Indiana Tech Climbs to No. 2 in Latest NAIA Men’s Soccer Top 25
Indiana Tech is knocking on the door of the top spot in NAIA men’s soccer.
The Warriors climbed one position to No. 2 nationally in the latest NAIA Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Top 25 released Wednesday, highlighting a poll that includes three Indiana programs in the Top 25.
Indiana Wesleyan moved up to No. 15, while Bethel fell six spots to No. 18. Grace dropped out of the Top 25 but continues to receive votes.
At the top, Oklahoma Wesleyan remains No. 1 for the second consecutive poll. The Eagles received 14 first-place votes and own a 3-0-1 record.
Indiana Tech Moves to No. 2
Indiana Tech continues to build one of the strongest résumés in NAIA soccer.
The Warriors improved from No. 3 to No. 2 after putting together a 6-1-1 record. Indiana Tech received one first-place vote in the new poll.
The Warriors have already collected ranked victories over Bethel and Lindsey Wilson this season and recently added wins over Huntington and Marian.
Indiana Tech defeated Huntington 2-1 before shutting out Marian 2-0.
The Warriors now have another opportunity to strengthen their résumé with a matchup against Grace.
Indiana Wesleyan Continues Climb
Indiana Wesleyan also moved in the right direction, climbing one spot from No. 16 to No. 15.
The Wildcats are 4-1-2 and remain one of three Indiana programs currently inside the national Top 25.
With Crossroads League play approaching, Indiana Wesleyan is positioned as one of the league’s nationally recognized contenders.
Bethel Slides to No. 18
Bethel remains nationally ranked but experienced one of the larger drops among Indiana teams.
The Pilots fell from No. 12 to No. 18 after moving to 3-2-2 on the season.
Bethel’s schedule has included a matchup against Indiana Tech, giving the Pilots an early test against what is now the No. 2 team in the country.
Grace Drops Out
Grace was the biggest change involving an Indiana program.
The Lancers were ranked in the previous Top 25 but dropped out of the rankings this week. Grace is still receiving votes, keeping the Lancers within striking distance of returning to the national poll.
Grace also has an immediate opportunity to make a statement, with a matchup against No. 2 Indiana Tech.
Holy Cross, Taylor and Marian are also among the Indiana programs receiving votes in the new national rankings.
Indiana Teams — New Poll vs. Previous Poll
Team| Sept. 16| Previous| Change
Indiana Tech| No. 2| No. 3| ↑ 1
Indiana Wesleyan| No. 15| No. 16| ↑ 1
Bethel| No. 18| No. 12| ↓ 6
Grace| RV| Top 25| Dropped Out
Holy Cross| RV| RV| —
Taylor| RV| RV| —
Marian| RV| RV| —
Latest NAIA Men’s Soccer Top 25
Rank| Team| Previous| Record
1| Oklahoma Wesleyan| 1| 3-0-1
2| Indiana Tech| 3| 6-1-1
3| Cumberland (Tenn.)| T-6| 5-0-2
4| MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)| 5| 3-1-1
5| William Carey (Miss.)| 8| 6-0-1
6| Georgia Gwinnett| 2| 4-1-1
7| Life (Ga.)| 9| 5-1-1
8| Rio Grande (Ohio)| 15| 4-0-1
9| William Penn (Iowa)| 4| 2-0-3
10| Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)| 10| 4-2
11| Keiser (Fla.)| 11| 2-1
12| Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)| 21| 4-0-1
13| John Brown (Ark.)| 13| 4-1
14| WVU Tech| T-6| 1-1-3
15| Indiana Wesleyan| 16| 4-1-2
16| Ottawa (Kan.)| T-18| 3-1-1
17| LSU Shreveport (La.)| T-18| 4-2-1
18| Bethel (Ind.)| 12| 3-2-2
19| Union Commonwealth (Ky.)| 24| 4-1
20| Spring Arbor (Mich.)| RV| 7-0
21| Grand View (Iowa)| 17| 2-2-1
22| Faulkner (Ala.)| 22| 5-2
23| Cumberlands (Ky.)| 14| 2-3-1
24| Stanton (Calif.)| RV| 7-0-1
25| Warner Pacific (Ore.)| 20| 2-1-1
There was significant movement throughout the national poll.
Oklahoma Wesleyan held onto No. 1, but Indiana Tech’s rise gives the Eagles a new No. 2 immediately behind them. Cumberland climbed from a tie for sixth to No. 3, MidAmerica Nazarene moved to No. 4 and William Carey jumped three positions to round out the Top 5.
One of the largest moves belonged to Rio Grande, which jumped seven spots from No. 15 to No. 8.
Olivet Nazarene made an even larger climb, moving from No. 21 to No. 12.
Spring Arbor and Stanton are the two newcomers to the Top 25. Spring Arbor entered at No. 20 following a 7-0 start, while Stanton debuted at No. 24 with a 7-0-1 record.
For Indiana, however, the headline is at the very top.
Indiana Tech is now the No. 2 men’s soccer team in the NAIA, while Indiana Wesleyan and Bethel give the state three programs inside the Top 18. Grace, Holy Cross, Taylor and Marian remain part of the national conversation as teams receiving votes.
That gives Indiana seven programs either ranked or receiving votes in the latest national poll as the college soccer season moves toward conference play.