The Merced High School varsity water polo team will play a home playoff game against Marin Academy (San Rafael, CA) today at 5 p.m. at Merced Junior College. This match is part of the 2024 CIF NorCal Boys Water Polo Championships – Division III tournament.

Marin Academy vs Merced Water Polo Game Info:

What: California High School Water Polo
Who: Marin Academy vs Merced
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Time:5 p.m.
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Game preview: Marin Academy vs Merced

The upcoming high school boys water polo game between Marin Academy and Merced promises to be an exciting contest, showcasing two strong teams with impressive records this season.

Team Overview

• Marin Academy enters the match with a solid 17-9 overall record, having shown a decent performance in their league with a 5-4 record. While their home record stands at 4-3, they have been effective on neutral grounds with an 11-4 record. The team has averaged 9.7 goals per game, with a defense that has allowed 207 goals this season.
• Merced, on the other hand, has been dominant this year with a 25-6 overall record, including a perfect 8-0 league record. Their 5-1 home record and 7-1 away record reflect their strength, especially with a remarkable 13-4 performance on neutral ground. Merced has been putting up an impressive 14.1 goals per game, with a defense that has given up just 230 goals.

Team Scoring Averages

Both teams bring a strong offensive game, but their approaches vary throughout the match:

• Marin Academy typically scores 2.8 goals in the first quarter, followed by 1.5 goals in the second quarter, 2.5 goals in the third, and 1.5 goals in the fourth, averaging 9.7 goals per game.
• Merced, with its aggressive style, averages 4.9 goals in the first quarter and 4.3 goals in the second. They taper off slightly in the third with 2.9 goals, but maintain a solid offensive showing in the fourth with 2.6 goals, averaging 14.1 goals per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents this season, providing a glimpse into how they may fare in this matchup:

• Marin Academy defeated Buhach Colony with a 9-6 victory on September 6, 2024.
• Merced, in contrast, has faced Buhach Colony three times, winning each match decisively: 10-4 on September 27, 2024; 18-6 on October 2, 2024; and 17-7 on October 21, 2024.

While Marin Academy holds a 1-0 record against common opponents like Buhach Colony, Merced has been even more dominant, with a perfect 3-0 record against similar teams.

Team Comparisons

When comparing the records of the two teams, Merced stands out with a stronger overall and league record. They have been dominant in their league, finishing with a perfect 8-0 mark, while Marin Academy finished 5-4 in the league.

• Home/Away Records:
  • Marin Academy: 4-3 (home), 2-2 (away)
  • Merced: 5-1 (home), 7-1 (away)
• Neutral Site Games:
  • Marin Academy: 11-4
  • Merced: 13-4
• Playoff Success:
  • Marin Academy: 4-1 in playoffs
  • Merced: 2-1 in playoffs

Head-to-Head Record Breakdown

While both teams have played well throughout the season, there is no head-to-head match between them yet. However, Marin Academy has a 1-0 record against a common opponent (Buhach Colony), while Merced has yet to lose against common opponents, boasting a 3-0 record.

Conclusion

This matchup between Marin Academy and Merced will be a thrilling contest, especially given the strong offensive showing from Merced and the resilient defense of Marin Academy. With Merced’s perfect league record and impressive scoring ability, they are the team to watch. However, Marin Academy will surely bring their best game to the pool, hoping to challenge Merced’s dominance.

As both teams prepare for this exciting game, fans can expect high-energy play, with both teams eager to showcase their skills and continue building on their successful seasons.