SPU Men vault to no. 2 in national coaches poll

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Undefeated Seattle Pacific received its highest men’s soccer ranking in 18 years with a No. 2 listing in the NCAA Division II poll that was released Tuesday by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

The Falcons hold their highest poll position since they were No. 1 nationally on Sept. 20, 1994. Current SPU assistant coach Nate Daligcon was a starting midfielder on that top-ranked team.

Fifth-year head coach Mark Collings played for the Falcons from 1995-98, but none of those teams climbed as high in the rankings as the current team he is coaching.

“It’s an unexpected honor,” said Collings. “I’m not sure we’re quite deserving of that yet, but certainly some people think we are. Our goal is to be at this number or maybe even one higher by the end of the year.”

The SPU men (4-0) won their first four games of the season for the first time since 1993, the year they won their most recent of five national championships. Two of this season’s victories came against ranked opponents, including a 3-1 win at then-No. 23 Chico State on Sept. 1.

On Monday, the Falcons rallied behind two goals from freshman Ian Adams (Seattle, Wash./Shorecrest HS) to post a 2-1 win over a Grand Canyon squad that is ranked No. 8 in the present poll. TheAntelopes had defeated last week’s No. 1 Fort Lewis (Colo.) prior to losing in Seattle.

Florida’s Lynn University (4-0) holds down the top spot in this week’s poll followed by SPU, Southern New Hampshire (3-0), Flagler (2-0-1) and Midwestern State (3-0). The Falcons’ Great Northwest Athletic Conference rival Simon Fraser is ranked 12th.

Seattle Pacific starts GNAC play at home on Thursday against new league member Sioux Falls. Kick-off is 7 p.m. at Interbay Stadium.

The Falcons finished with a 14-4-2 record in 2011. They participated in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006, advancing to the West Region championship game.

NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Poll

(Sept. 11, 2012, sponsored by NSCAA/Continental Tire)

1. Lynn (4-0-0)

2. Seattle Pacific (4-0-0)

3. Southern New Hampshire (3-0-0)

4. Flagler (2-0-1)

5. Midwestern State (3-0-0)

6. Franklin Pierce (2-0-0)

7. Tampa (3-0-0)

8. Grand Canyon (3-1-0)

9. Gannon (4-0-0)

10. Rockhurst (3-0-1)

11. Fort Hays State (4-0-0)

12. Simon Fraser (4-0-0)

13. West Texas A&M (4-0-1)

14. Quincy (4-0-0)

15. UNC Pembroke (4-0-0)

16. Charleston, W.V. (2-0-2)

17. C.W. Post (4-0-0)

18. Young Harris (4-0-0)

19. Regis (2-0-1)

20. Saginaw Valley State (3-0-1)

21. Northeastern State (3-1-0)

22. Fort Lewis (2-1-0)

23. Rollins (2-1-1)

24. Mercy (5-0-0)

25. Slippery Rock (2-0-2)

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