KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) released the new national poll for NCAA Division II on Tuesday, ranking the University of West Alabama women's soccer team as No. 23 in the nation.  

This is the first appearance into the Top 25 poll by UWA, who is the only Gulf South Conference team to make it into the recent rankings. The Tigers are 8-3 overall this year and currently sit atop the GSC standings at 6-1, tied with Lee University.

West Alabama was the first team left out of last week's poll receiving 17 votes. Suffering its first conference loss to Lee on Friday and breaking a four match win streak was not enough to keep the Tigers out of the list of top teams in the country. It was the first loss in regulation time for the Tigers this season, but they responded, defeating Shorter University 3-2 in overtime on Sunday.  

Columbus State is the only UWA opponent this season also making the Top 25. For the second week in a row, the Cougars were announced as No. 17 with a 9-2-1 overall record; 4-0-1 in the Peach Belt Conference. CSU defeated the Tigers 1-0 in overtime back on Sept. 22.

Fans can catch the No. 23 team in the nation in action on Friday as West Alabama women's soccer hosts GSC opponent Spring Hill College. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.

The NSCAA regional and national college rankings are a week-to-week status of qualified programs. These polls are released on Tuesday afternoons on NSCAA.com during the college soccer season.

Go HERE to see the complete NSCAA poll for NCAA DII Women's Soccer.