Breaking Down Each Team in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women's Top 20

East Stroudsburg, which finished as the 2022 national championship runner-up, earned the top spot in the 2023 preseason Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20. The Warriors finished last season with a 20-2 record after falling to UIndy, 11-9, in the NCAA championship game.

ESU was a popular choice among the coaches who provided input on the preseason ranking, tabbed as number one to start the year on virtually all ballots.

This year’s preseason ranking is devoid of three traditional Division II powerhouses — Lindenwood, Queens and Stonehill — which have all reclassified as Division I programs.

The 2023 season will conclude with the championship weekend, May 19-21, in Indianapolis. UIndy is the pre-determined host site for the 2023 semifinals and championship game.

1. East Stroudsburg

Coming off back-to-back final four appearances, including last year’s national runner-up showing, the Warriors are poised for a serious run to claim their first NCAA title. Junior Emily Mitarotonda and senior Kiki Fitzpatrick both tallied over 100 points last year, while senior Maggie Sell returns to anchor the defense.

2. Adelphi

The Panthers return All-American defender Alexandra Beebe from last year’s nationally ranked defense but must settle on a replacement for graduated goalie Emma Lemanski. Coming off a strong bounce-back season, there’s plenty of talent to make a run at the program’s 15th final four appearance.

3. West Chester

The Rams lost just three games last year, all against PSAC rival East Stroudsburg, including an overtime setback in the NCAA regional final. Led by returning All-Americans Hannah Stanislawczyk and Lindsay Monigle, as well as goalie Jessica Gorr, WCU has all the pieces to contend for a title once again.

4. Le Moyne

With championship aspirations last year, the Dolphins may look back with disappointment on their first-round loss in the NCAA regional. But led by returning All-American attacker Jessica Meneilly and defender Taylor Reich, they should challenge again for NE10 supremacy and contend again for the NCAA postseason.

5. Grand Valley State

The Lakers enjoyed a record-setting 2022 campaign, winning a school-record 19 games, including their first NCAA tournament victory. Led by returning 50-goal scorer Molly Bursinger and preseason All-American goalie Audrey Maloney, GVSU will be a strong postseason contender.

6. Regis

Two-time All-American and leading scorer Kyleigh Peoples is gone, but a pair of 35-goal scorers in Bailey Truex and Alexis Parker are back from last year’s 19-1 team that claimed its third straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) championship.

7. Florida Southern

Returning All-Americans Lizzy Lynch and Hailey Daleo will lead the offense once again for the defending Sunshine State Conference champions, while graduate transfer goalie McKenzie Gaghan (East Stroudsburg) will help anchor the defense.

8. UIndy

Elaine Jones takes over as head coach for the defending national champions, who also lost their two best players from last year’s team. Fortunately, the cupboard isn’t completely bare, led by defenders Kara Antonucci and Mekayla Montgomery.

9. Tampa

No team had a more dramatic turnaround last year than the Spartans, who rebounded from a 5-6 start to earn a berth in the NCAA South Regional. Two returning All-Americans, attacker Cece Colombo and defender Dani Waters, will help Tampa challenge for the SSC crown.

10. Rollins

The Tars were in the hunt for last year’s league title in the competitive SSC into the final week of the season and return league player of the year Caroline Gastonguay (77 points) to help make another run.

11. Mercy

The Mavericks were ECC champions in 2022 for the second time in three seasons and had an eight-game winning streak snapped with a one-goal loss to Stonehill in the NCAA regional. Graduate defender Micayla Brady is back as the leader of the defense.

12. Pace

The Setters return lots of offensive firepower, including the top five scorers from last year. Preseason All-Americans Angelina Porcello (61 G) and Kayla Conway (55 G) lead the group.

13. Seton Hill

The Griffins rebounded from last year’s 4-3 start with a 10-game winning streak that clinched their second straight PSAC West title. Senior All-American Makayla Kintner is back on defense, with PSAC freshman of the year Megan Bunker returning at midfield.

14. Lynn

The Fighting Knights enjoyed a breakthrough 2022 season, climbing into the national top 10 at one point and becoming a challenger in the SSC. Lynn finished with a 13-4 final record and had its first All-American in Sydney Hill, a returning 48-goal scorer.

15. Wingate

The Bulldogs won a school-record 15 games last year and made their first NCAA tournament appearance. Returning All-American Leah Knowles set a program-record with 89 points in 2022, along with a team-leading 90 draw controls.

16. Embry-Riddle

The Eagles started the 2022 season with 11 straight wins while enjoying the program’s most successful season. First-year head coach Caitlin Villareal Kenahan welcomes back seven starters this spring, including 60-goal scorer Sallie Squire.

17. Colorado Mesa

CMU registered its second straight RMAC runner-up finish last year, losing to Regis in the league championship game. Sophomore Ali Bryant was last year’s RMAC midfielder and freshman of the year.

18. Davenport

Haley Schmucker begins her first season as head coach after serving as an assistant on last year’s team that was the GLIAC’s runner-up. Junior Ayanna Turrubiates is a dynamic scorer who finished third in the nation with 89 goals last year.

19. Mercyhurst

Led by a nationally ranked defense last year, the Lakers earned their first NCAA berth since 2019 before bowing out of the regional with a first-round loss against ESU. Settling on a replacement for four-year starting goalie Kaitlyn Lippert is a preseason priority.

20. Mount Olive

UMO claimed its second straight Conference Carolinas championship last year but must replace its defensive leader and conference defensive player of the year Chaija Olsson.

Also considered (alpha order): Florida Tech, IUP, Millersville, Roberts Wesleyan