Capital, Scranton Join USA Lacrosse Division III Women's Top 20

Lacrosse season is finally back for some of the top Division III women’s programs in the country, though many teams will kick off their seasons in the coming days. But if the early weeks of February are any indication, it’s sure to be another incredible year.

Washington and Lee and Franklin & Marshall brought out their Sunday best in what turned out to be the Division III women’s game of the week — and of the season thus far — on Sunday afternoon. The Generals came away with the 17-10 win in the first top-10 clash of the year.

Given how many teams have yet to take the field in 2024, the first rankings update doesn’t shift too much from the preseason. But a few season-opening wins did provide a little extra spotlight for a couple of teams.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION III
WOMEN’S TOP 20

1. Middlebury, 0-0 (Prev: 1)
2. Gettysburg, 1-0 (Prev: 2)
3. William Smith, 0-0 (Prev: 3)
4. Washington and Lee, 1-0 (Prev: 4)
5. Salisbury, 2-0 (Prev: 8)
6. Tufts, 0-0 (Prev: 5)
7. Franklin & Marshall, 0-1 (Prev: 6)
8. TCNJ, 0-0 (Prev: 7)
9. York, 0-0 (Prev: 9)
10. Colby, 0-0 (Prev: 10)
11. Wesleyan, 0-0 (Prev: 11)
12. St. John Fisher, 0-0 (Prev: 13)
13. Pomona-Pitzer, 0-0 (Prev: 14)
14. Trinity, 0-0 (Prev: 15)
15. Roanoke, 1-0 (Prev: 16)
16. Messiah, 0-1 (Prev: 12)
17. Chicago, 0-0 (Prev: 17)
18. Scranton, 1-0 (Prev: NR)
19. Capital, 1-0 (Prev: NR)
20. Denison, 0-0 (Prev: 18)

Also considered (alphabetical order): Cabrini, Cortland, Ithaca, Kenyon, MIT, Stevens

HOT

Salisbury (+3)

Salisbury wasted no time kicking its season off, and what a kick-off it’s been. Graduate student Kaitlyn Hunsinger is owning the cage through two games, with a .667 save percentage in a little over five quarters. The Sea Gulls are currently the only ranked team with multiple wins under their belt, and their offense is coming from everywhere. Each of their first two games have featured nine or more goal scorers.

Washington and Lee (no change)

Washington and Lee capped off the weekend with an exclamation point and an early statement win. Julia Thomson collected eight points (6G, 2A) in the 17-10 win. Ginny Taylor and Hanna Bishop each added three goals offensively, and in net, Caroline Kranich made 15 saves to keep the Diplomats out of reach.

NOT

MESSIAH (-4)

Messiah fell to Scranton, though the Falcons still hold a two-spot advantage over Scranton because they started the year in the Top 20. Either way, it’s not a great start for Messiah, which immediately gets a Wednesday test against No. 2 Gettysburg.

IN

Scranton (No. 18)

Scranton couldn’t have drawn up a better start to its season, going toe-to-toe against ranked Messiah and coming away with a narrow but fairly decisive 10-9 win. The Royals trailed for less than two total minutes early in the second quarter, and had a lead of as many as four goals in the fourth. Despite being shut out for the final eight minutes of action, Scranton held firm and didn’t allow the Falcons to come back.

Capital (No. 19)

Capital has garnered a reputation for being a high scoring team, thanks in large part to preseason All-American Grace Osborn. She led all D-III women in goals last season and isn’t slowing down as she gains more experience. In Capital’s season-opening 23-17 win against Oberlin, she scored nine goals.