Kansas City, MO – The UC men's soccer team moved up to #23 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll announced by the national office on Wednesday. The Patriots earned 119 points, jumping back up to the top spot in the Mid-South Conference.
 
In the previous poll, the Pats had dropped to receiving votes for the first time since the preseason poll. But with the current #23 ranking, UC returns to their tip-25 ranking after defeating Thomas More 1-0 on October 19.
 
Cumberlands is now 8-4-3 on the season with a 5-2-2 MSC record. The Patriots currently hold the #13 spot in the latest NAIA MRPI, which takes into account winning percentage, strength of schedule, and opponents' winning percentage.
 
UC still ranks 12^th in the NAIA for their goals against average of .670. That is in large part thanks to goalkeeper, Pablo Vazquez. The freshman has a .789 save percentage for second best in the MSC. Vazquez has won Mid-South Defensive Player of the Week four times this season, the most by any player in the Mid-South this year.
 
Offensively, Stephen Appiah leads the way for UC with nine goals, followed by five goals from Rodrigo Riveros. Appiah's nine goals rank him fifth in the conference.
 
The Patriots are the highest ranked team and the only one in the top-25. Both Cumberland U and Bethel are receiving votes.
 
The Patriots will finish off the regular season tonight, October 26 when they host Pikeville at the UC Soccer Complex. The game will begin at 8PM ET and will be available to watch on the UC Sports Network here.

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