BEVERLY, Mass. - October 2, 2018 - For the third consecutive week, Johnson & Wales (R.I.) has been voted as the top team in the region, according to the voting NEWVA members. Remaining strong at No. 4 in the most recent AVCA DIII Coaches Poll, the Wildcats received a first place vote from all 15 voting coaches.
The fourth NEWVA regional poll will be released on Tuesday, October 9.
2018 Polls to Date
September 18, 2018
September 25, 2018
October 2, 2018
NEWVA REGIONAL POLL NO. 3
1. JWU (R.I.) (16-1, 6-0 GNAC) | 225 points | 15 first place votes
2. Springfield (15-2, 5-0 NEWMAC) | 207 points
3. Bowdoin (13-1, 5-0 NESCAC) | 194 points
4. MIT (14-2, 4-1 NEWMAC) | 182 points
5. Wellesley (10-1, 4-1 NEWMAC) | 162 points
6. Wheaton (17-2, 3-1 NEWMAC) | 139 points
7. Wesleyan (Conn.) (10-2, 5-0 NESCAC) | 127 points
8. Babson (11-4, 5-0 NEWMAC) | 123 points
9. Endicott (11-6, 2-0 CCC) | 116 points
10. Coast Guard (14-4, 3-4 NEWMAC) | 90 points
11. Amherst (10-2, 3-1 NESCAC) | 71 points
12. Tufts (9-6, 4-1 NESCAC) | 69 points
13. Williams (7-7, 2-3 NESCAC) | 38 points
14. Middlebury (9-2, 3-1 NESCAC) | 34 points
15. UMass Boston (10-4, 3-1 LEC) | 10 points
Also receiving votes: WPI, Wentworth
(Teams receiving votes must appear on two ballots or more)
THE TOP FIVE
1. No. 4 (AVCA) Johnson & Wales (R.I.) (16-1, 6-0 GNAC) | 225 points | 15 first place votes
The Wildcats, up to No. 4 in the most recent AVCA DIII rankings, ran their winning streak to 16 after going 3-0 on the week. All three wins came via sweep against GNAC foes in Albertus Magnus, Simmons, and Regis.
2. Springfield (15-2, 5-0 NEWMAC) | 207 points
The Pride went 3-0 on the week with two of those wins being against NEWMAC competition. Springfield opened the week with a 3-2 road win over Coast Guard (NEWVA No. 10), before sweeping Union. Another 3-2 NEWVA ranked win over No. 5 Wellesley wrapped up the undefeated week.
3. Bowdoin (13-1, 5-0 NESCAC) | 194 points
The third ranked team for the second week in a row, Bowdoin recorded a 3-0 week that saw the Polar Bears notch a NEWVA ranked win over Williams 3-2 (No. 13). The other two victories came over NESCAC foe Hamilton and SUNY Poly, both by 3-1 finals.
4. MIT (14-2, 4-1 NEWMAC) | 182 points
A 2-0 week moved the Engineers to 14-2 on the season overall. Both of MIT's wins came against NEWMAC opponents as they earned a NEWVA ranked win by knocking off Wheaton 3-1 (No. 6), and Mount Holyoke 3-0.
5. Wellesley (10-1, 4-1 NEWMAC) | 162 points
The third NEWMAC member in the NEWVA Regional top five in week three, Wellesley went 2-1 on the week. Of the two wins, one was against a NEWVA ranked team in Tufts (No. 12) by a 3-1 final, while the lone loss was to Springfield, the No. 2 ranked team in this week's NEWVA Regional Poll.
CONFERENCE LEADERS IN THE POLL
Commonwealth Coast Conference
There are three teams without loss in CCC play, including No. 9 Endicott | NEWVA wins over No. 7 Welseyan, No. 11 Coast Guard, and No. 12 Tufts.
Great Northeast Athletic Conference
Three teams are undefeated in GNAC play, including No. 1 Johnson & Wales (R.I.) (16-1, 6-0 GNAC) | NEWVA wins over No. 3, Bowdoin, No. 4 MIT, No. T-8 Babson, No. 11 Tufts, and No. 12 Endicott.
Little East Conference
There is one undefeated team left in Little East play in Rhode Island College.
Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference
Two teams are undefeated in MASCAC play.
North Atlantic Conference
No conference matches have been played as of this poll.
New England Collegiate Conference
Four teams are undefeated in NECC play.
New England Small College Athletic Conference
Two teams are undefeated in NESCAC play, including No. 3 Bowdoin and No. 7 Wesleyan.
New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference
Two teams are undefeated in NEWMAC play, including No. 2 Springfield and No. 8 Babson.