USC Top 25 Poll

TACOMA, Wash. — A four-game win streak and an 11-match unbeaten run has propelled the Pacific Lutheran University men's soccer team into the national rankings, checking in at 18th in the most recent United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division III Top 25 Poll released on Tuesday.

The Lutes (9-1-4, 8-0-2 NWC) are the top-ranked team hailing from Region X— an area that encompasses the western United States— after shooting into the poll at No. 18. The rise into the poll comes after outscoring its last four opponents by a 17-5 margin.

Messiah University (Pa.) sits atop the poll with a 13-0-1 record while Virginia-based University of Mary Washington (11-1-2) second in the nation. Middlebury College (9-0-4), Carleton College (13-1), and Franklin & Marshall College (11-1-2) round out the top five.

The high-octane Lutes rank fifth in the nation in both scoring offense (3.5 goals per game) and total goals (49) while sitting seventh nationally in goal differential (+35).

Pacific Lutheran plays five of its final six regular season games at home at East Field, beginning on Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. showdown against George Fox University.