via MCLA press release, by Jac Coyne, photo uncredited

D-II Poll: Rhodey Makes Move

ATLANTA – For the third consecutive week this spring, there is a new team atop the MCLA Division II New Balance Weekly Coaches Poll. This time it’s Rhode Island at the top of the heap.

The Rams (5-1) pocketed 20 of the 27 first-place votes cast to push them nearly 30 points from the rest of the field.

St. Thomas (2-1), which started the season in the big chair, moved back to No. 2 this week aided by five first-place markers.

Despite losing to their in-state rivals on Friday, formerly top-ranked Montana (6-1) retained a first-place vote and fell to No. 3 – one spot ahead of Montana State (3-1), who beat the Grizzlies, 10-6, in Missoula. The Bobcats did get the remaining first-place vote.

Missouri State (3-0) bounced up a pair of spots to round out the Top 5.

There were no new teams added to the poll this period.

New Balance Division II Coaches Poll – Week 3

RANK TEAM POINTS 1st VOTES
1. Rhode Island 654 20
2. St. Thomas 635 5
3. Montana 603 1
4. Montana State 533 1
5. Missouri State 530
6. Kennesaw State 506
7. Grand Valley State 479
8. UC San Diego 450
9. Utah State 445
10. Cal State San Marcos 422
11. UNC-Charlotte 388
12. Florida Gulf Coast 380
13. Dayton 358
14. Wake Forest 328
15. Florida Atlantic 279
16. College of Idaho 244
17. North Dakota State 227
18. St. John’s 225
19. Air Force 211
20. Miami 173
21. UC Davis 172
22. Minn.-Duluth 124
23. Coastal Carolina 119
24. Northwest Nazarene 81
25. Western Washington 55

Receiving votes: Northern Arizona (45), San Diego (25), Baylor (22), Bridgewater State (18), Utah Tech (15), Georgia Southern (11), MSU Denver (6), North Florida (3), Tulane (3), Colorado Mines (2), Loyola Marymount (2), Chico State (2).