Amherst, Geneseo, Franklin & Marshall and others have seen the fruits of their labor behind significant winning streaks in this week's Nike/US Lacrosse Division III Women's Top 20.
While Middlebury, Gettysburg and Salisbury maintained their hold on the top three positions, respectively, they're fending off the unbeaten Mammoths, who've ascended to No. 4. The Blue Knights, likewise, remained unbeaten to crack the top 10. The Diplomats have gotten well and won five straight, and fellow preseason favorite Washington & Lee similarly has erased a bad start with a three-game win streak.
Mother Nature changed some schedules last week, as a winter storm hit much of the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast on the first day of spring, no less. This week's slate zeroes in on the top five. No. 5 TCNJ hosts the No. 1 Panthers and No. 2 Bullets, the No. 3 Sea Gulls entertain No. 14 F&M, and No. 4 Amherst draws Middlebury Saturday.
March 26, 2018 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlebury | 6-0 | 1 | 3/27 at No. 5 TCNJ |
| 2 | Gettysburg | 6-0 | 2 | 3/27 at No. 5 TCNJ |
| 3 | Salisbury | 8-0 | 3 | 3/27 Wesley |
| 4 | Amherst | 7-0 | 8 | 3/31 No. 1 Middlebury |
| 5 | TCNJ | 6-1 | 6 | 3/27 No. 1 Middlebury |
| 6 | Tufts | 5-1 | 4 | 3/29 at Endicott |
| 7 | Mary Washington | 8-1 | 9 | 3/28 St. Mary's |
| 8 | Trinity | 4-2 | 5 | 3/27 at Springfield |
| 9 | Geneseo | 6-0 | 12 | 3/27 at St. Lawrence |
| 10 | York | 4-2 | 7 | 3/27 at Catholic |
| 11 | Wesleyan | 6-1 | 13 | 3/28 Stevens |
| 12 | St. John Fisher | 4-1 | 15 | 3/28 at Brockport |
| 13 | Cortland | 5-2 | 10 | 3/26 at Nazareth |
| 14 | Franklin & Marshall | 6-2 | 16 | 3/28 at No. 3 Salisbury |
| 15 | Bowdoin | 6-2 | 14 | 3/31 at No. 8 Trinity |
| 16 | Washington & Lee | 5-4 | NR | 3/28 Shenandoah |
| 17 | Claremont Mudd Scripps | 10-1 | 17 | 3/28 George Fox |
| 18 | Ithaca | 4-3 | 11 | 3/28 at Rochester |
| 19 | Colby | 4-3 | 20 | 3/27 vs. Union in Clearwater, Fla. |
| 20 | Washington College | 6-1 | NR | 3/28 at Rowan |
Also considered (alphabetical order): Capital, Catholic, Denison, Hamilton, Haverford, Rowan, Stevens
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Franklin & Marshall (+2)
The Diplomats started 1-2 but since have won five straight, most notably a 9-8 overtime game at then-No. 11 Cortland March 10. Senior Paige Moriarity predictably has found her groove, averaging 5.8 points per game during the streak. But the Dips are getting major contributions from two freshmen: team assist leader Jane Cote has 18 helpers and seven goals, and Megan Jackson's 14 goals rank second only to Moriarity. Coach Mike Faith returns to alma mater and No. 3 Salisbury Wednesday, but beware a hangover game at 6-1 (and candidate for No. 20) Haverford Saturday.
NOT
Ithaca (-7)
The Bombers have lost three of four, all against ranked squads. The two last week may have hurt more; narrow setbacks against similarly ranked Upstate New York rivals Cortland and Geneseo. Not one senior among Ithaca's four players in double-figures for points, led by sophomore Bailey Herr (15 G, 14A), and the lineup figures to improve as the Bombers immerse themselves in Liberty League play for the next several weeks.
IN
Washington & Lee
Welcome the Generals back, having vanquished two ranked foes among their three-game win streak. W&L started 2-4 against a tough slate, but since has gotten back on track against that competition with wins over then-No. 12 Catholic and then-No. 4 Tufts. The No. 17 Generals engage the ODAC this week, hoping to avoid a stumble.
Washington College
A virtual coin flip for this week's No. 20 slot between the Shorewomen and Centennial Conference rival Haverford, both at 6-1 with comparable results against similar-type schedules to date. Washington College slightly earned the nod based on its opponents having knocked off more teams that have appeared in the Top 20. The Shorewomen visit Rowan Wednesday to begin a three-game road trip, though destinations haven't dazed them yet as they're 3-0 off Maryland's Eastern Shore.
OUT
Brdigewater
The Eagles' 5-0 start and debut in the Top 20 last week ended quickly and unceremoniously in a 10-6 loss at Lynchburg.