The Northwest Guilford varsity soccer team from Greensboro, NC, will host a home playoff match against South Mecklenburg from Charlotte, NC, today at 6 p.m. at Northwest Guilford. 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: South Mecklenburg vs Northwest Guilford
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 4A
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Northwest Guilford vs. South Mecklenburg: A 2024-25 Playoff Preview

The 2024-25 playoff clash between Northwest Guilford and South Mecklenburg promises to be an intense matchup as these two high-performing varsity soccer teams face off. With impressive records and strong stats, both teams bring unique strengths to the field in the 4A tournament of the NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships. Here’s a closer look at their rankings, records, and standout players as they prepare for this pivotal game.

Rankings and Overall Record

Northwest Guilford has dominated both nationally and statewide this season:

• Northwest Guilford ranks 178th nationally and 15th in North Carolina, with a class rank of 4th. Their impressive 20-2 overall record and 13-1 conference record demonstrate a high level of consistency and control across the season.
• South Mecklenburg also holds strong rankings, positioned at 515th nationally and 46th in North Carolina, ranking 16th in their class. They come into the game with a solid 15-6-4 overall record and a 7-4-1 conference record.

Home and Away Performance

Both teams are tough to beat at home, though Northwest Guilford holds a flawless record in away and neutral games:

• Northwest Guilford has an exceptional 9-2 home record and is unbeaten in 8-0 away games and 3-0 neutral games.
• South Mecklenburg has similarly strong performance at home with a 9-2-1 record but has faced more challenges on the road, going 6-4-2 in away games.

Scoring Power and Team Averages

Northwest Guilford has established itself as an offensive powerhouse this season:

• Northwest Guilford boasts a scoring average of 5.6 goals per game and has scored 123 goals this season, far surpassing South Mecklenburg’s season total of 82 goals.
• South Mecklenburg has a lower scoring average of 3.3 goals per game, with 1.4 goals in the first period but seeing a decline in scoring in the second period and overtime.

Key Players and Stat Leaders

Several standout players have driven their teams’ successes:

• Northwest Guilford’s Justin Lee (#9) is an offensive leader with 36 goals, while Luis Ortega (#11) has contributed 19 assists, underscoring the team’s collaborative playstyle.
• South Mecklenburg has not publicly highlighted individual player stats, but the team’s overall contributions have made a noticeable impact, especially in key conference games.

Defense and Goalkeeping

Both teams demonstrate effective defense, though Northwest Guilford’s numbers indicate a stronger backline:

• Northwest Guilford’s goalkeeper Caleb Trogdon (#1) has a 1.500 goals-against average, showing his capability to protect the net and lead his team defensively.
• South Mecklenburg has allowed 33 goals over the season, which could be a factor to watch as they go up against the high-scoring Northwest Guilford offense.

Common Opponents

The only shared opponent this season is R.J. Reynolds, with both teams emerging victorious:

• South Mecklenburg claimed a decisive 9-0 win over R.J. Reynolds, while Northwest Guilford defeated the same team 4-1. These wins show both teams’ ability to control games against common opposition.

Playoff Records and Preparation

Each team enters this playoff game with one prior playoff victory:

• Northwest Guilford’s unblemished conference record and consistent performance in both home and away settings give them a confidence boost heading into this match.
• South Mecklenburg, with its strong win rate, also comes prepared, looking to disrupt Northwest Guilford’s streak and continue their tournament run.

Summary

Northwest Guilford’s potent offense, strong defense, and consistent play at home and away make them a formidable opponent. South Mecklenburg, however, is not to be underestimated, with a resilient team that’s proven they can compete with top-ranking teams. This matchup will test each team’s endurance, strategy, and execution, promising an exciting showdown in the 4A tournament.