Charlotte, NC – Following the 2022 NJCAA Convention held in Birmingham, AL, from April 11-15, the NJCAA Board of Regents passed a number of amendments to enhance the national championship experience. The following changes were made for all divisions of men’s and women’s soccer.
Division I, II, III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships
The NJCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Committees jointly approved a proposal to incorporate an additional day of rest into each national tournament. The change will aid in student-athlete recovery during the championships. For the DI and DII championships, the additional rest day will be implemented in between the semifinal contests and the final day of competition. For the DIII championships, the additional day of rest will be implemented in between the quarterfinal contests and the semifinal round. In the interest of student-athlete health and safety, the proposal will take effect beginning with the 2022 season. The 2022 NJCAA DI Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships will be held on the campus of Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, FL, and at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, GA, respectively. The 2022 NJCAA DII Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships will be held in conjunction at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, AZ. The Division III men’s national tournament will be hosted by Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY, while the Division III women’s national tournament will be hosted by Herkimer College in Herkimer, NY.
Division I, II, III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Spring Play Dates
The NJCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Committees jointly approved a proposal to increase the number of allowable spring competition dates from four to six dates. This proposal will take effect beginning with the 2022 season.
Division I, II, III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Overtime Rules
The NCAA Rules Committee recently approved a proposal impacting regular and postseason overtime rules. The NJCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Committees have voted not to adopt the NCAA’s rule change and the current NJCAA overtime rules will remain in place for the upcoming academic year.
Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships 3rd Place Contest
The NJCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Committees jointly approved a proposal to reinstate the third-place consolation game at the national tournament. The additional consolation match will enhance the championship experience for competing student-athletes and will provide an additional contest opportunity for teams advancing to the semifinal round. This proposal will take effect beginning in 2023.
To read more about other upcoming championship changes, visit: NJCAA announces upcoming championship changes