Men's and Women's Soccer Debut in First Regional Rankings
Sep 17, 2015
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's soccer team is ranked No. 8 and women's soccer team is No. 6 in the 2015 debut of the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) Division III North Regional rankings on Tuesday afternoon.
It is the first time since November 6, 2012 the Spartans have appeared in the North Regional poll. That same year they attained their highest North Regional ranking in school history at No. 4 on October 2nd.
Led by three goals each by underclassmen Gonzalo Hernandez and Leo Lenth, the men have gotten off to their best five-game start (3-1-1) since 2011 when they went 5-0. It hasn't been easy as the Spartans have tied with Macalester, ranked No. 6 in the North Region, 1-1, in double overtime and fell to the Milwaukee School of Engineering, ranked No. 5 in the Central Region, 2-1, in overtime.
The Spartan men are one of three Iowa Conference teams ranked in the North Regional poll.
The men recently fell to North Park (No. 6 Central Region) on Wednesday, September 16 at home, 3-1. UD will host Elmhurst (Ill.) College on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m.
The Spartan women are off to a hot start (4-1-1) despite losing a plethora of upperclassmen, many of them All-Iowa Conference selections, from the 2014 Iowa Conference regular season and tournament championship team. The Spartans tied Adrian, 0-0, in double overtime, and fell 2-0 to the No. 5 team in the Central Region, Aurora University, to begin this season.
UD received their first North Regional ranking in school history on September 9 last year after starting the season 6-0. It was their second straight 6-0 start after a dominant opening stretch in 2013.
Leading the charge has been 2014 All-Iowa Conference Honorable Mention selection, senior forward Katie Lynn, who leads the team with four goals, including three game-winners.
Four Iowa Conference teams make up the North Regional rankings with the Spartans sporting the second-highest rank.
The Spartan women host North Park this Saturday, September 19 at 2:00 p.m.
