INDIANAPOLIS — With selection Monday on the horizon, the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Committee announced its top 16 ranking during a reveal at halftime of the game between Cornell and Penn on ESPNU. Using results through games of October 17, the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Committed ranked Western Michigan University the 14th best team in the nation. 

 The top 16 correspond to the number of teams that are seeded in the 48-team NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship bracket.

"The top teams have executed really well through their schedules up to this point in the season," said Tim Bernal, chair of the committee and executive associate athletic director at Kentucky. "Developing a top 16 ranking was exceptionally tough as the next group of teams also have impressive resumes. They figure to be in the conversation based on how things shake out as we enter selections."

The ranking is based on the criteria used to select and seed the 48 teams for the Division I Men's Soccer Championship and in no particular order includes strength of schedule, Rating Percentage Index, head-to-head competition, results versus common opponents, strength and results against non-conference opponents, late season performance in the last eight games and strength and results against conference opponents.

The WMU men's soccer team boasts the nation's longest unbeaten streak at 35 games and counting. The Brown and Gold carry a 9-0-5 record into their last four games and will begin the final stretch of the regular season at Detroit Mercy on Tuesday, October 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM and the contest will be available on ESPN+. The Broncos will look to not only extend their unbeaten streak but also continue their dominance over in-state opponents: WMU is 16-0 in their last 16 matches vs in-state opponents and have not suffered a loss against an in-state foe in over half a decade (since Sept 7, 2018). This marks the longest win streak against Michigan colleges in NCAA men's soccer history.  

The 2024 championship field will consist of 23 automatic conference qualifiers and 25 at-large selections, which will be revealed on Monday, November 18 on ncaa.com. The top 16 teams will be seeded and receive first-round byes before hosting second-round games.

The NCAA Tournament opens on Thursday, November 21 as the championship will take place at campus sites through the quarterfinals as teams look to earn a trip to the Men's College Cup.

For all things WMU men's soccer, make sure to follow the team on Instagram, @wmu_menssoccer, X, @WMUMensSoccer, and Facebook, @wmumenssoccer.