UNCW men’s soccer inching up national polls; new Seahawk assistant hoops coach named

WILMINGTON, NC (UNCW) – After splitting a pair of contests last week, the UNCW men’s soccer team remains ranked among the nation’s top teams in three different polls.

The Seahawks, who are 5-1-1 on the season, are ranked 15th in the latest Top Drawer Soccer Division I poll and 22nd by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). UNCW also holds the No. 5 position in the NSCAA Midwest Region rankings this week.

In addition, UNCW entered the College Soccer News national rankings and holds the No. 29 position in the website’s Top 30 Poll.

One of three Colonial Athletic Association teams ranked in the NSCAA Top 25, the Seahawks posted a 3-0 victory over No. 16 Duke last Tuesday night before suffering their first loss of the season in a 2-1 setback at Hofstra. The Pride (6-1-0) climbed back into the NSCAA national rankings this week as the 18th-ranked team in the nation.

Led by senior forward Colin Bonner (Reservoir H.S./Fulton, Md.) and freshman midfielder Ben Fisher (Chapel Hill H.S./Chapel Hill, N.C.), the Seahawks boast one of the top offenses in the country. They rank second in the nation with a 3.14 scoring average and lead the country in total goals (22) and points (59).

Bonner, a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award, tops the CAA and ranks fifth nationally with 16 points after tallying six goals with four assists. Meanwhile, Fisher has emerged as one of the top newcomers in the nation, ranking third among freshmen and 11th among all players with 13 points.

UNCW begins a two-game homestand on Saturday night by hosting Northeastern at 7 p.m. in a CAA contest at UNCW Soccer Stadium. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-808-UNCW or by visiting the Tickets page at UNCWSports.com.

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WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Crystal Riley, a former letter winner and assistant coach at the University of Kentucky, has been named as an assistant coach for the UNCW women’s basketball team.

“We’re excited about the addition of Crystal to our staff,” UNCW Head Coach Adell Harris said. “She brings great passion and energy to our program. She also has a winning pedigree, bringing her experiences as both a player and staff member at the University of Kentucky.”

A 2013 graduate of Kentucky, Riley appeared in 71 games for the Wildcats after transferring from LSU. She helped the Wildcats earn three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a pair of Elite Eight berths. She scored a career-high 11 points twice and dished out a career-high eight assists against Florida as a sophomore.

After serving as a student assistant coach during the 2012-13 campaign, Riley worked as a support staff associate and player relations liaison for the Wildcats in 2013-14 when Kentucky reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Riley then moved into an interim assistant coach role during the 2014-15 season as the Wildcats reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

“I am very excited about being an assistant coach at UNCW,” Riley said. “This has been a long-time dream of mine and I am happy it is finally coming true. I am proud to work for a head coach who believes so much in serving the athletics program, the community and this great group of girls we are fortunate to coach. This staff is an amazing group of people with different backgrounds and I look forward to learning and growing with them.”

Season tickets for the 2015-16 UNCW women’s basketball season are available by calling the UNCW Ticket Office at 800-808-UNCW or by visiting the Tickets page at UNCWSports.com.