WPU Falls, Remains in Top 25 Entering Postseason Play

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen men’s soccer team will enter the league tournament possibly having to win the whole shebang as the NAIA released its ninth top-25 poll Tuesday.

William Penn (14-4, 8-3 Heart), which is the #5 seed for this week’s Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament, is four spots lower from last week, down to #22 with 118 points.

Only 30 teams (plus one host berth) will qualify for the 2018 NAIA National Championships and last year’s final at-large bid went to the #18 team in the land. Therefore, the navy and gold likely have to make up some ground from its current position to advance to its first-ever national tournament.

WPU is one of six Heart programs in the rating. Central Methodist leads the crew at #3, including having three first-place votes. Missouri Valley is next at #8, while Baker, at #12, and Benedictine, at #18, join the Statesmen in the top 25. MidAmerica Nazarene is receiving votes in a tie for 36th.

Rio Grande (Ohio) is the nation’s new #1 with 485 points and seven first-place votes, while William Carey (Miss.) is just two points back with 483 points and eight first-place nods. Oklahoma Wesleyan is fourth and Hastings (Neb.) is fifth.

William Penn opens Heart Tournament play Saturday, traveling to Baldwin City, Kan. to face Baker in the quarterfinals at 6 p.m.