FROM STAFF REPORTS

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The University of Montevallo men’s soccer team debuted at No. 6 in the initial NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings, which were released Oct. 17.

The NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings are used to determine which schools advance to the NCAA Division II men’s soccer tournament, which begins Nov. 8. The NCAA will release weekly rankings for the next three weeks.

Four Peach Belt Schools are included among the initial NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings. Fellow conference schools Lander University and Flagler College sit atop the rankings at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. UNC Pembroke is ranked No. 4 in the initial rankings.

Montevallo (9-3-2 overall, 6-1-1 in Peach Belt Conference) defeated UNC Pembroke 3-0 in its Peach Belt Conference opener Sept. 15. The Falcons fell to Lander University 3-2 in double overtime in the regular season match between the two schools Sept. 29. Montevallo defeated Flagler College 4-1 in a conference match Oct. 6.

Montevallo remained No. 4 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II Southeast Region poll, which was released Oct. 16.

Fellow Peach Belt Conference members Lander University and Flagler College hold down the top two spots in the rankings, followed by Mars Hill College. The Falcons also continue to receive votes in the NSCAA Division II national poll.

Montevallo held steady in the region poll after picking up a pair of Peach Belt Conference victories and posting a draw in a non-conference match last week.

The Falcons opened the week with a 2-0 win over visiting Georgia Southwestern State University in a conference match Oct. 10. Montevallo edged USC Aiken 1-0 in double overtime in a road conference match Oct. 13.

The Falcons capped the week with a 1-1 tie with Mount Olive College in a non-conference battle Oct. 14 in Aiken, S.C.

Junior goalkeeper Brendan Ledgeway racked up Peach Belt Conference Goalkeeper of the Week honors for his efforts last week, which helped the Falcons remain among the best defensive teams in the nation. Montevallo ranks seventh among NCAA Division II teams in shutout percentage and ninth in the division in team goals against average.

Ledgeway currently leads Peach Belt Conference goalkeepers with a 0.58 goals against average, which also ranks him seventh nationally in NCAA Division II. The York, England native is second in the conference with a .818 save percentage, which ranks him No. 24 nationally in NCAA Division II. Ledgeway leads the conference with seven shutouts and has allowed just eight goals through the Falcons’ first 14 matches this season.

Sophomore forward Pierre Omanga remains near the top in several offensive categories in the Peach Belt Conference.

Omanga is currently tied for third in the conference with 10 goals scored this season, which also ranks him No. 15 nationally in NCAA Division II. Omanga is fifth in the conference with 22 total points, which also puts him No. 28 nationally in NCAA Division II.

The Falcons are also near the top in team assists, both in the Peach Belt Conference and nationally. Montevallo is tied for third in the conference with 30 assists on 33 goals this season, which also ranks the Falcons No. 13 nationally in team assists.

Montevallo, which has locked up a home match in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals Oct. 30, returns to action Oct. 22 with a non-conference match against Concordia College of Selma at 7:30 p.m. at Varsity Field.

The Falcons are currently tied with Flagler College at the top of the conference standings with a 6-1-1 record. Montevallo closes out its conference schedule Oct. 27 with a home match against Young Harris College at 3:30 p.m.