NDNU, Grand Canyon men’s soccer teams making claim for NCAA post-season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Pacific West Conference has landed two of the top four slots in the latest NCAA Division II West Region Men’s Soccer Poll.

Grand Canyon University (11-2-1/9-1 PacWest) and Notre Dame de Namur University (12-2-1/9-1-1 PacWest) are ranked third and fourth, respectively, behind top seed Cal State San Bernardino and #2 Cal State Chico.

The NCAA released the regional poll on Oct. 26 from its offices in Indianapolis. The regional ranking is how Division II institutions are selected to national championship tournaments.

The top four men's soccer teams in each region are awarded berths in the post-season. Unlike women’s soccer, there is no conference automatic qualifier in men’s soccer.

On Saturday, Oct. 30, Grand Canyon and NDNU will clash in a battle for first place in the conference. NDNU presently leads the PacWest with 28 points, but the Antelopes have amassed 27 with a game in hand.

Grand Canyon will play that game on Oct. 28 at Academy of Art before the Argos and Antelopes meet in Belmont, CA, on Saturday for what could decide the conference title and have major ramifications in the next regional poll.

NDNU lost at home to Grand Canyon 2-0 on Sept. 22 but has constructed a nine-game unbeaten streak and a 6-0-1 record on the road since that setback.

The final NCAA II regular-season men's poll will be published on Nov. 2 with the men's soccer championship selections taking place on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. EST via a webcast selection show at NCAA.com.