Sept. 19, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The National Soccer Coaches Association of America ranked the University of Memphis men's soccer team No.15 in their third regular season poll. The Tigers entered the week ranked No. 25 by the NSCAA and used a 3-0-0 week to climb ten spots in seven days.

The Tigers (7-1-0) began the season unranked but now find themselves ranked in two of the four major soccer polls (College Soccer News ranked the Tigers No. 29 in their Top 30 national poll this week; Memphis remains unranked by Soccer America and Soccer Times).

The 2006 Tigers have now won five straight games and seven of the first eight, tying the 1992 squad for the best record in school history eight games into the season. Memphis' only defeat came at the hands of ACC power Clemson, which is now ranked No.1 in the nation after improving to 7-0-0.

The Tigers success on the road (4-0-0) has also helped contribute to their national status. Memphis won its first four away matches for the first time in school history. The Tigers' current four-game winning streak ties the school record set in 1996-97 and 2004.

"The team's been fantastic on the road this year. They seem very focused," Grant said. "We've been responding really well to the challenges of our road schedule, and that really shows our team's character."

The Tigers' will leave Memphis again this weekend when they head to South Carolina to open Conference USA play against the No. 11 Gamecocks in Columbia. The Tigers will also face No. 1 SMU, and No. 25 UAB as well as previously ranked teams Kentucky and Creighton before the end of the year.

"It's nice being ranked, but we were No. 10 two years ago and that didn't guarantee us a spot in the tournament," head coach Richie Grant said. "We have a tough schedule remaining, but I can't compliment the team enough with the way they started the season. Now we just have to bring those qualities into conference."