Carson-Newman Ranked Eighth in NSCAA Top 25 Poll

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The Carson-Newman women's soccer team continued its climb in the Division II National Soccer Coaches' Association of America poll as it moved up three spots to No. 8, NSCAA officials announced Tuesday.

The Lady Eagles (6-0), who are the only South Atlantic Conference team listed in the national top 25, are also ranked second in the Southeast Region.

"You have to give credit to a young team for a 6-0 start to the season," C-N coach Phil McNamara said. "I hope the players enjoy the honor, but also respect the fact it is early and there is still a lot of hard work ahead."

"Again, soccer continues to be the forefront of representing the South Atlantic Conference at the national level. One continues to hope that soccer and its athletes will eventually earn the recognition it deserves."

Seattle Pacific (Wash.), the 2008 Division II national champion, is No. 1 in the poll, followed by West Florida, Saint Rose (N.Y.), Grand Valley State (Mich.) and Minnesota State-Mankato.

Columbus State of the Peach Belt Conference holds the top spot in the Southeast Region, while Armstrong Atlantic State is third.

Other schools listed in the regional rankings from the SAC are Tusculum (fifth), Lenoir-Rhyne (seventh), Catawba (eighth) and Newberry (10th).

Three automatic berths to the NCAA Division II Southeast Region Tournament in November will be awarded to the tournament champions of the SAC, Peach Belt and Conference Carolinas. Three teams will also receive at-large berths.

C-N returns to the pitch on Friday against the University of Tampa in Columbus, Ga. The match is schedule to start at 2 p.m.

National Soccer Coaches' Association of America Top 25
Rank School Prev. W-L-T
1 Seattle Pacific (Wash.) 1 6-0-0
2 West Florida 2 5-0-0
3 Saint Rose (N.Y.) 3 5-0-0
4 Grand Valley State (Mich.) 4 4-0-1
5 Minnesota State-Mankato 6 4-0-0
6 Columbus State (Ga.) 7 4-0-1
7 West Texas A&M RV 5-0-1
8 Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 11 6-0-0
9 Kutztown (Pa.) 24 4-0-1
10 Indianapolis, University of 12 6-0-0
11 Fort Lewis (Colo.) 14 6-0-0
12 Rollins (Fla.) 9 4-1-1
13 UC San Diego 8 3-1-0
14 Midwestern State (Texas) 21 3-0-1
15 Adelphi (N.Y.) 22 4-1-0
16 Indiana (Pa.) NR 4-0-0
17 Wisconsin-Parkside 16 4-0-1
18 Florida Tech RV 4-1-0
19 Armstrong Atlantic State (Ga.) 23 4-1-1
20 Metro State (Colo.) RV 5-1-0
21 St. Edward's (Texas) 15 4-1-1
22 Franklin Pierce (N.H.) NR 4-2-0
23 Cal State Los Angeles NR 5-1-0
24 California (Pa.) 10 4-1-0
25 Incarnate Word (Texas) 5 5-1-1