Sofia Merten made 11 saves, including the 600th of her career, as Shore held off stubborn Middletown South, 8-6, in a Shore Conference quarterfinal in West Long Branch. The Shore senior -- who’s also the goalkeeper for the soccer team -- posted her third straight win and earned the fourth-seeded Blue Devils a semifinal meeting with top-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven on Saturday. Gabby O’Brien and Kendall Bennett had two goals each to lead the Shore offense. Scarlett Watson added a goal and two assists. Middletown South fell to 10-6 despite two goals each from Anna Stumberger and Ashley Penn. John Lewis can be reached at hssports@njadvancemedia.com. The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social:Facebook|Instagram|X (formerly Twitter)