Purdue Northwest Climbs in Division II Midwest Rankings as UIndy Drops Out
Purdue Northwest is moving up while UIndy has fallen out of the regional Top 10 in the latest United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II men’s soccer rankings.
The September 8 Midwest Region poll has Purdue Northwest ranked No. 4, making the Pride the highest-ranked NCAA Division II men’s soccer program from Indiana.
PNW enters the latest poll with a 3-0-1 record and has made a three-position jump after sitting No. 7 in the Midwest Region on September 1.
Purdue Northwest Makes Its Move
The Pride were already off to a strong start when the first regional rankings were released.
Purdue Northwest was 2-0-0 and ranked seventh in the September 1 poll. Another strong week has pushed PNW into the regional Top 5.
Saginaw Valley State remains No. 1 in the Midwest Region at 2-0-2.
Missouri S&T moved into the No. 2 position with a perfect 3-0-0 record, while Findlay is also unbeaten at 3-0-0 and checks in at No. 3.
Then comes Purdue Northwest.
The Pride’s 3-0-1 start puts them ahead of Roosevelt, Drury, Lincoln (Missouri), Quincy, Lewis and Tiffin in this week’s regional rankings.
UIndy Falls Out
The other major Indiana storyline is the absence of the University of Indianapolis.
UIndy was No. 4 in the Midwest Region on September 1 after beginning the season 1-0-1.
One week later, the Greyhounds are no longer among the region’s Top 10.
It’s a significant early shift for the Indiana Division II picture. Last week’s poll featured two Indiana programs in the regional Top 10, with UIndy fourth and Purdue Northwest seventh.
This week, PNW is the lone Indiana representative — and the Pride have moved into the spot previously occupied by the Greyhounds.
Midwest Region Top 10
Saginaw Valley State — 2-0-2
Missouri S&T — 3-0-0
Findlay — 3-0-0
Purdue Northwest — 3-0-1
Roosevelt — 0-0-0
Drury — 3-1-0
Lincoln (Mo.) — 1-0-2
Quincy — 1-1-1
Lewis — 2-1-0
Tiffin — 1-1-2
Pride Carry Indiana Banner
For Purdue Northwest, the latest rankings continue an impressive opening stretch.
The Pride have gone from seventh to fourth in just one week and are now within striking distance of the top of a Midwest Region that includes programs from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.
PNW is also one of only four teams in the regional Top 10 without a loss on its record.
The bigger statewide picture has changed considerably in seven days.
On September 1, Indiana had two teams represented, with UIndy at No. 4 and Purdue Northwest at No. 7.
On September 8, Purdue Northwest is No. 4 and UIndy is out.
That leaves the Pride carrying Indiana’s flag in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division II men’s Midwest Region Top 10.