KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the first time in program history, the Stanislaus State men's soccer team is ranked No. 1 in the nation. Stanislaus State climbed to the top of the United Soccer Coaches Men's NCAA Division II poll released Tuesday (Oct. 21), marking a historic milestone for the program and the university.

Stanislaus State remains unbeaten at 11-0-1 overall and 5-0-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), standing as one of only nine unbeaten teams in NCAA Division II men's soccer. The team leads the nation in winning percentage (.958) and has outscored opponents [total goals-for vs. goals-against], backed by a defense that has produced seven shutouts this season.

The Warriors are one of five teams from the West Region ranked or receiving votes in this week's United Soccer Coaches Men's Poll. The Warriors lead the group at No. 1, followed by Point Loma at No. 10, Cal State Dominguez Hills at No. 16, Cal Poly Pomona at No. 25, and Cal State Los Angeles receiving votes.

Now riding a 12-match unbeaten streak, Stanislaus State also continues to lead the United Soccer Coaches West Region poll for the sixth straight week. In the latest Oct. 21 West Region rankings, Stan State holds the top spot ahead of Point Loma (8-2-1) at No. 2, Cal State Dominguez Hills (7-2-3) at No. 3, Cal Poly Pomona (6-3-4) at No. 4, and Seattle Pacific (7-2-4) at No. 5. Rounding out the top 10 are Cal State San Bernardino (7-2-4), Cal State Los Angeles (6-2-4), Menlo (9-3-0), Vanguard (0-0-0), and Western Washington (6-4-3).

Stanislaus State has been dominant on both sides of the ball, ranking among the top programs in multiple NCAA Division II statistical categories. The team sits among the national leaders in scoring offense, goal differential, assists per game, and goals-against average. Individually, Samuel Villanueva ranks among the top five nationally in assists, Gerardo Flores ranks fifth in the nation in game-winning goals, and goalkeeper Angel Ruiz-Hernandez stands among Division II's best in save percentage and goals-against average.

Anchoring one of the toughest defenses in the country, Stanislaus State's backline — consisting of goalkeeper Angel Ruiz-Hernandez along with defenders Ian Reis, Federico Barbieri, Christian Brenes, Samuel Villanueva, Ryan Rosas, and David Lozano — has been a brick wall, contributing to seven shutouts this season and limiting opponents to less than one goal per match.

Within the CCAA, Flores, Emmanuel Duran, Samuel Villanueva, Adrian Yepez, and Sebastian Carbajal continue to power one of the most balanced and dynamic attacks in the conference, while Ruiz-Hernandez and the defensive unit anchor a squad that ranks among the national leaders in both goals-against average and shutout percentage.

Stanislaus State returns home this Friday, Oct. 24, to host Chico State at 4:30 p.m. on Break the Record Night, before traveling to Seaside for an 11:30 a.m. match on Sunday, Oct. 26, at Cal State Monterey Bay.

The first NCAA Division II West Region rankings will be released on October 29, with the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship Selection Show set for November 17 at 7:00 p.m. PT on www.ncaa.com.

The six-team CCAA Soccer Championship Tournament begins with first-round matches on Sunday, Nov. 9, at the site of the higher seeds. The semifinals and finals will be played at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, on the campus of Cal State Monterey Bay, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 14–16. The top two seeds receive a first-round bye, and the tournament champion earns the CCAA's automatic berth to the NCAA Championships. Stanislaus State is currently tied for first place in the CCAA standings with Cal State Dominguez Hills, both holding 5-0-1 conference records entering this weekend's play.