It isn’t easy putting together multiple wins in a row in D1 Men’s Soccer, but these five teams are rolling along more than midway through their respective seasons.
5. Air Force (W4)
Ted Wendt/Air Force Athletics
BR-28 Air Force has put together two separate four-game winning streaks this season, separated by a single loss. The Falcons’ most recent streak started after the team fell to Nebraska-Omaha on Sept. 23. Since then they’ve beaten Gonzaga 4-1, Houston Baptist 2-0, Incarnate Word 4-2 and Grand Canyon 1-0. Their opponents don’t jump off the page as world-beaters, but a win is a win in college soccer and Air Force has done exactly what it has needed to do to get the job done on the pitch.
Standout Performer: Austin Dewing
The sophomore from Colorado leads the team in goals (6), assists (5) and points (17) through 12 games this season and is also at the top of the heap in game-winners with three.
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4. Hartwick (W5)
Hartwick Athletics
The BR-41 Hartwick Hawks have been on a tear lately, rolling to five straight victories entering Sun Belt Conference play. The Hawks haven’t tasted defeat since Aug. 30 when they fell to Marist 1-0 – their only loss of the season. After that stumble, Hartwick picked up two draws before getting their streak on, beating Siena 2-1, Fairfield 2-1 (OT), Vermont 2-1 (2OT), Bryant 3-0 and most recently Coastal Carolina 1-0 in their league opener. Next up on the schedule is Appalachian State on Oct. 15.
Standout Performer: Mike Rood
With four goals and one assist, Rood leads the Hawks with nine total points and two game-winners. The senior has only taken 14 shots with 10 landing on goal.
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3. UConn (W6)
UConn Athletics
In mid-September, BR-9 UConn fell in back-to-back matches against Georgetown and Notre Dame, but since then, the Huskies have been on a roll. They’ve won six-straight games en route to a 9-3 record. UConn started streaking on Sept. 17 with a 5-1 victory over Loyola Maryland and followed that performance up with victories over Rhode Island 2-1, Temple 1-0, Providence 1-0, Tulsa 1-0 and Cincinnati 5-0. Next up on the ledger for the Huskies is a meeting with Yale tonight at 7 p.m.
Standout Player: Scott Levine
Through 12 games the Husky keeper has recorded six shutouts between the posts. Levine has given up just seven goals and has recorded a 0.58 goals against average with 40 saves.
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2. Maryland (W7)
Maryland Athletics
BR-3 Maryland is currently 10-0-2 on the season, riding a seven-game winning streak that began in early September after a 1-1 draw with Indiana. The Terps have been on fire during their recent stretch of dominance. Almost untouchable. On Sept. 13, Maryland began their streak by knocking off Rutgers 2-1 in double overtime and followed that up with wins over Penn State 3-2 (OT), Michigan State 2-0, Northwestern 4-0, San Diego 2-0, Ohio State 2-0 and West Virginia 1-0. On the horizon is a showdown with Wisconsin Friday at 7 p.m.
Standout Performer: Gordon Wild
With 10 goals and two assists, Wild has done wonders for the Terps in his first season on the pitch since transferring from USC Upstate. He has taken 40 shots with 17 on goal and has four game-winners.[divider]
1. Florida Gulf Coast (W8)
Photo courtesy FGCU Athletics
BR-15 Florida Gulf Coast soccer hasn’t taken a loss since falling to Loyola Marymount 2-1 on Sept. 2, cruising to eight straight victories since. En route to their current 8-2-1 record, the Eagles have knocked off UC Irvine 2-1, Central Florida 3-1, UNC-W 5-0, Florida Atlantic 5-1, NJIT 4-1, Rutgers 6-5 and FIU 4-1. The team could have extended its streak to nine straight but their match against Jacksonville on Saturday was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew. FGCU has their next crack at extending their streak tonight as they face South Florida at 7 p.m.
Standout Performer: Albert Ruiz
The Eagle has 11 goals to his name this season with three assists for a team-high 25 points. Ruiz has been deadly with the ball, taking 33 shots with 18 on goal and one game-winner.
