East Stroudsburg Tops Nike/USA Lacrosse D-II Women's Preseason Top 20

East Stroudsburg, which finished as the 2022 national championship runner-up, earns the top spot in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Preseason Top 20, USA Lacrosse Magazine announced Wednesday.

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 No. 1 to start the year on virtually all ballots.

Adelphi, a national semifinalist in 2022, begins the year ranked second. The Panthers were 18-3 last year and own nine national championships, the most among Division II programs.

Rounding out the top five are No. 3 West Chester, No. 4 Le Moyne and No. 5 Grand Valley State.

Defending national champion UIndy is ranked eighth following an offseason that included a coaching change and the loss of key contributors from last year’s team. This year’s preseason ranking is devoid of three traditional Division II powerhouses — Lindenwood, Queens and Stonehill — all of which 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.

Continue below to see the entire Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Preseason Top 20.

NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION II WOMEN’S PRESEASON TOP 20

1. East Stroudsburg
2. Adelphi
3. West Chester
4. Le Moyne
5. Grand Valley State
6. Regis
7. Florida Southern
8. UIndy
9. Tampa
10. Rollins
11. Mercy
12. Pace
13. Seton Hill
14. Lynn
15. Wingate
16. Embry-Riddle
17. Colorado Mesa
18. Davenport
19. Mercyhurst
20. Mount Olive

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