Tuesday, September 11, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - Seattle Pacific earned a No. 2 national ranking - its highest in 18 years -  in this week’s National Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II national poll.  And they didn’t do anything to hurt that ranking Monday.

The poll, which was released today, was based only on games through Sunday.  On Monday, the Falcons improved to 4-0 handing Grand Canyon (3-1) their first defeat.  Freshman Ian Adams scored two second-half goals as SPU overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to earn a 2-1 win over the eighth-ranked Antelopes.

Joining the Falcons in the poll at No. 12 is Simon Fraser.  The Clan somewhat surprisingly slipped five places from seventh, despite posting two wins,  including a one-goal home victory (3-2) over unranked Hawaii Pacific.

In the NSCAA West Region poll, Seattle Pacific is ranked first, Grand Canyon is ranked second and Simon Fraser is ranked third.

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.

SFU hosts unbeaten Montana State Billings (3-0) in a key West Region showdown this Thursday.  The Yellowjackets are ranked eighth in the West Region poll.

GNAC Players-of-the-Week