Drury men’s soccer continued its climb in the national rankings Tuesday, Sept. 29, rising to No. 10 in the latest installment of the United Soccer Coaches NCAA D-II Poll. Thanks to their 7-1-1 start, the Panthers remained the top-ranked club in the Midwest Region as well.
The top-10 ranking is Drury’s first since 2013. The Panthers moved up one spot from No. 11 in last week’s national poll after entering the rankings at No. 18 in Week 3. Drury’s highest national ranking in program history came during the 2009 season, when the Panthers reached No. 2.
The Panthers are off to their best start since 2013, when Drury began the year 8-1-0. Through the first three weeks of Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play, Drury is unbeaten in six matches at 5-0-1,
which is tied with Maryville atop the conference standings (16 points).
Drury has found success away from home this season, posting a perfect 5-0 road record while outscoring opponents 12-2. The Panthers have won four straight GLVC road matches, including a 2-0 victory at Lewis on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Offensively, Drury has scored 23 goals through nine matches, led by Steen Voller with four goals and 11 points. Lui Bull, Caua Nascimento, David Huang and Parker Jusseaume have each added three goals, while Eyal Kibrik leads the Panthers with four assists. Drury has scored at least two goals in six consecutive matches.
The Panthers have also limited opponents to eight goals this season. Ben Barnett owns a 0.65 goals-against average with 15 saves and three shutouts.
No. 10 Drury returns to Lake Country Soccer-Cooper Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3, to host Quincy for a 2:30 p.m. GLVC contest.
Drury hosts GLVC Cross Country Championships Nov. 7
The GLVC announced Drury will host the 2026 GLVC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships at Allison Sports Town on Nov. 7.
This year’s GLVC Championships will begin with the men’s 8,000-meter race at 9:30 a.m., followed by the women’s 6,000-meter race at 10:30 a.m.
“We are excited to welcome another championship to the Springfield area,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Nyla Milleson said. “We believe Allison Sports Town will be a great environment for the championships, and we thank Chris Martin for helping make this possible.”
The Panthers competed on the championship course earlier this season at the Queen City After Dark, where the Drury men placed second among 13 teams in the 6K race, while the women finished third among 13 teams in the 5K.
Lewis hosted last year’s GLVC Championships in Romeoville, Illinois and captured both the men’s and women’s team titles. Drury previously served as host of the GLVC Cross Country Championships in 2012.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Drury men’s soccer cracks Top 10 in latest United Soccer Coaches poll
