2023 WAC MSOC Release Week 6

SEATTLE U ENTERS UNITED SOCCER COACHES TOP 25
Seattle U officially found itself in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll for the first time in 2023 on Sept. 26, checking in at 23 with a 5-2-2 mark. The Redhawks, leaders in the WAC standings on the eve of the start of conference play, have earned results in seven of the past eight matches as of Sept. 27, including a 3-2 victory over No. 20 Washington on Sept. 21.

GCU WITH A MASSIVE TEST TO CLOSE NONCONFERENCE PLAY
Grand Canyon will carry a four-match winning streak into the final scheduled nonconference match of the regular season, traveling to Dallas on Sept. 27 to take on No. 2 SMU. The Mustangs, winners of five straight, leapt four slots in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 to reach the second spot. GCU outscored its previous four opponents by a cumulative 10-1 goal count entering the showdown at SMU. 

SU SENIOR MORRIS KEEPS THE PEDAL DOWN ON OFFENSE
Seattle U forward James Morris will enter conference play tied for the conference lead in goals scored (6) and points (15) following a three-goal week for the Redhawks in a 1-0-1 week. Morris earned WAC Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 26 after scoring two goals in a draw with No. 19 Denver and a penalty kick goal in a 3-2 victory against No. 20 Washington last week.

WAC TEAMS IN THE NCAA RPI
In the initial release of the NCAA RPI for the 2023 season on Sept. 24, a pair of teams from the WAC were ranked among the national top 25 in the key metric that helps seed the NCAA Championship. WAC leader Seattle U checked in 16th with a 5-2-2 record, with Grand Canyon just behind slotted 21st with its 5-3-0 mark. Seattle U’s 33rd ranked opponent strength of schedule was the best in the WAC as of Sept. 24.

WAC TEAMS AMONG THE NCAA LEADERS
As of the latest NCAA Division I men’s soccer national statistics report on Sept. 26, UTRGV was first in the country in shot accuracy by logging a .641 average on shot attempts on goal thus far this season. UTRGV’s Keaviano Francis checked in first individually in shot accuracy with a clip of .786. Grand Canyon’s Jorge Lopez was sixth in match-winning goals (2) and teammate goalkeeper Leon Schmidt ranked eighth in total saves (43) and 10th in saves per match (5.38).