After three straight games scoring three-plus goals, Rumson was finally the team to find an answer to Manalapan’s normally potent offense.
Facing off in a Shore Conference A North division tilt at Rumson, the two sides played to a 0-0 draw. Rumson was stout defensively and bolstered in net by Jack Del Priore, who made seven saves all told, including several diving efforts to keep the game tied.
Comfortable getting numbers behind the ball and absorbing pressure, Rumson didn’t always look to get forward. But, their play in the middle of the field and ability to possess when they did have the ball as well as their good shape and vision defensively allowed the Bulldogs to have their share of chances, several from in close.
Where Rumson got its best looks was on set pieces — namely corner kicks or long throw-ins by defender Zach Halpern, who almost always placed the ball exactly where it needed to be with considerable range.
Manalapan had its chances as well and its stretches where their physicality and crisp passing where on display, but ultimately it wasn’t enough as the Braves were held scoreless for the first time in three games after scoring 18 goals in their last three games.
Still, the Braves’ unbeaten streak moves to four games and their shutout streak to three games in a row as their record now sits at 3-1-2 with a road tilt against Manasquan on Thursday up next while Rumson moves to 3-2-2 with three shutouts on the year and they’ll travel to Toms River on Wednesday to play Donovan Catholic.