(Photo by Kevin Schoonover)

ATLANTA – For the first time this season, Liberty has ascended to the top spot of the MCLA Division I New Balance Weekly Coaches Poll, which was released on March 22.

The Flames (7-1), which were ranked second last week, moved to the top of the charts after a strong trip to Utah. Liberty defeated both No. 6 Utah Valley (8-1) and No. 10 Brigham Young (8-2) by a goal each.

Liberty was a unanimous selection, snagging all 27 first-place votes.

Checking in at No. 2 is Georgia Tech (9-1), moving up a spot from last week after taking down D-II power Kennesaw State.

Former top dog Virginia Tech (9-2) tumbled to No. 3 after taking its second loss of the season against defending national champion – and No. 24 – South Carolina (2-7) on the road.

Florida (8-1) vaulted into the No. 4 spot after archrival and No. 7 Florida State (10-1) suffered its first setback of the season at the hands of No. 8 Georgia (8-1).

Boston College (4-1) rounds out the Top 5.

Grand Canyon (2-5) and Pittsburgh (5-2) were ushered out of the poll this week to make room for the Gamecocks and No. 25 Oregon.

New Balance Division I Coaches Poll – Week 5

Receiving votes: Grand Canyon (51), Arizona State (46), Pittsburgh (39), West Virginia (22), Missouri (16), Illinois (4), Tennessee (4).