View the NFCA Division III Poll 

Chapman earned six first-place votes to take the top spot in the latest NFCA Division III Top 25 poll, the association announced Wednesday. 

Tied for fourth in the preseason poll, the Panthers have started the season with an impressive 25-3 mark that includes a perfect 25-0 mark against fellow Division III squads. Chapman’s outstanding start includes wins over regional foes Redlands and Linfield along with defending national champion St. Thomas. 

The other two first place votes went to Washington University in St. Louis, who climbed seven spots from the preseason poll into the No. 2 position. The Bears have jumped out to a 21-1 lead so far this season, with the only loss on the campaign coming to 11-3 Augustana (Ill.), who jumped four spots to a tie with Salisburty at No. 4 behind third-ranked Muskingum. 

St. Thomas checks fell from the top spot to No. 6. The Tommies have registered a 12-5 mark to start the campaign, having an NCAA Division III-record 43-game win streak snapped in the process. 

Rutgers Camden jumped nine spots to No. 7, while Wisconsin-Eau Claire moved into the poll at No. 8. Wheaton (Mass.) and William Paterson round out the top 10. 

Cal State East Bay just missed the top 10, ranking 11th with an 11-2-1 record. Another newcomer to the poll, Rensselaer Polytechnic, moves to the No. 12 position, while Linfield fell three places to No. 13. Mt. Union and Simpson both make their debut in the poll at No. 14 and No. 15, respectively. 

Coe College, who started with a school-record 12-0 start, stands tied for 16th with a Methodist team that jumped four places from the preseason. 

Moravian fell from No. 2 to No. 18, while Keene State and University of Chicago complete the top 20. 

Newcomers Redlands, Union College, Hope College and College of New Jersey round out the top 25 along with Roanoke.