KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Fort Lewis College men’s soccer team (2-0-0 overall) entered the national rankings at No. 18 in the second NCAA Division II poll of the season, released earlier today by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Continental Tire.

The Skyhawks, unranked in the preseason poll, earned 3-0 victories over Montana State-Billings last Thursday and Hawaii Pacific yesterday.

“Obviously, it is great for the program to get some recognition for the strong start that we have made to the 2011 season, but we are highly aware that the only ranking that matters is the one that comes once the season ends,” said third year FLC head coach Oige Kennedy … a reference to Fort Lewis’ two NCAA Division II national championships in men’s soccer in 2005 and ’09.

“With our opponents for this coming weekend fixtures appearing in the Top 20 in the nation, we can expect another great weekend of soccer at Dirks Field,” he added.

The Skyhawks face No. 19 Truman State (Mo.) (1-1-0 overall) at 3:30 p.m. Friday and arch-rival and No. 8 Colorado Mines (2-0-0) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Dirks Field to conclude their nonconference schedule.

The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference placed three teams in the Top 25 and had a fourth receive votes in the second coaches poll of the season. No. 8 Colorado Mines and No. 18 Fort Lewis are joined by No. 12 Regis. Metro State received votes.

“It just shows how strong the RMAC is for soccer with three teams in the Top 20 and one other just missing out on the Top 25,” said Kennedy.