Sports Shorts

With the beginning of the 2008Mid-Atlantic Summer Showcase League (MSSL) rapidly approaching, the Jersey Shore Boca U23 men's team has announced the dates of their final tryouts and preseason mini-camp as they prepare for their fifth year of summer competition in MSSL.

The U23 men will hold final tryouts on Saturday, May 3, and also on Saturday, May 10, at the John Patrick Sports Complex in Lakewood, 1-3 p.m. each day followed by a one-day preseason mini-camp on Saturday, May 24, starting at 10 a.m. at the same location.

Former Neumann College (Pa.) assistant men's soccer coach Wolfgang Finger returns for his second year in charge of the Boca U23 men's team, assisted by Philadelphia native and National Soccer Hall of Fame member Alex Ely, who has 37 years of coaching experience, including stints with numerous college and professional clubs.

Ely also earned four international caps as a player for the U.S. men's national team during World Cup qualifying matches in the 1960s and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997.

Finger will also be assisted by N.J. native and goalkeeping guru Chris Vaccarro, who will help with the Boca keepers.

All players interested in attending should contact Finger at (856) 478-6738 or e-mail fingersoccer@aol.com and provide a background of playing experience and references.

Boca will participate for the fifth consecutive year as one of the inaugural founding members of MSSL, a regional summer soccer league that is specifically designed for collegiate players under the age of 23 and is fully sanctioned by the U.S. Adult Soccer Association (USASA), the national governing body for adult amateur soccer.

The 2008 MSSL season begins on Sunday, June 1.

Although finishing with an overall record of just 5-5-6 during their 2007 campaign, the Boca U23 men had their share of team and individual accomplishments last season.

The team scored a league-leading 32 goals, allowed 26 against them and recorded four shutouts while ending the regular MSSL season in fourth place within a division of 14 teams.

The highlights last season also included being invited to participate in the USASA U23 Regional Tournament for a second consecutive year; a scoreless tie against national powerhouse FC Delco (Pa.) on July 14 while at the USASA tournament, and advancing to the men's MSSL Cup Championship game on July 22 at Fort Dix for the first time since the team began play within the league four years ago.

All college-age players and high school seniors who were born on or after Aug. 1, 1984, are eligible to participate on the Boca summer teams provided they have not signed a professional contract with the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Boca's MSSL home league games for 2008 will be played at the John Patrick Sports Complex in Lakewood.

The Jersey Shore Boca summer soccer program is officially sponsored by Surf Taco, a popular Mexican-themed restaurant chain with locations throughout the Jersey Shore.

Boca has been a fixture in the soccer community since 1978 and is one of the most respected soccer clubs on the East Coast.

The club is celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2008.

For more information about the Boca U23 teams and all other the Jersey Shore Boca programs, log on to the club's official Web site at www.jerseyshoreboca.com.

The New Egypt Soccer Club will hold try outs for its travel soccer teams: U13 boys, U12 boys, U11 boys, U10 boys, U10 girls and U9 boys. Tryouts will be heldApril 17 and 18 from 6:30-7 p.m. and Saturday, April 19, from 9-11 am at the municipal soccer field (located behind the municipal building on Evergreen Road). For more information, check the Web site at www.newegyptsoccer.com or call Anthony Marabuto at (732) 758-0850.

The Jackson Memorial High School Athletic Department will host its second annual Jags Classic Golf Tournament on Friday, June 13, at Hanover Golf Club in Jacobstown. Registration will be held 1:30-2:45 p.m., with a shotgun start at 3 p.m. There will be raffles, auction and door prizes, as well as a dinner buffet. All proceeds will benefit the entire Athletic Department at JacksonMemorial High School. The cost is $110 per golfer and there is a $50 dinner social for nongolfers. Tee sponsorships are $125. Dinner and beverage sponsorships are available as well. For additional information, contact the Jackson Memorial Athletic Office at (732) 833-4635.

The Clifton T. Barkalow PTO, Freehold Township, will hold a 5K race on Saturday, May 31, starting at 10 a.m. at the township's Turkey Swamp Park.

This is the first Blue Jay 5K run/walk and is being managed by the FreeholdArea Running Club (FARC).

The racewill feature T-shirts designed by a Barkalow student (a contest was held in the beginning ofApril); refreshments; a scenic, flat course in Turkey Swamp Park; prizes (with extra awards for young runners); and a raffle for all participants.One of the race sponsors, Sportcraft, ofMountOlive inMorris County, has donated 11 of its products- treadmills, elliptical machines, foosball and air hockey tables, and bocce sets- as prizes for the post-race raffle.

Entry fee is $20 before May 21, and $15 for students 18 and under.AfterMay 21, the registration fee is $25 and T-shirts are not guaranteed. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. on race day.

Formore information and an application, go to the Web site http://cliftontbarkalow.freeholdtwp. nj.k12us.com/JCaputo.