ECC Athletics Holds 3 of Top 4 Team Spots in Buffalo News Power 10 Collegiate Rankings

The Buffalo News released its first-ever collegiate power rankings that combine individual and team performances of all NCAA and NJCAA schools. With competition between NCAA Divisions 1-3 in addition to other NJCAA schools, ECC athletic teams had the best showing of all Western New York colleges and universities.

The Kats took three of the top four team slots, with only Division I University at Buffalo's men's soccer team placing higher. ECC also had the only football program recognized in the rankings.

Overall, the first top-10 rankings by the Buffalo News included two individual athletes and eight teams. Of the eight teams, six were soccer and only ECC and Division I University at Buffalo had both its men's and women's teams on the list.

Trailing ECC's total number of three spots in the top-10 of combined individual and team performances with two spots were three other schools: Division I University at Buffalo, Division II Daemen College and Division III Buffalo State.

A complete look at the entire list and description of this week's "Power-10" can be found here:http://campuswatch.buffalonews.com/2016/09/13/college-power-10-ub-mens-soccer-nearly-cracks-national-top-25/

Here's what the Buffalo News said about ECC's top three of four teams in this week's ranking:

Erie CC men's soccer: The Kats stand 6-0 and have outscored the opposition, 38-8. Abdul Muhamed (Lackawanna) has eight goals, tied for second in the nation. The latest win was 1-0 over Corning CC on a goal by Kovan Dalil (Kenmore West). Last week Muhamed scored three times in a 6-2 win at Finger Lakes CC. Erie went 9-8 last season.

Erie CC women's soccer: The Kats posted shutouts in each of their first four games and stand 5-1. The Kats had their most wins in program history last year by going 11-7. Freshman Abby Lombard (Lancaster) has 13 goals to lead the nation among Division III junior colleges. She had three in an 8-1 rout of Corning Saturday. Goaltenders Alex Zentz (Fredonia) and Hannah Clarkson (Sweet Home) each have two shutouts. Erie lost at Finger Lakes CC, 2-1, last week. Finger Lakes ended Erie's season last year in the Region III semifinals.

Erie CC football: Prospects are looking up for the Kats under second-year coach Scott Pilkey. Erie finished 6-4 last season, its first winning campaign since 2007. The Kats are 2-1 this year after a 34-28 victory over Hocking College in Ohio Saturday. The Kats are off this week and visit Brockport's JV on Sept. 25.