Sept. 13, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Off to its best start in program history, the Missouri soccer team (6-0-0) moved up in the national rankings this week, including a top-10 nod by one publication. In addition to its No. 10 ranking from Soccer America, SoccerTimes.com has the Tigers at No. 11, SoccerBuzz lists Mizzou at No. 12 and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America ranks the squad at No. 16.

Last week, Mizzou was 11th by Soccer America, 14th by SoccerBuzz, 15th by SoccerTimes.com and 18th by the NSCAA. In addition to the national polls, Soccer Buzz ranks the Tigers third in the Central Region while the NSCAA has Mizzou fourth.

The six consecutive wins to start the season mark the best start in program history for the Tigers. Mizzou also set record with five consecutive shutouts before giving up two goals to Loyola-Chicago. So far this season, Missouri has wins over Illinois, Iowa, Loyola-Chicago, Minnesota, Northwestern and Northwestern State.

The Tigers are one of six Big 12 Conference schools ranked this week. Texas A&M is sixth by the NSCAA and SoccerTimes.com and seventh in Soccer America and SoccerBuzz. The NSCAA ranks Colorado No. 14 while the Buffs are 17th by SoccerTimes.com, 21st by SoccerBuzz and 25th by Soccer America. Texas is No. 14 by Soccer America, 21st by SoccerTimes.com and 23rd by the NSCAA. Soccer America ranks Kansas 18th and SoccerTimes.com has the Jayhawks in at No. 20 while Soccer America ranks Nebraska at No. 16.

Mizzou travels to Madison, Wis., this weekend for the Wisconsin Soccer Classic. The Tigers take on host Wisconsin at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 15 before facing UW-Milwaukee at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17.