Craig Epstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

After falling in the same spot last season, third-seeded Middletown North made sure it would not happen again. Loralai Davis finished with five saves while Jayme Malanda and Kelly Malanda each scored second-half goals to lead the Lions past fifth-seeded St. John Vianney in the Shore Conference Coaches’ Cup final in Middletown.

It was a stalemate in the first half as both sides went into the break scoreless, but Middletown North (7-6) came through in the second to take home the victory. Sofia Chaknis and Sofia Chaknis also came up with big-time assists for the Lions.

“It was a great team effort,” Middletown North head coach Fred Napoli said. “Loralai Davis saved a penalty kick in the first half and then Kelly and Jayme Malanda each had a goal to beat a tough St. John Vianney team.”

Middletown North has displayed stout defense and goalkeeping as of late, winning five of its last six games with each coming via shutout. St. John Vianney dropped to 5-10-1.