On Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, the St. Benedict’s Prep Gray Bees (14-0) from Newark, NJ will face the Seton Hall Prep Pirates (12-4) from West Orange, NJ in a neutral-site playoff match. This game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – North Jersey Non-Public A tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: New Jersey High School Soccer Playoffs
Who: St. Benedict’s Prep vs Seton Hall Prep
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: TBD
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – North Jersey Non-Public A
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Game preview: St. Benedict’s Prep vs Seton Hall Prep

As the 2024-2025 high school sports season continues, two powerhouses in New Jersey, Seton Hall Prep and St. Benedict’s Prep, are standing out in their respective divisions. Both teams have established impressive records, but they differ in their performances across the board. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two teams, focusing on their overall records, scoring averages, head-to-head performances, and common opponents.

Team Performance Overview

Seton Hall Prep:

• Overall Record: 12-4
• League Record: 2-1
• Home Record: 8-2
• Away Record: 3-2
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Win Percentage: .750
• League Win Percentage: .667
• Goals For (GF): 49
• Goals Against (GA): 13

Seton Hall Prep has had a solid season so far with an overall win rate of 75%. The team has been especially dominant at home with an 8-2 record. Their defense has been strong, conceding just 13 goals, while they have scored 49.

St. Benedict’s Prep:

• Overall Record: 14-0
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 8-0
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Win Percentage: 1.000 (undefeated)
• Goals For (GF): 90
• Goals Against (GA): 7

St. Benedict’s Prep has been flawless this season, boasting a perfect record with 14 wins and no losses. Their goal-scoring ability is impressive, having scored 90 goals so far while conceding only 7. Their defense has been nearly impenetrable, and their offensive prowess makes them a formidable opponent on any field.

Team Scoring Averages

In terms of scoring averages, Seton Hall Prep and St. Benedict’s Prep are both impressive, though St. Benedict’s stands out with higher figures:

• Seton Hall Prep averages 2.0 goals in the first half, 3.0 goals in the second half, and 3.1 goals overall per game.
• St. Benedict’s Prep averages 3.7 goals in both halves and an overall average of 6.4 goals per game.

This difference in scoring average speaks volumes about the offensive firepower of St. Benedict’s Prep compared to Seton Hall Prep’s more balanced approach.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents this season, and their performance against these teams provides valuable insight into their relative strengths.

• Life Center Academy:
  • Seton Hall Prep: W 10-0 (Home)
  • St. Benedict’s Prep: W 9-0 (Away)
• Montclair Kimberley Academy:
  • Seton Hall Prep: W 4-0 (Home)
  • St. Benedict’s Prep: W 2-0 (Away)
• Nutley:
  • Seton Hall Prep: W (Home)
  • St. Benedict’s Prep: W 6-1 (Home)

In the head-to-head matchups against common opponents, both teams have been successful, though St. Benedict’s Prep has secured some dominant wins, particularly with their high goal-scoring performances. Seton Hall Prep, while not scoring as high, has maintained a consistent and solid performance record.

Record Breakdown

Here’s a closer look at how the teams stack up across various categories:

While Seton Hall Prep has a stronger in-state record, St. Benedict’s Prep stands out with a perfect record overall, particularly excelling in their away games with an 8-0 performance.

Conclusion

Both Seton Hall Prep and St. Benedict’s Prep have had impressive seasons, with St. Benedict’s remaining undefeated. Seton Hall Prep has shown consistency and solid performances, especially at home. However, St. Benedict’s offensive juggernaut and unblemished record make them one of the most formidable teams in the region. The two teams’ performances against common opponents suggest that St. Benedict’s has the upper hand in goal-scoring ability, but Seton Hall Prep’s strong defense is not to be underestimated.

As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how these two teams fare against each other and whether Seton Hall Prep can challenge St. Benedict’s perfect record.