Number of LH teams drops at U13 and U15??

I noticed that the number of LH teams in D1 drops from 10 to 9 at U13 and from 9 to 8 at U15. What is the reasoning behind this if anyone knows?

I have heard from wiser parents (than I) that the reason is to make the games more competitive. Typically, at U15 when most begin high school, there is a reduction in the number of DDs playing select soccer. In theory, with fewer remaining players, to keep the quality of play near the same level, the fix was to reduce the number of teams. Also, with the reduction of teams, there are slightly few league games. Since many of the girls at U15 will be playing high school soccer, the fewer Lakehighland league games makes it easier to schedule the those Lakehighland league games around the high school games.

The same reason for U13, to make the games more competitive. At U13 most DDs enter middle school and some dds drop out of select soccer. Also, the transition from U12 to U13 may increase the roster size (do not remember for certain if the roster size increased from U12 to U13). In theory, when the roster size increases (without a reduction in the number of teams), the average talent level would be lower (even allowing for talent moving up from lower levels).

As a side note, at U14, the Lakehighlands average talent level drops due to the ECNL teams.

Thanks, that makes sense. My 00 is going to do some school sports, and so are her friends, so I just wondered. That U15 makes sense for the same reason. I appreciate your response.

Last year the U19 group didn't even have enough teams signed up for QT to fill D3!

U19 must be the toughest to fill with DDs going away to college and some wanting to reduce the odds of getting injured (especially if playing in college).

The other item that helps fill U19 is that Lakehighlands does not have a U18 division.

dadof3 wrote:I noticed that the number of LH teams in D1 drops from 10 to 9 at U13 and from 9 to 8 at U15. What is the reasoning behind this if anyone knows?

Roster sizes increase, so essentially you have a similar number of players.

Flatback4 wrote:U19 must be the toughest to fill with DDs going away to college and some wanting to reduce the odds of getting injured (especially if playing in college).

The other item that helps fill U19 is that Lakehighlands does not have a U18 division.

I think that is why the U19s have gone to a half season. I talked to a coach who said LHGCL made a decision to go to essentially a fall season only starting this past year, since they were having increasing trouble fielding teams in the spring.