On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Sterling Silver Knights (8-5-5) from Somerdale, NJ, will face off against the West Deptford Eagles (10-5-2) from Westville, NJ, in a neutral playoff match. This game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – South Jersey Group 2 tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: New Jersey High School Soccer Playoffs
Who: Sterling vs West Deptford
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: TBD
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – South Jersey Group 2
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Game preview: Sterling vs West Deptford
As the high school soccer season approaches its thrilling conclusion, the competitive rivalry between West Deptford and Sterling takes center stage. With both teams boasting impressive records, their head-to-head encounters have set the stage for a tense playoff match today.
Team Overview and Records
West Deptford (24-25):
- Overall: 10-5-2
- League: 4-3
- Home: 4-0
- Away: 5-5-2
- Neutral: 1-0
- Win %: .647
- League %: .571
- Goals For: 31
- Goals Against: 18
Sterling (24-25):
- Overall: 8-5-5
- League: 5-2-2
- Home: 5-2-4
- Away: 2-3-1
- Neutral: 1-0
- Win %: .583
- League %: .667
- Goals For: 29
- Goals Against: 15
West Deptford enters the match with a solid 10-5-2 overall record and a perfect home record of 4-0, showcasing their dominance on their own turf. Their league performance, however, has been a bit more mixed with a 4-3 record. In contrast, Sterling has been strong in league play, boasting a 5-2-2 record and a slightly lower overall win percentage of .583.
Previous Matchups: A Tale of Two Encounters
The rivalry between these two schools has been full of intensity. In their first matchup of the season, Sterling defeated West Deptford 3-1 on September 11, 2024. Despite West Deptford’s strong performance in the first half, Sterling managed to break through with two second-half goals to secure the win.
However, the second matchup on October 21, 2024, saw West Deptford exacting revenge with a 1-0 win at home. The game was a tight contest, but West Deptford’s defense held strong, and they managed to score the game’s only goal in the second half.
Team Scoring Averages
- West Deptford: 1.0 goals in the first half, 0.2 in the second half, and an impressive 1.8 goals per game on average overall.
- Sterling: 0.3 goals in the first half, 0.2 in the second half, and 1.6 goals per game on average overall.
West Deptford’s higher goal-scoring average indicates a more potent attack, while Sterling’s defense has allowed fewer goals (15 compared to West Deptford’s 18), suggesting a solid backline.
Common Opponents: The Competitive Edge
Both teams have faced off against some of the same opponents throughout the season, but West Deptford has the slight edge in the head-to-head comparison. West Deptford holds a 4-2 record against common opponents, while Sterling comes in with a 3-1-3 record.
Notably, both teams defeated Haddonfield, one of their toughest common opponents, and both had mixed results against Haddon Heights and Lindenwold.
The Importance of Today’s Match
Today’s neutral playoff match is set to be the latest chapter in this closely contested rivalry. With both teams having experienced success in their previous meetings and the stakes higher than ever, the result of this game will carry significant weight for both sides.
West Deptford’s perfect record in neutral-site games and their strong performance this season will make them the favorites. However, Sterling’s solid league form and the fact that they already defeated West Deptford earlier in the season suggest that the game could go either way.
As both teams prepare for this decisive matchup, soccer fans from both communities are eagerly awaiting the outcome, with each side hoping to assert their dominance in this fiercely contested rivalry. Whether it’s West Deptford’s offensive prowess or Sterling’s balanced play, this game promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
Looking Ahead
With only one game remaining for each team, the final result of this match could be a turning point in their respective seasons. Will West Deptford continue their strong postseason form, or will Sterling secure another crucial victory? Only time will tell.
