The River Hill High School varsity soccer team from Clarksville, MD, will face Mt. Hebron High School from Ellicott City, MD, in a neutral-site playoff match today. This game is part of the 2024 Maryland High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets, MPSSAA Class 3A tournament.

Mt. Hebron vs River Hill Soccer Match Info:

What: Maryland High School Soccer
Who: Mt. Hebron vs River Hill
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: In progress
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Match preview: Mt. Hebron vs River Hill

The Mt. Hebron Vikings and the River Hill Hawks face off today in a crucial neutral playoff match. This matchup promises to be competitive, as both teams bring their unique strengths to the field and a history of intense head-to-head competition. Let’s take a closer look at the teams’ records, scoring trends, and past encounters to understand what each side will bring to the pitch.

Team Rankings & Records

River Hill has had an impressive season with a national ranking of 176, placing 10th in Maryland and first in their class. They hold a 13-4-1 record and boast a high winning percentage of 0.750. In regional play, they’ve demonstrated significant strength with an 8-3 record. River Hill has scored 49 goals while conceding just 17, which highlights both their offensive prowess and defensive solidity.

Mt. Hebron, while ranked lower nationally at 558 and 27th in Maryland, has had a respectable season with a 10-9 record. They’ve scored 26 goals and allowed 24, resulting in a win rate of 0.526. In regional play, they struggled slightly with a 5-8 record. However, they’ve shown resilience in away and neutral settings, which may work in their favor today.

Team Scoring Averages

River Hill’s scoring average has been higher than Mt. Hebron’s this season, particularly in the second half. River Hill averages 2.7 goals in the final tally compared to Mt. Hebron’s 1.4. River Hill’s ability to maintain pressure and increase their scoring as the game progresses could be decisive in a playoff setting, where endurance and focus are key.

Head-to-Head Matchup

The last meeting between the two teams was on September 19, where River Hill dominated Mt. Hebron with a 4-0 victory in an away conference game. River Hill’s performance in that match showed a superior game strategy and control over the tempo. This win will likely give River Hill a psychological edge coming into today’s playoff, as they have already managed a clean sweep against Mt. Hebron.

Common Opponents and Game Results

Both teams have faced a variety of common opponents, with River Hill performing better in these matchups. For instance:

• Broadneck: River Hill won 3-1, while Mt. Hebron did not manage a victory.
• Atholton: River Hill claimed two wins, including a decisive 6-1 score, whereas Mt. Hebron fell 1-0.
• Howard: Both teams suffered defeats, but River Hill’s overall record against common opponents stands at 10-4, compared to Mt. Hebron’s 6-8.

These differences underline River Hill’s consistency against mutual competitors, showcasing their ability to handle a range of strategies and styles.

Game Prediction

Considering the teams’ previous encounters, scoring patterns, and records against common opponents, River Hill enters today’s match as the favorite. Their strong second-half performances, coupled with their comprehensive 4-0 win in the last meeting, suggest they are well-prepared to capitalize on Mt. Hebron’s defensive vulnerabilities. However, playoff games can be unpredictable, and Mt. Hebron’s ability to perform in neutral settings could make for an interesting showdown.

Expect River Hill to set the pace early on, with Mt. Hebron likely focusing on a defensive strategy to contain their opponent’s high-powered offense.