Nov. 3, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind./KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Penn State women's soccer team has improved to No. 22 in the latest NSCAA national rankings released on Tuesday afternoon. In the rating percentage index (RPI) re-released by the NSCAA on Tuesday, Penn State is now 10th.
The Nittany Lions achieved their highest RPI rating of the season after posting an eight-game unbeaten mark since the beginning of October. Penn State (11-5-2, 7-1-1 Big Ten) rank tops in the Big Ten in the NCAA RPI. Stanford comes in at No. 1.
In the NSCAA poll, the Lions moved up three spots to take 22nd. They're second best in the Big Ten, as Ohio State occupies 11th. Purdue, who lost 4-0 on Sunday at Penn State, fell one spot to 23rd. Indiana is receiving votes after falling out of the top 25 after losses to Penn State (2-1) and at Ohio State (6-0).
Penn State (11-5-2, 7-1-1 Big Ten) currently sits in first place with rival Ohio State atop the Big Ten standings with one game to go for each side. A win on Sunday at Michigan (Noon) will give Penn State at least a share of the Big Ten title for the 12th-straight year.
Ohio State will play at Michigan State at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. If both games have the same result and have the teams knotted in a tie atop the standings, Penn State will earn the Big Ten's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament by virtue of PSU's 2-1 win over the Buckeyes on Oct. 4. An OSU loss at Michigan State gives Penn State at least a share of the title and the automatic bid.
For complete coverage of Penn State women's soccer, visit http://www.GoPSUsports.com/sports/w-soccer.
Follow Penn State women's soccer on Twitter: @PSUWomensSoccer
--NITTANY LIONS--