WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - After one of the more impressive wins in program history last week, the William and Mary Tribe men's soccer team rose in the national polls this week.  In the NSCAA Coaches Poll, the Tribe moved up five spots to No. 8 in the country.

This past Saturday (August 27) the Tribe traveled to the then ranked No. 5 SMU to face the Mustangs in a rematch of last year's NCAA Tournament third round match.  After SMU grabbed a quick, 1-0 lead over the College, the Tribe answered as senior Nicolas Abrigo scored to even the match in the 37th minute.  Just 59 seconds in the second half, W&M took the lead on a Ben Anderson strike.  Abrigo struck again with the eventual game-winner in the 60th minute, as the College pulled the upset, defeating SMU, 3-2.

As a result of its fantastic result, the Tribe rose in many of the national polls.  In the NSCAA Coaches Poll, the Tribe reached its highest ranking of the week, as it is ranked No. 8 in the country.  The most dramatic rise in the polls came in the College Soccer News Poll, as W&M moved up 20 spots to No. 15.  William and Mary is also ranked No. 15 in the country in the latest Top Drawer Soccer Tournament rankings, while in the Soccer America Poll, the Tribe is ranked No. 19.

In the first South Atlantic Regional rankings released by the NSCAA, the College is ranked No. 2 behind the University of Maryland, who is ranked No. 4 in the latest national poll.

The No. 8-ranked William and Mary Tribe men's soccer team will return home to Williamsburg to face the St. John's Red Storm on Thursday, September 1.  Kickoff at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.