UIndy Joins Top 3 of Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Men's Top 20

While the third week in March wasn’t chock full of upsets, there were still several impactful results to reflect upon.

Let’s start with UIndy taking down one of Division II’s last remaining unbeaten teams. The Greyhounds downed Mercyhurst 9-6 on Saturday, though it took some time for them to crack the Mercyhurst formula. Once they began to get downhill and take advantage of their transition play, things opened up. A 4-0 run in the third quarter led by Drew Billig and Triston Schaffer gave the Greyhounds the lead that they would never relinquish.  

In the redemption bracket, Limestone came back with a heavy hand to beat Newberry 13-11. The Wolves fell again, this time to a Limestone team that leaned heavily on its defense. Newberry got five goals from Briley Maxwell, but the firepower on this team is really in the sticks of Scott Reed and Baker Westmoreland. The latter had one of his worst shooting days of the year going 0-for-6 and finishing with two assists. Newberry had the faceoff edge and forced Cory Lyons to make 17 saves, but in the end, it came up just short. 

We nearly saw the top-ranked team in all three divisions go down over the weekend, but a come-from-behind victory for Le Moyne kept them atop the ranking. Saint Anselm outshot Le Moyne 41-26 and won ground balls 27-18 while forcing the Dolphins into a poor clearing day. Le Moyne entered the fourth quarter trailing 7-5 but outscored Saint Anselm 4-1 in the frame to secure a win. The game-winner came from the stick of Kyle Caves off an assist from Seth Benedict with 35 seconds left in regulation.

Colorado Mesa continued its rise with a comprehensive 20-14 win over Florida Tech. The Mavericks, once again, outgunned their opponent with superior firepower. A Monday matchup with Tampa gives the Mavericks the chance to show everyone they are for real.

NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION II MEN’S TOP 20

Also considered (alphabetical order): Belmont Abbey (3-3), Chestnut Hill (3-2), Lewis (5-2)

Nike/USA Lacrosse Rankings

Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women

HOT

Adelphi (+1)

Adelphi has been as steady as they come. While upsets abound across the country, Adelphi just continues to take care of business. The Panthers improved to 6-0 with a win over Southern New Hampshire. Joseph Duchnowski has been excellent at attack, but the entire team offense is thriving. Five players have 10 or more goals and eight have 10 or more points. Dylan Renner is saving 62 percent of the shots he sees. Adelphi is rock solid at every position on the field. 

NOT

Newberry (-3)

After a 6-1 start, Newberry has now dropped three straight. This was always going to be the stretch where they might struggle, as any team facing Wingate, Lenoir-Rhyne and Limestone might. Scott Reed and Baker Westmoreland have been excellent, as has freshman James Osorio, but this three-game skid puts Newberry in a difficult spot. Westmoreland’s 0-for-6 shooting day was a big factor in the loss to Limestone. They have a short break and then take on Anderson to close out March, and a win in that one would point the Newberry arrow up again. 

OUT

Lewis (was No. 20)

A 5-1 start with some big goal totals put Lewis on the map, but a loss to Alabama-Huntsville takes them right back out of the poll. For a senior-heavy team that played its way into the Top 20, that’s a loss you simply can’t have. UIndy is next week, and they’ll need to turn things around quickly. 

IN

Bentley (No. 20)

Back in the Top 20 like they never left, the Falcons are holding steady in the race for a top NE-10 finish. Sure, they just beat Saint Rose by two this week, but they’re getting the late start bump for at least one more week.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS

• Preseason

• Week 1: Feb. 13, 2023

• Week 2: Feb. 20, 2023

• Week 3: Feb. 27, 2023

• Week 4: March 6, 2023

• Week 5: March 13, 2023