The Ashley varsity soccer team (Wilmington, NC) will host Riverside-Durham (Durham, NC) in a home playoff match today at 5:00 p.m. at Ashley High School. This game is part of the “2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 4A” tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: North Carolina High School Soccer
Who: Riverside-Durham vs Ashley
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 4A
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Ashley High and Riverside-Durham Set for Playoff Clash in 2024 NCHSAA 4A Soccer Championship
Ashley High School (Wilmington, NC) is set to host Riverside-Durham (Durham, NC) in an eagerly awaited playoff showdown today as part of the “2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 4A” tournament. Both teams have put in strong performances this season, and today’s match promises to be an intense contest between two highly competitive squads.
Team Rankings and Season Performance
Ashley High boasts an impressive 18-5-1 record, placing them 229th nationally, 24th in North Carolina, and 8th in their class. Riverside-Durham also brings solid credentials to the match, ranked 1,096th nationally, 100th in North Carolina, and 21st in their class with an 11-7-3 record.
Ashley’s winning percentage stands at .771, compared to Riverside-Durham’s .595. On home turf, Ashley has excelled, going 9-2-1, while Riverside-Durham has performed well on the road with a 7-4-1 record, showing they’re no stranger to tough away matches.
Offense and Team Leaders
Ashley’s offensive power has been a highlight of their season, with 69 goals scored and a scoring average of 2.9 goals per game. Leading the charge is Nick Cenatiempo (#11) with 11 goals and Brady McCormick (#9), who tops the team with 12 assists. This dynamic duo has been crucial to Ashley’s high-scoring offense.
Riverside-Durham has also demonstrated offensive capabilities, averaging 2.4 goals per game with a total of 51 goals scored. Gustavo Lagos (#10) leads Riverside-Durham with 10 goals, while John Feller (#19) has contributed 9 assists, showing the depth of their attacking options.
Defensive Edge
Ashley’s defense has been particularly strong this season, conceding only 19 goals and maintaining a remarkable goals-against average of just 0.792. Goalkeeper Eli Clamme (#1) has been a standout, with a 0.352 goals-against average, well below the national average. Riverside-Durham’s defense has allowed 35 goals, showing they’ll need a strong defensive effort to contain Ashley’s potent offense.
Head-to-Head with Common Opponents
Both teams have faced Cary, Leesville Road, and Lumberton this season, but Ashley has fared better overall, going 3-0 against these common opponents, including a recent 4-0 victory over Cary. Riverside-Durham went 1-1-1 against the same teams, with a 5-1 loss to Cary, a 0-0 draw with Leesville Road, and a 1-0 victory over Lumberton.
Final Outlook
Ashley High enters the match as the favorite with a strong record, home advantage, and superior offensive and defensive statistics. However, Riverside-Durham’s competitive road performance and tenacious play against quality opponents make them a challenging adversary. With both teams looking to advance in the NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 4A, this playoff game is poised to be a hard-fought battle from start to finish.
