The 2026-27 academic year marks an official change in how the NCAA will select postseason participants. After years of using the Regional Advisory Committees (RAC), NCAA Division II has adapted the NCAA Power Index model to determine postseason bids.
 
The NCAA Power Index, or NPI, is a ranking system used in Division II and Division III to evaluate team performance. NPI considers game results and the strength of opponents to calculate a team’s NPI value and ranking.
 
The first NPI rankings for men's soccer were released on Monday, Oct. 12, and three CCAA teams earned a place in the top 10. Cal State LA leads the entire NCAA Super-Region 4 and the country with 62.284 points. Cal State San Bernardino is at No. 5 in the West with 58.738 points. The No. 9 spot in the West is held by Cal State Monterey Bay with 55.541 points. Cal State San Marcos is also in the top 20 (17th, 53.389 points).
 
NPI calculations update throughout the season as teams play additional contests and opponent NPI values change. A team’s final NPI is not determined until the final games and rankings of the season are complete.
 
Throughout the season, the NCAA will release new NPI rankings four weeks before the first postseason contest. These rankings will be updated weekly for three weeks, before daily NPI rankings are published every day up until the last weekend of the season.
 
To learn more about NPI and how it is calculated, click here.