CBA Soccer 2016 Team of the Year

Tom Mulligan knew how much potential his team had in the first year as the helm of the storied Christian Brothers Academy soccer program. But as a former player, and a coach at the sub-varsity level for two decades at CBA, Mulligan, who took over for legendary coach Dan Keane, knew that this team would ultimately be judged by how it performed late in the season. And this time around, the Colts left no stone unturned in a record-setting campaign. CBA lost just once all season and captured its second straight Shore Conference Tournament title and sixth overall Non-Public A state championship en route to the No. 1 ranking in the NJ.com Top 50. Christian Brothers, which set a program record for wins (24) and goals (86) is the team of the year for 2016. The Colts opened the season with 15 straight wins, including non-conference wins against Don Bosco Prep, Chaminade (N.Y.), and DeMatha (Md.). But any hopes of a perfect season, like the team accomplished in 2011, were dashed when P.J. Ringel scored twice in the first half as No. 11 Marlboro knocked off CBA, 3-1, in Lincroft on Oct. 19. CBA was ranked No. 1 at the time and had its collective sights set on an undefeated record heading into the Shore Conference Tournament. But that loss was ultimately avenged 10 days later, when goals from Matt Mawson and defender John Askin paved the way to a 2-0 win over Marlboro as CBA became the first team to win back-to-back Shore Conference Tournament titles since the 2010 and 2011 teams in Lincroft. The Colts carried that momentum in the state tournament, where a 3-0 win over St. John Vianney and a 2-1 victory against St. Joseph (Met.) set up a sectional final rematch with South Jersey power St. Augustine. But CBA, which appeared destined for a return trip to Kean University, left nothing in doubt with a 5-0 victory against the Hermits. In the state final, which CBA lost to Delbarton in 2015, the Colts dominated possession and shut down the top player in the state as Matt Thorsheim converted a pass from Mawson in the final minutes to send Christian Brothers to its first state championship since 2011 and No. 6 overall. The state championship was the exclamation point on a season that will certainly go down as one of the best in program history – and a worthwhile start for Mulligan, who watched his predecessor celebrate plenty of times on the CBA sideline, in one capacity or another. "I told the players before the game that the best soccer team is the team that's going to win and the team that plays the best soccer is going to be the team that wins," Mulligan said after CBA's win over Seton Hall Prep in the state final. "I don't know many teams that play soccer this year that we've seen, or that I've seen, than CBA soccer. I'm biased obviously, but I really enjoyed coaching and watching these kids play this year." Balance became the calling card for one of the best CBA teams in program history this season. Thorsheim, a first-team All-State selection, led Christian Brothers in scoring with 14 goals and 21 assists. Center back Scott Misson, also a first-team All-State selection, was one of the top defenders in the state, evidenced by his work against Seton Hall Prep's Mason Toye in the state final. Mawson had 12 goals and nine assists, while Patrick Kollman finished with 16 goals and nine assists. Jack Gill (eight goals, two assists), Aaron Robertson (seven goals, seven assists), Joe Lozowski (seven goals), and Thomas Judge (six goals) all played major factors for CBA, along with keeper Aedan Boriotti in net.

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Christian Brothers Academy Athletics

CBA SOCCER 2016 TEAM OF THE YEAR

BRIAN DEAKYNE

High School Sports NJ | 12/12/2016

PHOTO CREDIT: Andrew Mills