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UCSB Holds Onto Fifth Spot in National Poll

Feb. 25, 2009

Baltimore, MD - The top five teams all held onto their spots in the USL WDIA Top 25 Poll released on Wednesday. The Gauchos stayed in 5th in the rankings. UCSB was coming off their only game of the weekend, in which the Gauchos surged to come from behind at 6th ranked UCLA and win 9-8. The Bruins dropped a notch after the loss to UCSB and losing 9-6 to 2nd ranked Cal Poly SLO. They were replaced in the 6th spot with formerly 7th ranked Colorado State even though the Rams were inactive over the weekend. Florida, a 9-6 win for UCSB on February 13th, jumped from 14th to 10th in the rankings after romping against Florida State and Florida Gulf Coast University in 15-6 and 22-1 wins, respectively.

Two future UCSB opponents moved up in the rankings. Pepperdine improved  to 6-1 with wins over San Diego and San Diego State and moved up from 21st to 17th ranked. Chico State went from unranked to 22nd ranked without even playing  over the weekend but opponents they've played all did well and it improved their stock by association. There were no other dramatic changes anywhere else in the poll with most movement occuring by one or two spots. Interestingly enough, with six regular season games remaining plus a schedule to be announced  for the Western States Tournament April 4 - 5, every team on the UCSB schedule is either in the Top 25 or received votes in this recent poll. The Gauchos are 6-2 having played seven ranked opponents so far this season. The UCSB strength of schedule is rated at 3rd in the country out of 221 WDIA teams. Next up for UCSB is 2nd ranked Cal Poly SLO. The game is Thursday night at 8pm in Harder Stadium.

The UCSB 'B' Team is also on a tear and playing Cal Poly SLO 'B' on Thursday night at 6pm. The Gauchos are 7-1 while the Mustangs are 2-0, having played a series of exhibition games against post-collegiate teams before starting their regular season.