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 4 teams for a 9-team tournament.
Top two teams qualify by the order of finish in Division 1.
Reamining seeds are based on the finish of West Scranton.
Scenario 1 - West Scranton WINS Division 2
#1 Seed - First Place Division 1
#2 Seed - Second Place Division 1
#3 Seed - West Scranton
#4 Seed - Play-in Winner:
Oct. 22nd or 23rd - Fourth Place Division 1 at Third Place Division 1
Scenario 2 - West Scranton DOES NOT WIN Division 2
#1 Seed - First Place Division 1
#2 Seed - Second Place Division 1
#3 Seed - Third Place Division 1
#4 Seed - Play-in Winner:
Oct. 22nd or 23rd - West Scranton at Fourth Place Division 1
AA - LL gets 3 teams
There are many different scenarios based on the finish of the top Division 1 team, top Division 2 team AND Blue Ridge.
Scenario 1 - Division 2 First Place DOES NOT WIN Division 2
#1 Seed - First Place Division 1
#2 Seed - Second Place Division 1
#3 Seed - Play in:
If Blue Ridge WINS Division 3:
Oct. 20 - Second Place Division 2 at First Place Division 2
Oct. 20 - Third Place Division 1 at Blue Ridge
Oct. 22 - Winners play for the Third seed
If Blue Ridge is .500 or better:
Oct. 20 - Blue Ridge at First Place Division 2
Oct. 20 - Third Place Division 1 at Second Place Division 2
Oct. 22 - Winners play for the Third seed
If Blue Ridge is UNDER .500
Oct. 20 - Third Place Division 1 at Second Place Division 2
Oct. 22 - Winner at First Place Division 2
Scenario 2 - Division 2 First Place WINS Division 2
#1 Seed - First Place Division 1 [If UNDER .500, First Place Division 2 gets #1 seed]
#2 Seed - First Place Division 2
#3 Seed - Play in:
If Blue Ridge WINS Division 3:
Oct. 20 - Second Place Division 2 at Second Place Division 1
Oct. 20 - Third Place Division 1 at Blue Ridge
Oct. 22 - Winners play for the Third seed
If Blue Ridge is .500 or better:
Oct. 20 - Blue Ridge at Second Place Division 1
Oct. 20 - Third Place Division 1 plays at Second Place Division 2
Oct. 22 - Winners play for the Third seed
If Blue Ridge is UNDER .500
Oct. 20 - Third Place Division 1 at Second Place Division 2
Oct. 22 - Winner at Second Place Division 1
A - LL gets 6 teams plus one Wild Card:
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 - First place Division 3
#4 Seed - Second Place Division 2
#5 Seed - Third Place Division 2
#6 Seed - Second Place Division 3
Wild Card - Winner of Play-in Games (will play-in vs. WVC wild card for final seed):
Oct. 20 - Fourth Place Division 3 plays at Third Place Division 3
Oct. 20 - Fifth Place Division 3 plays at Fourth Place Division 2
Oct. 22 - Winners play for the Wild Card spot
Scenario 2 - Mountain View is .500 or better
#1 Seed - First Place Division 2
#2 Seed - Mountain View
#3 Seed - First place Division 3
#4 Seed - Second Place Division 2
#5 Seed - Third Place Division 2
#6 Seed - Second Place Division 3
Wild Card - Winner of Play-in Games (will play-in vs. WVC wild card for final seed):
Oct. 20 - Fourth Place Division 3 plays at Third Place Division 3
Oct. 20 - Fifth Place Division 3 plays at Fourth Place Division 2
Oct. 22 - Winners play for the Wild Card spot
Scenario 3 - Mountain View is under .500
#1 Seed - First Place Division 2
#2 Seed - First place Division 3
#3 Seed - Second Place Division 2
#4 Seed - Third Place Division 2
#5 Seed - Second Place Division 3
#6 Seed - Mountain View
Wild Card - Winner of Play-in Games (will play-in vs. WVC wild card for final seed):
Oct. 20 - Fourth Place Division 3 plays at Third Place Division 3
Oct. 20 - Fifth Place Division 3 plays at Fourth Place Division 2
Oct. 22 - Winners play for the Wild Card 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
AAA
There are 4 teams involved from the Lackawanna League plus Pottsville from District 11. Seeding will be done according to league record. 4th and 5th place teams will have a play in game.
Schedule as follows:
Play-in game
Oct. 26 - #5 seed vs. #4 seed at TBD*
Semifinals
Oct. 28 - #1 vs. Play-in winner at TBD*
Oct. 28 - #2 vs. #3 at TBD*
Final
Nov. 3 or 4 - Semifinal Winners at TBD
*Games may be at home site
Neutral sites will be Scranton or Wallenpaupack
AA
The AA girls tournament will be a 5 team tournament
3 teams from Division 1 are in
Blue Ridge and Mid Valley will have play-in for 4th spot
Seeding for tournament will be done by a points system:
2 points per win vs. AAA team
1 point per win vs. AA team
.5 point per tie
Schedule as follows:
Play-in game
Oct. 26 - Blue Ridge vs. Mid Valley at Western Wayne
Semifinals
Oct. 28 - #4 at #1
Oct. 28 - #3 at #2
Final
Nov. 3 or 4 - Semifinal Winners at Wallenpaupack
A
The A girls tournament will be a 6 team tournament
Top 3 teams from Division 2 are in
Top 3 teams from Division 3 are in
Top team from Division 2 and Division 3 receive a bye.
Seeding for tournament will be done by a points system:
2 points per win vs. AAA team
1 point per win vs. AA team
.5 point per tie
Schedule as follows:
Quarterfinals
Oct. 26 - Game 1 - Division 2 #3 at Division 3 #2
Oct. 26 - Game 2 - Division 3 #3 at Division 2 #2
Semifinals
Oct. 28 - Game 1 winner at Division 2 #1
Oct. 28 - Game 2 winner at Division 3 #1
Final
Nov. 3 or 4 - Semifinal Winners at Western Wayne
