BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSUB men's soccer team continues to earn recognition for its hot start. The Roadrunners needed just two season–opening wins, albeit with one over the then No. 7 team in the nation, to earn the first top 25 ranking in the full NCAA Division I era of CSUB Athletics by climbing to the No. 20 spot in this week's Soccer America rankings.

While CSUB's established Division I programs, wrestling and water polo, have been ranked in the top 25 in the past, men's soccer becomes the first of the new era teams to earn the distinction.

“This is a tremendous confirmation of our great start,” says CSUB Head Coach Simon Tobin. “But it's a long season. Our main goal is still to finish atop the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standings.”

The 'Runners opened their first season of NCAA Tournament eligibility in style, earning a 1–0 overtime victory over then No. 7 ranked UC Santa Barbara. They followed that up with a solid 3–1 win over Big West foe UC Davis.

CSUB will put it's new credentials to the test this weekend when it begins a nine–match road trip Saturday at the University of San Francisco.

The University of Akron continues to hold on to the top spot in this week's rankings. Virginia (2), North Carolina (3) and Boston College (5) give the top five an Atlantic Coast Conference feel. Tulsa (4) rounds out the top five.

Three CSUB opponents find themselves in the top 25 with the 'Runners. UC Santa Barbara is No. 13 while New Mexico (22) and UC Irvine (25) make their top 25 debuts this week.