The United Soccer Coaches released its final Junior College Division III Poll with Genesee Community College at No. 1, Dec. 5.
In addition, four members of the National College Junior Athletic Association D-III national champion Cougars appear on the USC's Junior College D-III All-Region East Team that includes Glenn Holmes, Charlie Livesey, David Ormiston and Ben Wattis.
In being ranked by the USC at No. 1, the Cougars also created some history in that distinction. Based on information from USC's website about previous Junior College D-III final poll rankings, it was the first time a team went from unranked to No. 1 at that level.
The Cougars last appeared in a USC poll at No. 7 on Sept. 26. After that date and for the next six USC polls, Genesee did not make the cut despite compiling a 20-game unbeaten streak from early September on their way to the school's first national championship in men's soccer.
Holmes was a USC All-Region East First Team selection and co-captained the Cougars to the NJCAA title. Holmes led the nation among all defenseman in the country in points (tied-38th overall among all scorers) with 32 and in goals (tied-35th overall among all scorers) with 13. Joining Holmes on the first team was GCC forward Livesey, who set a single-season school-record for assists with 26. That total was seven more than anyone else in the nation for 2017. Livesey led the Cougars in goals, assists and points and his totals ranked him nationally as No. 1 in assists, No. 4 in points with 60 and tied for No. 16 in goals with 17.
Ormiston was a USC All-Region East Second Team selection and was twice acknowledged for his keeper playoff performances. He captured two most valuable player awards on his way to national championship stardom. First, he was the MVP of the NJCAA Region III District A Championship and followed that up as the NJCAA National Tournament MVP. Ormiston finished nationally as No. 3 in save percentage (.871) and No. 5 in goals-against average (0.72). Joining Ormiston on the second team was defenseman Wattis, who scored the team's first goal in its national championship semifinal game to help them advance to the championship.
The United Soccer Coaches (formerly known as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America / NSCAA) is an organization of American soccer coaches founded in 1941. It is the largest soccer coaches organization in the world, with more than 30,000 members. The NSCAA was rebranded as United Soccer Coaches about four months ago in early August and is based out of Kansas City, Mo. The USC recognizes teams and athletes in the NCAA, NAIA, NCCAA and NJCAA. More information about them can be found at: http://unitedsoccercoaches.org/web/rankings/junior_college/jc_diii_men.aspx
