Tie-Break Rules
TIE-BREAKING FACTORS If there is a percentage tie by two or more teams for the area/section championship, apply the following tie-breaking factors in the order listed, beginning with (a) or (h) as determined by the number of teams in the tie. If a certain tie-breaking factor does not apply to the tie being resolved, apply the next factor in the order listed. Determine the highest-ranked team first, then apply the same tie-breakers to determine the next ranked team. (NOTE: One goal is added to the winning team’s score in an overtime match.) Contests against teams that are not eligible for the championship program and contests in regular season tournaments are not used in figuring any tiebreakers.
***Two-Team Tie (a) Head to head play in the two regular season area matches. (b) Goal differential in the two regular season area matches (up to a 3-goal differential per match). (Note: Goal differential is defined as margin of victory, the difference in the two final scores of the two teams involved.) (c) Goal differential against all area opponents during regular season matches (up to 3-goal differential per match). (d) Least number of goals given up in the two regular area section matches. (e) Least number of goals given up against all area opponents during regular season matches. (f) Goal differential against the No. 3 area team in the two regular season area matches (up to 3-goal differential per match). If the teams remain tied, use the same goal differential against the other area teams, in order of finish, 4th, 5th, etc. (g) By coin flip.
***More Than Three Teams Tie (h) Highest percentage against all other tied teams during regular season area play. If one of the teams does not have a higher percentage against all the other tied teams during the regular season area play, the tie cannot be resolved by this factor. Then, the next factor will be applied to all the teams involved in the tie. (i) Goal differential against all other tied teams in the regular season area matches (up to a 3-goal differential per match). If two teams tie under this factor ahead of all other teams involved in the tie, the champion will be determined by applying the two-team factors for these two teams, beginning with (a). If more than two teams remained tied under this factor, the champion cannot be determined by this factor. Then the next factor will be applied to all teams involved in the tie. (j) Goal differential against all area opponents during regular season area matches (up to 3-goal differential per match). If two teams tie under this factor ahead of all other teams involved in the tie, the champion will be determined by applying the two-team factors for these two teams, beginning with (a). If more than two teams remained tied under this factor, the champion cannot be determined by this factor. Then the next factor will be applied to all teams involved in the tie. (k) Least number of goals given up against all other tied teams during regular season area matches. If two teams tie under this factor ahead of all other teams involved in the tie, the champion will be determined by applying the two-team factors for these two teams, beginning with (a). If more than two teams remained tied under this factor, the champion cannot be determined by this factor. Then the next factor will be applied to all teams involved in the tie. (l) Least number of goals given up against all area opponents during regular season area matches. If two teams tie under this factor ahead of all other teams involved in the tie, the champion will be determined by applying the two-team factors for these two teams, beginning with (a). If more than two teams remained tied under this factor, the champion cannot be determined by this factor. Then the next factor will be applied to all teams involved in the tie. (m) Goal differential against the No. 3 area team in the regular season area matches (up to 3-goal differential per match. If the teams remain tied, use the same goal differential against the other section teams, in order of finish, 4th, 5th, etc. If more than two teams remained tied under this factor, the champion cannot be determined by this factor. Then the next factor will be applied to all teams involved in the tie. (n) By drawing out of a hat.