Angelina Porcello and Pace have won eight straight games and average nearly 18 goals per game.

Pace Setting Defenses Ablaze, Climbs in Nike/USAL Division II Women's Top 20

April 10, 2023

Paul Ohanian

Courtesy of Pace Athletics

The Setters continue to roll on and dispatch ranked opponents without discretion. Pace racked up another dominant victory last week, downing No. 19 Bentley 21-7 after starting the game with a 9-0 run. In the process, the Setters posted their fifth straight victory by 10 or more goals, their seventh win of the year against a Top 20 team and climbed another step to No. 3 in this week’s Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20.

The only two teams still ahead of Pace in the Division II Top 20 are the two remaining undefeated teams, West Chester and Regis.

West Chester, 11-0, stays at the top after posting its most explosive offensive showing of the season in a 24-5 win over Millersville. No. 2 Regis registered season highs in goals, assists and shots in a 20-4 drubbing of Westminster to also improve to 11-0.

NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION II WOMEN’S TOP 20

	April 10, 2023	W/L	Prev	Next
1	West Chester	11-0	1	4/12 vs. Shippensburg
2	Regis	11-0	2	4/15 at UC-Colorado Springs
3	Pace	10-1	4	4/15 vs. No. 20 Saint Anselm
4	UIndy	12-2	6	4/14 at Rockhurst
5	Tampa	12-2	7	4/15 vs. No. 7 Rollins
6	Florida Southern	11-2	3	4/12 at Saint Leo
7	Rollins	12-1	5	4/12 vs. No. 15 Lynn
8	Maryville	13-1	8	4/14 at Missouri Western
9	East Stroudsburg	10-2	9	4/15 at Shepherd
10	Le Moyne	9-2	10	4/12 at No. 18 Saint Anselm
11	Flagler	12-1	11	4/15 at Alabama-Huntsville
12	Embry-Riddle	11-2	12	4/12 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic
13	Adelphi	8-3	13	4/12 vs. Saint Rose
14	Wingate	12-2	15	4/12 at Mount Olive
15	Lynn	10-4	14	4/12 at No. 7 Rollins
16	Grand Valley State	8-4	16	4/12 at Davenport
17	Limestone	10-2	17	4/12 at Catawba
18	Saint Anselm	9-1	20	4/12 vs. No. 10 Le Moyne
19	Bentley	7-4	18	4/12 vs. St. Michael’s
20	Molloy	10-3	NR	4/15 vs. D’Youville

Also considered (alphabetical order): Dominican, Kutztown, Mercy, Seton Hill, St. Rose

Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings

Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women

HOT

Tampa (+2)

The Spartans have now won six straight, including a 15-14 win in a big SSC showdown over last week’s third-ranked Florida Southern. Sarah Hinkle led Tampa with four goals, including the game-winner, and 10 draw controls, and Dani Waters added a season-high six ground balls. The path through the league doesn’t get any easier this week, as the Spartans welcome No.7 Rollins.

Wingate (+1)

The Bulldogs have an eight-game winning streak and are the only remaining unbeaten team in South Atlantic Conference, improving to 8-0 in league play and 12-2 overall following a 13-6 win over Anderson. Senior Leah Knowles continues to shine all over the field with two goals, one assist, seven caused turnovers, six draw controls and five ground balls against Anderson.

NOT

Florida Southern (-3)

The Mocs suffered their first league loss in the narrow setback against No. 5 Tampa but rebounded three days later by handing No. 7 Rollins its first loss of the season, 17-15. FSC now owns seven wins over teams ranked in this week’s Top 20. Lehigh transfer Jackie Stoller continued her red-hot production in the Rollins victory with six goals, improving her season totals to 38 goals and 67 points.

Rollins (-2)

The Tars had a three-goal second quarter lead against Florida Southern, but couldn’t maintain the advantage, as they suffered their first loss of the season. Caroline Gastonguay finished with five points (2 G, 3 A) and Abigail Cawley tallied five points (1 G, 4 A) in the loss. Stiff SSC challenges continue this week for Rollins with games against No. 15 Lynn and No. 5 Tampa.

IN

Molloy (No. 20)

The Lions move into the Top 20 for the first time this season after extending their current win streak to 10 games with a 21-10 win over Daemen. Megan Rugolo led the way with five goals, two assists, seven draw controls and two caused turnovesr. Molloy is in control in the East Coast Conference with an undefeated 4-0 league record.

OUT

Mercy (was No. 19)

To Mercy’s credit, it has played a very competitive 2023 schedule, but the Mavericks have managed just a 1-5 record in their six Top 20 encounters. The schedule is significantly easier the rest of the way, providing Mercy with ample opportunity to gain momentum heading towards the ECC playoffs.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS

Written By

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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