If the last rankings reflected a number of upsets in the Division II landscape, this one showcases the power of a good response. After falling from the ranks of the undefeated, both Adelphi and Mercy answered back with crucial wins to prove that each is ready for the rigors of a late Spring run.
Adelphi sat at No. 1 for a major portion of this season before falling to Le Moyne on April 13. The Panthers didn’t wait long to bounce back, throttling then-No. 2 Merrimack 17-8 behind big days from Nicolas Racalbuto and Ian Kirby.
As for Mercy, it needed to find an answer after losing by eight goals to Mercyhurst. Next up was LIU Post, and a 13-10 victory did just that. Mercy has just one game remaining in its regular season and could be a factor in the NCAA tournament.
Elsewhere in the rankings, Queens (N.C.) has lost back-to-back SAC games to Catawba and Wingate, showcasing the parity of the league. It sets up for an interesting tournament with NCAA implications.
Nike/US Lacrosse
Division II Men’s Top 20
April 22, 2019 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limestone | 15-0 | 1 | 4/26 at Conference Carolinas Tourn. |
| 2 | Le Moyne | 12-2 | 3 | 4/23 at Southern New Hampshire |
| 3 | Adelphi | 14-1 | 4 | 4/23 at Franklin Pierce |
| 4 | Indianapolis | 12-1 | 6 | 4/26 vs. Montevallo (GLVC) |
| 5 | Mercyhurst | 10-3 | 7 | 4/24 at Roberts Wesleyan |
| 6 | Mercy | 14-1 | 8 | 4/25 vs. Saint Thomas Aquinas |
| 7 | Merrimack | 11-2 | 2 | 4/23 at Saint Michael's |
| 8 | Belmont Abbey | 13-2 | 10 | 4/26 vs. Conference Carolinas Tourn. |
| 9 | LIU Post | 10-3 | 5 | 4/27 vs. No. 10 Seton Hill |
| 10 | Seton Hill | 10-3 | 11 | 4/27 at No. 9 LIU Post |
| 11 | Pace | 11-3 | 12 | 4/24 at Assumption |
| 12 | Wingate | 11-3 | 14 | 4/23 at SAC Tournament |
| 13 | Lynn | 11-3 | 18 | 4/25 vs. Saint Leo (SSC) |
| 14 | Queens (N.C.) | 11-3 | 9 | 4/23 at Tusculum |
| 15 | Mount Olive | 11-3 | 13 | 4/23 vs. Emmanuel (CC) |
| 16 | Tampa | 12-5 | 20 | 4/25 vs. No. 17 Rollins (SSC) |
| 17 | Rollins | 10-4 | N/A | 4/25 vs. No. 16 Tampa (SSC) |
| 18 | Rockhurst | 11-3 | 16 | 4/26 vs. Maryville (GLVC) |
| 19 | Catawba | 9-5 | 17 | 4/26 at SAC Tournament |
| 20 | Lindenwood | 10-5 | N/A | Regular season over |
Also Considered: Assumption, Colorado Mesa, Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Lenoir-Rhyne, Maryville, NYIT, Palm Beach Atlantic, Saint Anselm, Saint Leo
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Wingate (+2)
The Bulldogs have now won five straight games leading into the SAC tournament, including the 11-9 upset over Queens (N.C.). Wingate holds the top seed in the conference tournament, which kicks off on Friday.
Lynn (+5)
The Fighting Knights started the season hot and cooled off in the middle, but are back with an eight-game win streak. After topping Tampa 11-10 on April 13, Lynn took down Saint Leo by the same score this weekend. Lynn takes the top seed in the SSC tournament.
NOT
Queens (N.C.) (-5)
After an 11-1 start, Queens has lost two straight games in conference play, falling out of the top spot in the SAC tournament. The losses to Catawba and Wingate came by a combined three goals, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Queens back on top this weekend.
Merrimack (-5)
The Warriors fall to No. 7 after losing to Adelphi by nine goals. Merrimack sits 20th nationally in scoring defense (9.75), but the Panthers dropped 17 goals on Saturday.
OUT
Bentley
Bentley entered the top 20 last week with an upcoming slate that including matchups with Adelphi and Pace. It wasn't expected to win either game, but the 36-19 combined margin does not inspire confidence in the Falcons.
Assumption
Assumption has now lost three of four games to Bentley, Merrimack and Saint Anselm. The Greyhounds are averaging just over nine goals per game in the tough stretch.
NEW
Rollins
In a revolving door that's the end of the top 20, Rollins has been one of the more consistent teams of the group. The Tars have lost to teams to which they were projected to lose, and have beaten teams like Palm Beach Atlantic and Embry-Riddle, which they did last week.
Lindenwood
The Lions answered the loss to Rockhurst with an impressive 10-6 victory over Maryville to cap the regular season. Overall, 10-5 is a strong record for Lindenwood.