PSAC, SSC Showdowns Ahead in Division II Women’s Top 20

There wasn’t much movement at the top of the USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20 this week, but that could change pretty soon.

It’s a big week ahead for two of the more dominant leagues — the PSAC and SSC — which currently have a combined nine teams among this week’s top 14 teams. With key head-to-head matchups and games against ranked opponents, many teams are entering the more challenging portions of their schedules … and that’s likely to yield more fluctuations in the Top 20.

No. 16 Seton Hill, the preseason pick to win its fifth straight PSAC West crown, makes its annual trek to Florida hoping for better results than recent visits. The Griffins, 0-4 in Florida the past two seasons, will play three games in six days, including matchups against No. 6 Lynn and No. 8 Saint Leo.

Another PSAC West challenger, No. 14 Slippery Rock, also ventures south after registering its first top-10 win since 2015 in a victory at East Stroudsburg. The Rock added another ranked win three days later by defeating then-No. 20 Limestone. SRU enters the Top 20 for the first time this year.

In the PSAC East, No. 9 Kutztown puts its 4-0 record on the line with games against No. 19 Flagler and Saint Leo.

Meanwhile, No. 4 West Chester and No. 13 East Stroudsburg renew their rivalry with a 4 p.m. showdown Wednesday in West Chester. This is the first meeting between the PSAC titans since the graduation of their generational performers — WCU’s Hannah Stanislawczyk and ESU’s Emily Mitarotonda, two of just four players in Division II history to surpass 300 goals.

West Chester has had the upper hand in the series over the past four seasons, winning 9 of 14 overall matchups, but East Stroudsburg has won three of the four NCAA tournament meetings, each time advancing to the final four with a win in the Atlantic Regional final.

The biggest game of the week ahead comes Sunday, as No. 3 Pace visits No. 2 Florida Southern. As a prelude, FSC also plays host to No. 10 UIndy on Tuesday. No. 1 Tampa then welcomes UIndy on Thursday.

Continue below to see the entire Top 20, which is compiled by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION II 
WOMEN'S TOP 20