Oct. 9, 2001

MILWAUKEE (Oct. 8) -- The UWM men's soccer team is ranked 19th in the country, according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll released yesterday.

The Panthers also jumped two spots to be ranked second in the Great Lakes Region and one behind No. 1 Indiana, who is also ranked sixth in the nation at (7-2). Milwaukee is ranked ahead of Ohio State (6-2-1), who comes in at 23rd in the nation and 3rd in the Great Lakes Region.

Milwaukee received national attention after consistent wins over in-state rivals Marquette and Wisconsin last week. The Panthers most likely would have been ranked earlier in the season after a strong 3-0 win on the road over then-ranked No. 14 Creighton, but then lost to Bowling Green the following the weekend, 1-0, in overtime.

"I think we're a difficult team to beat and exciting team to watch," UWM coach Louis Bennett said. "If the coaches and opinions polls want to say we're the 19th best team in the country, that's fine by me. I obviously think we're a good team."

The No. 19 slot is the first time since 1995 that the Panthers have been nationally ranked. That year, Milwaukee was ranked several times during the year with the lowest at No. 20.