Adelphi No. 2, Flagler Top 10 in USA Lacrosse Division II Women's Top 20

It took a while, but every team in our USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20 has now played games that count, with 12 undefeated teams claiming spots in this week’s ranking.

West Chester, No. 1 in our preseason ranking, continues to hold the top spot with its 2-0 start. The Golden Rams end a 15-day layoff and start a three-game road trip with a visit to No. 20 Bentley on Thursday.

There’s a new team sitting behind West Chester this week, as Adelphi jumps three spots following back-to-back victories at Florida Southern and Tampa. The Panthers were truly impressive in last week’s two Florida wins and have jumped 12 positions from their preseason ranking.

No. 10 Flagler also had an impressive week and moves into the top 10 for the first time this season. The Saints are 6-1 overall and host No. 16 Seton Hill on Friday.

There are several great matchups this week, highlighted by an unusually busy Monday slate that features several marquee games. A great intersectional showdown between No. 6 Regis and No. 7 Florida Southern starts the day, and a battle between No. 3 Pace and No. 5 Tampa serves as the nightcap.

This is a big week for Pace, which leveraged its status as the defending national champion to entice both Tampa and Florida Southern to travel north in March. We have gotten used to seeing these great early season, non-conference games with Florida-based teams in recent years, but they are normally played in the sunny and warm climate of the Sunshine State, not in Pleasantville, N.Y.

Championships clearly help open new doors.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION II
WOMEN’S TOP 20

1. West Chester, 2-0 (Prev: 1)
2. Adelphi, 3-0 (Prev: 5)
3. Pace, 2-0 (Prev: 3)
4. Maryville, 6-0 (Prev: 4)
5. Tampa, 2-1 (Prev: 2)
6. Regis, 1-0 (Prev: 6)
7. Florida Southern, 4-1 (Prev: 7)
8. Grand Valley State, 4-0 (Prev: 8)
9. UIndy, 3-1 (Prev: 10)
10. Flagler, 6-1 (Prev: 14)
11. Embry-Riddle, 5-1 (Prev: 11)
12. Rollins, 7-1 (Prev: 9)
13. East Stroudsburg, 1-0 (Prev: 13)
14. Limestone, 6-0 (Prev: 16)
15. Kutztown, 1-0 (Prev: 17)
16. Seton Hill, 0-1 (Prev: 12)
17. Wingate, 4-2 (Prev: 15)
18. Saint Anselm, 2-0 (Prev: 18)
19. Molloy, 4-0 (Prev: NR)
20. Bentley, 1-0 (Prev: NR)

Also considered (alphabetical order): Anderson, Lynn, Mercy, Missouri Western, New Haven

HOT

Flagler (+4)

The Saints handed No. 12 Embry-Riddle its first loss of the year with a narrow 11-10 road win, powered by six goals from All-American midfielder Lexi Morton and nine saves by goalie Aubrey Fixen. Morton added five more goals three days later, as Flagler downed visiting Assumption. Coming off last year’s breakthrough campaign which netted 17 wins and a berth in the NCAA tournament, the Saints have started strong and move into the top 10.

Adelphi (+3)

Three days after taking down then-No. 2 Florida Southern, the Panthers defeated the new No. 2 team, Tampa, 13-6 to conclude an impressive road trip. There’s another big challenge ahead this week with a visit to No. 11 East Stroudsburg before starting the tough NE-10 schedule on March 16.

NOT

Seton Hill (-4)

The Griffins were the preseason pick by the PSAC coaches to win their fourth straight Western Division title but launched the season in the wrong direction with a 14-12 loss Saturday to conference rival and No. 14 Kutztown. It’s not the start they wanted heading into their two-game trip to Florida this week, which includes stops at Saint Leo and then No. 10 Flagler.

Tampa (-3)

The Spartans tallied 54 goals in their opening two games but managed just six in last week’s home loss to Adelphi. Tampa scored the first two goals in that game and had no answer as Adelphi then scored nine of the next 10 to take control. The road gets tougher this week with three games up north, starting Monday at Pace and concluding Saturday at No. 15 Kutztown.

IN

Molloy (No. 19)

The Lions are off to a 4-0 start after capturing their first road win of the season Saturday, 11-9 at Saint Rose. Junior Alexa Amorison led the way with five goals for Molloy, which hosts Jefferson this week before embarking on a five-game road trip that could help define the course of their season.

Bentley (No. 20)

Amanda Davis scored a career-high six goals while Caroline Affolter and Courtney Dermody added three apiece as the Falcons posted an impressive season-opening win, 16-9, on the road at Mercy. It was a good momentum builder for Bentley heading into Thursday’s home opener against No. 1 West Chester.

OUT

New Haven (was No. 19)
The Chargers led 9-6 at Mercy in last week’s season opener but mustered just three second-half goals in a 13-12 loss. New Haven rebounded with a 16-6 win over Dominican with Cameryn Antler’s five goals leading the way.

Mercy (was No. 20)
Three days after its win over New Haven, the Mavericks fell behind early and never rebounded in a 16-9 home loss against Bentley. A 23-5 disadvantage in draw controls contributed to the loss.