The first official NCAA regional rankings for NCAA Div. II men’s and women’s soccer were released on Wednesday afternoon, and the Truman programs found themselves ranked second (men) and fourth (women) with three weeks to go in the regular season.
The Bulldog men (8-4-1) were ranked second in the Central region, trailing Northeastern (Okla.) State for the top spot while leading Fort Hays (Kan.) State.
The top two teams from the Central region will qualify for the NCAA Div. II tournament on Selection Monday, Nov. 5. Truman faces Lindenwood, who is ineligible for the NCAA tournament this season due to re-classification into Div. II, this Friday in Kirksville before hosting Southwest Baptist on Sunday.
Both matches are at 2:00 pm.
The 2012 men’s tournament features 35 teams, with varying bids per region based on the number of programs sponsored per region.
Meanwhile, the Truman women (11-2-1) ranked fourth in the Central region, trailing top-seed Central Oklahoma, Minnesota State and Central Missouri.
The Bulldogs are one of four MIAA teams in the ranking, with UCO, UCM and Truman joined by Fort Hays State, who is listed at No. 10. This weekend, the Bulldogs host FHSU on Friday at noon before facing Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday, also at noon.
The 2012 women’s tournament features 48 teams, with each of the nation’s eight regions earning six bids apiece. Like the men’s side, the women’s bracket will be unveiled on Monday, Nov. 5.
There is no automatic qualifier for individual conferences for the men’s national tournament, while conference champions from the MIAA and NSIC earn automatic berths on the women’s side.
Four at-large berths (the GAC does not receive and automatic berth) are then made available for the final spots in the Central region.
The second regional poll will be released next Wednesday (Oct. 24) afternoon.
Courtesy Truman State University
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