2023 WAC MSOC Release Week 10

SEATTLE U, CALIFORNIA BAPTIST OFFICIALLY PUNCH TICKET TO WAC TOURNAMENT
Seattle U and California Baptist both clinched entry into the 2023 WAC Men’s Soccer Tournament during competition last week. No. 12 Seattle U, at 5-0-1 with 16 points, locked up a place in the 2023 tournament field following a 2-1 win against San José State on Oct. 21. CBU, at 4-1-1 with 13 points in conference matches, secured its spot in the league tournament with a 2-0 win against Utah Tech on Oct. 22.

FIVE TEAMS CHASING THE FINAL FOUR TOURNAMENT SLOTS
Entering the final week of the regular season, five teams remain in the running for four spots to complete the 2023 WAC Men’s Soccer Tournament field. Utah Tech (12 points), UNLV (11 points), San José State (10 points), Utah Valley (eight points) and Grand Canyon (seven points) are within striking distance of a tournament bid. GCU and Utah Valley clash in the regular season finale on Oct. 30 in Orem, Utah to highlight the WAC’s final week of conference matches.

PREMACK’S RETURN KEYS CBU’S FORTUNES 
Since California Baptist senior goalkeeper Nolan Premack returned to the lineup on Sept. 13, the Lancers have compiled a 5-2-2 overall record and have settled into second place in the WAC standings with 13 points. Premack has posted a 0.78 goals against average, an .833 save percentage and registered 35 saves over his nine starts, which have featured five clean sheets.

WAC TEAMS IN THE NCAA RPI
In the latest release of the NCAA RPI for the 2023 season on Oct. 22, 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 22nd with a 10-2-3 overall record, with Grand Canyon slotted 48th with its 7-6-2 mark. Seattle U’s 33rd ranked opponent strength of schedule was the best in the WAC as of Oct. 22.

WAC TEAMS AMONG THE NCAA LEADERS
As of the latest NCAA Division I men’s soccer national statistics report on Oct. 22, California Baptist forward Luis Mueller was fifth in shots per match (4.29) and sixth in shots on goal per match (2.00). Seattle U forward James Morris was seventh in total points (25) and 12th in total goals (10). CBU goalkeeper Nolan Premack was seventh in save percentage (.833), and Grand Canyon goalkeeper Leon Schmidt ranked ninth in total saves (68).