D-II Poll: Unwavering UCSD

(Photo by Anna Scipione)

ATLANTA -- For the fifth consecutive week, UC San Diego is the top dog in the MCLA Division II New Balance Weekly Coaches Poll, which was released on Wednesday.

The Tritons (12-0), who grabbed 20 of the 27 first-place votes this session, will face No. 8 Cal State San Marcos (11-2) in the final regular season game to determine the top seed in the upcoming SLC tournament.

Bumping up to No. 2 this week is Grand Valley State -- the only other undefeated team in the division. The Lakers, who gobbled up the remaining seven first-place ballots, were idle this past week and cap off the regular season with a divisional game against Central Michigan.

Florida Atlantic (11-2) and Northwest Nazarene (12-2) both crept up a spot to Nos. 3 and 4, respectively. The Owls enter the SELC tournament this weekend as the favorite while the Nighthawks cap off the regular season with a conference clash with No. 15 College of Idaho (9-2).

Rounding out the Top 5 is UNC-Charlotte (11-1), which suffered its first loss of the season, falling to No. 17 Kennesaw State (5-6).

Kennesaw and No. 14 Wake Forest (9-2) were the big movers this week, each moving up three spots. Charlotte and No. 19 Denver (4-5) both took three-spot dives. There were no entries to or departures from the poll this week.

Others receiving votes: UC Davis (22), Bridgewater State (15), Coastal Carolina (8), Arizona Christian (6), Rhode Island (3), Tampa (2), Arkansas (1), Virginia Tech D-II (1).