Boy’s Soccer Sectional Final Preview vs Delran

Two very familiar teams will meet on Friday at 2pm when the boy’s soccer team hosts Delran for the South, Group 2 Final at 2pm at Cinnaminson High School. Here is our SJ2 Final preview.

#7 Cinnaminson: 11-6-4

#8 Delran: 12-6-4

The Pirates are in a position to defend their 2014 South, Group 2 sectional title when they hit the pitch on Friday afternoon against the rival Bears.

These two teams split the regular season series with the Pirates winning the first match 3-2 and the Bears taking the second match 1-0. In four playoff meetings between the two teams, the Pirates have a 1-1-2 record. Delran advanced in both of the penalty kick situations.

Cinnaminson has allowed two goals this postseason, both to Pinelands in the opening round contest that was decided by penalty kicks.

Round two saw the Pirates travel to #2 Middle Township only to return home with a 1-0 victory. The third round against #6 Manasquan resulted in a 2-0 shutout, the sixth of the season for the Pirates.

Keeper Mike Deal has had a huge postseason for the Pirates, recording two shutouts and making impressive saves in the penalty kick round against Pinelands.

The Pirates have received playoff goals from CJ Zimmer (2), Mason Stepnowski, Ryan Mahaffy and Sean Bockius. Stepnowski now has nine for the season, which is good for the team lead by one over Pat McCarthy (8).

Pirates head coach Jay Meile had the following to say prior to his team’s meeting with the Bears in the SJ2 Final on Friday:

“We are trying our best to focus on what we have been doing best during our playoff run. At this point in the playoffs we know every team is good and we must be sharp in every aspect of the game. Playing Delran is obviously exciting, but what’s even more motivating is the opportunity to defend the South Sectional Group II championship.”

The Pirates have enjoyed quite a bit of success under four-year head coach Meile, who has now led his team to three sectional title games since taking over the helm.

Cinnaminson lost to West Deptford in penalty kicks 4-1 in the SJ2 final in 2012, Meile’s first year as head coach. In 2013, the squad fell in the third round (semifinals) of the Central, Group 2 bracket to Rumson-Fair Haven, 3-2. In 2014, the Pirates took down Audubon 4-0 in the SJ2 Final.

The Pirates eventually lost in the Group 2 State Title game, 3-1, to Hackettstown in 2014. Cinnaminson has one state title, in 1991, and has played in three state title games. The Pirates boast six sectional titles in the program’s history.

Delran got to this point by not allowing a single goal in three postseason games. The #8 Bears have shutout #9 West Deptford 2-0, #1 Haddonfield 1-0 and took down #5 Sterling 4-1 in penalty kicks.

The Bears have scored just three goals this postseason, but their defense has been playing much better than it had during the regular season. Delran keeper Kevin Robinson has recorded seven shutouts this season, including the three in the playoffs.

Delran’s leading scorer, Jeremy Rafanello (15 goals), has two of the team’s three goals. The next closest goal scorer is Skyler Diggs with six.

Delran has eight state titles and 10 sectional titles in program history.