Men’s Soccer cracks NAIA Top 25 for first time
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

KWU's Men's Soccer team cracked the NAIA Top 25 Poll for the first time in program history

Sporting a 7-2 record, and a no.1 ranking in the latest NAIA Region IV poll, the Kansas Wesleyan Men’s Soccer team cracked the NAIA’s Top 25 poll for the first time in the history of the program.

The closest the Coyotes got to the Top 25 since the program was started in 1996, was in the 1999 season, when they were the top team receiving votes, just outside the top 25.

"It's a pretty good honor," coach Mike Dibbini said in an interview by the Salina Journal Wednesday afternoon. "It's amazing how the program has changed in the last few years. The guys deserve it, they've worked hard."

The Coyotes have started out the season in an impressive fashion, losing only the season opener 2-0 to Master’s (Calif.) and a tough 2-1 overtime loss to NCAA-III Westminster (Mo.) on September 9.

After being unanimously picked to win the KCAC in August, Dibbini feels the target on his team’s back just got a little larger with the NAIA ranking.

"It's something we have to live up to. We have to play like we're nationally ranked," he said. "Every team will give us their best shot. Every team will be playing with hopes of knocking off a nationally ranked opponent."

"This is great thing for our program and for the community of Salina, to have a program in the top 25” Dibbini said. “It may actually help with the younger kids in town playing for youth clubs, to see what they can do if they work hard and what we have here."

The Coyotes won their sixth straight match Wednesday night as they shutout Southwestern 5-0 in Winfield. Five different Coyotes tallied goals (Steve Gloria, Abe Moran, Eric Garcia, Trent Corea and Brent Normington), while Mike Padilla had two assists. The Coyotes are now 8-2 overall and 2-0 in the KCAC.

Next action for Wesleyan is on Saturday as they travel to Lindsborg to play Bethany, with the women at 2:00 and the men to follow at about 4:15. The Swedes were blasted by McPherson 17-1 on Wednesday afternoon.

Complete NAIA Top 25 Poll

-- KWU SI --