Top 25 D2 Results for Poll #2

[CharlotteLAX16]

Any predictions for the poll tomorrow? I'm gonna stick with the Top 25 I posted earlier.

[scooter]

I think that Creighton moves up into the top 12. Its a big jump, but at this point, it looks like they earned it.

[Gvlax]

we don't play WWU this year... maybe you mean Montana State?

yeah, my mistake.

[PNWLaxer]

Westminster loses another close game to MSU (#23 Div I) 9-6.

I will be interesting to see how the pollsters react and who they put at #1.

The Griffins now have 2 close losses to 2 top 25 Div I teams while beating Southwestern a top 25 Div II team, while St. Johns lost to San Diego but have beaten both top 25 Div II teams they have faced in UVSC and NAU. St. Thomas is still undefeated at 4-0 including a win over #5 Emory.

[bjlaxman16]

Westminster loses another close game to MSU (#23 Div I) 9-6.

I will be interesting to see how the pollsters react and who they put at #1.

The Griffins now have 2 close losses to 2 top 25 Div I teams while beating Southwestern a top 25 Div II team, while St. Johns lost to San Diego but have beaten both top 25 Div II teams they have faced in UVSC and NAU. St. Thomas is still undefeated at 4-0 including a win over #5 Emory.

I can't imagine that the Top 3 would change. I think one of these 3 are probably going to have to lose (to a D2 team) for them to move around, which I don't see happening until maybe April. The first weekend in April should be a good indicator of where these teams are at. Westminster plays their first top D2 team against UVSC, while SJU and UST both play Dayton and UNC. The next weekend is just as good, with Westminster playing Fort Lewis and NAU, while UST plays at SJU. Can't wait!

That will give a good idea of where those other 5 teams are too.

[Rave]

St. Thomas is still undefeated at 4-0 including a win over #5 Emory.

and a victory over new number 8 UNC-Charlotte. I do not see a whole lot of BIG changes until the second week of April which seems to be when all the top ten teams play each other; SJU and UST play Dayton, Northern Colorado, along with all the teams playing against each other as well within a two week span. And Westminster plays UVSC, Fort Lewis, and Northern Arizona. And more than likely there will be a team who comes out of no where to compete late, just like Dayton last year. Should make for an interesting April.

Anybody want to take a guess as who will be the surprise this year?

[Gvlax]

GVSU plays Eau Claire and Augustana ( 2 teams on the border of the top 25) on the 29th and then St Thomas and Moorhead on the 30th. This will be the toughest weekend for the 17th ranked team.

[scooter]

GVSU plays Eau Claire and Augustana ( 2 teams on the border of the top 25) on the 29th and then St Thomas and Moorhead on the 30th. This will be the toughest weekend for the 17th ranked team.

I think I might head out to the QCA for that weekend. If I do, I'll post some insights and game analysis when I get back home

[bjlaxman16]

Anybody want to take a guess as who will be the surprise this year?

I'll go with Pepperdine. They didn't graduate anyone last year, they have pretty even scoring with their attack and middies, and they have a few goal scorers with good size. But this is just based on what I've seen from stats, scores, etc. Now I feel like Pinball, wasting all my time looking up all this information! (You know it's true Jon...)

Also wouldn't be surprised if Elon wins the SELC or earns an at-large bid, granted the RMLC doesn't take them all!

[scooter]

I'm not gonna swear to this, but I heard/read somewhere that due to the UC-I ordeal last year during Nationals, the WCLL lost its AQ for this season. I think the same goes for the CCLA. That would mean that in order for any team from either of those conferences to make it to Dallas, they would need to finsih in the Top 12 after the final vote.

Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong

[bjlaxman16]

I'm not gonna swear to this, but I heard/read somewhere that due to the UC-I ordeal last year during Nationals, the WCLL lost its AQ for this season. I think the same goes for the CCLA. That would mean that in order for any team from either of those conferences to make it to Dallas, they would need to finsih in the Top 12 after the final vote.

Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong

Yea I think you're right. Not 100% but I remember hearing something like that too. Hmm, I might have to come up with a new cinderella team!

[USTLAX06]

I think whoever comes out of the SELC is going to make some noise.

Emory and UNC-C played UST tough, and I believe Elon lost a close game to Emory.

I spoke to a few people that were down south for the UST games, and they said both squads were legit. I trust their opinions because they have seen the best in Div II play the past few years.

Fort Lewis didn't have a lot of pre-season hype, but it looks like they are really clicking.

UNC is still a wild card for me, they're young and have a small squad in terms of numbers, but I'm willing to be they can all play.

The next few weeks are going to be really interesting.

[bulax6]

Anybody want to take a guess as who will be the surprise this year?

I'll go with Pepperdine. Shouldn't have a problem winning their conference, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them at Nationals. They didn't graduate anyone last year, they have pretty even scoring with their attack and middies, and they have a few goal scorers with good size. But this is just based on what I've seen from stats, scores, etc. Now I feel like Pinball, wasting all my time looking up all this information! (You know it's true Jon...)

Also wouldn't be surprised if Elon wins the SELC or earns an at-large bid, granted the RMLC doesn't take them all!

Shouldn't have a problem winning their conference? I think there's a team in the WCLL DII South that wants something to say about that.

[bjlaxman16]

Shouldn't have a problem winning their conference? I think there's a team in the WCLL DII South that wants something to say about that.

My apologies, didn't do my homework there. I was basing that mostly on their win against Irvine, who I knew had won the conference last year. I didn't know enough information on all the teams in the conference to make a statement like that. Plus, it is very early in the season.

[woulax23]

I'm not gonna swear to this, but I heard/read somewhere that due to the UC-I ordeal last year during Nationals, the WCLL lost its AQ for this season. I think the same goes for the CCLA. That would mean that in order for any team from either of those conferences to make it to Dallas, they would need to finsih in the Top 12 after the final vote.
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Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong

my recollection of the situation is that the CCLA does not have an AQ for this season due to their AQ team failing to show up in Dallas last year at all. The WCLL still is allowed an AQ because UC-Irvine did make the trip to Dallas. However due to the fact that UC-Irvine left early without finishing their consolation games they are on a one year probation from attending the national tournament, thus the reasoning behind them not being included in any polls this year even though they were obviously a top 25 team at the end of last season. This would allow a WCLL team to still receive an AQ, however if UC-Irvine were to win the conference then the AQ bid would go to the WCLL DII runner up. The difference in the two conference situations being that the CCLA representative did not make the trip to nationals at all, but UC-Irvine just left early. That is how I interpretted the information floating around at the end of last season.