Moline's Musings

Soccer in the Polls

Posted by: Brian Moline

Tuesday, August 25, 2009 2:27 PM

It's Tuesday, which means it's time to look at the updated national soccer polls.  The Illini are getting some respect from the pollsters after putting four goals on the board in their opener against Illinois State last Friday.

We start with the poll from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).  Illinois moves up four spots here from #17 to #13.  Other Big Ten schools in this poll are Penn State (#8) and Minnesota (#17).  Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State are all receiving votes this week.

Soccer America released its updated poll yesterday.  But, their content requires a subscription, so I'll rely on trickery to pass it along to you.  The good folks at Penn State must have a subscription, because they've posted the updated poll in an article on their website.  Thank you Nittany Lions!  As you can see, Penn State leads the way for Big Ten schools at #5.  The Illini check in at #20, up three spots from last week.  Michigan State remains at #18, while Minnesota enters the poll at #24.

The Soccer Times releases a coaches poll each Tuesday.  They have the Nittany Lions at #9 this week, while Minnesota is ranked 18th.  Janet Rayfield's Illini are just one spot behind the Gophers at #19, which is up two spots from last week.

Last but not least is the NSCAA's Regional Poll.  The Illini, like all Big Ten schools, are in the Great Lakes region.  These rankings are a little curious, as they don't follow the same order that Big Ten teams are listed in the NSCAA's National Poll.  The first two are the same, as Penn State is in the top spot, and Illinois is at #2.  After that, though, things get a bit jumbled.  Purdue checks in at #3, followed by Minnesota, Ohio State and Michigan State.  The other Big Ten team in this top ten poll is Indiana at #8.

Just to underscore how challenging Illinois' schedule is this season, the following Illini opponents are ranked or receiving votes in this week's NSCAA National Poll:  Portland (#3), Penn State (#8), UCLA (#9), Minnesota (#17), Colorado (#18), Purdue (RV), Washington (RV), Michigan State (RV), Milwaukee (RV) and Ohio State (RV).  That's ten out of nineteen opponents at least receiving votes nationally, and that's a big reason the Illini should have a high RPI when it's time for NCAA Tournament selection.  I'll be stopping by practice tomorrow afternoon, where I hope to chat with junior defender Krystin Miller, who tallied a goal in her first career start against ISU on Friday.  Thanks for reading.

bmoline@wdws.com

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