WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – After posting four straight shutouts and beating their second Top 12 team of the year, the Monmouth University men's soccer team earned recognition in the national polls this week
 
The Hawks checked in at No. 16 in the TopDrawer Soccer Top 25 and received a vote in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll.
 
It is the first time the Hawks have been in any of the national polls since being a part of the College Soccer News Top 30 to start the 2016 season. 
 
Monmouth enters play this week with an 8-1-5 mark overall and a 4-0-3 record in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) action. 
 
The Hawks have recorded wins over then No. 12 Hofstra and No. 12 Penn this season. Monmouth has posted four straight shutouts and eight total clean sheets this season. The Hawks are the only CAA squad to have clinched a spot in the upcoming conference tournament so far. 
 
Monmouth has used a balanced offensive attack this season as eight different players have scored at least one goal. That group is led by Erik Reis, who has a team-best five goals and three assists while reigning CAA Rookie of the Week Victor Andersson has three goals, all of which are game-winners. 
 
The Monmouth defense has turned in some strong performances as well. Eryk Dymora leads the nation in save percentage (.864) and ranks top five in goals against average (0.57). The backline is highlighted by Bastian Hatcher, a two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Week and two-time member of the TopDrawer Soccer Team of the Week.
 
The Hawks wrap up their regular season play on Saturday, Oct. 26 when they travel to UNCW for a 2 p.m. match.