Le Moyne Up 2 Spots in Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women's Top 20
There were no surprises in the selection of the top four seeds for the 16-team NCAA tournament field, announced on Sunday evening, as they all reside among the top five in this week’s Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Top 20. The top seeds will each serve as host for four-team regionals beginning on Friday.
No. 1 West Chester, fresh off Sunday’s 22-9 PSAC championship game win over No. 13 Seton Hill, is the top seed in the East Region and will host the Griffins again. Two other PSAC members, No. 14 Kutztown and No. 15 East Stroudsburg square off it the region’s other first round game, meeting for the fourth time this season and third time in two weeks.
No. 4 Pace is the top seed in the East Region, despite having its school-record 15-game winning streak halted by No. 6 Le Moyne in Sunday’s NE-10 championship game. Pace welcomes unranked New Haven, a mild surprise choice for the fourth seed in the region, on Friday. Le Moyne faces its arch-rival, No. 16 Adelphi, in the region’s other opening round game.
No. 5 Regis is the top seed in the Midwest Region after winning its fourth straight RMAC title Sunday. The Rangers bring a 17-1 record into Friday’s opening round game against No. 12 Grand Valley State. The Midwest also features No. 2 ranked defending champion UIndy, the number two seed, which faces tournament newcomer and third-seeded Maryville for the third time this season.
In the South Region, No. 3 Tampa is the top seed and regional host. The SSC champion faces conference foe No. 11 Rollins in the opening round. No. 7 Florida Southern meets tournament first-timer No. 9 Flagler in the South’s other first round game. The South Region also includes the nation’s most deserving team that was omitted from the NCAA field in No. 10 Wingate, which was champion of the South Atlantic Conference and finished with a 17-2 record.
Friday’s opening round winners will play in the regional finals on Sunday. The four regional champions advance to Indianapolis for the national semifinals and championship game, May 19-21.
NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION II WOMEN’S TOP 20
May 8 |
W/L |
Prev |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
West Chester |
19-0 |
1 |
|
2 |
UIndy |
17-2 |
3 |
|
3 |
Tampa |
17-2 |
4 |
|
4 |
Pace |
17-2 |
2 |
|
5 |
Regis |
17-1 |
5 |
|
6 |
Le Moyne |
18-2 |
8 |
|
7 |
Florida Southern |
16-3 |
6 |
|
8 |
Maryville |
17-2 |
7 |
|
9 |
Flagler |
17-1 |
9 |
|
10 |
Wingate |
17-2 |
10 |
|
11 |
Rollins |
15-3 |
11 |
|
12 |
Grand Valley State |
14-4 |
13 |
|
13 |
Seton Hill |
15-4 |
12 |
|
14 |
Kutztown |
13-5 |
16 |
|
15 |
East Stroudsburg |
13-5 |
14 |
|
16 |
Adelphi |
12-6 |
15 |
|
17 |
Embry-Riddle |
13-5 |
17 |
|
18 |
St. Anselm |
13-5 |
18 |
|
19 |
Mercy |
13-6 |
NR |
|
20 |
IUP |
12-6 |
20 |
Also considered (alphabetical order): Bentley, Colorado Mesa, Lynn, Molloy, Walsh
UPCOMING GAMES
No. 1 West Chester 5/12 vs. No. 13 Seton Hill in NCAA Tournament
No. 2 UIndy 5/12 vs. No. 8 Maryville in NCAA Tournament
No. 3 Tampa 5/12 vs. No. 11 Rollins in NCAA Tournament
No. 4 Pace 5/12 vs. New Haven in NCAA Tournament
No. 5 Regis 5/12 vs. No. 12 GVSU in NCAA Tournament
No. 6 Le Moyne 5/12 vs. No. 16 Adelphi in NCAA Tournament
No. 7 Florida Southern 5/12 vs. No. 9 Flagler in NCAA Tournament
No. 8 Maryville 5/12 vs. No. 2 UIndy in NCAA Tournament
No. 9 - Flagler 5/12 vs. No. 7 Fla. Southern in NCAA Tournament
No. 10 Wingate Season Completed
No. 11 Rollins 5/12 vs. No. 3 Tampa in NCAA Tournament
No. 12 Grand Valley State 5/12 vs. No.5 Regis in NCAA Tournament
No. 13 Seton Hill 5/12 vs. No. 1 West Chester in NCAA Tournament
No. 14 Kutztown 5/12 vs. No. 15 East Stroudsburg in NCAA Tournament
No. 15 East Stroudsburg 5/12 vs. No. 14 Kutztown in NCAA Tournament
No. 16 Adelphi 5/12 vs. No. 6 Le Moyne in NCAA Tournament
No. 17 Embry-Riddle Season Completed
No. 18 Saint Anselm Season Completed
No. 19 Mercy Season Completed
No. 20 IUP Season Completed
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Le Moyne (+2)
The Dolphins registered one of the biggest surprises of the season Sunday by scoring the final five goals of the game for a 14-13 come-from-behind win over Pace, the NE-10 tournament’s top seed. Le Moyne’s senior goalie Paige Crandall registered a career-high 17 saves in the victory and was named tournament MVP. Le Moyne’s upset had no impact on the seedings for the NCAA tournament as both teams were likely locked into the East Region’s top two seeds based on their body of work during the season.
NOT
Pace (-2)
It’s been a record-setting season for the Setters, flashing one of the most potent scoring attacks in the country all year. Unfortunately, the high-octane offense went cold just as Pace was trying to secure a league title, being held scoreless over the final 15 minutes of the NE-10 championship game to allow Le Moyne to claim the victory. A rematch in Sunday’s regional final would not be a surprising.
IN
Mercy (No. 19)
The Mavericks were in and out of the Top 20 several times this year, but closed their season with seven straight wins and their third ECC championship in four years to rejoin the ranking. Sophomore midfielder Lindsey Shimborske was named the ECC championship’s most outstanding player after recording a game-high six ground balls and four caused turnovers in a 9-8 win over Roberts Wesleyan.
OUT
Bentley (was No. 19)
The Falcons had their season come to a close with a narrow 11-10 home loss last week to St. Anselm in the NE-10 tournament’s quarterfinal round. Bentley was among the team’s vying for the NCAA tournament’s fourth seed in the East, but faded with three loses in its final four games.
PREVIOUS RANKINGS
Paul Ohanian
Paul Ohanian has worked at USA Lacrosse since 2006 and is currently the senior manager of program content. Prior to joining USA Lacrosse, he served as SID at a Division III school with a strong lacrosse tradition and learned to appreciate the commitment and passion that athletes at all levels bring to the game.
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