Boys Soccer: GMC Tournament semifinals preview - NJ.com

GREATER MIDDLESEX CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

SEMIFINAL ROUND | BRACKET

Tuesday, Oct. 22

8-New Brunswick at 4-East Brunswick, 4

East Brunswick likely didn’t expect to be hosting a game in the semifinals, but when it comes to the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament, nothing can be assumed.

That sets the stage for this semifinal, where No. 8-seed New Brunswick heads south to visit a resurgent No. 4-seed East Brunswick with a trip to the championship on the line. New Brunswick turned the tournament on its head over the weekend when it eliminated GMCT favorite Monroe, the No. 1-seed, in penalties after playing to a 2-2 draw.

That result was eye-popping considering New Brunswick entered that game in a bit of a slump, just 1-3 in its previous four games. Yefry Rodriguez has been sensational this season for the Zebras, with 23 goals already in the bank and a 30-goal season very much within reach with the state tournament still to go.

New Brunswick (11-4-1) delivered a 2-1 win over White Division rival North Brunswick in the first round before taking down Monroe on the road Saturday.

Defending champion East Brunswick should be the favorite to win the tournament again as the it turns to the semifinals this week after a 5-2 win over No. 5-seed Piscataway over the weekend. Since an 0-2-1 start to the year, East Brunswick has been as good as any team in the conference, despite a late-season hiccup in a loss to St. Joseph (Met.) last week.

Built on the foundation of its stellar back line, this East Brunswick may lack the flair and star power from last season’s sectional championship-winning team, but the pieces are there for a deep run in the postseason again. Anthony Rappa, Antonio Baratta and Srihari Sudhir lead an attack that is athletic, dangerous and determined to disprove the narrative that this team struggles to score goals.

Goalkeeper Ryan McSwieney, one of the few returners from last season, has been the backbone behind East Brunswick’s run in the second half of the season.

A win over Piscataway should send East Brunswick into Tuesday’s semifinal, on its home field, with a boatload of confidence and belief that last season’s November magic can return. The Bears’ resume was good enough to earn the No. 2-seed in the GMCT but that loss to St. Joe’s in the final week dropped them to No. 4.

But none of that matters at this point for East Brunswick, two wins away from hoisting that coveted trophy again.

10-Middlesex at 3-South Brunswick, 3:30

The Greater Middlesex Conference has long been dominated by Group 4 schools, but No. 10-seed Middlesex has ignored that narrative in this improbable postseason run.

Certainly a contender to win the Central Jersey, Group 1 state tournament in a few weeks, Middlesex has turned heads to reach the GMCT semis, headlined by a 2-1 win on the road over No. 2-seed South Plainfield in the quarterfinals over the weekend.

Middlesex’s resume includes two wins over division rival Highland Park but its biggest test awaits, on the road again, Tuesday against No. 3-seed South Brunswick — a perennial contender in Middlesex County.

Similar to East Brunswick, South Brunswick was expected to be in a transitioning phase after graduating a stellar senior class that reached the county final a year ago. The Vikings have had their struggles, evidenced in lopsided losses to East Brunswick and Monroe, but are in contention for a county title once again.

Jake Stump, unsurprisingly, has been as good as advertised again this season with 23 goals with South Brunswick’s attack running through him. This game has the potential to be more offensive than defensive, which should give the advantage to South Brunswick and Stump.

South Brunswick produced wins over Wardlaw-Hartridge (5-1) and Colonia (2-1) to reach the county semifinals.

Brian Deakyne may be reached at bdeakyne@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrianDeakyne. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.

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