ATLANTA – St. Thomas was ranked atop the preseason poll and the Tommies retain their No. 1 status in the first regular season New Balance MCLA Division II Coaches Poll, which was released on Feb. 22.

St. Thomas (1-0) has played one game this season, defeating Division I Minnesota, and it was enough to expand its lead from four points in the preseason to 26 in the first poll.

The Tommies own 17 of a possible 24 first-place votes – up from 11 in the preseason.

Following in the No. 2 spot is Rhode Island (4-1). Last year’s finalist has won all four of its D-II contests so far and account for the remaining seven first-place ballots.

Montana (3-0), Grand Valley State (0-0) and Missouri State (0-0) retain their preseason positions at Nos. 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

Miami (3-1), whose only setback was a one-goal loss to Rhode Island at the Battle by the Bay in Foley, Ala., is the lone new addition to this first poll from the preseason.

The Hurricanes push Northern Arizona (0-0) out of the poll for this week.

Paced by St. Thomas, the UMLC leads the way with six representatives in the Top 25 followed by the SELC with four. The ALC, RMLC and PNCLL all have three ranked teams apiece.

New Balance Division II Coaches Poll – Week 1

Receiving votes: Northern Arizona (46), Georgia Southern (30), San Diego (27), Loyola Marymount (13), Denver (9), MSU Denver (8), Baylor (7), Utah Tech (6), Tulane (6), Maine (3), North Florida (1), Charleston (1).