Xavier University Athletics
Preseason Rankings Keep Pouring in for Men's Soccer
08.25.15 | Men's Soccer
Musketeers ranked in top-20 nationally in two separate polls
CINCINNATI – Xavier men's soccer, already ranked No. 19 in the preseason NSCAA poll, has been ranked in two separate preseason polls since last week. The Musketeers are No. 16 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll and No. 18 in the College Soccer News poll.
After a landmark season which saw XU make its first-ever run to the NCAA Tournament Third Round, Xavier ended 2014 as the nation's 13th ranked team -- the highest-ever end-of-season ranking for the program.
Despite losing the winningest senior class in Xavier history, the Musketeers will return an eight-man senior class and three of their top-four scorers in sophomore Matt Vasquenza (7g, 6a), senior Alex Ridsdale (5g, 4a) and junior Jalen Brown (4g, 2a).
Xavier is one of four BIG EAST Conference programs receiving preseason rankings, including Georgetown, Providence and Creighton.
In 2014, XU wrapped up the year with a 15-6-2 overall record and went 6-1-2 in the BIG EAST Conference en route to the program's first-ever BIG EAST Championship match and NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearances. Setting program records for wins (15), shutouts (11) and team GAA (0.84), the Musketeers also boasted a No. 9 national ranking from the NSCAA on Oct. 28. That mark was the highest non-basketball ranking by any current Xavier athletic program in school history.
Following the season, XU cleaned up in the BIG EAST postseason awards, taking home BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year, BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, two first team selections and a second team pick. Xavier also led the league with three BIG EAST All-Rookie picks and tied a league record set by Notre Dame in 2004 by allowing just three goals in conference play.
Xavier is one of just 15 teams nationally with five consecutive 10-plus win seasons and one of just 19 to appear in four of the past five NCAA Tournaments. The Musketeers are also in the top-12 nationally in terms of total wins over the past five years (61) and NCAA wins over the past three years (3).
Xavier begins the 2015 regular season at home on Friday, August 28 against Eastern Illinois. First touch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
After a landmark season which saw XU make its first-ever run to the NCAA Tournament Third Round, Xavier ended 2014 as the nation's 13th ranked team -- the highest-ever end-of-season ranking for the program.
Despite losing the winningest senior class in Xavier history, the Musketeers will return an eight-man senior class and three of their top-four scorers in sophomore Matt Vasquenza (7g, 6a), senior Alex Ridsdale (5g, 4a) and junior Jalen Brown (4g, 2a).
Xavier is one of four BIG EAST Conference programs receiving preseason rankings, including Georgetown, Providence and Creighton.
In 2014, XU wrapped up the year with a 15-6-2 overall record and went 6-1-2 in the BIG EAST Conference en route to the program's first-ever BIG EAST Championship match and NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearances. Setting program records for wins (15), shutouts (11) and team GAA (0.84), the Musketeers also boasted a No. 9 national ranking from the NSCAA on Oct. 28. That mark was the highest non-basketball ranking by any current Xavier athletic program in school history.
Following the season, XU cleaned up in the BIG EAST postseason awards, taking home BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year, BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, two first team selections and a second team pick. Xavier also led the league with three BIG EAST All-Rookie picks and tied a league record set by Notre Dame in 2004 by allowing just three goals in conference play.
Xavier is one of just 15 teams nationally with five consecutive 10-plus win seasons and one of just 19 to appear in four of the past five NCAA Tournaments. The Musketeers are also in the top-12 nationally in terms of total wins over the past five years (61) and NCAA wins over the past three years (3).
Xavier begins the 2015 regular season at home on Friday, August 28 against Eastern Illinois. First touch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
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