The Long Branch (NJ) varsity soccer team is set to play a neutral-site playoff match against Shawnee (Medford, NJ) today. This game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets, specifically in the NJSIAA Group 3 Tournament.

Long Branch vs Shawnee Game Info:

What: New Jersey High School Soccer Playoffs
Who: Long Branch vs Shawnee
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Time: TBD
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – NJSIAA Group 3 Tournament
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Game preview: Long Branch vs Shawnee

As the 2024-25 sports season continues, Shawnee and Long Branch provide an intriguing comparison in terms of overall performance, team dynamics, and head-to-head matchups. While both teams show determination in their play, Shawnee’s dominant record stands in stark contrast to Long Branch’s struggles. Let’s break down the key metrics to highlight what sets these two teams apart.

Overall Record & Performance

• Shawnee boasts an impressive 15-2-1 record, showcasing a win percentage of .861. They have excelled both in league and non-league games, remaining undefeated in their league with a perfect 1.000 record. Shawnee has dominated across all fields, with a strong offense that has resulted in 58 goals scored while only conceding 18 goals.
• Long Branch, on the other hand, has a much more modest 9-10 record, with a win percentage of .474. In the league, they’ve managed only one win against one loss (1-1), while struggling in non-league play with a 4-9 record. Long Branch has scored 40 goals and conceded 29 goals across all games, indicating both defensive and offensive challenges.

Scoring Averages

One key area where Shawnee shows its superiority is in scoring. Shawnee averages 3.2 goals per game compared to Long Branch’s 2.1 goals. In terms of defense, Shawnee has managed to keep their goals against (GA) to a low 18, while Long Branch has allowed 29 goals.

Shawnee’s balanced and potent offense is underscored by its consistent performance across multiple matchups, while Long Branch has yet to find the same level of consistency or offensive firepower.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing the teams’ performance against common opponents, the results are telling:

• Shawnee faced Hopewell Valley Central on September 28, 2024, and won 5-1. Long Branch played Hopewell Valley Central on November 5, 2024, and secured a 2-0 victory.
• Against Southern Regional, Shawnee suffered a 3-1 loss on October 1, 2024, while Long Branch lost 2-1 to the same team on October 11, 2024.

Both teams have a 1-1 record against their common opponents, which illustrates their competitive nature when matched up similarly. However, Shawnee’s commanding win over Hopewell Valley shows their ability to dominate when it counts, while Long Branch’s closer matches indicate a need for improvement in securing more dominant results.

Record Breakdown

When it comes to home and away performance, Shawnee has been strong across the board:

• 6-2 at home
• 6-0-1 away
• 3-0 in neutral games

In contrast, Long Branch’s home and away results reveal challenges:

• 1-5 at home
• 5-5 away
• 3-0 in neutral games (indicating some promise in non-traditional settings)

Additionally, Shawnee has a clean 4-0 record in playoffs, while Long Branch has not had the same success when it comes to advancing in postseason play.

Conclusion

Shawnee’s remarkable performance, with a standout record of 15-2-1, positions them as one of the most formidable teams of the season. Their balance of high-scoring offense and tight defense gives them an edge over most opponents. Long Branch, while not quite achieving the same level of success, has room for growth, especially in refining their offensive strategy and improving consistency in both home and away games. If Long Branch can find a way to capitalize on their neutral game success, they may yet turn their season around. However, Shawnee’s impressive dominance both in the league and in non-league competition shows why they remain the team to beat.