COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — For the first time in program history, Ohio State men’s soccer is ranked No. 1 in both the United Coaches poll and the NCAA Division I committee ratings released this week.

The Buckeyes own the best winning percentage in the nation with a 10-1-2 record and feature one of the best offenses in Division I men’s soccer. OSU is averaging over eight goals and shots per game, which ranks second in the country.

“I’ve been here for four years and every single year it’s felt like we kept making strives forward and I think this is finally it where we started to have things come together and I think the results have started to pay off,” senior defender Deylen Vellios said. “Definitely a great feeling but we also know at the end of the day, the season is not over and we still got lot of work to do to get to the top at the end.”

Ohio State’s success marks a turnaround that’s been years in the making after former Columbus Crew player Brian Maisonneuve took over the helm in 2018, winning just one game in his first season.

“First of all, we’re healthy which is huge. Last year, we took a lot of injuries. This year, we’ve been healthy. We’re a deep team, we’ve got leadership. Not only senior leadership and captain leadership but even our freshmen coming in and lead by example,” Maisonneuve said. “And we’re scoring goals. Anytime you’re healthy and scoring goals, it makes life good.”

The Buckeyes have three games left in the regular season, including matchups at home against Northwestern and Michigan State on Friday and Tuesday respectively. Then they’ll face No. 2 Maryland on the road on Nov. 3 before the Big Ten tournament starts on Nov. 7.