Tampa Takes Over Top Spot in USA Lacrosse D-II Men's Top 20

The champs have been dethroned.

Two Division II teams took the field undefeated, and only one team left that way. Saint Anselm handed Adelphi its first loss in over a calendar year with an outstanding defensive effort, not conceding a goal until 9:22 remained in the third quarter.

Finn Granara only had to make four saves in the first half and still didn’t allow a goal, which is a testament to the team defense played. Adelphi star netminder Dylan Renner made 12 saves but didn’t record one in the fourth quarter, as late goals from Joe Lombardi and Mark Boyle put the game out of reach for the Panthers.

Adelphi did not do itself a ton of favors by committing 20 turnovers, and only six of those were caused by the Hawks. A win against a top-five opponent requires a clean game, and Adelphi didn’t play one. The Panthers have dropped to the No. 3 spot, and the Hawks ascend to the No. 2 position.

Tampa assumes the top spot, moving up from No. 2 a week ago.

Chaos continued its reign in the Sunshine State. Lynn picked off Embry-Riddle during the week, and then over the weekend, Embry-Riddle bounced back with a triple-overtime win over Saint Leo. Rollins won its second game in a row after a six-game losing streak to beat Palm Beach Atlantic 11-10 in double overtime, bringing the Tars to 2-2 in conference play.

Amid all the other SSC action, new No. 1 Tampa has remained a steady and deadly force. Two more wins this week, one against a ranked opponent and another against a team being considered for the Top 20, takes the Spartans to 13-0. Ryan Kemp and Davis Lindsey have both eclipsed the 40-point mark, and Connor Theriault is now at 60 percent in net.

A possible preview of the GLVC final did not go to plan for Lewis, as the Flyers were shot down by rival Maryville 14-10. The Saints shot out to a 4-0 lead thanks to two goals and two assists from junior swingman Justin Simonson, who finished with a game-high eight points. Lewis brushed off the slow start and fought a valiant comeback effort.

A three-goal run to finish the first half had the Flyers within a goal of tying it at 9 before the third quarter — something they did just three minutes into the second half thanks to Malikye Good. After that goal, Maryvile locked in for a defensive stand, allowing just one more goal as Simonson scored two more times to put the game to bed.

Are the Saints one of the most underrated teams in Division II? Their record is 8-3, but their losses are almost more interesting than their wins; a 14-13 OT loss to Lenoir-Rhyne to start the season, a three-goal loss to undefeated Tampa and a two-goal defeat to Saint Leo are all remarkably close results.

Next weekend features key tilts, as Wingate takes on upstart Anderson, Tampa battles Embry-Riddle and Pace hosts Bentley. The top three conferences in Division II are getting down to the wire with just a few weeks left of conference play. The top contenders are cementing their status among the elite teams in D-II.

Continue below to see the entire Top 20, which is compiled by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION II 
MEN'S TOP 20