Cumberland Jumps Eight Spots to No. 6 in First Regular-Season NAIA Top 25 Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following a perfect 3-0 start to the season, Cumberland University men's soccer climbed eight positions to a tie for No. 6 in the first regular-season edition of the STADIONIC NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday by the national office.

The Phoenix were ranked No. 14 in the preseason poll before opening the campaign with three consecutive victories. Cumberland shares the No. 6 position and is one of three Mid-South Conference programs ranked inside the Top 15.

Cumberland opened the season with an 8-0 road victory over Bryan before earning back-to-back 3-2 wins against Tennessee Wesleyan and Truett McConnell at Lindsey Donnell Stadium-Kirk Field.

The Phoenix have produced one of the nation's most potent attacks through the opening three matches. Cumberland ranks fourth nationally with 14 goals and second with 14 assists. CU is averaging 4.67 goals and 18 shots per match while placing 32 of its 54 attempts on frame.

David Barbakadze has powered the attack with five goals and three assists, placing him among the NAIA leaders with 13 points. The reigning NAIA Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week recorded a hat trick and two assists in the season opener against Bryan before scoring once in each of Cumberland's two home victories.

Luis Cerejo has contributed four assists through three matches, tying him for third nationally. Cerejo recorded two goals and three assists in the win at Bryan and added an assist against Tennessee Wesleyan.

The Top 25 Poll as a whole saw a lot of change. Oklahoma Wesleyan moved eight spots to No. 1 after beginning the season 2-0, collecting five first-place votes. Georgia Gwinnett climbed to No. 2, followed by Indiana Tech, William Penn and MidAmerica Nazarene.

The Phoenix are tied for sixth with West Virginia Tech while William Carey, Life, and Lindsey Wilson round out the Top 10.

Cumberland is joined in the poll by three other Mid-South Conference members. Lindsey Wilson jumped up from No. 18 to No. 10 after a 1-1 start with their loss coming to No. 3 Indiana Tech. The University of the Cumberlands dropped 10 spots from No. 4 to No. 14 after a 1-1-1 start. Bethel dropped from No. 10 to receiving votes.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#7 Luis Cerejo: MF; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#9 David Barbakadze: F; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#7 Luis Cerejo
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: MF

#9 David Barbakadze
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: F

Players Mentioned

#7 Luis Cerejo

#9 David Barbakadze

Players Mentioned

#7 Luis Cerejo

#9 David Barbakadze