INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA released the first set of regional rankings for men’s and women’s soccer on Wednesday afternoon and three PacWest soccer teams earned regional rankings. These rankings help determine which teams will advance to the postseason.

MEN’S SOCCER
Azusa Pacific earned the top ranking in Super Region 4 in the first rankings under the new format. The top-10 teams will advance to the Super Regional tournament, which will be hosted by the top-4 seeds. The Super Region includes teams from the PacWest, GNAC, CCAA, RMAC and LSC.
 
SUPER REGIONAL RANKINGS
PERFORMANCE INDICATOR
 
Azusa Pacific is also at the top of the national poll as the only team in NCAA Division II with an undefeated record this season. The Cougars’ remained undefeated on Monday with a golden goal by Isaac Bawa to hold off Hawai`i Hilo, 3-2, in overtime. The Cougars also have two wins against other ranked teams, beating defending champion Cal Poly Pomona and Western Washington. The Cougars have the highest performance indicator in the region by a full point.

Cal State LA is in second place in the Super Regional rankings followed by St. Mary’s and Midwestern State from the LSC. Cal State San Bernardino and Western Washington are in fifth and sixth place respectively. Point Loma is in second place in the PacWest standings, but did not rank among the top-12 in the first set of rankings.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

The PacWest has two teams on the bubble for playoff qualification in the first NCAA rankings. Biola is currently in the playoff picture at No. 7 followed by Concordia at No. 8. Point Loma is tied for ninth place in performance indicator, but is currently outside the nine ranked teams. The top seven teams in the region advance to the postseason with the top-2 teams hosting the tournament and the No. 1 seed earning a bye. The GNAC, CCAA and PacWest all have on automatic bid for the conference champion.
 
REGIONAL RANKINGS
PERFORMANCE INDICATOR
 
Biola earned the No. 6 ranking in the West Region by winning eight of its first 12 matches this season. The Eagles have the fifth-best performance indicator in the region this year and has one win over a ranked team, beating Concordia at home, 1-0. The Eagles still have Azusa Pacific, Concordia and Point Loma remaining on their schedule.

Concordia is ranked eighth in the NCAA rankings, which matches their performance indicator this season. Concordia has won four matches in a row, including wins over Azusa Pacific and Academy of Art. The Eagles also defeated No. 3 Cal Poly Pomona and tied Dixie State to have a 6-3-2 record at this point in the season.

Sonoma State took the top spot in the rankings after defeated UC San Diego, which is ranked second in the West Region after being No. 1 all year in the United Soccer Coaches poll. Cal Poly Pomona is ahead of Cal State LA followed by Western Washington in fifth place despite having the third-best performance indicator in the region. Stanislaus State is behind Biola at No. 7, and Seattle Pacific rounds out the rankings at No. 9 in the region.