On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Indian Hills Braves (10-5-1) from Oakland, NJ, will face the Waldwick Warriors (15-4-1) in a neutral-site playoff match. This game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets for the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group 1 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: New Jersey High School Soccer Playoffs
Who: Indian Hills vs Waldwick
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: TBD
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – North Jersey Section 1 Group 1
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Game preview: Indian Hills vs Waldwick

The 2024-2025 soccer seasons for Waldwick and Indian Hills have presented distinct journeys, with both teams achieving notable performances. A look at their overall records, league play, home and away results, and head-to-head matchups offers an insightful comparison between the two teams.

Waldwick’s Impressive Record

Waldwick has displayed strong consistency throughout the 2024-2025 season, with a 15-4-1 overall record. Their league performance is flawless, boasting a perfect 4-0 record, and they have proven tough to beat at home, with a 7-0 record. The team’s offense has been one of their key strengths, scoring 67 goals while allowing just 18, resulting in a robust goal differential. They have a win percentage of .775 and a perfect league percentage of 1.000.

Waldwick’s strong performance extends to their non-league matches as well, where they hold a 9-4-1 record. Additionally, their performance in playoff games stands at 2-0, emphasizing their ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

Indian Hills: A Competitive Yet Struggling Season

In contrast, Indian Hills has faced a more challenging season, with a 10-5-1 overall record. Their league performance has been notably weaker, with a 0-3 record. At home, they have managed a 5-2 record, while on the road, they have a more mixed result at 4-3-1. Their scoring totals also reflect some challenges, having scored 36 goals while conceding 24.

Despite these hurdles, Indian Hills has managed to put together a respectable 8-2-1 record in non-league play and a 1-0 mark in neutral-site games. While they are still seeking consistency in league matches, their overall ability to compete remains intact.

Team Scoring Averages

Waldwick’s offensive firepower is evident when comparing the scoring averages of the two teams. Waldwick averages a dominant 3.4 goals per game, with 1.0 in the first half, .8 in the second half, and a strong finishing performance of 3.4 goals in total. On the other hand, Indian Hills averages just 2.3 goals per game, with no goals in the first half of their contests and a low average for their overall output.

Common Opponents Comparison

Both teams have faced several common opponents throughout the season, allowing for direct comparisons of their performances. Waldwick has gone 3-2 against common opponents, while Indian Hills has a stronger 5-2 record.

Key Common Opponent Results:

• Pascack Hills: Waldwick faced them twice, losing 3-1 on September 21 and winning 1-0 on September 6. Indian Hills, in contrast, defeated Pascack Hills 1-0 on September 9 and 5-1 on October 1.
• Westwood: Waldwick triumphed 5-1 on September 7, while Indian Hills came out victorious 4-1 against Westwood on September 19.
• Pompton Lakes: Waldwick suffered a 1-0 loss on September 27, while Indian Hills won 1-0 on November 8.
• Cliffside Park: Waldwick secured a solid 3-0 win on October 13, while Indian Hills did not face Cliffside Park this season.
• NV – Old Tappan: Waldwick’s match against NV – Old Tappan ended in a loss, while Indian Hills lost to them 2-1 on September 12.

Head-to-Head

When looking at head-to-head matchups between the two teams, both sides have yet to play each other in the 2024-2025 season. Their record against common opponents, however, highlights Waldwick’s strong results, especially in their home games.

Conclusion: Waldwick’s Dominance and Indian Hills’ Growth

Waldwick’s season stands out for its excellence across all areas, particularly in their undefeated league performance and high-scoring attack. Indian Hills, while competitive, has faced difficulties in league play but has the potential to improve as the season progresses. With a strong home record and positive results against shared opponents, Indian Hills may still surprise in upcoming matchups.

Both teams are valuable contenders in New Jersey high school soccer, and while Waldwick currently holds the edge, Indian Hills will look to bounce back and find their form in the second half of the season.