The Monmouth Coast Shooting Stars advanced to round three of N.J. state cup play by shutting out the Somerset Hills Lightning 2-0. In MAP play, the Stars defeated their rival the Manalapan Hot Shots, 2-1, in a highly contested match. The Stars’ MAP record is 3-1-1 at the midseason mark. Overall the Stars are 13-4-1, with nine shutouts.

The Stars traveled to Somerset Hills for an easy state cup win. Outshooting their opponents almost 4-to-1, the Stars rattled the Lightnings’ goalie. Caitlin Holtz opened the scoring in the first half with a pass from Kaitlyn Grimes. Mallory Baker struck again for the Stars on a pass from Lauren Florio. CNJ Hot Shots are the next matchup for the Stars in state cup play on Oct. 20.

The Shooting Stars vs. Manalapan Hot Shots matchup is always a great spectator game. The Stars played smart, giving the Hot Shots no opportunities for corner kicks and stifling their quick forwards. Manalapan scored quickly at the four-minute mark, but the Shooting Stars came back with a through ball by midfielder Julie Lancos to attacking forward Jenna Lippi. The half ended at 1-1. Liza Grimsgaard set up Baker midway through the second half to take the lead. The Stars dominated play but the score remained 2-1.

Both wins were significant team efforts. The shutout was earned by goalie Tara Sodon. Defenders Lancos, Kim Bruno, Grimes, Natalie Capasso, Mary Conklin and Michelle Jackson have become seasoned tacklers against some of the best teams on the East Coast. Supporting the attack are Baker, Drew Cavanaugh, Jaime Costa, Florio, Lexie Gray, Grimsgaard, Holtz, Lippi and Kelly Martin. Technical skills continue to frustrate opponents. The Shooting Stars were one of two N.J. teams selected to play in the Under 13 Cup Flight of WAGS. The weekend culminated in a 1-0 shutout against FC Blast of Ohio after losing to FC Bucks Lightning of Eastern Pennsylvania (eventual WAGS Cup champions) and Vista Sting of Virginia. The Shooting Stars are coached and trained by Linda Napoli and assisted by Jim Holtz.

Jason Faigin, a pitcher in the New York Yankees minor league organization, will be offering pitching instruction for players ages 9-14 at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County starting Nov. 5. The pitching instruction will run for eight consecutive Mondays. Faigin, a Marlboro High School graduate, was a closer for the Greensboro Bats, the Yankees’ Single A affiliate in the South Atlantic League this year. He will share his professional experience with the youngsters, as he teaches the mechanics of pitching as well as the conditioning involved.

For more information on the pitching instruction call (732) 462-0464.