The Western Alamance varsity soccer team (Elon, NC) will host Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (Durham, NC) today at 7 p.m. for a Fifth Round playoff match. This game is part of the 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 3A tournament.

Western Alamance vs SSEAS Game Info:

What: North Carolina High School Soccer Playoffs
Who: Western Alamance vs SSEAS
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Men’s Soccer Championships – 3A
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Game preview: Western Alamance vs SSEAS

The Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (SSEAS) and Western Alamance have been two powerhouse high school soccer teams in the 2024-25 season, both showcasing impressive records and stellar performances. Let’s dive into the comparisons, team statistics, and common opponents to see how these two teams stack up against each other as they aim for championship glory.

Team Records & Performance Overview

Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (SSEAS):

• National Ranking: 251st
• State Ranking: 23rd
• Class Ranking: 3rd
• Record: 21-2-2
  • Conference Record: 14-0
  • Home: 12-0
  • Away: 9-1-2
  • Neutral: 0-1
  • Winning Percentage: .880
  • Conference Winning Percentage: 1.000
  • Goals For: 128
  • Goals Against: 15

SSEAS has been a dominant force in their conference, boasting an undefeated record in league play. Their offensive attack has been potent, scoring an average of 5.1 goals per game, while their defense has been equally impressive, with only 15 goals allowed in 25 games and a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 0.424.

Western Alamance:

• National Ranking: 117th
• State Ranking: 11th
• Class Ranking: 1st
• Record: 23-1
  • Conference Record: 12-0
  • Home: 13-0
  • Away: 10-1
  • Winning Percentage: .958
  • Conference Winning Percentage: 1.000
  • Goals For: 137
  • Goals Against: 12

Western Alamance has been equally formidable this season, with a staggering .958 winning percentage. They’ve scored 137 goals in 24 games, averaging 5.7 goals per match, and allowing just 12 goals, which is an incredible GAA of 0.600. Their record both at home and away shows their consistency, as they remain unbeaten in both settings.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Scoring and Defense

• Goals Scored:
  • SSEAS: 128 goals
  • Western Alamance: 137 goals
  • Both teams are high-scoring, but Western Alamance has a slight edge in goals scored.
• Goals Against:
  • SSEAS: 15 goals allowed
  • Western Alamance: 12 goals allowed
  • Both teams have stellar defenses, but SSEAS has been marginally better in limiting goals.
• Goals Per Game:
  • SSEAS: 5.1
  • Western Alamance: 5.7
  • Western Alamance’s offensive attack has been slightly more potent, averaging more goals per game.
• Goals Against Average (GAA):
  • SSEAS: 0.424
  • Western Alamance: 0.600
  • SSEAS has the superior defensive record, allowing fewer goals on average.

Key Players

SSEAS:

• Joseth Banegas (#17): Leading scorer with 36 goals, a vital part of the team’s offensive success.
• Juan Soliz (#11): Top assist provider with 24 assists, setting up key goals for his teammates.
• Samson Varmah (#0): Goalkeeper with a GAA of 0.267, anchoring the team’s defense.

Western Alamance:

• Dominic McNerney (#16): Team’s top scorer with 29 goals and also leads in assists with 22, showing his all-around offensive prowess.
• Isaac Hernandez (#0): Goalkeeper with a GAA of 2.260, playing an important role in their defensive strategy.

Common Opponents

Both teams have played against similar opponents this season, showing dominant performances. Their records against common foes are close, with SSEAS holding a perfect 5-0 record and Western Alamance posting a 4-0 record. The teams faced off against schools like Orange, Carrboro, and Durham School of the Arts, with both squads securing impressive victories, highlighting their similar strength.

Notable Common Opponent Results:

• Orange: SSEAS won 3-0, while Western Alamance triumphed 2-0.
• Carrboro: SSEAS secured a 4-2 win, while Western Alamance had a dominant 4-0 victory.
• Durham School of the Arts: SSEAS triumphed 7-2, while Western Alamance won 6-0.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: SSEAS (21-2-2) vs. Western Alamance (23-1)
• Conference Record: Both teams are undefeated in their respective conferences, with SSEAS finishing 14-0 and Western Alamance at 12-0.
• Home Record: SSEAS (12-0) vs. Western Alamance (13-0)
• Away Record: SSEAS (9-1-2) vs. Western Alamance (10-1)

The two teams are remarkably similar in terms of their overall and home performances, each undefeated at home. However, SSEAS has been more resilient on the road with a slightly more balanced away record.

Conclusion

Both SSEAS and Western Alamance have had outstanding seasons, dominating their conferences and performing well against common opponents. Western Alamance holds a slight edge in terms of goals scored and overall record, while SSEAS has been more dominant defensively. If these two teams meet in the playoffs, it will surely be an exciting matchup, with each team bringing a unique strength to the field.

As both teams continue their pursuit of a state championship, their strong performances this season have proven they are two of the best high school soccer teams in the country.