Sept. 26, 2000

Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook men's soccer team, off to a 6-0 start this season, earned the first Division I national ranking in Division I for any team at Stony Brook. The Seawolves, ranked second in the New York Region, are No. 23 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America national poll released Monday, Sept. 25.

After a 4-13-1 finish last year, Stony Brook has taken its opponents by storm in 2000. The Seawolves posted five shutouts in their first five games, which tied them with Stanford for first in the country in team goals against average and shutout percentage. Stony Brook faced its first deficit of the year over the weekend when Towson opened up a 2-0 lead. However, the Seawolves came back to win in exciting fashion, overcoming the Tigers 3-2 to maintain its unblemished record and earn the Top 25 national ranking.

"It's good recognition for our program and our school," head coach Scott Dean said. "But there's a big difference between [being ranked] now and the end of the season, and that's all that really matters to us. We're just going to focus on the next game and the business at hand."

UCLA (6-0) is first in the country, with Penn State (7-0), Connecticut (6-1-1), St. John's (7-1) and South Carolina (6-1-1) rounding out the top five.

Stony Brook returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 30, when the Seawolves host Atlantic Soccer Conference opponent Oneonta State at 4 p.m. at University Field.

National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top 25 1. UCLA 6-0-0 2. Penn State 7-0-0 3. Connecticut 6-1-1 4. St. John's 7-1-0 5. South Carolina 6-1-1 6. Virginia 6-2-0 7. Marquette 7-0-1 8. Creighton 6-1-0 9. San Jose State 7-0-0 10. Duke 5-2-0 11. Indiana 6-3-0 12. Southern Methodist 6-2-0 13. Stanford 5-0-0 14. UMBC 7-1-0 15. Pittsburgh 7-1-0 16. SW Missouri State 5-1-1 17. North Carolina 6-2-0 18. Rhode Island 5-3-1 19. Brown 4-1-1 19. James Madison 6-0-1 21. Portland 5-1-2 22. Furman 6-1-0 23. Ohio State 5-1-1 23. Stony Brook 6-0-0 25. Bradley 7-1-1