Berkeley College Team Ranked No. 1 in USCAA Coaches Poll for Men's Soccer Division II
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Senior Associate, Media Relations
973-200-1048
Chanel-Donaldso@BerkeleyCollege.edu
Photo Caption: Berkeley College – NJ was ranked No. 1 for Men’s Soccer Division II in the first week of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Coaches Poll. The Knights team, which includes a roster of 33 players this season, is laser-focused on winning the National Championships.
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Berkeley College – NJ was ranked No. 1 for Men’s Soccer Division II in the first week of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Coaches Poll. The results, released on September 30, 2021, represent the first No. 1 ranking for the Berkeley College – NJ Men’s Soccer team, whose current record is 7-3.
The Coaches Poll is used to determine contenders in USCAA National Championship events from among the more than 70 USCAA member institutions. A group of six to 12 coaches, sports information directors and athletic directors vote on criteria such as win/loss record, strength of schedule, USCAA power rankings, head-to-head contests between USCAA opponents, common opponents and score differentials. In the fall, rankings continue for five weeks, with the final week’s results determining participants for championship events.
“The Knights started off the 2021 season with an unblemished record of 6-0, three of those victories against Top 15 USCAA-ranked teams,” said Andy DeStephano, Director of Athletics, Berkeley College. “Berkeley College will face a challenging October with nine tough opponents.”
The Berkeley College – NJ Men’s Soccer team has made two prior bids for the national title, most recently in 2019 when the Knights finished in third place. This year, the team of 33 players is laser-focused on winning the tournament.
Photo Caption: Berkeley College – NJ was ranked No. 1 for Men’s Soccer Division II in the first week of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Coaches Poll. Bruno Ferreira, Men’s Soccer Coach, Berkeley College (pictured in a black T-shirt), and the team of 33 players, are laser-focused on winning the National Championships this season.
“We have faced off against many strong Division I and Division II teams this season and I am pleased with how we played. With our impressive record and No. 1 ranking in the Coaches Poll for week 1, we have a great shot at the National Championships this year,” said Bruno Ferreira, Men’s Soccer Coach, Berkeley College.
“Our team goal for this season is to win Nationals,” said Erick Carabantes of Hillside, NJ, one of the team’s co-captains who is also a student in the Honors Program at Berkeley College and a graduate of Hillside High School. “We did not reach our goal in 2019, but we are ready to win it all this year,” added the midfielder.
Carabantes intends to pursue a professional soccer career once he earns his Bachelor of Business Administration – Management from Berkeley College. Since 2020, four former student-athletes from the Berkeley College – NJ Men’s Soccer team have signed professional contracts.
Berkeley College celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2021. The theme commemorating this milestone is “Empowering Lives for 90 Years!” Visit the 90th Anniversary webpage for more information.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers continuing education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, and in Midtown Manhattan, NY, with more than 4,900 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for eight consecutive years. U.S. News & World Report named Berkeley College (NJ) one of the Best Regional Colleges in the North in its 2022 edition of the Best Colleges Survey. In 2021 Berkeley College (NJ) was also recognized for the first time as a Top Performer on Social Mobility among colleges in the region. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
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