Description of Points/Stats in Collegiate Soccer.
10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Blog
Oct. 16, 2009
[11:45 a.m.] Since not everyone knows, here is a brief description of how the points systems work in collegiate soccer, in addition to a brief description of some commonly used statistics.
TEAM POINTS
In BIG EAST Conference play, points are awarded in head-to-head competition and thus accumulation of points are used to determine regular-season standings.
A team receives three points for a win (no points are awarded for a loss), while a draw is worth one point for each side. This same point system widely used internationally, including within the English Premier League and FIFA World Cup.
Soccer records are listed in the following format: Win-Loss-Tie. Therefore a team that has a record of 6-3-1 in conference games has six wins, three losses and one tie on the season for a total of 19 points (six wins = 18 points, one tie = 1 point).
INDIVIDUAL POINTS
Goals are worth two points and assists are worth one point. In NCAA Division I men's soccer, the record for most points in a single game is 18 tallied by Marty Ryczek of Stetson. Ryczek had eighth goals (16 points) and two assists (two points) in a match against Southeastern Bible back in 1974.
Individuals' points can also be added up to get a team points total, which reflects all of the goals and assists recorded by an entire squad over the course of a season.
OFFENSIVE STATS
Shot - an attempt that is taken with the intent of scoring and is directed toward the goal (a "cross" pass sent from a wide position into the front of the goal is not considered a shot).
Shot on Goal - A shot that is either (a) saved by the goalkeeper/defender or (b) goes into the net for a goal. A shot that hits the crossbar or either post is not considered a shot on goal.
GOALKEEPER STATS
Save - A save is awarded to a goalkeeper ONLY if the shot otherwise would have gone into the goal (or a "shot on goal").
GAA - Stands for "goals against average," and is the number of goals allowed, multiplied by 90 minutes (length of regulation game, without overtimes), divided by the actual number of minutes played, which includes all overtime minutes played. Therefore, GAA = (goals allowed x 90) / minutes played.
SHUTOUTS
Obviously, a shutout is awarded to a goalkeeper (or "combined shutout," if more than one keeper was used) for holding the opposition scoreless. According to associate head men's soccer coach Stan Anderson, a shutout is the most telling goalkeeper stat of all.
"Simply put, shutouts are a strong indicator of back line and goalkeeper performance," says Anderson. "By posting a clean sheet, you are always going to give your team a chance for one or three points."