Back on top: Pitt returns to number one ranking in United Soccer Coaches poll

Once again, Pitt men’s soccer team has jumped back up to the top spot in the United Soccer Coaches’ NCAA Division I men’s weekly rankings ahead of defending champion Georgetown and ACC fall champion Clemson.

Clemson dropped from No. 1 to No. 3 following its 0-0 tie with No. 4 Wake Forest.

The Panthers improved to 12-2-0 overall and 8-1-0 in the ACC in the fall and spring with a 2-0 win over Notre Dame on goals by Spaniard Arturo Ordonez and Alexander Dexter.

The eight conference wins ties a program record, set in 1995 when the Panthers were in the Big East.  Pitt earned its first-ever top ranking in the poll in the Fall, and remained in that spot until losing to Clemson in the ACC Tournament final in November.

Pitt will have a chance to clinch the Coastal Division regular season title on Thursday when they face Virginia at Ambrose Urbanic Field.  If the Panthers can secure the Coastal Division, they’ll play Clemson again, this time for the ACC’s automatic bid to the upcoming 36-team NCAA Tournament.

Pitt can clinch ACC Coastal Division regular season title on Thursday

The only unbeaten and untied teams in the Top 25 are No. 8 Missouri State (9-0-0) and No. 15 Grand Canyon (6-0-0).

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NCAA D1 men’s rankings
(United Soccer Coaches)

1. Pittsburgh (ACC) 12-2-0
2. Georgetown (Big East) 6-0-2
3. Clemson (ACC) 12-2-2
4. Wake Forest (ACC) 11-2-2
5. Stanford (Pac-12) 8-1-1
6. Indiana (Big Ten) 7-1-0
7. Washington (Pac-12) 9-2-0
8. Missouri State (Missouri Valley) 9-0-0
9. Seton Hall (Big East) 7-1-3
10. Loyola Marymount (WCC) 5-0-2
11. New Hampshire (America East) 5-0-1
12. Marshall (Conference USA)  7-2-2
13. UNCW (CAA) 5-1-2
14. Charlotte (Conference USA) 4-2-1
15. Grand Canyon (WAC)  6-0-0
16. Coastal Carolina (Sun Belt) 9-2-2
17. Marquette (Big East) 8-1-1
18. North Carolina (ACC) 6-4-3
19. Penn State (Big Ten) 6-1-1
20. Michigan (Big Ten) 5-3-1
21. James Madison (CAA) 4-0-1
22. High Point (Big South) 9-1-0
23. Saint Mary’s (WCC) 5-1-1
24. UCF (AAC) 6-3-0
25. Texas-Rio Grande Valley (WAC) 5-1-2
Note: ACC and Sun Belt played in fall championships. ACC is also playing a spring championship.