Off to a 5-0 start, the Butler University men's soccer team has climbed to a No. 17 ranking in the NSCAA/HendrickCars.com Division I poll. In the Great Lakes regional rankings, the Bulldogs sit at No. 3, trailing only nationally ranked Akron (No. 1) and Louisvlle (No. 8) in the region.
The Bulldogs jumped four spots in the NSCAA poll after entering the rankings last week at No. 21. In their 1-0 win at Oakland, Julian Cardona found the back of the net in the 57th minute to spur the victory.
One of six unbeaten and untied teams left in the country, Butler is among the nation's leaders in goals against, allowing just 0.4 goals per match; midfielder Ben Sippola, the Horizon League Men's Soccer Player of the Week on Sept. 13, is sixth in the NCAA with 2.2 points per game through the first five matches of the season.
Butler is presently receiving its highest ranking from Goal.com, coming in at No. 7 this week, while SoccerTimes.com puts the Bulldogs in a tie for 19th. Butler jumped four spots in the CollegeSoccerNews.com poll, slotting in at No. 26.
Among Horizon League teams, Butler is one of two remaining undefeated teams, as Valparaiso holds a 5-0-1 mark; the Crusaders join the Bulldogs in the Great Lakes regional rankings, sitting at No. 7.
Beginning Horizon League play, Butler makes their Wisconsin swing over the weekend, meeting Green Bay on Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET before facing off with Milwaukee at 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.
