Senior Ned Ende's first-half goal stood up in a 1-0 victory at rival Collegiate Tuesday.

Ende lined up a free kick and bounced it off of Collegiate's wall and into the opposing net.

The defense and keeper Mohammed Sarhan '14 (six saves) took over from there as the Saints grabbed their fourth straight win to move to 11-5-3.

In the latest state soccer poll (below), STC is ranked sixth, a spot behind the Cougars. The Saints will face No. 12 Woodberry Forest in the regular-season home finale Friday at 4 pm, before traveling to No. 11 Christchurch for a makeup game Monday, Oct. 29.

Teams that make the 12-team state tournament will be notified Sunday, Oct. 28. The win over Collegiate certainly strengthens STC's chances at hosting a first-round home game and perhaps earning a first-round bye (the top four seeds don't play until the second round).

No. 4-ranked Episcopal fell to No. 1 St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 4-1 Tuesday, perhaps opening the door with a Saints win over Woodberry Forest.

State Soccer Rankings
Division I (results as of Friday, Oct. 19)
Rank Team (Record) Voting Points
1. St. Stephen's/SA (12-3-1) 77
2. Norfolk Academy (15-0-1) 75
3. Paul VI (9-3) 73
4. Episcopal (6-5-3) 62
5. Collegiate (8-3-1) 60
6. St. Christopher's (10-5-3) 55
7. Flint Hill (10-2-2) 48
8. Cape Henry (10-4-1) 43
9. Bishop O'Connell (7-5-2) 41
10. Bishop Sullivan (10-4-3) 36
11. Christchurch (8-4-2) 32
12. Woodberry Forest (5-6-1) 24
13. Potomac (4-7-2) 21
14. Benedictine (5-8-4) 15
15. Bishop Ireton (5-7) 12
16. Blue Ridge (8-2-1) 5
Other receiving votes: STAB (2-7-2) 1