GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Nine weeks ago, the Davenport men's soccer team entered the NAIA Preseason Top 25 ranked No. 21. Beginning Tuesday night, the Panthers now sit on top of the poll.
 
For the first time in program history, the men's soccer program has been voted No. 1 in the NAIA Top 25 rankings, the association announced. The national office also announced that Dzenan Catic has been selected as the NAIA's Player of the Week for the second time this season.
 
Davenport received all but one of the 21 first-place votes from the coaches that put together the poll. Sixth-ranked Grand View (Iowa) received the one vote. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) takes the No. 2 spot while Rio Grande (Ohio) claims the third spot. Thomas (Ga.), the former No. 1 selection, dropped to fourth in the rankings.
 
Men's soccer becomes the second sport in the Davenport athletic department to earn the No. 1 ranking. The women's basketball team were the first and have held the top spot for 13 different weeks.
 
Catic won his second national weekly award after scoring a new school single-match record five goals in Davenport's 6-0 win over Indiana Tech last weekend. With the five goals, Catic's 24 on the year ties his and the program's single-season record and the 53 points he has tallied on the year.
 
The Panthers first test as the new No. 1 team in the country begins Wednesday when they travel to crosstown rival Aquinas at 4 p.m. DU will then return home to entertain Siena Heights Saturday at 7 p.m. Both matches can be followed on the Davenport Athletics Network.
 
at Aquinas
Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Kickoff: 4 p.m.
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Aquinas Athletic Field)
Internet Coverage: Live Video
Announcer: None
 
vs. Siena Heights
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2014
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. (DU Turf Field)
Internet Coverage: Live Video/Stats
Announcer: Bjorn Hansen
 
A Quick Look at Aquinas
Aquinas won its first six contests of the season before going winless in its next six (0-5-1). The Saints snapped that streak last Saturday by defeating host UM-Dearborn 4-2. Aquinas has relied heavily on Aldony Mendez up front, who has scored half of the team's 30 goals this season. In fact, he has an 11-goal lead to pace the team. Head coach Joe Veal has used four differnet keepers. Christian Brink has played the most minutes on the field, logging in 819 minutes and owning a 1.10 GAA.
 
A Quick Look at Siena Heights
The Saints recently picked up their second victory of the season by defeating Lawrence Tech on the road 1-0 last Saturday. The only other win Siena Heights had claimed was at Huntington (Ind.) last month. Offense has been an issue for the Saints, as they have only scored 10 in 13 matches. Collin McLaughlin and Clayton Tomczyk have two each to lead the ballclub. Brandon Gonzalez has gained a lot of playing time, logging in 1,117 minutes and posting a 2.18 GAA.
 
Men's Soccer Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-554-5045 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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