The Scotch Plains-Fanwood varsity soccer team (Scotch Plains, NJ) is playing a neutral-site playoff match against Ridgewood (NJ) today. This game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA Group 4 Tournament.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood vs Ridgewood Game Info:
What: New Jersey High School Soccer Playoffs
Who: Scotch Plains-Fanwood vs Ridgewood
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Time: TBD
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – NJSIAA Group 4 Tournament
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Game preview: Scotch Plains-Fanwood vs Ridgewood
As the 2024-2025 NJ high school soccer season nears its climax, Ridgewood and Scotch Plains-Fanwood stand out as two formidable teams, each vying for a coveted playoff victory. With impressive records and stellar performances this season, their upcoming neutral playoff match has fans on the edge of their seats. Let’s break down the season so far for both teams, comparing their performance metrics, head-to-head results, and the key factors that will determine who comes out on top.
Team Overview
Ridgewood
- Overall Record: 17-3
- League Record: 2-0
- Home Record: 5-3
- Away Record: 9-0
- Neutral Record: 3-0
- Goals For (GF): 55
- Goals Against (GA): 21
- Win Percentage: 85%
- League Win Percentage: 100%
Ridgewood has been a powerhouse this season, maintaining an 85% win rate, with a perfect league record of 2-0. Their offensive line has been sharp, scoring 55 goals across their 20 matches, while their defense has been solid, conceding only 21 goals. Their away record is particularly strong, remaining undefeated in all nine away games, which makes them a tough opponent in neutral settings.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood
- Overall Record: 17-1-2
- League Record: 2-0
- Home Record: 9-0
- Away Record: 6-1-2
- Neutral Record: 2-0
- Goals For (GF): 50
- Goals Against (GA): 8
- Win Percentage: 90%
- League Win Percentage: 100%
Scotch Plains-Fanwood has been equally impressive, boasting a 90% win percentage this season. They have dominated at home with a perfect 9-0 record and have been equally formidable on neutral grounds with a 2-0 record. Their defense has been near impenetrable, conceding just 8 goals all season, the lowest among all teams. With 50 goals scored, they balance strong offense with unmatched defensive stability.
Head-to-Head: A Rivalry in the Making
While Ridgewood and Scotch Plains-Fanwood have not yet faced each other in the 2024-2025 season, their past encounters will be crucial in shaping expectations. Both teams are fresh off strong performances, with Ridgewood holding a 2-1 record against common opponents, while Scotch Plains-Fanwood has a 3-1-1 record.
One of the more telling common opponents is Westfield: Ridgewood won 2-0 against Westfield earlier in the season, while Scotch Plains-Fanwood suffered a 1-0 loss at home to the same team on October 8, 2024. This result may give Ridgewood a slight edge, although Scotch Plains-Fanwood bounced back with a 2-1 victory against Westfield in their next meeting.
Scoring Trends
- Ridgewood averages 2.8 goals per game, scoring 1.3 in the first half and 0.8 in the second.
- Scotch Plains-Fanwood averages 2.5 goals per game, with a more balanced split: 1.0 goals in the first half and 0.8 in the second.
Both teams show a strong offensive presence, though Ridgewood edges out with a slightly higher average goals per game. However, Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s defense is a key differentiator, having conceded just 8 goals all season, which is considerably lower than Ridgewood’s 21.
Key Matchups and Insights
- Home and Away Advantage: Ridgewood has shown impressive form on the road, undefeated in nine away games. Their ability to perform in hostile environments will be a crucial factor in the neutral playoff match. On the other hand, Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s perfect home record indicates they excel in familiar settings, but their neutral record is also strong at 2-0.
- Defensive Strength: Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s defense has been nearly flawless this season, conceding only 8 goals in 20 matches. Ridgewood will need to find a way to break down this resolute defense while also ensuring their own backline remains solid against Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s potent attack.
The Road Ahead
As both teams head into the playoff match, the stakes could not be higher. Ridgewood’s offensive firepower and proven away form contrast against Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s balanced attack and superior defense. This neutral-site showdown promises to be a thrilling contest, with both sides eager to prove themselves as the top team in New Jersey high school soccer.
While the final score is still to be determined, fans can expect a closely contested battle between these two titans, each with everything to play for as they chase the championship glory.
