The Lejeune (Camp Lejeune, NC) varsity soccer team will host Eno River (Hillsborough, NC) in a home playoff match today at 6:00 PM at Lejeune High School. This game is part of the 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 1A tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:
What: North Carolina High School Soccer
Who: Eno River vs Lejeune
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 1A
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Lejeune Set to Face Eno River in 2024 NCHSAA 1A Playoff Matchup

The Lejeune varsity soccer team will host Eno River for a 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 1A tournament playoff match today at 6:00 PM. Lejeune, with a solid record of 12-5-1, enters the match as the higher seed, while Eno River, with a 7-14-3 record, faces an uphill challenge in the postseason.

Team Overview

Lejeune has had an impressive season, finishing undefeated in conference play with a perfect 8-0 record. The team’s overall success has been driven by their ability to score, averaging 2.7 goals per match, with top performers like Blake Kinter (13 goals) and Hayden Soto (11 assists). Their defensive unit has also been strong, limiting opponents to just 18 goals all season, thanks to the efforts of K Sean Barbabella, who has posted a solid 3.000 goals-against average.

In contrast, Eno River has struggled throughout the season, recording a .354 win percentage. Despite their challenges, Eno River will look to players like Alden Yarborough, who leads the team with 8 goals, and Daniel Munoz, with 4 assists, to spark an upset. The team has faced difficulties defensively, allowing 66 goals on the season, and will need to tighten up their defense to have a chance against a potent Lejeune offense.

Scoring Comparison

Lejeune has been the more offensive side, averaging 2.7 goals per match compared to Eno River’s 1.2 goals per game. While Eno River’s defense has struggled with a goals-against average of 3.209, Lejeune has been more consistent, holding teams to just 3.000 goals per game. This disparity in scoring and defense could be a deciding factor in today’s matchup.

Record Breakdown

• Lejeune (12-5-1) comes into the game with a strong overall record and perfect conference performance (8-0), demonstrating their dominance in league play.
• Eno River (7-14-3), on the other hand, has struggled in both league (3-8-1) and non-league play (3-6-2), but will aim to capitalize on any weaknesses in the Lejeune lineup.

Key Matchup

The key matchup will be the battle between Lejeune’s offense, led by Kinter and Soto, and Eno River’s defense. If Lejeune can continue their scoring spree, it may be difficult for Eno River to keep up. However, Eno River’s defense will need to be at its best if they are to stop Lejeune’s offensive firepower.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Jones, with Lejeune winning two matches (4-1 and 2-0) while Eno River earned a 1-0 victory. This gives a glimpse into the strengths of each team and how they have handled similar competition this season.

Final Thoughts

Lejeune enters this match as the clear favorite, boasting a strong defensive unit and explosive offense. However, Eno River will be eager to make the most of this playoff opportunity and will rely on their leaders to turn the tide. With both teams hungry for a win, expect a competitive match this evening as they battle for a chance to advance in the 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 1A tournament.