Florida Tech Womens Soccer Ranked No. 1 in Division II

 Panthers enter nations top spot for first time in programs nine-year history

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Women’s Soccer) – After making its debut at No. 5 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II Preseason Poll, Florida Tech will enter its third week of the season as the top ranked team in the nation.

“We’re very flattered to be ranked No. 1,” Tech head coach Fidgi Haig said. “It’s a privilege to be considered the top team and we’re happy to represent Florida Tech and the Sunshine State Conference. We’re not going to let it interfere with our plans. The No. 1 ranking was never our goal. Instead, we’re aiming to be consistent and successful.”

The Panthers are off to their best start in the program’s nine-year history at a record of 5-0. On opening day, they defeated Florida Southern 2-0 at Rick Stottler Field. This past Friday, they traveled to Lenoir-Rhyne and knocked off the previously ranked No. 7 Bears, 2-1, for their first win over a Top 25 team this season.

Up until the release of Tuesday’s NSCAA poll, women’s soccer’s highest ranking ever was No. 3, which it held last week. As the third-ranked team, the Panthers rattled off three wins against St. Thomas, Lenoir-Rhyne and Catawba.

“The ranking will not change our approach,” Haig said. “We have a lot of work to do to maintain our level and we’re not at the level where we want to be yet, in fact we’re far away. We need to continue working harder and harder.”

FIT has the next seven days to prepare for its SSC opener, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Saint Leo. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Division II Top 25 Poll: http://nscaa.com/seniorRes.php?it=1633