NASHVILLE – The best season in Trevecca Nazarene University men's soccer history reached another milestone Tuesday, with the Trojans climbing to No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II national poll released Oct. 20.
The seven-position jump gives Trevecca its highest national ranking in program history, one week after entering the Division II coaches' Top 25 for the first time at No. 20.
Head coach Danny Leavy's Trojans are 11-1-2 overall and 6-1-2 in the Gulf South Conference, riding six consecutive victories into Friday's regular-season finale against West Alabama. Their 11 victories have already established the program's all-time season wins record.
Now the nationally ranked Trojans bring a championship opportunity home to the Hill.
Trevecca hosts West Alabama Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Trevecca Soccer Complex in the biggest home match in program history. A victory guarantees at least a share of the GSC regular-season championship, the No. 1 tournament seed and the first conference title in Trevecca men's soccer history. It would also deliver Trevecca's first Gulf South championship in any sport.
FROM PRESEASON EIGHTH TO THE NATIONAL TOP 15
Picked eighth in the GSC preseason coaches' poll, Trevecca has built its national standing throughout the fall.
The Trojans received votes in three consecutive national polls before breaking into the Top 25 on Oct. 13. Two shutout victories last week moved them seven places higher.
|
Poll date
|
National standing
|
|
Sept. 22
|
Receiving votes
|
|
Sept. 29
|
Receiving votes
|
|
Oct. 6
|
Receiving votes
|
|
Oct. 13
|
No. 20
|
|
Oct. 20
|
No. 13
|
Trevecca defeated Spring Hill 4-0 Wednesday before traveling to then-No. 10 AUM and earning a 3-0 victory Saturday. The win in Montgomery was the Trojans' first in the series, secured their home GSC quarterfinal and moved them into a tie atop the conference standings.
Chris Douglas scored five of Trevecca's seven goals during the week, recording his second hat trick of the season against Spring Hill before scoring twice at AUM. Daniel Shiel provided the opening goal against the Warhawks, and freshman defender Haden Brown supplied four assists across the two victories.
RECORD PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE LINEUP
Douglas enters Friday with 15 goals and 35 points, both Trevecca NCAA-era season records. His two goals at AUM lifted his career total to 26, establishing the program's NCAA-era career goals record.
The junior forward leads Division II in goals per game at 1.25 and points per game at 2.92.
Trevecca's production extends throughout the lineup. Shiel has eight goals and five assists, while Brown's nine assists lead the GSC and establish a Trevecca NCAA-era season record. Judah Jones has seven assists, and Zion Jones has contributed four goals.
The Trojans' 41 assists and 2.93 assists per match both rank second nationally.
At the other end, Hunter Walker has seven shutouts, matching Joe Shrum's 2002 all-era individual season record. Trevecca has kept three consecutive opponents scoreless and has not conceded a goal in 327:14.
During their six-match winning streak, the Trojans have outscored opponents 16-4.
A CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE AND A NATIONAL SCORING SHOWDOWN
Friday brings together Division II's top two players in total goals and points.
West Alabama's David Nunez leads the nation with 16 goals and 38 points. Douglas follows with 15 goals and 35 points while holding the national lead in both per-game categories.
The Tigers arrive unbeaten in eight matches and seeking a victory that would secure a home GSC quarterfinal. Trevecca and AUM share the conference lead with 20 points, but the Trojans control their opportunity: a win Friday produces 23 points and the No. 1 seed.
Trevecca has already secured a home GSC Championship quarterfinal Saturday, Oct. 31. The opponent and kickoff time will be announced after the conference standings are finalized.
Friday's doubleheader begins with the Trevecca women hosting West Alabama at 4:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7 p.m. All times are Central. Live statistics and FloCollege streaming links are available through the Trevecca soccer schedule pages.
United Soccer Coaches National Rankings | Trevecca Men's Soccer Schedule
MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS
Visit the Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com | www.trevecca.edu
Click for Live Video of home games.
Follow on Social Media - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Free Newsletter
-- www.tnutrojans.com --
#PurpleReigns #DefendTheHill
