Crossroads League in the NAIA National Polls – October 2-8
KANSAS CITY – The NAIA released a new batch of Top-25 Polls this week for the sports of volleyball, soccer and golf. The Crossroads League placed 13 teams in those polls and currently boasts a total of 20 teams ranked or receiving votes during the fall seasons.
VOLLEYBALL (Next Poll on October 17)
No. 25 Marian (19-3, 10-1 CL) hauled in 103 points, holding steady despite dropping 21 points overall. The Knights won five-of-six matches since the previous ratings, slipping into a tie with RV IWU for the top-spot in the CL standings.
RV Indiana Wesleyan (17-6, 10-1 CL) continued to receive votes but dropped to 51 points. The Wildcats are 5-3 over their last eight but knocked off No. 25 Marian to climb into a tie atop the league standings.
WOMEN’S SOCCER (Next Poll on October 10)
No. 2 Spring Arbor (10-1, 2-0 CL) held at exactly 482 points in the new poll. The Cougars continued to roll, opening league play with convincing wins and have posted a 17-1 goal differential since their loss to now-No. 1 Martin Methodist.
No. 17 Marian (9-2, 2-0 CL) dropped one spot in the rankings despite climbing three points to a total of 257. The Knights extended their current win streak to eight-straight matches, keeping pace with No. 2 SAU atop the CL standings with a pair of league wins.
No. 21 Taylor (8-3, 1-1 CL) also slipped one spot in the poll and fell three points to 178. The Trojans opened league play with a win over Grace but fell at MVNU for their second loss in their past four outings.
RV Indiana Wesleyan (7-1-2, 0-1-1 CL) improved six points to 36 but remained in the receiving votes portion of the poll. The Wildcats suffered their first loss of the year at the hands of No. 2 SAU and battled MVNU to a scoreless draw.
MEN’S SOCCER (Next Poll on October 10)
No. 19 Spring Arbor (9-2, 2-0 CL) held its position and gained another 19 points in the new poll. The Cougars won both league matches during the previous week, extending their win streak to six and grabbing control of the league standings along with MVNU.
RV Bethel (7-2-2, 1-0-1 CL) continued to receive votes, this time dropping 13 points to a total of 11. The Pilots tied at Grace and topped Goshen in their two league outings since the previous rankings were announced.
WOMEN’S GOLF (Next Poll on November 3)
No. 17 Bethel jumped 220 points from the preseason poll and into the Top-25 with a new total of 225 points. The Pilots have enjoyed a strong fall season, scoring four team wins in six outings.
No. 22 Marian slipped three spots in the poll, after falling 77 points to a new total of 153. The Knights won their fall opener but have since recorded a pair of fifth-place finishes.
No. 23 Taylor joined BC in jumping into the Top-25, garnering 129 points in the new rankings. The Trojans have finished first or second in each of their four showings this fall.
MEN’S GOLF (Next Poll on November 3)
No. 15 Taylor dropped two positions in the new poll, despite adding 27 points for a new total of 282. The Trojans have notched three team wins and one second-place finish in four outings this fall.
RV Marian continued to receive votes outside the Top-25, pulling in seven points. The Knights opened fall play with a win and have followed with two thirds and a fifth.
CROSSROADS LEAGUE IN ADDITIONAL TOP-25 POLLS
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY (Announced on September 27 – Next Poll on October 11)
No. 10 Taylor
No. 18 Marian
No. 24 Indiana Wesleyan
RV Spring Arbor
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY (Announced on September 27 – Next Poll on October 11)
No. 13 Taylor
No. 20 Indiana Wesleyan
RV Goshen