Bentley Highlights Big Shifts in USA Lacrosse Division II Men's Top 20

The Division II men’s landscape shifted seismically this week, as some NE-10 teams tectonically battled, in conference and out, to results that shook up the rankings.

Bentley notched a huge result when it handed Saint Anselm its first loss, giving the Falcons their first win against Saint Anselm since 2019. Adelphi hosted Mercy in what was an instant classic, with Mercy taking an early lead, Adelphi fighting back, and then the teams trading huge goals down the stretch — but Adelphi prevailed in overtime.

Outside of the NE-10, UIndy stayed hot with an overtime win over Seton Hill. Mercyhurst continued to shake off an 0-2 start by notching a one-goal win on the road against a very resilient Frostburg team. Tampa, Newberry, Pace and Wingate all had comfortable wins. Flagler put up a solid fight against Rollins, holding a halftime lead, but a big second half, and a 3-0 run to close it, kept Rollins unbeaten.

Saint Leo joins the Top 20 this week and does so thanks to a 12-point outing from Greg Palmer in a one-sided win against Montevallo. Saint Leo now sits 3-1 with just a loss to Limestone on its record and tough opponents still left on the schedule. The Sunshine State conference just gets more competitive every week.

Lenoir-Rhyne and Limestone both stayed perfect, moving to 6-0. LRU defeated Anderson at home, while Limestone won at Lincoln Memorial. Next week someone will get their first loss, as LRU visits Limestone in a showdown of 1-v-2 that will be must-see lacrosse.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION II
MEN’S TOP 20

1. Lenoir-Rhyne 6-0 (Prev: 1)
2. Limestone, 6-0 (Prev: 2)
3. Rollins, 4-0 (Prev: 3)
4. Adelphi, 2-1 (Prev: 6)
5. Tampa, 4-1 (Prev: 7)
6. Wingate, 4-1 (Prev: 8)
7. Newberry, 5-0 (Prev: 9)
8. UIndy, 5-1 (Prev: 10)
9. Mercy, 3-1 (Prev: 4)
10. Bentley, 1-1 (Prev: 17)
11. Saint Anselm, 1-1 (Prev: 5)
12. Mercyhurst, 2-2 (Prev: 12)
13. Pace, 2-0 (Prev: 13)
14. Seton Hill, 3-1 (Prev: 11)
15. Lander, 5-1 (Prev: 15)
16. Colorado Mesa, 2-0 (Prev: 16)
17. Frostburg State, 1-1 (Prev: 14)
18. Florida Southern, 2-2 (Prev: 18)
19. Palm Beach Atlantic, 4-0 (Prev: 20)
20. Saint Leo, 3-1 (Prev: NR)

Also considered (alphabetical order): Davenport, Franklin Pierce, Maryville, Rockhurst, Westminster

HOT

Bentley (+7)

It was mentioned above, but no team deserved a big jump like this one more than Bentley after the Falcons dispatched last week’s No. 5 team. It was a balanced effort for Bentley. Nick Harvath led the way in the 13-11 win with three goals, and three teammates — Nicholas Thorn-Guillaro, David Gagnon and Nathan Alviti — contributed two goals apiece.

UIndy (+2)

With the win over Seton Hill, UIndy climbs to 6-1 on the year. The lone blemish on its record is a loss to defending champ Lenoir-Rhyne. UIndy is currently on a four-game winning streak that includes wins over both Mercyhurst and the aforementioned Seton Hill, and junior attackman Triston Schaffer has been leading the way. His 24 points are in the top 20 nationally. UIndy has gotten out to this start without Wyatt Auyer, an elite attackman who had 40-plus goals in each of the last two seasons, who is dealing with an injury that will keep him sidelined. Schaffer and company finding ways to win elsewhere has been impressive.

NOT

Saint Anselm (-6)

In a battle of two NE-10 birds of prey, it was the Hawks who flew too close to the Falcons. Saint Anselm had no answer for Cam Bartolomeo at the X, who won 18 of his draws. Bentley controlled the entire fourth quarter, putting together an integral four-goal run that saw four different players find the back of the net. Before that point, it had been a raucous back-and-forth contest in which neither team seemed to be able to grab control from the other. The Hawks must get their treehouse in order quickly as they head to the darker side of New Hampshire to face the undefeated Ravens of Franklin Pierce.

IN

Saint Leo (No. 20)

Brad Jorgensen has reconstructed Saint Leo into an offense-first team with a dazzling class of sophomore scorers. Greg Palmer has 32 points, and four of the next five scorers are all in their second season down in the peninsula. Senior netminder Chase Strait has also done his job, making an astonishing 61 saves in the first four games. Live by the fun and gun, die by the fun and gun. Right now, the Saint Leo is living its best life, and the Lions will take on NEWMAC nuisance Clark University midweek before hosting upstart Flagler next weekend.

OUT

Montevallo (was No. 19)

Two straight losses will end Montevallo’s time in the Top 20. The first defeat at the hands of Embry-Riddle, 15-9, was not as lopsided as the 22-12 defeat to Saint Leo on Saturday, but as a result, the Falcons have major ground to make up before entering conference play. Though their biggest conference games are weeks away, a four-game road trip starts after a home matchup with Thomas More on Tuesday.