DIII women’s soccer top 25: No. 1 stays, movers and climbers

The poll was published on Sept. 22. Photo: Washington University Athletics

Washington University remained No. 1 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division III women’s soccer poll, while Washington & Lee and Chicago moved into the top three. 

The weekly poll is released Tuesdays during the season and reflects games through Sunday. The rankings are based on votes from United Soccer Coaches members. 

Washington University held the top spot after opening the season 7-0-0. Washington & Lee climbed one spot to No. 2 at 4-0, while Chicago moved up to No. 3 after starting 6-0. 

MIT also moved up one spot to No. 4 at 7-0-1, while Tufts fell from No. 2 to No. 5 despite remaining unbeaten. The Jumbos went 1-0-2 during the week, including a 2-0 win over then-No. 6 Wesleyan. 

Maren Jones scored in that win and added another goal in a 1-1 draw against Trinity, finishing the three-game stretch with two goals and two assists. 

Jones was named New England Small College Athletic Conference Player of the Week for her performance, earning the first weekly award of her career and the first for Tufts this season. 

Rowan moved up one spot to No. 6 after starting 4-0. The Profs closed the week with a 2-0 win over St. Mary’s, scoring once in each half while holding the Seahawks to just two shots and none on goal.  

Sara Wiedeman scored in the 13th minute and assisted Bella Moore’s second-half goal. 

Chicago’s rise came after a 1-0 road win over then-No. 6 Pomona-Pitzer on Sept. 11.  

Annabel Edwards scored in the 65th minute, while goalkeeper Amanda Kayari made four saves for the shutout. Chicago followed with wins over Redlands and Wheaton to remain unbeaten. 

Wisconsin-La Crosse climbed to No. 11 after opening the season 7-0. The Eagles have recorded six shutouts and added a 5-0 win over Spalding on Sept. 20, with Gianna Zamborini scoring the game-winner. 

Colby made one of the biggest jumps, moving from No. 21 to No. 13 after beating then-No. 13 Williams 1-0 on Sept. 19. Abigail Jarvi scored the winner in the 62nd minute, and Colby closed the weekend with a 2-1 win over Connecticut College. 

North Central climbed from No. 18 to No. 16 while remaining unbeaten at 7-0. The Cardinals have allowed just two goals, while Jordan Lange leads the team with six goals and four assists. 

Penn State Behrend stayed at No. 14 at 6-0-1, while Williams dropped five spots to No. 18 after its loss to Colby. Hartford remained No. 19 at 4-0-1, led by freshman Taylor Freimuth's four goals. 

Swarthmore entered the poll at No. 21 after receiving votes in the previous poll, while Rochester moved to No. 22 at 6-0-0. Montclair State fell to No. 23, and Puget Sound entered at No. 24. 

The United Soccer Coaches poll reflects the week-to-week standing of Division III programs and is not used to determine NCAA tournament eligibility or selection. 

24. Puget Sound, 5-0-1 (25) 
24. Carleton College, 4-1 (24) 
23. Montclair State, 5-0-1 (22) 
22. Rochester, 6-0 (23) 
21. Swarthmore College, 4-1-1 (RV) 
20. Grove City College, 4-0-2 (20) 
19. Hartford, 4-0-1 (19) 
18. Williams College, 4-1-0 (13) 
17. William Smith College, 4-2 (16) 
16. North Central College, 7-0 (18) 
14. Penn State-Behrend, 6-0-1 (15) 
14. The College of New Jersey, 4-0-1 (14) 
13. Colby College, 5-1- (21) 
12. Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, 3-1-1 (11) 
11. Wisconsin-La Crosse, 7-0 (12) 
10. Vassar College, 3-0-2 (10) 
9. Emory, 4-0-2 (8) 
8. Messiah , 3-1-2 (9) 
7. Wesleyan, 5-1 (6) 
6. Rowan, 4-0 (7) 
5. Tufts, 3-0-2 (2) 
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 7-0-1 (5) 
3. Chicago, 6-0 (4) 
2. Washington & Lee, 4-0 (3) 
1. Washington (Mo.), 7-0 (1) 

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

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