BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men’s soccer team is ranked No. 13 in the latest United Soccer Coaches national top 25 poll, released Tuesday by the organization.
In addition to ranking No. 13 nationally, the Vikings are also ranked No. 2 in the first West Region poll. WWU is one of two Great Northwest Athletic Conference schools ranked in both polls behind No. 4 nationally-ranked and No. 1 regionally-ranked Simon Fraser.
Unranked in the United Soccer Coaches preseason national poll, WWU moved into the national top 25 following a pair of impressive road victories last week to begin the season 2-0-0.
WWU rallied from a two-goal deficit to earn a 4-3 win with a golden goal in overtime during the season opener at Sonoma State last Thursday before earning a 1-0 win at Chico State last Saturday. The Vikings are 2-0-0 to begin the regular season for the first time since 2007.
The Vikings are ranked in the NCAA Division II United Soccer Coaches national poll for the first time in program history. WWU has been among those receiving votes twice in the past (received votes in final poll of 2016 season and in October of 2004) but not ranked among the top 25.
WWU is one of four NCAA Division II schools to have both men’s and women’s soccer programs ranked in the latest United Soccer Coaches national rankings along with Limestone College, Mercy College and Saginaw Valley State University. WWU women soccer is ranked No. 11 in the latest national poll.
Additionally, the WWU volleyball team is ranked No. 12 in the most recent AVCA national top 25 poll, giving WWU the distinction of being the only Division II school in the nation with all three programs ranked during the current week.
WWU men’s soccer returns to California this week, facing Point Loma on Thursday (4:30 pm) in San Diego, Calif. before facing Azusa Pacific on Saturday (2:30 pm) in Azusa, Calif. Point Loma was ranked No. 23 in the preseason poll and is receiving votes in the most national recent poll, also ranked No. 6 in the West Region poll.
