The El Capitan (Merced, CA) varsity water polo team will play a neutral playoff game against Merced (CA) today at 5:30 p.m. at Merced College. This match is part of the “2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Girls Water Polo Playoffs – Division 2” tournament.

Merced vs El Capitan Water Polo Game Info:

What: California High School Girls Water Polo
Who: Merced vs El Capitan
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m.
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Game preview: Merced vs El Capitan

The Merced and El Capitan varsity water polo teams have proven themselves as top contenders in their section, with strong performances throughout the 2024-2025 season. Both teams boast impressive records and have made significant strides in their overall and league standings. This rivalry has been heating up, culminating in a thrilling series of matchups, and the stakes are higher than ever as both teams prepare for a pivotal playoff game.

Team Overview and Records

Merced High School has been dominant this season, holding a 23-2 overall record. Their league record is equally impressive at 9-1. They’ve earned a national ranking of 27 and a section ranking of 3. Merced’s offensive strength is evident with a total of 347 goals, averaging 14.4 points per game across four quarters, leading to a win percentage of .920. Their defense has also been solid, allowing only 126 goals this season, further cementing their reputation as a formidable force.

On the other hand, El Capitan High School has also performed strongly, finishing with a 24-5 record. They’re ranked 28th nationally and 4th in their section. Their win percentage stands at .828, with an impressive league record of 9-1, tied with Merced. El Capitan has scored 381 goals this season, averaging 13.1 points per game. While their defense has been slightly more porous, allowing 186 goals, they have maintained consistency throughout the season.

Scoring Averages and Performance

The team scoring averages reveal some interesting insights. Merced’s offensive powerhouse has consistently outperformed El Capitan’s, especially in the first half of games. In the first quarter alone, Merced averages 4.1 goals, compared to El Capitan’s 3.1. By halftime, Merced maintains a strong lead, averaging 8.4 points at the break. El Capitan, while competitive, has averaged 6.6 points by the half.

The second half tells a similar story. Merced continues to extend its lead, averaging 9.3 goals by the end of the game. El Capitan has shown resilience, but their scoring slows down in the second half, often unable to match Merced’s pace.

Head-to-Head Matchups

The rivalry between Merced and El Capitan has been closely contested in their recent meetings. In the first encounter on October 14, 2024, Merced emerged victorious in a 9-5 win. They dominated the game early, scoring 5 goals in the first quarter alone, and despite El Capitan’s efforts to close the gap, they couldn’t overcome Merced’s defense.

In the second meeting on October 30, 2024, El Capitan got their revenge with a 4-2 win. Merced, typically a high-scoring team, was held to just 2 goals, with El Capitan tightening their defense and taking control of the game in the second half.

Team Leaders

Both teams have standout players leading their offenses. Brooklyn Ramsey of Merced has been a standout, scoring 126 goals and contributing 67 assists this season. She has also been active on offense, taking 203 shots and leading the team with 106 steals. Her contributions have been critical to Merced’s success, with her offensive and defensive prowess setting her apart as one of the top players in the section.

For El Capitan, their leading scorer is also a strong presence in the pool. While exact stats were not provided, El Capitan’s offensive strength is distributed across several players. However, they can rely on key performances from their senior athletes to step up when needed.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents this season, often with remarkable success. When matched against common opponents, Merced holds a 13-1 record, while El Capitan is slightly behind at 13-2. Both teams defeated Turlock in commanding fashion, with Merced winning 18-5 and El Capitan winning 19-7. However, Merced was upset by Reedley 10-6, while El Capitan faced a similar defeat against Reedley 10-9.

Game Preview and Playoff Outlook

As of November 13, 2024, both teams are gearing up for another thrilling match in the neutral playoff game, which could very well determine the champion of their section. The teams have proven their abilities both offensively and defensively, and this game promises to be a spectacle as each team looks to assert its dominance.

With Merced’s higher offensive output and solid defense, they are the favorites going into the game. However, El Capitan’s ability to grind out wins, especially in close games, makes them a formidable opponent. The outcome of this game is anyone’s guess, but both teams will be ready to give their best as the season culminates in a showdown that could shape the future of their programs.

As the water polo community watches closely, it will be exciting to see who comes out on top in this closely matched rivalry. Both teams have shown grit, determination, and excellence, making them worthy contenders in the battle for section glory.