KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Fort Lewis College women’s soccer team (9-0-2 overall, 6-01 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) fell two spots to No. 9 in the sixth NCAA Division II poll of the season, released earlier today by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Continental Tire.

The Skyhawks, ranked No. 7 in the nation last week, won a 3-2 overtime thriller at New Mexico Highlands last Friday before playing to a scoreless draw through two overtimes at Colorado Mesa on Sunday.

Fort Lewis will face its toughest test of the season this coming weekend when it travels to No. 25 Colorado Mines (7-1-1, 3-1-1) at 7 p.m. Friday and to No. 13 Metro State (9-1-0, 5-1-0) at noon Sunday.

“These games are huge for us,” said fifth-year Skyhawk skipper Damian Clarke. “Not only are the results massive for the conference standings, but they have very important regional and national implications as well. I think we have done well to continue improving as a team, but we have to keep getting better if we are going to get out of this weekend with positive results.”

Fort Lewis’ 9-0-2 start has shattered a school record for best start to a season without a loss. Clarke’s first FLC team in 2007 went 5-0-2 to start the year.                                                                             

Three RMAC teams are ranked again this week: No. 9 Fort Lewis, No. 13 Metro State, and No. 25 Colorado Mines.

Additionally, the NCAA released its statistical leaders through games of Oct. 2, 2011. Fort Lewis ranks ninth in winning percentage (.909) and 23rd in scoring offense (2.64 goals per game). Sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Raso also ranks 14th in minutes played, while sophomore forward Emma Cannis is 24th in total assists (five).