On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Long Branch Green Wave (5-10) will face off against the Middletown South Eagles (10-5-3) in a neutral-site playoff match. The game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – Central Jersey Group 3 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: New Jersey High School Soccer Playoffs
Who: Long Branch vs Middletown South
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: TBD
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – Central Jersey Group 3
Watch here:Watch here

Game preview: Long Branch vs Middletown South

The 2024-2025 soccer season has been one of contrasts for two prominent New Jersey high school teams: Middletown South and Long Branch. Both teams have shown resilience and determination on the field, but their overall records and performance across various categories paint distinct pictures of their seasons.

Team Performance Overview

Middletown South has boasted a solid overall record of 10-5-3, translating to a .639 win percentage. They’ve found significant success in non-league matches, posting a 7-2-2 record, though their league performance has been less impressive with a 1-3-1 mark. Despite facing some tough challenges, the team has outscored their opponents by a margin of 26 goals for (GF) to 16 goals against (GA), showing a strong defense and effective offense.

In stark contrast, Long Branch has struggled throughout the season, managing only a 5-10 overall record with a win percentage of just .333. Their league performance has been particularly rough, with an 0-1 record, while their non-league performance has not been much better at 3-9. Long Branch’s offense has also struggled, scoring 27 goals but conceding 28, highlighting their difficulties in both attacking and defending.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When comparing these two teams, a look at their head-to-head record shows that neither team has faced off yet this season, but their records against common opponents give us insight into their relative strengths.

Middletown South’s record against common opponents stands at 2-3-2, showing a balanced performance. Notable results include a 3-1 victory over Marlboro and a 1-0 loss to Colts Neck. Their resilience in these games has been evident, even when facing stronger opposition.

Long Branch, on the other hand, has struggled against many of the same teams, posting a 1-5 record against common opponents. Their only win came in a 3-2 victory over Colts Neck, but they also lost tightly contested matches, including a 3-2 defeat to Marlboro and a 3-2 loss to Monmouth Regional.

Detailed Breakdown of Common Opponents

Let’s dive deeper into how these teams performed against their shared adversaries:

• Holmdel: Middletown South earned a 0-0 draw against Holmdel, while Long Branch fell 1-0 to the same team.
• Manalapan: Middletown South suffered a 2-0 loss, while Long Branch lost 3-2 to the same opponent.
• Marlboro: Middletown South won 3-1, while Long Branch lost 3-2.
• Monmouth Regional: Both teams faced Monmouth Regional, with Middletown South winning 3-1, while Long Branch lost 3-2.
• Manasquan: Middletown South played to a 0-0 draw with Manasquan, while Long Branch lost 4-2.
• Colts Neck: Middletown South lost 1-0, but Long Branch emerged victorious in a 3-2 win.
• Christian Brothers Academy: Both teams lost to CBA, with Middletown South falling 2-1, and Long Branch losing 2-0.

Performance at Home, Away, and Neutral Venues

When it comes to performance at home, Middletown South has been dominant with a 6-2-2 record. Their away record of 3-3-1 also shows some strong results in hostile territory. Meanwhile, Long Branch has had a challenging season, especially on the road, with a 1-5 record away from home and a 1-0 record in neutral-site matches.

Looking Ahead

Despite the stark differences in overall performance, both teams will be looking to build on their experiences from this season. Middletown South’s stronger record positions them as a more competitive side in the upcoming years, while Long Branch will need to reassess their strategies to improve their overall consistency.

As both teams head into their final matches, their records reflect distinct paths this season—Middletown South on the rise with a solid mix of offense and defense, and Long Branch aiming to regroup and turn things around. The remaining fixtures will provide further opportunities for both teams to refine their play, particularly against their league rivals.