EAST STROUDSBURG - Conference semifinal appearances by the men's and women's soccer teams helped East Stroudsburg University rank fifth in the first Dixon Trophy standings of the 2008-09 season, which were released by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference on Friday.

Six of the Warriors' seven fall sports teams placed in the top half of the conference, with the football team's third-place finish in the PSAC East and a sixth-place finish by the men's cross country team at the PSAC championships contributing heavily to the inaugural standings. The women's volleyball team, which earned a PSAC playoff spot, and the field hockey program were also among the top teams in their sports.

ESU is second in the PSAC East, trailing only Bloomsburg, and leads Kutztown by two points, 74-72. California won four PSAC championships in the fall and leads PSAC newcomer Mercyhurst and IUP in the West.

ESU was 10th in the final Dixon Trophy standings in 2007-08. The Warriors were seventh the previous year, their highest finish since ranking fourth in 1995-96, the first year the trophy was awarded.