---Steven Beattie's header with 8.1 seconds remaining in double overtime propelled the Norse to victory Friday night, and to the nation's No. 1 ranking on Tuesday.

By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team has reached the pinnacle of NCAA Division II men’s soccer for the second straight season, as the Norse have vaulted to No. 1 in the national poll that was released Tuesday.

NKU (4-0) completed a perfect weekend in non-conference play, defeating Carson-Newman by a 1-0 score in double overtime on Friday before tackling Findlay by a 2-0 margin on Sunday. The Norse were ranked No. 3 nationally last week.

NKU has remained unbeaten during its last 32 regular-season games (31-0-1) dating back to Sept. 15, 2006, the only blemish being a scoreless draw with Rockhurst on Oct. 6 of that same year. NKU has won 26 consecutive regular-season games since that tie.

Last week’s top-ranked team, Lincoln Memorial, battled Bellarmine to a 2-2 draw, while the No. 2 team, Midwestern State (Texas), fell to then-No. 16 Colorado School of Mines, 2-1, resulting in their respective falls in the poll. LMU checks in this week at No. 19, while Midwestern State fell four spots to No. 6.

Sonoma State (Calif.), Lynn (Fla.), Tusculum (Tenn.) and East Stroudsburg (Pa.) round out the nation’s top five.

Lewis, NKU’s opponent this Sunday, jumped one spot to No. 10 in the land, setting up a key Great Lakes Valley Conference battle this weekend. Ashland, which will host NKU on Oct. 14, debuted in the national poll at No. 22 after wins over three GLVC opponents this season.

On Oct. 2, 2007, the Norse made their first appearance as the No. 1 team in the land after spending five weeks as a top-three team in the Division II poll. NKU held that position for five consecutive weeks until the final regular season poll of 2007. The Norse slipped to No. 5 in the final season rankings.

NKU has remained in the national rankings for the past 22 weeks, dating back to the final poll of the 2006 season. The last 15 of those rankings have seen NKU in the top 10 in the nation.

The Norse now hit the road to defend their 18-game road unbeaten streak in their GLVC opener against Wisconsin-Parkside on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.