[JMMUSA8]

On an own goal in college, does the goal get credited to the closest offensive player?

[RichardL]

Unless you have your own rules over there a goal is always credited to the player who put it into the goal. If that player scores for the other team then it's an "o.g."

[whipple]

Originally posted by JMMUSA8
On an own goal in college, does the goal get credited to the closest offensive player?

In both NF and NISOA the4 referee simply reports that it was an own goal to the offical scorer. I do know, however, that many teams like to add their own stats, and am aware that some teams feel that every goal had to have an assist including own goals, but this has nothing to do with the referee.

[XYZ]

Originally posted by JMMUSA8
On an own goal in college, does the goal get credited to the closest offensive player?

That is both a good and a funny question.

The answer is "yes, but it shouldn't be". Sometimes an own-goal is incorrectly credited to the closest attacking player.

The official NCAA scorer's manual (which is available on the NCAA website as a pdf file) says that the goal should be credited to the defending team, not to an individual. (As someone else said, a scorekeeper does this, not a referee)

I've seen enough NCAA soccer to know that offical scorers don't always play according to Hoyle.

I've seen obvious own goals incorrectly awarded to the player whose cross was played into the goal by the defense. (I've seen that a number of times) I've also seen such plays recorded correctly as an own-goal.

A couple of years ago I saw an amazing example of a 'closest attacker' goal such as you describe. A defender, for some reason that will always be a mystery, hit a pass from member of her own team into her own goal - (from over 20 yards out, mind you!)
The scorekeeper awarded the goal to the closest attacking player, a player who hadn't even touched the ball and, in fact, hadn't gotten withing 10 yards of the ball, although she was the closest attacker. Quite a few people got a good laugh when that goal was announced.

As I said before, crediting the goal to the closest attacker is incorrect.

Don't even get me started on assists
And, really don't get me started on the infamous double-assist. (I'll take a disappearing own goal any day)

[JMMUSA8]

well i pretty much pressure the ball into the goal as i pressured the defender to pass it back and i ran straight at the goalie and he paniced and screwed up. Essentially, i made the goal happen, maybe thats why they gave me credit.

[IASocFan]

Makes sense to me. I would have wanted credit for such a goal. The LOTG and referees are not concerned with who gets credit for goals or assists. That's the job of coaches, publicists and the media.

[XYZ]

XYZ:
The answer is "yes, but it shouldn't be". Sometimes an own-goal is incorrectly credited to the closest attacking player.

You see. I was right. The answer is "yes".

Some scorekeepers in the NCAA are incredibly generous, to the point of not being entirely accurate. (both in not recording own goals, and in awarding assists)

The interesting thing is that no one is likely to complain. The defending team doesn't want to be charged with an own-goal; the GK doesn't want credit. And why should you complain?

It's not correct but it happens, and everyone is happy.

Don't believe everything you read in a box score.

[JMMUSA8]

sweet, now im averaging a goal a game in my college career.

[IASocFan]

Originally posted by JMMUSA8
sweet, now im averaging a goal a game in my college career.

Does that include own-goals?

[JMMUSA8]

its my "first goal" of my college career in my first game. Plus i beat out my friend who is alot better then me by registering either a goal or assist. I think they should give assists on free kicks, only if the person who is taking it wasnt fouled.