Men's Soccer vs. Barton College, 9/13/17
Raphael Pacano (left) celebrates a goal with Ryan Dagley (right) during a Firebirds win vs. Barton in 2017.

UDC Men’s Soccer Ranked No. 16 in United Soccer Coaches National Week 1 Poll

USC Week 1 National Poll

KANSAS CITY, KS – The University of the District of Columbia men's soccer team earned a No. 16 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Week 1 poll released Sept. 4. UDC is also ranked No. 2 in the USC's East Region poll.

This is the highest national ranking in UDC men's soccer program history, with the only other top-25 mention coming four years ago in the first weekly poll of the 2014 season which had UDC ranked No. 21.

The Firebirds (1-0-1), voted by the East Coast Conference's head coaches as the favorite to win the ECC this season, started the 2018 campaign off with a win and a tie vs. a pair of Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference teams. They first defeated CACC preseason No. 3 Goldey-Beacom, 2-0 on Thurs., Aug. 30, and then played the CACC preseason favorite Wilmington University to a 2-2 double-overtime tie on Sat., Aug. 1.

UDC posted the most successful season in program history in 2017 with a 15-7 record, a runner-up finish in the ECC Championship, and a first-ever NCAA Championship Tournament berth and victory. Expectations are high for the Firebirds this season due in part to the return of six All-Conference honorees, including the ECC Offensive Player of the Year and All-American, Gabriel Torres.

District of Columbia was also mentioned as a "sleeper" lurking outside the top-25 by  Wayne Cavadi in his 2018 season preview on NCAA.com.

The Firebirds are back in action with two non-regional contests away from home this week. First, they play a neutral site game vs. Barton College in Richmond, Va., and then they visit Seton Hill College in Greensburg, Pa.