DEKALB, Ill. – For the first time since 2011, the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team is ranked in the United Soccer Coaches National Poll as the Huskies are ranked 22nd in the poll released on Tuesday (Oct. 12). In addition to the team national ranking, center back Adrian Lara (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet Township) has been named to both the College Soccer News and Top Drawer Soccer National Teams of the Week. 

"We always talk about the fact that the rankings don't really matter until the end of the year, but it is nice to get some recognition for what we have done so far," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "It is something we are aware of from week-to-week, where we stand in the regional, or in this case national rankings. It is pleasing, but the big thing for us in not to get caught up in it. It doesn't change who we are as a team, and we have to make sure our goals stay the same and we remain focused on the next game at hand."

NIU is appearing in the United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) poll for the first time since Sept. 27, 2011, when the Huskies were ranked 18th. The Huskies are also third in this week's North Region Rankings, behind only Maryland and Bowling Green. 

Lara scored the game-winning goal in NIU's 2-0 victory over fourth-ranked West Virginia this past Saturday (Oct. 9). The Huskie center back also helped NIU allow just six total shots, and only three on target, to the Mountaineers who suffered their first loss of the season in DeKalb. 

The win was NIU's ninth consecutive victory, the fourth-longest win streak in the country behind only New Hampshire (12), Washington (11) and Georgetown (10). It was also the seventh-straight shutout for the Huskies, who have not conceded a goal in the last 681:33 of play. 

Lara is the second Huskie to earn College Soccer News National Team of the Week honors this season, joining Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) who earned the recognition on Sept. 20. He is the first Huskie named to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week since Enrique Banuelos (Mexico City, Mexico/Virginia) during last year's spring season (April 6, 2021). 

The Huskies will be back in action at home on Saturday night, Oct. 16, when they host 17th-ranked Bowling Green. Kickoff against the Falcons is scheduled for 7 p.m.