Oct. 3, 2006

Erie, Pa. - On the strength of a 3-0 win over then-No. 4 Grand Valley State, the Mercyhurst women's soccer team climbed eight spots to No. 12 in the latest NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. The increase marked the fourth consecutive week that the Lakers climbed in the rankings.

Three of last week's top six teams dropped out of the top 15 and Mercyhurst was one of five teams that climbed at least eight spots in the rankings. Grand Valley State fell to No. 17 after the loss to Mercyhurst, while Carson-Newman, which was No. 3 a week ago, dropped to No. 18. Last week's No. 6 team, Seattle Pacific, plummeted to No. 19.

Nebraska-Omaha remained No. 1 overall, while West Chester improved from No. 5 to No. 2. No. 4 Tusculum, No. 6 Quincy and No. 14 Adelphi are the only other unbeaten teams. The University of Tampa is up five spots to No. 3, while St. Rose is No. 5. UC-San Diego is No. 7, followed by Montana State-Billings, Metro State and West Florida.

Mercyhurst has played three teams ranked in the top 25, defeating No. 16 Indiana (Pa.) along with the win over Grand Valley. The Lakers only loss this year came against No. 6 Quincy.

In the regional rankings, Quincy took over Grand Valley's spot at the top, while Mercyhurst moved up to No. 2. Grand Valley dropped to No. 3, one spot in front of Northern Michigan.

Mercyhurst, winners of 11 straight matches, plays it's last seven games on the road, beginning with a contest at West Virginia Wesleyan Friday at 7 p.m.