KANSAS CITY, MO – Missouri State men’s soccer’s time outside the top 25 in NCAA Division I rankings did not last long as the Bears were ranked No. 18 in the first United Soccer Coaches Poll of the season released Tuesday afternoon.
This marks the sixth season in a row that the Bears (1-0) are ranked dating back to its first reappearance in the poll in 2018.
The Bears received eight votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll but missed out on the top 25. Missouri State’s win over No. 14 Maryland cemented the team’s status as a top-25 program in the nation. The Terrapins dropped to No. 20 on the poll after the loss and a win against No. 10 UNC-Greensboro.
Missouri State comes in as the No. 3 team in the West Region as well, only behind No. 6 Portland (1-0) and No. 15 San Diego (2-0).
The team is also ranked No. 18 in College News Soccer’s Top 30.
The Bears will defend its new ranking this Thursday on the road against the Kansas City Roos (0-1-1) at 7:30 p.m. CT. Following that, Missouri State will play Tulsa (1-1) on Sept 5. Tulsa was ranked No. 16 in the preseason poll before losing to Louisville, which shot up to No. 12 in the United Soccer Coaches rankings.
