Bottom 20 in latest United Soccer Poll refuse to fold: battling for every spot as DII women’s soccer season kicks up

Florida Tech and Cal Poly Pomona continue to hold in the top two spots. Photo: Florida Tech and Cal Ply Pomona Athletics

Florida Tech remained No. 1 in this week’s United Soccer Coaches Division II women’s soccer poll, while Pittsburg State made one of the biggest jumps after moving from No. 12 to No. 6. 

United Soccer Coaches released Poll 4 on Tuesday. The rankings are based on votes from member coaches and reflect games through Sunday. 

Florida Tech stayed at No. 1 after improving to 6-0-1 through games played Sept. 20. 

Cal Poly Pomona remained at No. 2, followed by Dallas Baptist and West Chester.

Dallas Baptist stayed unbeaten at 7-0 after a 3-0 win over St. Mary’s on Sept. 19. Ashley Washburn assisted on two goals, bringing her season total to nine assists, while Skylar Belanger scored her fourth goal of the season.  

Bentley moved up two spots to No. 5 after starting the season 6-0, while Pittsburg State made one of the biggest moves in the poll, climbing six spots to No. 6. The Gorillas improved to 8-0 after defeating No. 18 Washburn 1-0 on Sunday. 

Livi Jones scored the only goal against Washburn, giving her two goals this season.

Pittsburg State has also outscored its opponents 23-0 through eight games and has recorded eight shutouts. 

Ashland climbed four spots to No. 7 after improving to 6-1-1. The Eagles’ only loss came against No. 1 Florida Tech, while their biggest offensive performance was an 8-0 win over Ursuline on Sept. 12. 

Texas Woman’s made one of the biggest jumps near the top of the poll, climbing from No. 16 to No. 12.

The Pioneers improved to 8-0 after a 2-0 win over Sul Ross State on Sept. 19. Jaida Arizmendi scored both goals, while Texas Woman’s recorded its sixth straight shutout and has allowed just one goal all season.  

Franklin Pierce climbed from No. 20 to No. 13 after winning five of its last seven games.

The Ravens closed the week with a 2-0 win over Molloy, with Mikayla Horton scoring in the 51st minute before Aino Martikainen added a second goal late. Martikainen leads Franklin Pierce with five goals and two assists this season. 

Cal State LA also made a major move, climbing from No. 25 to No. 14 after a 2-0 win over Cal State Monterey Bay. Celine Gehrig opened the scoring in the second half before Itzel Carbajal added another goal in the 64th minute. 

Lander jumped seven spots to No. 15, while Fairmont State moved up seven spots to No. 16. North Georgia dropped five spots to No. 17, and Nova Southeastern climbed three spots to No. 18. 

Midwestern State entered the Top 25 at No. 21 after receiving votes in the previous poll. The Mustangs are 8-0. 

Seattle Pacific and McKendree also entered the rankings at No. 23 and No. 24. McKendree is 8-1 after winning four straight games, including a 2-1 win over Maryville.

Maggie Gleckler scored the winning goal on a penalty kick in the 89th minute. 

Washburn fell from No. 18 to No. 25 after its loss to Pittsburg State. 

The United Soccer Coaches poll is voted on by coaches and reflects the week-to-week standing of Division II programs. The rankings are not used to determine NCAA tournament eligibility or selection. 

United Soccer Coaches Division II women’s Poll 4 rankings: 

25. Washburn, 5-1-1 (18) 
24. McKendree, 8-1 (RV) 
23. Seattle Pacific, 5-1 (RV) 
22. Kutztown, 6-1-1 (17) 
21. Midwestern State, 8-0 (RV) 
20. Saint Michael's College, 3-0-2 (15) 
19. Central Missouri, 6-1 (24) 
18. Nova Southeastern, 4-0-2 (21) 
17. North Georgia, 6-2 (13) 
16. Fairmont State, 6-0-1 (23) 
15. Lander, 5-0-1 (22) 
14. California State-Los Angeles, 4-1-2 (25) 
13. Franklin Pierce, 5-2 (20) 
12. Texas Woman's, 8-0 (16) 
11. Grand Valley State, 5-1-2 (6) 
10. Catawba College, 5-2-0 (8) 
9. Lee, 5-0-1 (10) 
8. Minnesota State-Mankato, 6-0-1 (5) 
7. Ashland, 6-1-1 (11) 
6. Pittsburg State, 8-0 (12) 
5. Bentley, 6-0 (7) 
4. West Chester, 5-0-1 (4) 
3. Dallas Baptist, 7-0 (3) 
2. Cal Poly Pomona, 5-0-2 (2) 
1. Florida Tech, 6-0-1 (1) 

*Luci Palacios is a student-intern at Penn State University.

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