Falcons #9 in Latest Coaches Poll

"I feel like the boys, and the coaching staff, rightfully feel happy to get the recognition we believe we deserve," said Luke Cottage, Head Soccer Coach at Kansas Christian College. "We've faced a lot of adversity throughout the season ... This is a huge positive for the program as we head into the post season."

The Falcons (8-4-1, 6-1-1) received 11 points in the latest poll, good for #9, after a big win at Barclay on October 11. At the time, the Bears (8-1-1 in conference) were ranked #6 in NCCAA DII. The victory sealed the season win for KCC over the Bears, after tying with Barclay, 1-1, in Overland Park on Sept. 6.

"Those battles are what we needed," Coach Cottage said, referring to the tough matchups with Barclay. "We prepare and respect all of our opponents the same way, but there are teams you know going into the match that you have to bring your best." 

To do that, the first year head coach said, the team is blessed to have a strong, capable assistant coach helping to keep the team prepared and motivated. 

"Coach Kyle (Kyle Mowrer) has been absolutely amazing," Coach Cottage said. "Being an assistant is never easy, but he is the true definition of a servant leader. He and I love working with this team each and every day."

The Falcons will wrap up their season this Friday at 1 p.m. against Spurgeon College at Scheel's Soccer Complex. The final home game will also serve as senior night. While Coach Cottage is excited to celebrate the seniors, he's hoping the whole team will reflect on the season and come into the postseason confident and ready to make some noise.

"We still have a lot of work to do," Cottage said. "Every player on the roster has contributed to our success this season, but it will continue to take every player to do what we expect to do in the next couple of weeks."

The NCCAA Regional Tournament is scheduled to begin Nov. 5.