No. 1 Maryland’s 2-0 loss to Virginia was the program’s first since October 2018. That result vaulted Wake Forest into the spot as the Terps and other top-10 teams struggled during the season’s first weekend.
Wake Forest reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Poll following wins over UCF and Creighton to open the season. The Demon Deacons held the top spot for nine of 11 weeks during the 2018 regular season.
Back on top.
— Wake Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 3, 2019
Deacs jump into the top spot of the @UnitedCoaches rankings. pic.twitter.com/iwrY7G2VNv
Filing in after Wake Forest is Indiana, which held at No. 2, followed by Maryland, Stanford and Duke to round out the top 5. Wake Forest and Stanford were the only top-5 teams to face ranked opponents thus far. The Demon Deacons opened with No. 15 UCF while the Cardinal battled for a win over then-No. 3 Akron.
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Here’s a look at the rest of the poll.
| Rank | School | Total Points | Prev | w-L-t |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wake Forest (16) | 727 | 4 | 2-0-0 |
| 2 | Indiana (3) | 708 | 2 | 2-0-0 |
| 3 | Maryland (9) | 682 | 1 | 1-1-0 |
| 4 | Stanford (2) | 671 | 5 | 2-0-0 |
| 5 | Duke | 596 | 10 | 2-0-0 |
| 6 | Georgetown | 563 | 13 | 2-0-0 |
| 7 | Virginia | 539 | 12 | 2-0-0 |
| 8 | Saint Mary's | 525 | 11 | 2-0-0 |
| 9 | Kentucky | 482 | 8 | 1-0-0 |
| 10 | Virginia Tech | 456 | 16 | 2-0-0 |
| 11 | Notre Dame | 429 | 9 | 1-0-0 |
| 12 | Coastal Carolina | 395 | NR | 2-0-0 |
| 13 | Washington | 364 | RV | 2-0-0 |
| 14 | Xavier | 335 | NR | 2-0-0 |
| 15 | UCF | 311 | 15 | 1-1-0 |
| 16 | Michigan State | 271 | 7 | 0-0-2 |
| 17 | Charlotte | 253 | 21 | 2-0-0 |
| 18 | Florida Gulf Coast | 202 | NR | 1-0-1 |
| 19 | Clemson | 185 | RV | 2-0-0 |
| 20 | North Carolina | 173 | 6 | 0-1-1 |
| 21 | Akron | 152 | 3 | 0-2-0 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | 125 | RV | 2-0-0 |
| 23 | Connecticut | 102 | RV | 1-0-0 |
| 24 | West Virginia | 84 | 23 | 1-1-0 |
| 25 | Air Force | 66 | 19 | 1-0-0 |
In addition to Maryland, former top-10 teams Akron and North Carolina entered tallies in the loss column while Michigan State nearly did as well.
The Zips dropped both of their matches to start the year, first losing a 2-0 contest to Xavier before conceding in the 89th minute of a 2-1 loss to Stanford. Akron tumbled 18 spots to No. 21.
END OF AN ERA: Virginia ends Maryland's shutout streak in 2-0 win
At the Carolina Nike Classic, UNC rallied for a 2-2 draw with Creighton. Two days later, the Tar Heels conceded two second-half goals to fall 2-1 against UCF — dropping the ‘Heels 14 spots to No. 20.
Michigan State, a preseason candidate to compete in the Big Ten, played to a scoreless draw with Southern Illinois – Edwardsville in its opener. Then, the Spartans escaped defeat with a 90th-minute penalty to equalize late against Florida Gulf Coast. Without registering a win, MSU falls from seventh to No. 16.
Biggest risers
There was no shortage of movement in the first regular season poll. Georgetown and Virginia Tech generated the most. The Hoyas rose seven spots and the Hokies jumped six to No. 6 and No. 10 respectively. Additionally, Duke and Virginia moved upward five places to No. 5 and No. 7.
But the biggest movement came from outside of the poll. Coastal Carolina enters as one of seven new teams this week.
The Chanticleers surged to No. 12 after wins over Oregon State and Portland despite not receiving any preseason votes. Xavier comes in at No. 14 days after upsetting then-No. 3 Akron.
✍️ H I S T O R Y
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) August 31, 2019
A night to remember for the Musketeers.#NCAASoccer | @XavierMSOC https://t.co/qVcTDSJ76C
Dropped out
Louisville (14), James Madison (17), Denver (18), Portland (20), Oregon State (22), Michigan (24), UC Irvine (25)
Looking ahead
Wake Forest plays its first game at No. 1 on Friday against Dartmouth. It will be the programs' first meeting since 2008 — a 7-0 win for the Demon Deacons.
No. 9 Kentucky opens the new week on the road at Louisville. The Cardinals fell from No. 14 to the outskirts of the poll but could climb back in with a win over the defending Conference-USA champions on Tuesday.
Newly-ranked Coastal Carolina will play its third-consecutive ranked opponent to open the season when the Chanticleers visit No. 17 Charlotte on Friday. The 49ers have yet to allow a goal in 2019.
