CHICAGO, IL (September 14, 2006) – North Park University’s men’s soccer team cracked the Top 25 national rankings for the first time in the school’s history.
The Vikings tied Ithaca College, of Ithaca, New York, (2-0-1) for the No. 24 spot in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.
“It’s a great honor,” says assistant coach Jacob Ramos.
The Vikings also moved into a tie for the third spot with Dominican in the Central region rankings. The team had been ranked fourth in the pre-season poll.
The recognition follows a weekend in which the team improved its record to 4-0-0 with victories over teams considered among the best in the country. Last week, North Park shut out Hope College 1-0, and then defeated Calvin College 2-1. Calvin was ranked No. 25 at the time.
Ramos says team unity has been a major key to the Viking’s success so far. “They’re working well together. They’re like a family, and they understand what we’re trying to teach them,” he says.
The team will have to continue working together, if the Vikings are to sustain their climb in the ranking, Ramos says. We’re behind some quality teams. We’re just going to try to keep doing what we’ve been doing.
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