The Notre Dame-Green Pond varsity soccer team (Easton, PA) will play a neutral playoff match against Northwestern Lehigh (New Tripoli, PA) today at 5 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 PIAA 2A Semi-Finals at Emmaus High School.
Northwestern Lehigh vs Notre Dame-Green Pond Soccer Match Info:
What: Pennsylvania High School Soccer
Who: Northwestern Lehigh vs Notre Dame-Green Pond
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Northwestern Lehigh vs Notre Dame-Green Pond
As the postseason approaches, all eyes are on the upcoming neutral playoff match between the undefeated Northwestern Lehigh and Notre Dame-Green Pond soccer teams. Both squads have impressive records, with Northwestern Lehigh boasting a flawless 26-0 overall record, while Notre Dame-Green Pond holds a solid 17-6-1 record. Despite their contrasting outcomes this season, the two teams have shown strong performances in both league and non-league games.
Team Overview
Northwestern Lehigh (New Tripoli, PA) has been a dominant force throughout the season, finishing with a perfect 14-0 record in their conference and scoring an average of 5.8 goals per game. Their offense has been relentless, with 149 goals scored, and they have only conceded 12. Their star player, Jacob Van Lierop, leads the team with 68 goals, supported by Jack Mauro’s 30 assists. Northwestern Lehigh’s defensive unit has also been top-notch, with their goalkeeper, Liam Nicholas, maintaining a near-perfect goals-against average.
On the other hand, Notre Dame-Green Pond (Easton, PA) has had a slightly more challenging season, with a 11-3-1 conference record and a respectable 69 goals scored. They have been led by Isaiah Miles, who has contributed 29 goals this season, and Paul Hartman, who has 17 assists. The team has relied on their solid defense, with goalkeeper Mark Perone posting a 2.268 goals-against average, but they have faced stiffer competition in comparison to Northwestern Lehigh.
Head-to-Head Matchups
These two teams have met twice already this season, with Northwestern Lehigh claiming victories in both encounters. On September 7, 2024, Northwestern Lehigh defeated Notre Dame-Green Pond 4-1 in an away game. In their most recent match on October 31, 2024, Northwestern Lehigh dominated again with a 4-0 win in a neutral-site playoff game.
In both matches, Northwestern Lehigh demonstrated their superiority, scoring at will while showcasing their defensive resilience. The two games saw standout performances from Jacob Van Lierop, who consistently found the back of the net, and a stifling defensive effort that left Notre Dame-Green Pond with limited scoring opportunities.
Statistical Breakdown
While both teams excel offensively, there is a noticeable difference in their scoring averages. Northwestern Lehigh’s offensive efficiency is unmatched, with an average of 3.4 goals per first half and 2.4 goals per second half. Notre Dame-Green Pond, however, averages just 1.1 goals in the first half and 1.6 in the second, making it clear that Northwestern Lehigh has a more potent attack.
Defensively, Northwestern Lehigh holds a strong edge with a goals-against average of just 0.464, compared to Notre Dame-Green Pond’s 1.5. With only 12 goals conceded in their 26 matches, Northwestern Lehigh’s defense has proven nearly impenetrable.
Common Opponents
When analyzing common opponents, Northwestern Lehigh’s dominance is evident. Both teams have faced opponents such as Palmerton, Jim Thorpe, and Palisades. Northwestern Lehigh has posted impressive victories, including a 7-0 win over Palmerton and a 7-1 victory against Jim Thorpe. Meanwhile, Notre Dame-Green Pond has had a more competitive time against some of these teams, including a 1-1 draw with Palisades.
The Big Match
As both teams head into their third meeting of the season on November 15, 2024, all the elements point to a compelling matchup. While Northwestern Lehigh has been a juggernaut throughout the year, Notre Dame-Green Pond will need to bring their A-game to compete. The offensive firepower of Van Lierop and the defensive strength of Nicholas could prove to be too much for Notre Dame-Green Pond, but with players like Miles and Perone, they could certainly challenge the undefeated squad.
The stakes are high as the two teams square off for a final showdown, and this game could be a defining moment for both programs as they push forward in the playoffs. Fans can expect an intense, high-energy contest between two of the area’s top teams.
