NSCAA Top 25

DAHLONEGA, GA – The North Georgia women’s soccer team is continuing to receive national recognition for what has all the makings of the team’s best season in school history, moving up to fourth place in the latest Region Poll while receiving votes in the National Poll.

The Lady Saints move up two spots to #4 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II Southeast Regional Ranking, jumping conference rivals UNC Pembroke and Georgia College & State University in the process.

Columbus keeps a firm grasp on the top spot in the region, going 2-0 last week to stay undefeated on the year, while Carson-Newman moves up a spot to second, and Armstrong Atlantic falls a spot to third.

Not only has North Georgia made a splash in the Southeast Region, but the Lady Saints have completed another first, receiving votes in the second NSCAA National Ranking of the year, one of nine teams on the outside looking in to the Division II Top 25 poll.

Several familiar faces make an appearance this week in the NSCAA Division II Top 25, including Columbus State who remains the 7th team in the country for the second straight week. Armstrong Atlantic is the only other Peach Belt Conference school in the poll at #23, while the Lady Saints are receiving votes as the third highest ranked team in the league.

The schedule does not get any easier for North Georgia as three teams currently in the Top 25 remain on the Lady Saints’ slate in 2009. While conference games against Armstrong Atlantic and Columbus State await, 18th-ranked North Alabama looms large later this month as the Lady Saints travel to Florence, Al., to battle the 5-0 Lions who have yet to allow a goal this season.

The Lady Saints have used a balanced offense to remain undefeated through three games of the 2009 schedule, as eight players have combined to score 10 goals. Freshman sensation Kelsey Martin has a pair of scores, while Casey Smith continues to add to her stellar career with two goals and three assists.

North Georgia will have one last tune-up before conference play opens this weekend, as the Lady Saints will entertain Anderson University Wednesday evening at the Soccer Complex. The home opener for Chris Adams’ squad is set for 6:00 p.m. against the 0-3 Trojans.