Two weeks ago, we released a data analysis on NCAA D1 mens soccer.
This week, NCAA D1 womens soccer takes the mantle.
Using each of the profiled teams complete data from the 2023 season, this data analysis will look at the key performance metrics and build out a data-driven look at each teams attacking and defensive tactics.
To add context to the graphs in this article, giving an explanation of the data set is important.
For those who are unfamiliar with NCAA D1 womens soccer, there are 347 teams.
Thats 136 more teams on the womens side than the mens, meaning far more data to piece through for a comprehensive data set.
Rather than listing every team, the approach for this article was to include each program in the RPI top 100, as well as Power Five schools outside of that range.
This NCAA D1 womens soccer data analysis is designed to show the performance indicators of NCAA D1 womens soccer top teams.
Its packed with insights on the top-performing teams.
We???ll see how they construct play in attack and identify tendencies in the press.
NCAA D1 womens soccer Performance based statistics
For anyone who did not read the mens data analysis, in this section, well look at statistics that are more broad performance indicators.
Points per game and goals for and against are the most common indicators, but we wanted to dig a little deeper into the data.
Just like the mens article, well look at the expected values of goals for and against.
By matching xG and xGA, we can get a good sense of the value of the chances created, as well as a teams ability to limit the oppositions chances on goal.
On our first chart, which plots xG and xGA, the top right quadrant is where a team wants to be.
The ACC, including national champions Florida State and the stars of the NWSL draft, UNC (who also had a player sign for Sampdoria in Serie A Women just before battling Napoli), are joined by Notre Dame in the most exclusive part of the chart.
In terms of chance creation and defensive strength, these three programs are in a class of their own.
UCLA is in a fantastic position, as are South Alabama, Memphis, Dayton, St.Louis and Pittsburgh.
Focusing now on the creation and finishing of goals, we put xG and goals in relation to each other.
Falling below the trend line is an indication of underperformance in converting opportunities.
The higher a team sits above the trend line, the more lethal they were in finishing off their chances.
