LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Luther College was the unanimous choice to join top-ranked Texas-Tyler and No. 3 Texas Lutheran in the top three of the NFCA Division III Top 25 poll this week, as an 1-3 stretch dropped Emory eight places to No. 10.
The (32-4) Eagles had been the consensus top three with Texas-Tyler and Texas Lutheran the past two weeks, but Luther’s continued winning ways coupled with Emory’s split with Division II Shorter and sweep at the hands of new No. 6 Birmingham-Southern (29-6), moved the surging (25-1) Norse into the second slot. Birmingham-Southern’s two solid wins — and 4-0 week overall — propelled the Panthers up eight places from 14th last week.
Meanwhile, Virginia Wesleyan (26-5) continued its climb, up another position to No. 4 on the strength of a 5-1 week. Salisbury (23-4) likewise moved up one spot following a lopsided sweep of Penn State-Harrisburg to round out the top five.
Big movers this week include St. Thomas (up five places to No. 15) and Washington University (down five places to No. 18), as well as No. 22 Massachusetts Institute of Technology and No. 23 Manhattanville, who moved into the Top 25 after receiving votes previously. Previously unranked Ithaca joins the rankings at No. 21, while Williams is back in the mix of teams receiving votes.
Trine, which had been ranked all season, Widener and Worcester Polytechnic Institute dropped out.
The NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll is selected by Division III head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions. Records through Sunday’s games are listed, with first-place votes in parentheses.
NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll – April 13, 2016
Others receiving votes: Cortland 19, Williams 18, Central (Iowa) 12, Whitworth 6 and Simpson 3.
Dropped out: Trine, Widener and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.