IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer made a large leap up the rankings board on Tuesday when the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Continental Tire National Rankings were released going from No. 9 to No. 5. The significance of this ranking is it is the highest ranking for the program in its history.

The team has been ranked as high as seventh in the NSCAA poll; once in 2008 the week of Nov. 18, and again in 2010 for two straight weeks through the end of October.

The Anteaters have climbed each week after starting 2011 as No. 24 in the preseason poll, but their 6-0-0 start has elevated them into the top-5.

Coach Kuntz stated that along with being "honored" and "humbled" by the ranking, he knows that the season is still early and the road ahead will not get any easier.

"We completely understand that it is just a ranking and early in the season it is hard to predict how the season will unfold. This weekend will be no different where two talented teams with excellent coaching staffs will give us all we can handle. We are still working towards our own goals of being a better team each time we play ", said Coach Kuntz.

The No. 5 Anteaters are preparing for the USF Tournament this weekend where they face defending Atlantic Sun regular season champion Florida Gulf Coast (Fri. Sept. 16) and No. 12 South Florida (Sun. Sept. 18).

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