Contact: Matthew Eaker, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, mreaker@noctrl.edu 

CCIW Press Release 
United Coaches' Region VIII Rankings 
D3soccer.com Top 25

Oct. 5, 2021- After defeating #16 Carthage College on Saturday night, the North Central College men's soccer team was ranked fourth in Region VIII rankings and 16th in National Rankings on the same day as Sid Marquardt earned College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) defensive player of the week. 

This is the fourth ranking from the United Coaches' poll this season. The Cardinals have moved up two spots in this weeks rankings after defeating Millikin University and #16 Carthage College last week. 

Ahead of the Cardinals are Calvin University in third, University of Chicago in second and Washington University (Mo.) claiming the top spot this week. 

D3soccer.com has released their third top 25 poll this season and the Cardinals have been ranked in the top 25 each week. The Cardinals have moved up one spot and currently sit at 16th in this week's rankings. 

Ahead of the Cardinals are Emory University, Washington University (Mo.), Calvin University, Franklin & Marshall, SUNY Cortland, Johns Hopkins University, Montclair State University, Amherst College, SUNY Oneonta and New York University. 

The top five teams in this week's rankings are Trinity University (Texas) in fifth, Ohio Wesleyan University in fourth, Messiah University in third, Tufts University in second and Washington & Lee claiming the number one spot. 

Sophomore Goalkeeper Sid Marquardt earned CCIW Defensive player of the week this afternoon in his efforts to lead the Cardinals to a 2-0-0 record. Marquardt tallied four saves and did not allow a goal this week while earning two shutouts.

Marquardt currently leads the country and the conference with a .964 save percentage, .086 goals against average and nine shutouts. Marquardt has only allowed one goal this season and sits in second for single season shutouts in program history. 

The Cardinals (12-0-1, 2-0-1 CCIW) are back in action tomorrow night as they travel to Rock Island, Ill. to take on the Vikings of Augustana College. The game is set to start at 7:30 pm inside Thorson-Lucken Field. Click HERE for live coverage of tomorrow's night game. 

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