One week after knocking off the Louisville Cardinals, the Tar Heels had a major let down on the road against conference rival Virginia Tech in the ACC opener for both sides. It was the first time this season that the Hokies shut out their opposition, and coincidentally, the first time UNC failed to score. Meanwhile, Creighton added to an already impressive start to the season with another victory and limited the opposing side to little threat on net. The new look Bluejays have been imposing, especially defensively, early in the season, but the schedule is set to get more difficult over the next two weeks.
Goal.com Top 25 (W-L-D)1. Creighton 5-0-0. "We were a little fatigued, but we fought through it and did not surrender any goals or really any good looks at the goal," Elmar Bolowich told gocreighton.com after the 1-0 win over DePaul on Sunday. The Bluejays have remarkably fought through plenty of teams this season while maintaining a perfect record, zero goals conceded, and only allowing 18 shots on net. Next up: Providence, September 17. PR: 3
2. Akron 3-0-1. "Solid, efficient win," head coach Caleb Porter told gozips.com after the 4-0 win over St. Louis. "It still could be better that is the scary thing." Indeed, coach. And it will be better with time. Next up: New Mexico, September 16. PR: 4
3. Maryland 5-0-0. "I was delighted with the result tonight. I think that was our best overall performance thus far," said head coach Sasho Cirovski to umterps.com after the 4-0 victory over Boston College on Friday. Next up: at UMBC, September 13. PR: 6
4. Indiana 4-0-1. "We got another win, and that is what this group is smiling about," head coach Todd Yeagley told iuhoosiers.com after his team's 2-1 win over Denver. It was another win and another tournament title for the Hoosiers, which are off to their best start since 2005. Next up: at St. John's, September 16. PR: 5
5. UCONN 5-0-0. "I was pleased with our mentality on the road," said head coach Ray Reid to uconnhuskies.com. Two crucial road wins will prop up the UCONN RPI come November. Next up: Boston University, September 16. PR: 7
6. UNC 3-1-0. "They were disruptive — I wouldn't call it dirty — but it was definitely disruptive and physical," coach Carlos Somoano told the Daily Tar Heel about the embarrassing defeat to Virginia Tech over the weekend. Next up: James Madison, September 13. PR: 1
7. Louisville 4-1-0. The Cardinals drop-off is more of a byproduct of UNC's defeat, but the Cardinals were less than convincing in their two wins against humble opposition over the weekend. Next up: Butler, September 17. PR: 2
8. UCSB 4-0-1. Defensively, this might be the best Gauchos team in the past five or six years. Transfer Peter Schmetz is not perfect, but he is the best center back Harder Stadium has ever seen in the home kit. Next up: at UCLA, September 16. PR: 8
9. UCLA 2-2-1. Two victories over the weekend built some confidence, but with UCSB coming to town will be a tough test no matter how you slice it. Next up: UCSB, September 16. PR: 10
10. Virginia 4-1-0. "It's really tough to win on the road, particularly in this conference and here at Duke, where we hadn't won in 10 years," Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch told virginiasports.com. It was not pretty, but the Cavaliers survived thanks to a penalty kick save by freshman Spencer Lacavita. Next up: Liberty, September 13. PR: 13
11. UC Irvine 6-0-0. 'Eaters have been picking up the frequent flyer miles with games in Wisconsin and now Florida this weekend, the rest of the Big West is sending a thank you card. Next up: FGCU, September 16. PR: 17
12. West Virginia 2-2-1. The Mountaineers have challenged themselves with an incredibly difficult schedule early in the season. Two games at home provide a brief opportunity for the team to catch its breath. Next up: Richmond, September 16. PR: 9
13. UCF 5-0-0. Same story as last week, the Knights are doing all the right things, but the schedule has been pretty soft. Next up: George Mason, September 16. PR: 15
14. Old Dominion 3-0-0. "Jordan LeBlanc is Mr. consistent," remarked coach Alan Dawson to odusports.com. "He completes all his passes. He just does the right things." The unsung hero on the stat sheet gets his due praise from the head coach. Next up: Elon, September 17. PR: 21
15. Cal State Bakersfield 2-0-1. "(Saturday was) a very hard fought draw," said CSUB head coach Simon Tobin to gorunners.com. "We made some great chances, but we weren't able to finish (UC Davis) off." So, apparently Gyasi Zhades is human? The first time this season the talented midfielder has failed to register a hat trick in a game. Next up: Cal State Northridge, September 15. PR: 16
16. Notre Dame 2-1-2. Ryan Finley is the leading scorer with three goals, but still is starting on the bench for the Irish. How long will he last as the super sub? Next up: Michigan, September 16. PR: 11
17. Georgetown 3-1-1. "We really played well enough to win today," said Georgetown head coach Brian Wiese to guhoyas.com after the draw to Michigan on Sunday. Sometimes, the breaks just don't go your way, coach. Next up: at Penn, September 16. PR: 12
18. South Florida 3-1-1. The Bradley Braves stymied the high-octane Bulls attack, and then the USF defense couldn't stop Dartmouth. It was a bumpy trip for South Florida last weekend. Next up: St. Louis, September 16. PR: 14
19. SMU 2-3-0. The coaching staff was proud of the effort on Sunday, but just thought the breaks didn't go SMU's way. It has been that type of year so far for the Mustangs. Next up: Dartmouth, September 16. PR: 19
20. VCU 5-1-0. Despite the loss over the weekend, there were still plenty of positives for the Rams to take out of pre-conference play especially Jason Johnson's bright start to the season. Next up: UAB, September 16. PR: 20
21. Bradley 4-0-2. The undefeated Braves are one of the biggest surprises of the young season. Senior striker Bryan Gaul has already recorded five goals and two assists through the first six contests. Next up: Memphis, September 16. PR: NR
22. Iona 4-0-0. Sophomores Samuel Adjei and Franklin Castellanos are leading the way offensively for the undefeated Gaels, which also bolstered the roster in the off-season with recruits from some of the top academies in Spain. Next up: Rutgers, September 16. PR: NR
23. New Mexico 4-0-1. "James Rogers . . . man, I don't know how many guys he beat for that goal," New Mexico head coach Jeremy Fishbein said in amazement to Lobos TV about the freshman's goal on Friday against Columbia. It was a highlight reel worthy goal that the Lobos hope Rogers can duplicate against the Zips. Next up: Akron, September 16. PR: NR
24. San Diego State 3-1-1. The Aztecs won their own tournament over the weekend thanks to the standout play of midfielder Jose Altamirano. Next up: Oral Roberts, September 16. PR: NR
25. ETSU 4-1-0. After being dismantled by Old Dominion, ETSU responded with a solid win against another CAA team and ended the week on a high note. Next up: Davidson, September 17. PR: 24
Game of the week: UCLA vs. UCSB, September 16, 7:00 p.m. (PT)
It is a rematch of the 2006 national championship on Friday in Westwood. UCSB's ascension to national prominence has turned this formerly one-sided rivalry into an actually competitive affair in recent years. The series stands at 1-1-1 since the Gauchos lifted the hardware above the Bruins in the final with UCSB grabbing the victory last year.This year, UCLA has leaned heavily on junior forward Chandler Hoffman, who was injured last season, as the Alabama native has notched four of the Bruins' seven goals. Hoffman's speed will trouble the UCSB defense – his change of pace worries every defense at the college level - but his success will depend on the service he receives from the midfield, which could be problematic given how convincing the UCSB midfield has been with Machael David back in the mix.
UCLA does have an immense advantage along the left flank, as UCSB will be on its third string right back due to injuries, for the game. The Bruins have the talent to exploit the likely mismatch, but it is always easier said than done when these two sides meet.
TV game of the week: Akron vs. New Mexico, September 16, 7:00 p.m. (ET), FSC
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