USC fought its way onto the rankings. /// Photo courtesy USC Women’s Rugby
Several teams have joined and left the DII College Spring rankings this round, and likely not for the last time this season.
Three teams fell out of the Top 15. Long Beach State started the season with an incredible 99-point win, and then dropped games to Claremont (17-12) and UC Irvine (31-19). Appalachian State lost to UNC Charlotte (36-29) and then College of Charleston (37-5). And #14 Western Washington dropped a single-digit point loss to Western Oregon (22-15), which was enough for a swap in the rankings.
And now the newcomers. As mentioned, Western Oregon joined the list at Western Washington’s previously held spot – 14 – after the narrow win. Eastern Washington bumped up two spots after continuing to post intimidating numbers – 100-0 vs. Seattle on Saturday. The conference finalists will be determined this weekend, when Western Washington and Eastern Washington go head to head.
The University of Georgia joined the ranking after defeating former DI Georgia Tech 36-21 in league. The latter dropped to #10, but we’re keeping an eye on their numbers as the season progresses.
UC Irvine earned a top 15 nod, despite the losing record. Irvine faced the league’s two toughest teams during the first two weeks, and held up admirably. After losing 36-19 to UC Riverside, then dropping a close 36-27 decision to USC (9), Irvine sunk Long Beach State 31-19.
Other noteworthy games included Davenport’s 96-point win over DI Minnesota; Humboldt’s 47-12 win over UN Reno on the road; and Arkansas’ three wins at Mardis Gras, including a 24-0 victory over women’s club Lagniappe.
DII COLLEGE SPRING TOP 15 – FEB 15, 2016
New Rank (Old Rank) Team (Record). Results
1 (1) Davenport (11-0). 106-10 friendly win vs. DI Minnesota
2 (2) UC Riverside (2-0). Defeated USC 19-0
3 (3) Salisbury (4-0-1). Idle until Feb. 27
4 (4) Humboldt (3-0). Defeated UCSC 12-0, UN Reno 47-12
5 (6) Mary Washington (5-1). back-to-back cancelled games due to weather
6 (9) South Carolina (3-0). Defeated Elon 84-0, fft win vs. West Carolina
7 (unr) UGA (1-0). Defeated Georgia Tech 36-21
8 (7) UN Reno (2-1). Defeated Santa Clara 67-10, lost 47-12 to Humboldt
9 (13) USC (3-1). Defeated UC Irvine 36-27, Claremont 31-7
10 (5) Georgia Tech (1-1). Lost 36-21 to UGA
11 (11) George Washington (4-2). Idle
12 (12) Arkansas (2-0). 3-0 at Mardis Gras; defeated senior club Lagniappe 24-0
13 (15) Eastern Washington (4-0). Forfeit win vs. UPS, 100-0 win vs. Seattle
14 (unr) Western Oregon (3-1). Defeated Western Washington 22-15, Reed 66-20
15 (unr) UC Irvine (1-2). Lost 36-19 to UC Riverside, 36-27 to USC, beat CSULB 31-19