The top-10 offenses in Division III include the usual schools, like Rochester Institute of Technology and Tufts, and a few surprises, like Endicott and Christopher Newport.
Sitting at No. 10 is Frostburg State, which has averaged 14.3 goals this season. One key to the offense's success has been its ability to distribute the ball; the unit leads the country in total assists with 117 and ranks second in assists per game with 9.8.
Coach Tommy Pearce noted that the No. 19 Bobcats (12-0, 3-0 Capital Athletic Conference) have played a few more games than most teams nationally, but he also said the players have absorbed the team's offensive philosophy.
"I think it's an indication of what we've really preached, that we have a good team," he said Thursday. "We're not relying on one or two guys to do everything for us. We share the ball and dodge hard and draw slides and move it fast and let everybody take advantage of their opportunities when they come. That's the best way for us to be successful. If a lot of our goals are assisted, then I think we're really buying into our team mentality."
Six players have scored at least 14 goals, and seven have at least 14 points. In its past four games, Frostburg State has had four leading scorers.
But Pearce isn't prepared to call this year's offense the best he's ever coached. Nor is he willing to say the offense has propelled the team this season.
"I think we're also one of the lowest goals-against average teams in the country," Pearce said, referring to the defense's No. 13 ranking (5.6 goals per game). "So I don't think there's a mentality that our offense is carrying the team. We talk about how if any one of our units isn't having a good day, we're strong in other areas where we have to pick each other up. We're not playing great on man-up right now, and those guys should be grateful that our faceoff guys are winning a high percentage and our man-down is doing a good job. We're doing well on offense and defense. I think we're playing pretty good defense. I don't think our offense has to bail out the defense. If there's ever a day when the defense doesn't have a good day, we hope that some of the other areas on the team will raise the bar."