Page 177 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

I. Tournament Format/Structure
Pool Play – Day 1, 2, 3
Semifinals – Day 5 (game times: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM local time)
Finals – Day 6 (not to begin before 4:00 PM local time)
POOL A POOL B POOL C POOL D
Seeds 1, 8, 12 2, 7, 11 3, 6, 10 4, 5, 9

POOL PLAY GAME SCHEDULE (Section 3E above may apply)
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3
1 vs. 12 8 vs. 12 1 vs. 8
2 vs. 11 7 vs. 11 2 vs. 7
3 vs. 10 6 vs. 10 3 vs. 6
4 vs. 9 5 vs. 9 4 vs. 5

POOL PLAY STANDINGS
Team points will be awarded in each game in pool play in the following manner:
3 Points – Victory in regulation time, in an OT period or by advancing after PK’s
0 Points – Loss
After pool play, the team in each pool with the most points will advance to the Semifinals.
POOL PLAY STANDINGS - TEAM TIEBREAKING PROCEDURES
If after pool play, teams are tied for the most points in any pool, the following will apply, in order:
3 TEAM TIES
1. Goal differential in all pool play games in regulation and OT periods.
2. Goals scored in all pool play games in regulation and OT periods.
3. Goals against in all pool play games in regulation and OT periods.
**If at any point in applying the above criteria:
A single team gains an advantage over the other two teams, it advances.
A single team is eliminated, and two teams remain tied, then immediately revert to head-to-head competition in
pool play between the two tied teams. The team that earned three points in pool play advances.
UNBREAKABLE TIES (3 team)
If all three teams remain tied after the above criteria are applied, two “tiebreaking games” will be held on day four of the
tournament. Immediately after conclusion of play in any pool, all tied teams will flip coins to determine which team
receives the bye to the second “tiebreaking game.” The odd coin receives the bye. The other two teams will play a
“tiebreaking game” beginning at the start of overtime per NCAA Rules (two 10-minute sudden death overtime periods,
followed by PK’s). Following a 20-minute break, the winning team advances to the 2 “tie breaking game” to play the
nd
team that received the bye. Any such tiebreaking games are a continuation of pool play and are considered individual
games. Any cards issued will carry the same penalty(ies) as in any other tournament game.
SEMIFINALS
Game 13 - highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed
nd
nd
Game 14 - 2 highest remaining seed vs. 2 lowest remaining seed
rd
*losers of both semifinal games finish T-3
FINALS
Game 15 – semifinal winners

J. The official tournament ball for 2015-2019 will be the Select Super NJCAA match ball. The Select “Super” or “Brilliant
Super” ball shall be the official regular season game ball of the NJCAA beginning fall 2015.
a. Penalty for non-compliance of using the NJCAA Official Ball: “(Exception to NCAA Rule 2 “The Ball”) - Four official game
balls must be provided by the host team, in order to begin play. In the event this stipulation is not met, the game shall be
played with the offending head coach receiving a yellow card and the host Region being responsible to handle the
infraction which includes sending the athletic director of the offending school a letter of reprimand.”
Note: Region Directors shall collect and report any violations, and then submit them to the NJCAA National Office at the
conclusion of the season.
Section 6. Officials
A. Only NISOA approved officials may be used in the tournament.
B. The Tournament Director shall be responsible for securing the field officials. The NJCAA Soccer Committee Chair/designee will
communicate with all officials assigned to the tournament explaining the differences between NCAA Rules and NJCAA playing
regulations.
C. Once the game has begun, it is in the hand of the field officials.
D. The three-person system of refereeing shall be used in all postseason tournament play.
E. No referee may officiate a contest in which his/her own region is participating at the national level.