Once again Lauren Acosta shines in the Championship Match. She stuffs numerous shots to preserve the title. For the third time in four years, the Mustangs are South Jersey Group IV Champions.
November, 2002 v. Watchung Hills
Playing in their third state semi-final- the Mustangs come ready to play! Jess Fuccello scores with 4:34 left in the half off a Krystal Strada pass. The second half is a war as both teams deliver crunching tackles and hard fouls. With six minutes left in the game, Tara Marrone finds Kristen Kolibas alone in the box. The junior ices the game with a one-touch goal. Roll out the carpet because Brick Memorial is headed back to the astro-turf at The College of New Jersey.
November, 2002 v. Westfield
Forty-two seconds! Freshman Jess Fuccello scores just 42 seconds into the game off a pass from Tara Raftery. By the ten-minute mark, the Mustangs are leading 3-0 and Westfield has yet to cross midfield! Tara Marrone and Raftery score the other goals with an assist by Tierney Brady. The Mustangs play dominating soccer for the first 40 minutes. Going into an incredibly strong wind in the second half, Memorial only gives up four shots in the game. A late goal by Westfield is only a bump in the road for the Mustangs. Get the fire engines and ambulances ready! The girls of Mustang Soccer are once again escorted back to Brick Memorial High School as the 2002 New Jersey Group IV State Champions.
November 2003 v. East Brunswick
After a horrible regular season, by their standards, the Mustangs square off against the Bears in the Central Jersey Group IV Section Semi-finals. Regulation ends in a tie, highlighted by two goals from Jess Fuccello and a goal line clear by Caitlin Toomey. It all comes down to penalty kicks. After Memorial misses its first three kicks, they sink their next two. In sudden death kicks, Meghan Toomey & Jamie Kaiser both scored, Kaiser then stops the next shot- Mustangs Win!
November, 2003 v. Howell
The ninth seeded Mustangs head to Howell to play in a fierce windstorm. At the sixty-minute mark Jess Fuccello continues her hot streak in Sectional Championship games by once again, scoring the winning goal. The Mustangs battle Mother Nature and Howell for the last twenty minutes, until the final whistle blows. Brick Memorial makes its 1st year in Central Jersey a great one by winning its fourth sectional title in the past five years.
November, 2003 v. Toms River East
After splitting their regular season games the Raiders & Mustangs square off at Southern Regional with a trip to the carpet at stake. Two minutes before the half Shana Brady runs down a loose ball on the end line and cuts it back into the box. Crashing the box are Jess Fuccello and Maggie Chussler. Jess gets a head on it and Maggie buries it with her right foot. 1-0 Mustangs at the half! The Mustang defenders lead the way in the second half and Kaiser notches her 10th shutout. It’s a great ride up the parkway because- we are going back to the turf!
November, 2003 v. Bridgewater-Raritan
It was once again the Mustangs day on the turf at The College of New Jersey. Memorial overcomes a season of adversity, injuries and a 9-5 record at the state cut-off date to win its third gold trophy. Goals by Jess Fuccello (who else?!) and Shana Brady, along with a goal saving clearance by Caitlin Toomey propels the Mustangs to the 2003 New Jersey State Championship. For the third time in five years, fire engines and ambulances will be escorting our State Champs back to Brick Memorial High School. It’s a great day to be a Mustang!
October, 2004 v. Jackson
The Mustangs defeat Jackson 3-1 to win their eighth divisional championship. Goals by Jess Fuccello(2) and Mallory Baker give the home team the victory. Looks like the ‘Stangs are peaking just in time for the NJSIAA Tournament- again!
November, 2004 v. Hamilton East
Jess Fuccello continues her dominance in Sectional Championship games. In the last three years Memorial has scored four goals in Sectional Championship games- all by the junior Fuccello! Mallory Baker provides the assist as goalkeeper, Shannon Boe & the Memorial defense, lead by Caitlin Toomey & Sarah Conway secure the win. Memorial and the senior class win their fourth straight sectional title.
November, 2004 v. Lenape
The Mustangs play as close to perfect as they can in a 3-0 victory in the State Semi-Finals. It is the usual suspects scoring for Brick Memorial as Jess Fuccello(2) and Mallory Baker do all the scoring for the ‘Stangs. The duo has become one of the most dangerous one-two punches in the state. Shannon Boe and the Mustang defense earn their tenth shutout as the Mustangs prepare for a third straight trip to the turf at The College of New Jersey.
November, 2004 v. Roxbury
Three-peat! Three-peat! Three-peat! The Mustangs become the first Group IV team to win three straight State Championships. Senior Ally Geran scores only her second goal of the season to give the ‘Stangs a 1-0 lead. Just 27 seconds later Roxbury ties the score. Now the fun begins! In the 66th minute Mallory Baker crafts a give & go with Jess Fuccello. Fuccello drops a perfect pass to Shana Brady who fires a rope into the right, upper ninety from 18 yards out. Pandemonium ensues after one of the greatest and prettiest goals in the Mustangs’ storied history. The girls hold on for fourteen more minutes to win the program's fourth State Championship in six years! For the third year in a row the Girls of Mustang Soccer come rolling down Lanes Mill Road behind a parade like escort of fire engines and ambulances!
October, 2005 v. Toms River South
Mallory Baker scores two goals and Jess Fuccello adds one as the Mustangs win their ninth divisional crown in Toms River. The defense comes up big again as Shannon Boe only needs to make five saves to record the shutout. The girls go a perfect 12-0 in division play. This is the first time that Memorial enjoys a perfect season in ‘A’-South.
November, 2005 v. Middletown North
The Mustangs finally win that elusive, outright Shore Conference Tournament Championship. In the schools rich history they have gone 0-3-1 in SCT finals until this year. Christina Cuffari set up two Jess Fuccello goals in the final ten minutes to snap a 1-1 tie to secure the championship. Earlier, the Mustang defenders got into the scoring action as Caitlin Toomey found Kylie Stankovics who scored the first goal of the match. Shannon Boe and the Mustang defense play a strong game again, as the ‘Stangs finally take an SCT victory lap.
November, 2007 v. Southern Regional
The Mustangs win their tenth divisional championship at the Veterans Memorial Complex. Alyssa Keating opened up the scoring off a cross from Christina Cuffari. Red gets her own goal a few minutes later on a penalty kick. Next, it was Annie McCarthy’s turn, on an assist from Ricky Suhl. The Caitlin Conway show opened up the second half as she scored on a blast from outside the 18, off a Keating assist. Jordan Downs finished the scoring as the Mustangs roll to another ‘A’-South Championship.
October, 2008 v. Brick
The Mustangs win their 11th divisional championship at the Veterans Memorial Complex. They defeat the Dragons off of a Ricky Suhl goal and a Cait Conway assist, 15 minutes into the game. Three minutes into the second half Conway adds an insurance goal to seal the Championship. Amanda Simon records the shutout while Jordan Downs & Jackie Janicky anchor the defense in another championship banner raising game.
October, 2008 v. Wall
With their rich history it’s hard to put a non-championship game in this category, but this win is that good! It’s the SCT quarterfinals and the ‘Stangs are down 0-2, 15 minutes into the game. Then the girls of Mustang Soccer begin to play. Lead by four, Jordan Downs re-starts, they begin to mount their comeback. To start things off, Jackie Caravella scores off a corner, then Ricky Suhl follows and buries a free kick that hits the post. Wall then moves back ahead, 3-2. But the ‘Stangs refuse to give up. In a three-minute span Brianne Toomey scores her first varsity goal off a free kick from Downs. Then Downs buries a laser from just outside the box for the game winner!
November, 2008 v. Montgomery
The Mustangs are back in the Sectional Championship for the eighth time! The Mustangs dodge a few bullets as Montgomery hits a crossbar and Alex Montalto clears a ball off the line in the second half to earn this well deserved victory. In the 69th minute Ricky Suhl finds Briana Fischer, who buries the game winner at the lower left post. The Mustangs are no dummies! - They pack it in for the last ten minutes and hold on for the championship! The least likely of all the sectional championship teams prove that “The Hardest working Team at the Shore” isn’t just a motto- it’s a way of life for Brick Memorial!
November, 2014 v. Freehold Borough
Madison Farley scores off of a Julia Kirkpatrick free kick to send the Mustangs to the State Sectional Semifinals for the first time since 2008. The Mustangs fight the snow, freezing cold temperatures and rowdy Freehold fans to secure the victory. Ciara Korber earns the win in goal for the Mustangs.
November, 2021 v. Middletown North
After years of mediocrity the Mustangs play their first game at home in the State Tournament since 2012. The #3 seeded Mustangs excite the home crowd early as Lexi Caruso scores three minutes in off a Makenzie Fanning cross. Ten minutes later it’s Lexi again off her twin sister Mia’s pass. The Stang go on to a 4-0 victory with two more goals. The third by Makenzie Fanning from a Brooke DeAlmeida assist. Then Gabby Hernandez finishes the scoring off a Lexi assist. Abby Fuchs registers her 8th shut-out off the season.
September, 2022 v. Toms River North
The Mustangs travel to Toms River in a critical A-South match up. The Mariners (ranked #3 in NJ at game time) have owned the divison and the Mustangs for years. The Memorial win is its first vs. TRN since 2014 and had gone 0-13-2. Gabby Hernadez scores off a Mekenzie Fanning cross to put the visitors up early. A few minutes later Fanning finds Emily DeAlmeida who buries the second goal. The midfield combo of Brooke & Emily DeAlmeida, Hernandez and Mia Caruso dominate the game. Hayley Tighe comes up big in goal and Ashley Schlagenhaft and Jordan McCullough hold down TRN's two scoring threats. This win is pivotal in Brick Memorial winning a share of it's first A-South Championship since 2014!
November, 2022 v. Steinert
The fifth seeded Mustangs travel to the number one seed in a Central Jersey Group III semi-final match up. Steinert goes up early 1-0 but Memorial battles back and after a eight pass sequence Mia Caruso finds Emily DeAlmeida at the penalty mark and she buries the tying goal in the upper 90! The Mustangs dominate the second half but don't find the winning goal until the last ten minutes of the game. Ashlee Schlagenhaft scores her first goal of the season diretly off a corner and the Stangs park the bus to secure the win, with some crafty dribbling to the corner flag by Makenzie Fanning. The dramtic win sends Brick Memorial to its first Sectional Championship game in 14 years!
November, 2023 v. Middletown South
In a rematch of the 2022 Central Jersey Group III Championship (which Memorial lost 3-2 in the second OT) the Mustangs head back to Middletown South. Chloe Gellici gets the Stangs on the board off a Gabby Hernandez corner kick with four minutes left in the first half. The Eagles battle back to tie the score in the 52nd minute. Memorial controls the game but cannot find the winning goal through the first OT. For the second straight year we are headed to Double OT. This year is different for the Mustangs- Maggie Allen dribbles down the sideline and serves a perfect cross to Gellici at the far post. Chloe buries it for the Championship winning goal. The huge Brick Memorial crowd storms the field to celebrate the Mustangs 7th Sectional Championship- it's first since 2008! It's been a long wait but we are Champions again!!