Question Number: 28856

League Specific 10/16/2014

RE: Competitive High School

Rick Moore of Weston, CT USA asks...

Is an assist awarded on a play where after the pass is made to the goal scorer, they have to elude a defender before scoring the goal. Player A passes to B. B is challenged by a defender or goalie, changes directions to elude the challenge and then scores.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rick
It is not part of the rules but rather a coaching metric or other competitions such as fantasy football competitions, betting etc.
This is the English Premier leagues interpretation of an assist and I quote

Assists are awarded to the player from the goal scoring team, who makes the final pass before a goal is scored. An assist is awarded whether the pass was intentional (that it actually creates the chance) or unintentional (that the player had to dribble the ball or an inadvertent touch or shot created the chance).
If an opposing player touches the ball after the final pass before a goal is scored, significantly altering the intended destination of the ball, then no assist is awarded.
If a shot on goal is blocked by an opposition player, is saved by a goalkeeper or hits the woodwork, and a goal is scored from the rebound, then an assist is awarded.
From your description of the play it would be considered an assist.

I also came across this NCAA information which may be helpful
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/Stats_Manuals/Soccer/2009ez.pdf#page=2
See Section 5
I believe that an assist would be credited there as well

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Rick,

Assists are not defined or included in the high school rules. This is because the various states and conferences within states utilize assists and goals for points and have established different definitions of what is acceptable to achieve the points. For example, your question would be one that could be viewed differently. Some would say that an assist would be given because it was a pass to the player who made the goal, while others would say that the assist would not be given, because the player that scored made the goal on his/her own and the kick to the scorer did not lead directly to the goal. I realize that this does not answer your question, but I feel the only way that you will get the correct answer is to ask a scorekeeper or coach from your state or local conference. I wish that I could be more helpful.