Tues. S.J. boys' roundup: Absegami prevails

Brolin Cruz netted the decisive shot as eighth-seeded Absegami outlasted No. 9 seed Washington Township, 4-3 in penalty kicks, in Tuesday's opening round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4 boys' soccer tournament.

Eric Jordan of Washington Township and the Braves' Payne Vazquez traded first-half goals, but then the defense took over - with Nick Ditullio recording nine saves for the Minutemen, and Absegami keeper Ryan Taylor turning aside seven shots.

In other South Jersey Group 4 first-round action:

Alex Ganci opened the scoring in the 70th minute by heading in a long thrown-in by Chris Grabert, and Ganci set up Shane Patterson's insurance goal three minutes later, leading seventh-seeded Clearview past No. 10 seed Toms River South, 2-0. Steve Keane (four saves) was perfect in goal for the Pioneers.

Top-seeded Cherokee grabbed the lead on goals by Bryan Ingham and Mike Ryan and then held on to defeat No. 16 seed Southern Regional, 2-1. Barry Fitzgerald earned the win with 11 saves.

Dan Feiser knocked in a feed from Adam Quinton in the first half, and Andrew McNellis (two saves) and the Williamstown defense made the lead stand up, as the fourth-seeded Braves ousted No. 13 seed Cherry Hill West, 1-0.

South Jersey Group 3. Justin Veltri picked up his own rebound, beat a defender and scored from in close with 3 minutes left in overtime for his team-leading 13th goal of the season, making seventh-seeded Oakcrest a 2-1 winner over No. 10 seed Delsea. The Crusaders forced the game into overtime, thanks to Christian Cortese's goal off a direct free kick with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

Jacob Dowiak scored one goal and set up three to guide eighth-seeded Moorestown to a 6-1 romp past No. 9 seed Central Regional.

Austin Francis scored in the 24th minute and Burak Kilic added an insurance goal in the 60th minute, sealing fourth-seeded Burlington Township's 2-0 triumph over No. 13 seed Hammonton.

Kent Dimmig notched his 14th and 15th goals of the season and Eric Bihlear chipped in a pair of assists, sending fifth-seeded Seneca past No. 12 seed Cumberland, 3-1.

South Jersey Group 2. Kwesi Annoh accounted for all of the scoring in the match, putting in one goal and setting up teammates Peter DeLaGarza and Clevon McPherson, as 11th-seeded Pemberton upended No. 6 seed Bridgeton, 3-0.