SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In the first RPI of the 2013 season, Santa Clara women's soccer comes in at No. 9 behind eight teams with a combined three losses. The Rating Percentage Index (RPI) is based on a team's win-loss record and strength of schedule.
Despite being 4-3-1 the Broncos crack the top-10 because of their tough schedule. Thus far the Broncos have faced No. 3 Virginia, No. 4 North Carolina, No. 6 Stanford, and No. 14 Maryland. They have also played Cal who is currently ranked No. 11 in the NSCAA poll.
The fact that Santa Clara has played so many top opponents is no coincidence. Head coach Jerry Smith puts together his schedule to help prepare the team for the NCAA Tournament.
"I think we have a very good schedule this year," said Smith before the season. "Every year we try to put together the most challenging schedule we can. We feel like this is a schedule that will prepare us for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, which is our goal each year."
The Broncos are the highest-ranked West Coast Conference team with Portland coming in next at No. 24 and the BYU at No. 27. Four teams from the ACC lead the rankings with another coming in at No. 8 followed by one team each from the Big East, Pac-12 and Big Ten.