Playoffs
Boys
Because LSL Divisions are arranged according to the general soccer strength of the schools, and not their size, schools of the same classification are spread across different divisions. This encourages consistently competitive league matches, and prepares the top teams for district and state playoffs.
Though far from perfect, our league structure has been successful considering the growth of soccer in the Lackawanna League and our results in district and state competition.
Unfortunately, this has led to a fairly complex system for determining who qualifies for district playoffs, and the individual seedings of those teams.
Below is a complete explanation of the system used according to the Lackawanna Soccer League Constitution.
Determining Division Champions
Soccer standings are determined by the following point system:
3 points for a win;
1 point for a tie;
0 points for a loss.
The champion is determined by the highest number of points.
In the event of a tie for the divisional championship there will be a play-off at a neutral site at the conclusion of league play.
District Play-off Procedure / District Play-in and Qualifying games
- Play-in dates will be established before the season. Dates will the Friday and Tuesday before the district 2 seed meeting. Rain dates will be Saturday and Wednesday.
- League established guidelines for determining the teams that will enter District playoffs and outlined in Article VIII (League Policy and Procedure). If it is determined after the guidelines are followed that there are teams tied for a spot in the District playoffs, the league officers will set up a play-in game. Teams may never be eliminated from playoffs without playing a game, if tied with another team.
- The league officer will consult with the principal and athletic director from each school to determine a time and date,
- The league will determine if admission will be charged and what the rate will be. If admission is charged, profit after expenses will be shared with the participating schools.
- The home team will pay expenses for security, officials and game manger.
- All rules listed in the League Match Procedure above Section 1 through Section 5 will apply to play-in games.
- Principals or their designees shall be seated at the scorer's table in order to better coordinate the efforts of the game management and school representatives.
Division Seeding Format for District 2
AAA - We have 2 teams, WVC has 1, plus District 4 can qualify.
Top two teams qualify by the order of finish in Division 1. There is the possibility of a wildcard team if Williamsport finishes below .500.
AA - LL gets 3 teams
There are different scenarios based on the finish of the top Division 2 team.
Scenario 1 - Division 2 team finishes in 1st Place in Division
#1 Seed - First Place Division 1 provided they are .500 [otherwise First Place Division 2 gets #1 seed]
#2 Seed - First Place Division 2
#3 Seed - Play in:
Second Place Division 2 plays at Second Place Division 1
Fourth Place Division 1 plays at Third Place Division 1
If Blue Ridge is .500 or better they will play the Second Place Division 2 team with the winner playing at the Second Place Division 1 team.
Scenario 2 - Division 2 AA team does not win the Division
#1 Seed - First Place Division 1
#2 Seed - Second Place Division 1
#3 Seed - Play in:
Second Place Division 2 plays at Third Place Division 1
Fourth Place Division 1 plays at First Place Division 2
If Blue Ridge is .500 or better they will play the Second Place Division 2 team with
the winner playing at the Third Place Division 1 team.
A - LL gets 6 teams:
There are different scenarios based on the finish of Mountain View in Division 1.
Scenario 1 - Mountain View wins Division 1
#1 Seed - Mountain View
#2 Seed - First Place Division 2
#3 Seed - Second Place Division 2
#4 Seed - First place Division 3
#5 Seed - Second Place Division 3
#6 Seed - Winner of Play-in Games:
Fourth Place Division 3 plays at Third Place Division 2
Fourth Place Division 2 plays at Third Place Division 3
Winners play for the Sixth spot
Scenario 2 - Mountain View is .500 or better
#1 Seed - First Place Division 2
#2 Seed - Mountain View
#3 Seed - Second Place Division 2
#4 Seed - First Place Division 3
#5 Seed - Second Place Division 3
#6 Seed - Winner of Play-in Games:
Fourth Place Division 3 plays at Third Place Division 2
Fourth Place Division 2 plays at Third Place Division 3
Winners play for the Sixth spot
Scenario 3 - Mt View is under .500
#1 Seed - First Place Division 2
#2 Seed - Second Place Division 2
#3 Seed - First Place Division 3
#4 Seed - Third Place Division 2
#5 Seed - Second Place Division 3
#6 Seed - Winner of Play-in Games:
Third Place Division 3 plays at Fourth Place Division 2
Mt. View plays at Fourth Place Division 3
Winners play for the Sixth spot
NOTE ABOUT PLAY-IN GAME FINALS: The team who finished higher in their division gets home field. If teams finish in the same place in their division, the team in the higher division will get HOME field. However, Mt View when finishing under .500 will always be AWAY.
Tie Breakers
To determine Seeding positions in the event of a tie (for play-in games):
- Head to Head among the two tied teams
- Team League Points earned versus mutual teams of same classification.
- Coin Flip
If tie breakers #1, #2, and #3 would eliminate a team from play-offs, there will be a play-off game at a neutral site
Girls
AA
The AA girls tournament will be a 6 team tournament with 3 teams from the Lackawanna Northern Division, 2 teams from the Lackawanna South and 1 wild card which will be the League team with the next best league record.
If there is a tie for the wild card spot there will be a play-in game. If there is a tie for seeding purposes, head to head competition will be the tiebreaker. If still tied a flip of a coin will determine the seed.
Home teams will pay for the officials.
Schedule as follows:
Quarterfinals
Game 1 - Wild Card @ North #2
Game 2 - North #3 vs. South #2
A point system will be used to determine a home team for this game. 2 points for a win against a AAA school, one point for a win in same class, 1/2 point for a tie.
Semis
Game 3 - Game 1 winner vs. South #1
Game 4 - Game 2 winner vs. North #1
Final
Final - Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner
AAA
There are 6 teams involved, 5 teams from the Lackawanna League and Pottsville from District 11. The top 4 teams will qualify based on a point system. The teams will receive 2 pts. for a win against a AAA team, 1 pt for a win against a AA team and 1/2 pt for a tie. If Pottsville goes .500 or better they will qualify for the tournament, if they do not make the top 4 they will play the fourth seed at a neutral site. Date and site to be determined.
If a team wins their division they will receive a top seed. If we have three teams the top two seeds will be decided by the point system. After Division winners are seeded the remaining teams will be seeded according to point system. All games will be at Scranton Memorial Stadium with times to be decided later.
Schedule as follows:
Semis
Semifinal Game 1 -- 1 vs. 4
Semifinal Game 2 -- 2 vs. 3
Final
Final - Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
