On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Princeton Day Panthers (6-13) will face off against the Wildwood Catholic Crusaders (13-4-1) in a neutral-site playoff match. This game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets for the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: New Jersey High School Soccer Playoffs
Who: Princeton Day vs Wildwood Catholic
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: TBD
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – South Jersey Non-Public B
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Game preview: Princeton Day vs Wildwood Catholic

As the 2024-2025 sports season unfolds, Wildwood Catholic and Princeton Day have proven to be two teams with distinct trajectories. Their records, head-to-head matchups, and performance against common opponents highlight the strengths and challenges each team faces in their pursuit of success.

Team Records and Performance

Wildwood Catholic has had an impressive season with a record of 13-4-1 overall, boasting a solid win percentage of .750. Their league performance is even more remarkable, with a win rate of .818 (9-2), and they have maintained a strong presence both at home (6-3-1) and away (6-1). Their offensive and defensive balance has been key to their success, scoring 62 goals while conceding just 33. In neutral-site games, Wildwood Catholic managed a 1-0 victory, proving their adaptability across various settings.

On the other hand, Princeton Day has struggled this season with a 6-13 overall record. Their win percentage stands at just .316, and their league record is a concerning 0-0, indicating they have yet to find their footing in conference play. While they are competitive at home (5-5), their performance away from home has been dismal, with an 0-8 record. They’ve scored only 20 goals and conceded 45, highlighting their difficulties both offensively and defensively.

Scoring and Defense Breakdown

Wildwood Catholic’s ability to score has been a key asset this season. On average, they score 1.6 goals per game, with an additional 1.1 goals in the final period, bringing their total to 3.4 goals per game. In contrast, Princeton Day has struggled significantly in the scoring department, averaging just 0.7 goals per game in the first half, 0.2 in the second half, and a total of 1.1 goals per game across all periods.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When comparing both teams’ head-to-head records, Wildwood Catholic holds a slight edge with a 1-0 victory in their only matchup. Both teams faced Notre Dame as a common opponent, and unfortunately for both sides, they suffered heavy losses. Wildwood Catholic was defeated 8-0 in an away match on September 14, 2024, while Princeton Day lost 5-0 to Notre Dame at home on October 8, 2024. This shared experience highlights the difficulty both teams have faced against higher-ranked competition.

Record Breakdown by Venue and Game Type

Looking deeper into the breakdown of their records, Wildwood Catholic has performed well in various contexts, including league play (9-2) and neutral-site games (1-0). They’ve also shown resilience in home games (6-3-1) and a commanding performance in away games (6-1). Princeton Day, however, has struggled across most categories. Their record in non-league games is 3-2-1, but their overall performance has been disappointing, especially away from home, where they are 0-8.

In the playoff context, Wildwood Catholic remains undefeated with a 2-0 record, while Princeton Day has not qualified for playoff contention with their current form.

Conclusion

Wildwood Catholic has established itself as a strong and capable team this season, with solid performances across all areas—scoring, defense, and adaptability to different settings. Princeton Day, on the other hand, faces challenges in nearly every aspect of the game, from scoring efficiency to road performances. As the season progresses, Wildwood Catholic will look to build on their strong league record and playoff aspirations, while Princeton Day will need to address their weaknesses and find ways to compete at a higher level.