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Middlebury's Caroline Adams

Middlebury is No. 1 in USA Lacrosse D-III Women's Preseason Top 20

February 4, 2025
USA Lacrosse Magazine Staff
John Strohsacker

Middlebury, the three-time defending NCAA Division III champion, is No. 1 in the USA Lacrosse Division III Women's Top 20, as announced Tuesday by USA Lacrosse Magazine.

The Panthers have won the last four NCAA tournament they have participated in dating back to 2019. The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, then the NESCAC sat out the 2021 season while Salisbury made a run and hoisted the championship trophy.

Tufts, at least on paper, looks to be Middlebury's primary competition heading into the spring, and the Jumbos check in at No. 2. Franklin & Marshall is No. 3, and NCAA runner-up Salisbury is No. 4.

Washington and Lee rounds out the top five.

The USA Lacrosse Division III Women's Preseason Top 20 is compiled by USA Lacrosse staff and contributors with consultation from college coaches.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION III
WOMEN’S TOP 20

1. Middlebury
2. Tufts
3. Franklin & Marshall
4. Salisbury
5. Washington and Lee
6. Wesleyan
7. Gettysburg
8. William Smith
9. Pomona-Pitzer
10. Colby
11. Roanoke
12. Stevens
13. MIT
14. TCNJ
15. Ithaca
16. Christopher Newport
17. Trinity
18. Babson
19. Denison
20. York

Also considered (alphabetical order): Amherst, Bowdoin, Colorado College, Chicago, Scranton, St. John Fisher, Williams