WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – The Eastern Connecticut State University men’s soccer team equaled its highest national ranking ever when it moved up three spots to No. 13 in the third weekly National Soccer Coaches' Associaition of America (NSCAA) Division III national ranking, released Tuesday.

On the strength of home wins over Tufts University (3-2 in 2OT) and Western Connecticut State University (4-0), the Warriors reached their highest ranking ever, which was set during last year’s 14-game unbeaten streak. Eastern remained the No. 2 ranked team in New England, behind No. 2 nationally-ranked Amherst College.

Eastern (5-0-1) has outscored its six opponents this year by a combined 16-6. Twelve different players have contributed either a goal or assist this season, led by first-team all-region forward Maxim Fantl (West Hartford, Conn.), first-year sophomore forward Matt Furman (Montville, Conn.) and senior midfielder Chris Bourdeau (Thompson, Conn.). Fantl has seven goals and 17 points, Furman three goals and seven points and Bourdeau three goals and six points. Defensively, three keepers have seen action, among them sophomore Carl Appel (West Windsor, N.J.). Appel has a 0.45 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage.

Last week, Fantl, Furman, and freshman midfielder Cory Tobler (Portland, Conn.) each scored two goals to lead the Warriors to two victories. Furman scored with 22.7 seconds left in overtime against Tufts.

Eastern returns to action Wednesday afternoon at Trinity College. The Bantams were one of only two teams in the regular-season to beat Eastern.

                                                                        -30-