Clayton State, Lander Move Up in Top 25 Men's Soccer Poll

The Clayton State Lakers made a huge jump up to #5 in the latest NSCAA/adidas national top 25 and, for the first time this season, are not alone as Lander has broken into the poll at #23.

Clayton State, ranked 15th last week, jumped up 10 spots in the poll.  The Lakers (3-0-1), who tied Lees-McRae and recorded a shutout at Brevard last week, are ranked behind Seattle Pacific, Lenoir-Rhyne, Northern Kentucky and top-ranked Lynn. It’s the highest national ranking yet for Clayton State under head coach Pete Petersen. Previously, the Lakers were ranked as high as sixth in the 2005 season.

“Our goal is the national tournament and the Division II ‘Final Four’ in Pensacola,” said Petersen, who is 38-17-9 in his fourth season at Clayton State. “This is all good and well, but it’s early. Ranked fifth or 105th, we have some tough games ahead.”

While it’s the highest ranking under Petersen, it’s the second-highest ranking ever for a Clayton State team in men’s soccer. The 2002 squad, under the direction of former head coach John Rootes, started the season 7-0 and was ranked fourth in the nation.

After posting three consecutive shutouts, the Lander men's soccer team returned to No. 23 in the NSCAA national rankings.

The Bearcats (3-0-1) started the season at No. 13, but dropped to No. 23 after tying No. 14 Queens, 1-1. The Bearcats dropped out of the Top 25 the next week. Since that first game, Lander has held its opponent scoreless in games against Erskine (6-0), Belmont Abbey (3-0) and Coker (4-0).

 To view the complete poll, click here.