SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Two weeks remain in The Summit League men's soccer schedule as the race for the No. 1 seed stays hot and teams look to lock in home quarterfinal matches.
The Summit League placed three teams among the top five of the latest United Soccer Coaches West Region rankings, with Kansas City ranking first, Omaha slotting at No. 4 and Delaware coming in at No. 5.
Kansas City had a 2-0 week, starting with a 2-0 win over Delaware before taking a 2-1 victory against Penn. The Roos had four different goal scorers, led by a game-winning goal and an assist by Raphael Kistmann. Kansas City, who is now No. 5 in the USC Top 25, No. 6 in the Top Drawer Top 25 and No. 7 in RPI, were tabbed eighth in the DI Committee’s initial Top 16 rankings.
Omaha also went 2-0 on the week, including a 3-1 win over Oral Roberts on Friday to stay within striking distance of the No. 1 seed. Against the Golden Eagles, Derek Johnson netted a brace while Italo Jenkins added the opener to help the Mavericks earn their second conference victory. Jenkins added a brace in a 3-1 win over Drake on Tuesday, powering an offense that now ranks sixth nationally with 36 total goals.
UMass has firmly secured itself into hosting territory after earning a 1-0 victory over St. Thomas on Saturday. The Minutemen got a goal from Garrison Murphy in the 26th minute and a two-save shutout from Dean Linden to become the third team in The Summit League to secure a conference victory. With the win, UMass now sits in third place, three points clear for a quarterfinal hosting position.
Delaware currently sits in position to host a quarterfinal match as well after earning a draw in each of its first two matches. They will host Oral Roberts at 6 p.m., on Saturday. Following their match with the Blue Hens, the Golden Eagles will stay out east for a Tuesday match at Liberty.
St. Thomas will host Omaha on Saturday at noon following its narrow loss to UMass last weekend. Moritz Krenc continues to keep the Tommies in games, stopping three Minutemen shots in their most recent match.
Teams in The Summit League hold a combined 30-21-15 non-conference record. The league ranks seventh in the country in non-conference RPI and sixth in road success.
UPCOMING
Saturday, Oct. 24 | Stream | Time (CT)
*Omaha at St. Thomas | SLN | Noon
*Oral Roberts at Delaware | SLN | 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25
*UMass at (6/5) Kansas City | SLN | Noon
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Oral Roberts at Liberty | ESPN+ | 1 p.m.
Top 25 Rankings (United Soccer Coaches/Top Drawer)
Key: ESPN+ (ESPN Plus), SLN (Summit League Network), * (Conference match)
Friday, Oct. 16
*Omaha 3, Oral Roberts 1
Saturday, Oct. 17
*UMass 1, St. Thomas 0
*(11/7) Kansas City 2, Delaware 0
Tuesday, Oct. 20
(5/6) Kansas City 2, Penn 1
Omaha 3, Drake 1
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