The Asheville (NC) varsity soccer team will host Hough (Cornelius, NC) in a home playoff match today at 6 p.m. at Asheville. This game is part of the 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships for the 4A division.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: North Carolina High School Soccer
Who: Hough vs Asheville
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 4A
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Asheville vs. Hough: NCHSAA 4A Soccer Playoff Showdown
The Asheville Cougars will face the Hough Huskies in an exciting home playoff match tonight as part of the 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships for the 4A division. The game will be held at Asheville High School, where the Cougars aim to capitalize on their strong home record against a formidable opponent.
Team Records and Rankings
Asheville (16-3-1) enters the game ranked 35th in North Carolina and 321st nationally, boasting an impressive .825 win percentage. Asheville has proven tough to beat at home, holding a 9-1-1 record. Hough, meanwhile, stands with a 15-7-3 record, ranking 104th in North Carolina and 1,105th nationally. They bring an excellent conference record of 12-1-1, with their strong offensive lineup scoring 105 goals over the season.
Offensive and Defensive Standouts
The match features standout scorers on both teams. Asheville’s Shep Goldstein leads with an impressive 40 goals, supported by playmaker Temoc Verde with 14 assists. On Hough’s side, Dylan Cox leads the team with 23 goals, with Antonio Suarez contributing a significant 20 assists. Both teams have efficient defenses, with Hough goalkeeper Nolan Bosche achieving a 0.410 goals-against average and Asheville’s Ellison Panzer close behind.
Team Performance Insights
Asheville has a slight advantage in scoring, averaging 4.9 goals per game compared to Hough’s 4.2. Both teams are solid in maintaining possession and creating opportunities, with Asheville taking 423 shots this season, while Hough has recorded 2,021 steals, indicating a highly active defense.
Head-to-Head and Common Opponents
The teams have no head-to-head matchups this season, but each faced Ardrey Kell with close results. Asheville drew 2-2 against Ardrey Kell, while Hough fell 3-1, hinting at Asheville’s potential to control tight matches.
Match Outlook
Tonight’s game will be a true test of Asheville’s home-field advantage against Hough’s aggressive style and depth. With playoff stakes high, Asheville will look to utilize its strong offense and home support to secure victory, while Hough aims to bring their defensive intensity and scoring depth to upset the Cougars on their home turf.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., promising an intense matchup as both teams vie for the next step in their championship journey.
