College soccer

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An NCAA tournament game between Indiana University and the University of Tulsa in 2004
An NCAA tournament game between Indiana University and the University of Tulsa in 2004

College soccer is a term used to describe soccer that is played by teams operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes. College soccer is probably most widespread in the United States, but is also important in South Korea and Canada.

In the United States, college soccer is divided into three NCAA Divisions, as well as the NAIA.

Many top American college soccer players play for separate teams in the Premier Development League (PDL) during the summer. One college club, the BYU Cougars, have foregone playing in the NCAA or NAIA and instead play their games in the PDL.

College soccer has slightly different rules than many other soccer leagues. College soccer allows for unlimited substitutions, although players are not allowed to reenter the game after being removed in the first half, and are limited to one reentry in the second half and overtimes. If a match is tied after regulation, two 10-minute golden goal overtimes follow. If neither team scores, the match ends in a draw. College soccer also does not have stoppage or injury time. The referee signals to a timekeeper for the clock to be stopped on injuries, substitutions, and when he feels a team is wasting time. The clock counts down as opposed to up, and a period is over immediately when the clock reads 0:00, even if a shot is in flight.

Fans at college soccer games (here at Indiana University in 2004) often number in the thousands for matches between top teams
Fans at college soccer games (here at Indiana University in 2004) often number in the thousands for matches between top teams

Contents

[edit] NCAA Men's Soccer divisions and conferences

[edit] NCAA Division I

[edit] NCAA Division II

[edit] NCAA Division III

[edit] National college soccer awards

[edit] Notable American men's college soccer graduates

[edit] Noted as players

[edit] Noted as coaches

[edit] Noted in other fields

[edit] Notable non-American men's college soccer graduates

[edit] Notable men's college soccer coaches

[edit] Notable American women's college soccer graduates

[edit] Notable non-American women's college soccer graduates

[edit] External links

[edit] See also