Crossroads League in the NAIA National Polls – September 25-October 1
KANSAS CITY – The NAIA released a new batch of Top-25 Polls this week for the sports of soccer and cross country. The Crossroads League placed 14 teams in those polls and currently boasts a total of 22 teams ranked or receiving votes during the fall seasons.
WOMEN’S SOCCER (Next Poll on October 3)
No. 2 Spring Arbor (8-1, 0-0 CL) picked up 482 points to remain firmly entrenched near the top of the ratings. The Cougars turned in a resounding response to their lone loss with an 8-0 defeat of Campbellsville in their only match since slipping from the top spot.
No. 16 Marian (7-2, 0-0 CL) continued its ascent in the rankings, jumping four spots with a total of 254 points. The Knights posted a pair of shutout wins since the last poll and have outscored their opponents, 20-1, during a current six-game win streak.
No. 20 Taylor (7-2, 0-0 CL) remained inside the top-20 but fell three spots with a total of 181 points. The Trojans suffered a 1-0 loss at Cornerstone, before rebounding with a 2-0 win at RV Georgetown.
RV Indiana Wesleyan (7-0-1, 0-0 CL) jumped into the ratings with 30 points for the 29th-highest total in the nation. The Wildcats are one-of-six unbeaten squads left inside the top-30 and stayed hot with a 3-0 win over Indiana Tech and a 1-1 draw with then-No. 23 Cumberland.
RV Grace (3-3-3, 0-0 CL) continued to garner attention in the poll with eight points. The Lancers battled RV Georgetown to a 1-1 draw, before suffering a defeat to Ohio Christian in their last outing.
MEN’S SOCCER (Next Poll on October 3)
No. 19 Spring Arbor (7-2, 0-0 CL) improved yet again in the rankings, this time climbing three spots with a new total of 186 points. The Cougars topped Cornerstone by a 1-0 score to extend their current win streak to four-straight matches with a plus-11 goal differential in that span.
RV Bethel (6-2-1, 0-0 CL) remained in the poll but outside the Top-25 with a total of 25 points. The Pilots fell by a 3-1 margin to then-No. 12 Campbellsville in their lone match since the previous rankings were announced.
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY (Next Poll on October 11)
No. 10 Taylor increased three spots to jump into the top-10 for the first time this season. The Trojans have won both of their races so far this season, including a dominant win at the Crossroads League Preview.
No. 18 Marian was one of the biggest movers in the new poll, rising six spots with 158 points. The Knights won their opener and finished second to No. 10 Taylor in the CL Preview in their only other outing.
No. 24 Indiana Wesleyan slipped seven spots with a total of 90 points in the new ratings. The Wildcats have finished third as a team in both of their races this season.
RV Spring Arbor continued to receive votes with five points. The Cougars have competed in a pair of CL-heavy events, taking fourth in each contest.
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY (Next Poll on October 11)
No. 13 Taylor did not move in the ratings, posting 361 points. The Trojans have won both of their races, finishing first at the IWU Invite and the CL Preview.
No. 20 Indiana Wesleyan jumped into the Top-25 with 201 points. The Wildcats finished second at the IWU Invite and CL Preview.
RV Goshen landed in the poll for the first time this season with three points. The Maple Leafs have finished in third, behind No. 13 TU and No. 20 IWU in both races this season.
CROSSROADS LEAGUE IN ADDITIONAL TOP-25 POLLS
VOLLEYBALL (Announced on September 19 – Next Poll on October 3)
No. 25 Marian
RV Indiana Wesleyan
WOMEN’S GOLF (Announced on August 25 – Next Poll on September 29)
No. 19 Marian
RV Saint Francis
RV Bethel
RV Taylor
MEN’S GOLF (Announced on August 25 – Next Poll on September 29)
No. 13 Taylor
RV Marian