Spartans Continue to Receive Top-10 Praise as Latest Rankings Unveiled
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The unbeaten University of Tampa men's soccer team continues its top-10 ranking as the Spartans come in at No. 8 in the NSCAA Division II national poll, announced Tuesday.
The Spartans are now 4-0-1 on the season as they survived their first Sunshine State Conference contest with a 1-0 victory over Eckerd College on Saturday. UT also came away with a 1-1 tie in a mid-week road contest versus Florida Tech.
Sophomore Tyler Blackwood continues to lead Tampa as the sophomore forward scored both goals for the Spartans last week. Through five matches, the London, England, native has tallied five goals. Two of his scores have been game-winners.
Goalkeeper David Niepel owns a 0.57 GAA while notching two shutouts. While facing 53 shots, the junior from Bad Breisig, Germany now has 18 saves.
Tampa is one of three Sunshine State Conference schools in the top-25, joined by Lynn (1) and Rollins (25).
This marks the fifth consecutive season that Tampa has been represented in the national rankings and the third consecutive week this season where UT has been in the top-25 after opening the season unranked. The Spartans top showing of 2012 was No. 7 in the third installment of the rankings
In the NCAA Division II national rankings, UT ranks 16th in team GAA (0.57) and 16th in save percentage (.864). Blackwood ranks 13th in goals per game (1.0), 36th in total points (10) and 37th in points per game (2.0). Niepel is 13th in GAA (0.568) and 15th in save percentage (.857).
Tampa will travel to St. Leo, Fla., to meet Saint Leo University on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., before heading home to host Barry on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.