By IVES GALARCEP
The number of unbeaten teams in the nation disappeared to zero last week, with all three top teams in the SBI College Soccer Top 25 suffering their first losses of the season.
California, Washington and Notre Dame remain at the top of the latest rankings by virtue of having built up enough of a cushion on the trailing pack at the top, but teams like Akron and UCLA are closing fast as we reach the final month of the regular season.
UCLA handed Washington their first loss of the season, and will look to climb even more with a win against California this weekend. The Bruins started the year as the top team in the SBI Top 25, and will challenge to regain that spot.
Virginia returns to the top 25 after their upset win vs. Notre Dame. The Cavaliers have rattled off an 11-match unbeaten streak to break back into the rankings.
Here is the SBI College Soccer Top 25 for Nov. 1st:
1- CALIFORNIA (10-1-2)
2- WASHINGTON (10-1-4)
3- NOTRE DAME (8-1-5)
4- AKRON (12-3-1)
5- UCLA (8-3-4)
6- GEORGETOWN (12-3-1)
7- WAKE FOREST (8-3-5)
8- MARYLAND (8-3-5)
9- LOUISVILLE (11-3-2)
10- UCONN (8-2-5)
11- PENN STATE (11-3-1)
12- COASTAL CAROLINA (12-3)
13- NEW MEXICO (9-4-2)
14- UAB (11-3-1)
15- WISCONSIN (11-3-2)
16- MILWAUKEE (12-2-2)
17- VIRGINIA (8-3-4)
18- NORTHWESTERN (9-4-3)
19- ILLINOIS- CHICAGO (13-3)
20- UCSB (11-4-1)
21- MICHIGAN STATE (8-3-3)
22- MARQUETTE (9-4-2)
23- OLD DOMINION (9-3-1)
24- ELON (12-4-1)
25- CAL-STATE NORTHRIDGE (12-3-1)
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HONORABLE MENTION
Furman (10-3-2), William & Mary (8-4-1), Delaware (12-4), Saint Louis (9-4-2), North Carolina (6-4-5), UMBC (12-1-1), Creighton (7-5-2), Providence (9-3-2), VCU (7-4-2), Dayton (10-1-2), Clemson (9-4-2), UC-Irvine (8-4-3).
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What do you think of this week’s rankings? Who do you see being ranked too highly? Who do you feel isn’t getting enough respect?
Share your thoughts below.