Loyola Marymount will open the 2019 Women's Soccer season as the nation’s 14th best program among Division I schools, one slot ahead of its 2018 ranking.
The survey by College Factual, a Troy, New York-based company that identifies colleges excelling both in sports and academics, is aimed at students interested in attending a school “where athletes perform both on the field and in the classroom.” The ranking for student athletes takes into account both the athletic competitiveness of the team and the academic progress of its student-athletes.
“Less than one percent of college athletes go on to play professional sports, so obtaining a quality education is critical to the lifetime success of a student,” the survey noted.
Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, USC and Rice are ranked first through fifth, and the Lions’ West Coast Conference rival Pepperdine is ranked 12th, just ahead of LMU, BYU (15th), Notre Dame (16th) and UCLA (18th).
"It is great when someone outside your organization recognizes the value of your university and program," said Michelle Myers, LMU head coach. "It reinforces what you already know and you are proud that it is being publicized. LMU is a wonderful place to get a quality education and compete on a high level soccer program. I am delighted this news is being spread."
The Lions open their 2019 season with an exhibition match against UCLA on Aug. 16, host Pepperdine in a WCC match Oct. 13, and conclude the regular season with a WCC match Nov. 9 against BYU in Provo, Utah. LMU’s home opener is Aug. 29 against San Jose State.
Men’s soccer
An exhibition match Aug. 24 against UC Santa Barbara at Sullivan Field will begin the 2019 LMU men’s soccer season.
Five more home matches follow, including the regular season opener Aug. 30 against Virginia Tech and a Sept. 8 match against Loyola of Chicago, part of a 19-match schedule for the Lions. The first WCC match is at home Oct. 12 against Gonzaga, and the regular season ends Nov. 16 at the University of San Francisco.
Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News).
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