2023 WAC MSOC Release Week 9

SEATTLE U RISES TO #13 IN UNITED SOCCER COACHES TOP 25
Seattle U jumped seven slots in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll on Oct. 17, leaping to 13th with a 9-2-3 record (4-0-1 WAC). The Redhawks, solo leaders in the WAC standings with 13 points, have earned a result in 12 of their past 13 starts dating back to Aug. 27.

THE RACE TOWARD THE WAC TOURNAMENT CONTINUES
Entering matches on Oct. 19, Seattle U maintains its lead in the WAC standings with a 4-0-1 record and 13 points. Both UNLV (3-1-1) and San José State (3-2-1) are deadlocked in second with 10 points each. All nine WAC teams remain in contention for a tournament berth, as the top six teams in the conference standings will take part in the league tournament from Nov. 5-11 in Las Vegas.

.500 AND ABOVE
A total of six WAC men’s soccer members have a .500 or better winning percentage overall this season entering competition on Oct. 19. Seattle U (.750), Utah Tech (.538), Grand Canyon (.538), San José State (.533), UNLV (.500) and California Baptist (.500) each sat at or above the mark.

MORRIS LEADING THE WAC INDIVIDUAL SCORING RACE 
Seattle U senior forward James Morris tallied 25 points over his first 14 matches to lead all WAC players. Morris, whose 10 goals also pace the conference in all matches, is also the WAC leader with four goals and 10 points across five league contests.  

WAC TEAMS IN THE NCAA RPI
In the latest release of the NCAA RPI for the 2023 season on Oct. 15, a pair of teams from the WAC were ranked among the national top 50 in the key metric that helps seed the NCAA Championship. WAC leader Seattle U checked in 25th with a 9-2-3 overall record, with Grand Canyon slotted 42nd with its 6-5-2 mark. Seattle U’s 13th ranked opponent strength of schedule was the best in the WAC as of Oct. 15.

WAC TEAMS AMONG THE NCAA LEADERS
As of the latest NCAA Division I men’s soccer national statistics report on Oct. 17, Seattle U was seventh in total goals (30) and UTRGV was seventh in the country in shot accuracy by logging a .516 average on shot attempts on goal thus far this season. Seattle U forward James Morris was fourth in total points (25) and seventh in total goals (10), and Grand Canyon goalkeeper Leon Schmidt ranked 10th in total saves (62).