Tampa Makes Top-Five in Newest National Poll
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The University of Tampa women's soccer team has moved into the top-five in the nation at No. 5 in the latest NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division II poll.
Tampa is up four spots as the Spartans were No. 9 in last week's installment. UT has now been ranked all three weeks this season after opening the year at No. 8.
UT is one of two SSC schools in the top-25 as Rollins College comes in at No. 22. Regional foe West Florida sits at No. 10 as it looks to defend its crown. Fellow SSC opponent Barry is also listed as receiving votes.
Last week, Tampa picked up a pair of 2-0 shutout wins over No. 14 Lenoir-Rhyne and Tusculum. At 5-0, UT has outscored its opponents 27-0 this season.
Offensively, Gabby Russo, Cici Gonzalez and Shannon Walisch each have four goals, which ranks No. 15 in the nation in the category. Jess Frank has a team-high five assists, ranking No. 5 in the nation as she is also No. 4 with 1.00 assists per game.
Goalkeeper Kori Butterfield is the national leader in GAA (0.00) and save percentage (1.000) as she has registered eight saves through five contests.
UT has now been ranked for 10 consecutive weeks. Additionally, UT has earned a mention in the poll in a total of 12 seasons, including 11 straight. Head coach Gerry Lucey is also on the verge of a personal milestone as he has 91 career wins at UT.
The Spartans travel to Barry for a midweek meeting with Barry before returning home to face Nova Southeastern on Saturday at 5 p.m. Live stats and a video broadcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.