By Rich Fisher, Contributing Editor
Top photo: Senior captain Jack Frazier is back at scrum for the CBA rugby team after a stellar performance during CBA’s undefeated 2025 campaign. Photo by Larry Levanti/arrylevanti.zenfolio.com
As the new school year gets underway, so too does high school athletics. A number of teams anticipate success this season; here is a look at one hopeful team from several Catholic high schools within the Diocese of Trenton.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, LINCROFT
Coming off consecutive state championship seasons and an undefeated 2025 campaign, the Colts return veteran rugby players who know how to win as they enter the Fall Sevens season.
Senior captain Jack Frazier will play scrum half and had some memorable tries last season. Senior captain Joe Colton is a forward/center, and coach Patrick Moroney said, “Off the field, he’s known for his kindness, but on the field, he’s tough and determined.” Junior captain Nico Briggs is at hooker and working his way back from ACL surgery.
Other juniors feature forward Nicholas Favato, who displays power, quick feet and speed; center Marshall Enright, who can score from anywhere; John Simpson, who moves from scrum to fly half; and PJ Norcia, who’s “excellent in the lineout and a menace at the breakdown.”
CBA possesses the fitness, ball movement and discipline necessary for the Fall Sevens Series. Experience, tough defense and incoming talent keeps optimism high.
“I am excited to see this group come together and forge a new team, a new way of playing, and continue the progress we have made over the past few years,” Moroney said. “They are a good group, and I look forward to seeing them perform.”
DONOVAN CATHOLIC, TOMS RIVER
The Griffins field hockey team was only 4-12-1 last year but returns 13 seniors that should help Donovan make a nice leap this season.
“Some seniors have been playing since middle school, the majority learned how to play their freshman year at Donovan,” coach Elizabeth Herlihy said. Our assistant coach Audrey Boyd-Iovino and I just want to share our love of the sport with these girls.”
Some key returnees include senior goalie Mackenzie Asfalg (10 saves per game), standout senior midfielder Kenley Bottles (10 goals, 8 assists), junior forward/midfielder Sophia Meuerle, senior forward Isabella Ross (3 goals, 2 assists) and senior back Regan Weiss.
Herlihy noted that many of last year’s growing pains came from still learning the game, she and looks for further progress this season.
“I let them know that even within the four quarters of a game they should be learning and making adjustments so that we can see improvement throughout the game,” the coach said. “I want to see us have successful teamwork and communication on and off the field, and for them to always give their best every time we step on the field whether it’s a practice or a game.”
HOLY CROSS PREP, DELRAN
After an 11-8 season, the question facing the Lancers girls soccer team is how will it replace the 29 goals and five assists collected by Ava DiFulvio, now playing for LaSalle University.
Veteran coach Sergio Torres feels that junior midfielder Harlow Kajkowski, already committed to Seton Hall, can fill the void. She had four goals and 15 assists last year.
“I believe that Harlow is going to have a break-out season in terms of scoring,” Torres said. “Last season she was our leading assist maker; however she is more than capable of scoring. I also do believe we will have a healthy dose of scoring by committee.”
Also back are senior forward Laura Sherlock (3 goals, 4 assists), senior midfielder Gina DiGiovanni (3 goals, 4 assists), senior defender Brielle Mosteller and sophomore defender Layla Zullo.
Torres points to a continued sense of team unity and teamwork as a reason for optimism.
“We have many very talented players,” he said. “If they can bond and truly play together as a team we will have a great season.”
NOTRE DAME, LAWRENCEVILLE
The Irish boys soccer team suffered heavy graduation losses from a 17-2-2 team that won the Colonial Valley Conference Tournament, but coach Bryan Fisher is optimistic.
“I really like this group,” Fisher said. “It’s a different team from last year and that’s important for us to recognize. Last year’s team had a lot of experience and firepower. This team has to earn its identity.
“The exciting part is that we have a group of guys who have been waiting for their opportunity. Some of them played meaningful minutes last year, and others are going to have to take a big step forward. Preseason is about finding out who is ready to go from being a role player to being a guy we can rely on every day.”
Senior goalie Anthony Merluse returns after posting 14 shutouts. Also back are senior midfielder/defender Felipe Samuel, senior defenders Mike Hope and Conor O’Boyle, senior midfielder Lucas Serinese, junior defender Lucas O’Connor and junior midfielders Luke Colter, Cayden O’Rourke and Luke San Filippo.
“Our expectations aren’t changing,” Fisher said. “We want to compete for the CVC, make a run in the postseason tournaments and be playing our best soccer in October and November.”
RED BANK CATHOLIC
Traditionally a Shore Conference and state powerhouse, the Caseys football team is poised for another big year after going 11-2 and reaching the NJSIAA Non-Public B semifinals.
RBC’s dynamic offense returns sophomores Rahmir Rivera and Gabe Kemp. Rivera threw for 2,183 yards and 24 touchdowns (with just three interceptions) last year while Kemp rushed for 1,847 yards and 17 TDs.
Other key returnees are seniors Jordan Key (offensive line), Christian Peter (o-line), Joe Amadeo (o-line), Lorenzo Tartamella (defensive line), Jordan Mosenthine (d-line), Kieran McGonnell (defensive back), Luke Scaturro (linebacker) and T.J. Walsh (tight end); juniors Jason Berecsky (defensive back/wide receiver), Brock Goodman (d-line) and Asher Cummins (d-line), and sophomore Simon Picinich (placekicker).
Berecsky had 42 catches for 557 yards and five touchdowns last season, while Kemp was a threat out of the backfield with 15 receptions for 229 yards and two TDs. Goodman led the team with 105 tackles and Scaturro had 100, while Cummins and Tartamella combined for 13 sacks.
“We have a veteran team with nine back on offense and nine on defense,” said coach Mike Lange, whose team dropped a season-opening, 35-28 decision to DePaul in a battle of state powers. “The goal is to get back to Met Life (Stadium) again (for the Non-Public B title game).”
ST. JOHN VIANNEY, HOLMDEL
There’s no place to go but down – or to stay in the same place. And the latter is where the returning St. John Vianney volleyball players hope to remain after the Lancers went 26-1 and won the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Non-Public A championships last year.
“Graduating a veteran lineup of eight seniors means we will be breaking in a lot of young talent, but this group is hungry to make a name for themselves,” coach Jessica Gadaleta said. “They’ve seen first-hand what it takes to win it all, so they have been dogged in their preparation for the season and they are excited to get started.”
SJV returns senior setter Ayana Warren (166 digs, 698 assists), who is eight assists away from the school’s all-time record. Also back are senior defensive specialist Mia Scaplan (33 aces), junior outside hitter Daria Shnarevich (140 kills) and junior libero Carsyn Slicner (89 digs, 46 aces).
New starters include sophomore middle blocker Brooke Sofilkanich – who will replace older sister Taylor, now at Duke – and junior opposite Alexa Csontos, who won two SCT and two state titles last year in volleyball and softball.
ST. ROSE, BELMAR
The Purple Rose girls tennis team returns five of seven starters from last year’s 6-6 team and looks poised to take a step forward.
“We will have a very competitive team, both in our (Shore Conference, B South) division and out of division,” coach Bob O’Brien said. “We will be quite young. I feel the talent is there but we will have to grow up fast to reach our goals.”
The singles lineup features sophomores Ava Kuntz in her second year at first, Sabrina Elliott at second and Laila Haynes at third. Senior and team captain Brielle Scott is at first doubles with freshman Elle Farrell, while junior Lydia Wintner is at second doubles with either freshmen Ava Scott or Lia Issacs. Freshman Brianna Armas is third doubles.
“Ava Kuntz has really put in the work in the off season, I expect her to have a strong year,” O’Brien said. “Sabrina Elliott and Laila Haynes both had good freshmen years and are ready to take the next step as they move up.
“The growth of our doubles pairs will go a long way in determining the success of our season. Four-year starter Brielle Scott will spearhead this (young) group.”