---Defenders Alex Allison (17) and Eric Ashworth (14) were instrumental in NKU's weekend victories over Lewis and UW-Parkside. The wins boosted NKU to No. 2 in this week's NCAA Division II national poll.

By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

MISSION, Kan. – On the strength of a pair of victories over top 25 competition, the Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team gained one position to No. 2 in the NCAA Division II national poll.

NKU stands second only to Lynn (Fla.). Each team gained a position after then-No. 1 Fort Lewis (Colo.) dropped a pair of games over the weekend.

NKU defeated then-No. 16 Lewis and then-No. 12 Wisconsin-Parkside by 1-0 scores in GLVC play. The victories were keyed off strong defense, as the Norse backs held Lewis to just four shots total and UW-Parkside, which previously led the GLVC with more than 21 shots per game, to just seven. Michael Lavric picked up shutouts in his first two collegiate starts, and now stands 3-0 on the season.

The ranking is the highest in program history, a trend continued from last week’s No. 3 ranking.

Other Great Lakes Valley Conference schools listed in the rankings include Rockhurst at No. 13 and Southern Illinois at Edwardsville at No. 24.

NKU (6-0, 2-0 GLVC) will wrap up a four-game homestand this weekend, hosting Ashland on Friday night at 7 p.m. before taking on GLVC foe Bellarmine Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

COMPLETE POLL