TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa women’s soccer team has secured a spot at No. 24 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II National Top 25 Poll. In the first set of rankings since the preseason poll, the Spartans launched into the Top 25 in large part to an upset over No. 18 Mississippi College.

After drawing against West Alabama 4-4 on Friday, UT dominated the 18th-ranked Choctaws 3-1 on Sunday afternoon. Moeko Morse logged a hat trick in the Sunday shocker and was named SSC Offensive Player of the Week. Emily Cady tallied two goals in the high-scoring affair on Friday, while Lacy Nasello has contributed with a goal and an assist. Megan Bromwell owns a 1-0-1 record on the season after coming off the bench in game one and starting in game two, where she made 11 saves against No. 18 Mississippi College. 

The Spartans are one of two teams in the Sunshine State Conference selected to the Top 25. Barry University sky-rocketed into the rankings, going from unranked to No. 9 in the September 4 release. The Buccaneers are undefeated at 3-0 and have not allowed a goal so far this season, they are outscoring their opponents 9-0. Nova Southeastern was ranked No. 23 in the preseason poll, but have fell out of the rankings after losing to Tusculum in their season opener. 

For the second consecutive poll, the University of Central Missouri holds the top spot followed by the University of California-San Diego. To round out the top five, Grand Valley State University climbs to No. 3, University of West Florida leaps to No. 4 and Columbus State University moves from No. 12 to No. 5. 

Click here for the complete Week 1 United Soccer Coaches DII Poll.

 

UP NEXT: No. 24 Tampa will host Queens (N.C.) and Lenoir-Rhyne this weekend at Pepin Stadium on Friday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.), respectively. 

Tickets: General Admission ticket prices for all Tampa regular season athletic events are $5. Youth (ages 12 and under) are admitted free of charge. Students and faculty/staff are admitted free with a valid UT ID.