More movement in the NCAA men's soccer polls
The GIST: This week offers a break from cutthroat conference action as teams prep for a playoff push. Yesterday’s poll drop was characteristically chaotic, meaning everything’s up for grabs with only three regular-season weeks left. Here’s who’s jockeying for postseason position and who’s just trying to stay afloat.
Who’s up: No. 4 Wake Forest took a minute to find their footing, but they’ve climbed steadily through the ranks ever since. The Demon Deacons are on an eight-match unbeaten streak, recording their third straight shutout win last night, this time against Wofford.
- No. 11 Pitt is also looking dangerous, riding big upsets to a nine-point bump. Look out, perennial ACC powerhouses — the Panthers are on the hunt.
Who’s down: No. 17 Portland’s humbling 1–0 loss to Santa Clara last Friday earned them a scathing 10-point free fall yesterday. The Pilots responded with their first road win of the season, a 2–0 dub at Cal, last night to show they know how to bounce back. But with only six regular-season games remaining, there’s no room for any more mistakes.
- Even more desperate for redemption? Louisville, who went from No. 8 two weeks ago to No.thing today. And with last night’s disappointing 2–2 draw with Ohio State, the Cardinals are officially reaching Michael Scott levels of panic.
What’s next: Another high-flying squad, No. 16 Missouri State, took a seven-point rankings hit thanks to their season-first winless week. Since they still have that regional rizz in the Missouri Valley Conference, if they can put Omaha away tonight at 7 p.m. ET, they should be on their way back in no time.
