NAIA Coaches' Poll

Williamsburg, KY – Following a strong start to the 2025 campaign, the University of the Cumberlands men's soccer team has climbed two spots to #2 in the latest NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday by the national office. This is the highest the Patriots have ever been ranked in program history.

The Patriots (2-0-2) opened the year with a challenging schedule, facing three nationally recognized opponents in their first four matches. UC battled to a 1-1 draw in their season opener at Grace before knocking off then #10 Bethel 1-0 on the road behind a second-half strike from Luca Piazza. Cumberlands followed that up with a 1-1 draw against RV Westcliff and a 2-0 win over #24 Governors State, with Hugo Champalloux and Samuel Dolobaipu each finding the back of the net.

That early run, which included a pair of shutouts from goalkeeper Javiero Izquierdo, helped the Patriots climb from their preseason ranking of fourth to their current position in second in the national poll. The move marks one of the highest regular-season rankings in program history.

Dalton State held steady at #1 with 510 points, while Cumberlands collected 474 points to secure the #2 spot. #3 MidAmerica Nazarene and #6 Indiana Wesleyan were among the other big movers in the week one poll.

Cumberlands returns to the pitch this weekend with another tough test against RV Life in Marietta, GA.