Naz and Stevens Ranked in USILA/Nike Coaches Poll
Two Empire 8 teams are ranked in the top 20 of the lastest edition of the
USILA/Nike Division III Coaches Poll.
Nazareth College moved up five spots to No. 10 and Stevens Institute of Technology moved into the No. 20 spot after being among other teams receiving votes last week.
Nazareth is coming off a 13-9 win over ranked SUNY Cortland to improve to 3-0 on the season. The Golden Flyers outscored the Red Dragons 9-2 in the second half to earn a come-from-behind victory over the Red Dragons. Nazareth, who was fueled by eight points from Luke Wooters (four goals, four assists) and four goals from Troy Haefele, picked up their first win over Cortland since 2007.
Nazareth travels to Tampa, FL for its Spring Break trip and will square off against Clarkson on March 12 at 3:30 p.m. at the University of Tampa.
Stevens went 1-1 on the week as they used a 14 goal first half to top FDU-Florham 15-7 on Wednesday and then suffered its first loss of the season, dropping a 14-13 decision to No. 1 Tufts University Saturday.
The Ducks will be back in action on Wednesday, March 9 hosting Springfield College at 4 p.m.
Ithaca College dropped out of the top-20 but is still among teams also receiving votes. The Bombers scored 11 first-quarter goals en route to a 20-1 win over Lycoming (Pa.) College Tuesday and then suffered its first loss of the season Saturday afternoon with an 8-7 decision against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The Bombers welcome Oswego State to Higgins Stadium for a 4 p.m. non-conference clash Wednesday March 9.