Nov. 1, 2011

Bronx, N.Y. - After closing out the home portion of the schedule with a 4-0 thumping of La Salle on Friday, October 28, the men's soccer team found its name listed in the `Receiving Votes' category of the NSCAA national soccer poll released on November 1. This is the first time this season the Rams have been recognized nationally.

It has been a historic year for the squad as the Rams have defeated two nationally ranked schools in the same season for the first time in nearly a quarter century. They defeated #23 Xavier, 1-0, on October 7, thanks to a goal by Matt Courtenay and followed that up with an upset of #10 Charlotte, on October 23. John Niyonsaba scored the goal in the win over the 49ers. The other top 25 team Fordham has faced this season, the Creighton Bluejays, are currently ranked #2 in the nation and boast a 15-2 record. When they met in Omaha on September 9, the Rams competed with them before conceding a goal in a 1-0 loss.

In the regional poll, the team is listed in 2nd position, behind fellow Atlantic 10 school, Charlotte. The Mid-Atlantic region, where the team is currently ranked, features three schools the Rams defeated scattered in the seedings. Charlotte holds the top spot and Xavier is fourth, despite both schools losing to Fordham. The other top-five school is Lehigh University, ranked at #5, whom the Rams defeated 1-0, to open the season. In that game, Michael Stalker scored the only goal.

The Fordham men's soccer team will close out the regular season with a pair of A-10 matchups in Philadelphia. The squad faces Saint Joseph's on Friday, November 4 and then concludes the 2011 campaign on Sunday, November 6, against Temple. The Owls are currently ranked 10th in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Following those final A-10 contests, the Rams will travel to St. Louis, Missouri to compete in the A-10 Championship. The tournament begins on Thursday, November 10 and finishes on Sunday, the 13th.