Hattiesburg MS - The William Carey University men's soccer team finished it's 2009 season ranked at No. 9 in the NAIA national poll. The Crusaders won the GCAC regular season championship going undefeated and were runners-up in the GCAC tournament. The team qualified for the NAIA National Tournament receiving an-at large bid and were seeded ninth.

2009 proved to be the most successful year since the team's last National Championship appearance in 2001. The team has been ranked in the national poll for 22 consecutive weeks since September 8th, 2008 moving from 25th to 9th during that time. With a record of 13-4-3 they won most games (13) since 2001 and equalled the 2004 team's least losses (4). They also beat the No.1 ranked team in the nation, Lindsey Wilson College, by 3-2.

With 8 starters returning for 2010 you can expect the team to continue it's improvement as they head into the highly competitive Southern States Athletic Conference next year. The team will be led by seniors Joe McNiell, Carl Reynolds, Rob Rogers and Mitchell Barker. Add to that the experience gained by freshmen starters Reece Wilson the GCAC Player of the Year, Medy Loorius, Jasper Pyykkola and Chris Wood and things are looking bright again for 2010.