NEWARK, Del. - - For the first time since the 2009 season, the Wilmington University men's soccer team has been ranked among the Top 10 best team's in the country, earning its highest ever ranking of No. 8 in this week's United Soccer Coaches Division II National Poll.
Another 2-0 week has kept the Wildcats (14-1-1, 8-1-1 CACC) at No. 2 in the East Region, only behind undefeated Adelphi (14-0-1). Adelphi remains at No. 2 in the country according to the coaches' poll.
The Wildcats were ranked as high as No. 9 in the 2009 season, a year in which they finished 19-3-1 overall, earning a bye in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Franklin Pierce jumped three spots in this week's East Region poll to No. 3, ranking 22nd in the National Poll. Mercy fell another spot to No. 4 this week while still receiving votes in the National Poll.
Bridgeport made the biggest jump of the week, moving up five spots to No. 5 on Tuesday. Saint Rose moved up two spots to No. 6 while WilmU's crosstown rival and Wednesday's opponent Goldey-Beacom remained at No. 7. Fellow CACC counterpart Post dropped four spots to No. 8 while Bentley also dropped four spots to No. 5. Le Moyne rounds out this week's East Region poll by falling a spot to No. 10.
Nationally, the Wildcats are directly behind a 10-2-1 Francis Marion team while just ahead of a 10-2-2 Palm Beach Atlantic team that jumped up 13 from last week.
The Wildcats face Goldey-Beacom at home on Wednesday and end the regular season on Saturday at Concordia.
AGATE
United Soccer Coaches DII Men's East Region – Poll 8
1. Adelphi University – 13-0-1
2. Wilmington University – 14-1-1
3. Franklin Pierce University – 10-3-1
4. Mercy College – 11-3-2
5. University of Bridgeport – 9-4-1
6. College of Saint Rose – 9-4-1
7. Goldey-Beacom College – 11-5
8. Post University – 8-3-3
9. Bentley University – 8-5
10. Le Moyne College – 9-4-1