September 14, 2011 | Athletic Communications

Men’s Soccer Ranked No. 2

The Huskies have a perfect 5-0 record and have already defeated four teams that appeared in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Mamadou Doudou Diouf (23) rushes in for the ball during the men's soccer against Michigan State at Joseph Morrone Stadium on September 1, 2011. UConn won 2-1.

Mamadou Doudou Diouf (23) rushes in for the ball during the men's soccer against Michigan State at Joseph Morrone Stadium on September 1, 2011. UConn won 2-1. Photo by Peter Morenus UConn/Photo

The UConn men’s soccer team comes in at No. 2 in the latest national polls, according to both Soccer America and the NSCAA. College Soccer News places UConn at No. 1. The Huskies have a perfect 5-0 record, and have already defeated four teams that appeared in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Maryland (6-0-0) is ranked No. 1 in both polls. In the NSCAA poll, the Terrapins received 20 first-place votes and 569 points, while Connecticut tallied two first-place votes and 551 points.

Sophomore defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste '14 (CLAS).
Sophomore defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste '14 (CLAS). (Photo provided by Athletic Communications)

It was also announced today that sophomore defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste (Brentwood, N.Y.) was named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week. Baptiste was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, after leading UConn to a 2-0 record and back-to-back shutouts against Tulsa and SMU at the Hurricane Classic in Tulsa, Okla. this past weekend. Baptiste was named MVP of the two-game tournament. He led the UConn defense that allowed just four shots on net in two games.

Against Tulsa, a team that reached the 2010 NCAA Second Round, the Huskies allowed just three shots on frame en route to a 1-0 victory. The Huskies then faced SMU at Tulsa, and limited the Mustangs to just one shot on frame, earning another 1-0 shutout victory. SMU advanced to the 2010 NCAA Quarterfinals.

Mamadou Doudou Diouf '14 (CLAS), sophomore forward.
Mamadou Doudou Diouf '14 (CLAS), sophomore forward. (Photo provided by Athletic Communications)

Baptiste is the second UConn player named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week. Classmate Mamadou Doudou Diouf (Dakar, Senegal) was honored after tallying four goals in two games over 2010 NCAA Tournament opposition, including a hat trick and the game-winning goal in a 4-1 defeat over No. 7 California on Sept. 4.

Connecticut faces Boston University on Friday, Sept. 16 in Boston, Mass. The opening whistle is set for 7 p.m. at Nickerson Field. The squad then plays at No. 11 Boston College on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

The Huskies return home Sept. 24 to face long-time rival No. 14 St. John’s in the Big East Conference opener at Morrone Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to get your tickets early, as the game is sure to have a packed house. The UConn Drumline will be in attendance, along with the UConn Cheerleaders and Jonathan, The Husky Dog.