KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Charleston and Davis & Elkins College both garnered top 10 rankings by the United Soccer Coaches on Tuesday afternoon when the organization’s national voting committee announced in 2022 Top 25 Division II Men’s Soccer Poll.
The Golden Eagles checked in at No. 2 in the preseason top 25, while the Senators begin the year at No. 10.
Charleston finished the 2021 season with a 19-3-2 overall record and advanced to the National Championship Game last fall before falling in the final, 1-0, against Cal State LA. Cal State’s goal in the 21st minute of the championship game proved to be the difference in the game. Charleston is also the reining MEC Tournament Champions and has advanced to three Division II national title games in the last four years.
Davis & Elkins is coming off an 18-1-3 overall record in 2021, which included the MEC Regular Season Championship and appearances in the MEC Finals and NCAA Regional. Davis & Elkins suffered its lone loss of the season in the MEC Tournament Championship against Charleston, before being eliminated in the second round of the NCAA regional against UC. UC advanced in NCAA Tournament play with a 3-0 advantage in PKs after the two teams battled to a scoreless draw.
UC and Davis & Elkins are joined in the 2022 preseason poll by five teams from Super Region 1, including Millersville at No. 6, Franklin Pierce at No. 12 and Gannon at No. 18. Wilmington, Post and American International are all listed among teams receiving votes during the preseason voting.
(Courtesy of MEC)
