The United Soccer Coaches poll has placed the High Point University men’s soccer team at No. 9, a jump of seven spots from its previous position and the program’s highest standing in recent memory.
The Panthers have now appeared in the national rankings for 19 consecutive weeks, a streak that began in October 2024 and has seen them climb as high as No. 5 on October 7, 2025, after previously peaking at No. 11 on October 28, 2024.
A coach’s imprint
Head coach Haines has guided the squad through seven of the last eight seasons with a knack for navigating ranked campaigns, earning votes in 2023 and maintaining a reputation for resilience and tactical acumen.
Milestones on the field
The team’s breakthrough came in 2026 when they posted a 5‑2 victory over Long Island University and followed it with a dramatic 3‑2 win against No. 11 Virginia, marking the program’s first ever ranked triumph at the Division I level.
That momentum carried into a showdown with No. 4 Maryland, a top‑10 clash scheduled for Saturday that promises to test the Panthers against another elite opponent.
Beyond the wins, High Point has demonstrated quality by drawing with powerhouses such as No. 2 Georgetown and No. 10 West Virginia, and has also defeated top‑ranked sides including No. 1 Pittsburgh, No. 7 Maryland and No. 11 Virginia.
The program’s rise has been noted by outlets like College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer, which ranked the Panthers No. 2 nationally in 2024, underscoring the breadth of their achievement across different polls.