Top 6 Teams in Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women's Top 20 Dominate Last Week
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© 2024 USA Lacrosse. All Rights Reserved.
© 2024 USA Lacrosse. All Rights Reserved.
As the 2023 regular season heads into the home stretch, the cream has risen to the top. Led by the nation’s last two undefeated teams, No. 1 West Chester and No. 2 Regis, the top six teams all solidified their positions in this week’s Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20.
How strong are these teams? The top six, which includes Pace, UIndy, Tampa and Florida Southern, played a combined eight games last week and won seven of them by 10 goals or better. The average margin of victory in the eight games was 12.5 goals.
No. 1 West Chester faces its last stiff challenge of the regular season when it visits No. 8 East Stroudsburg this week. After beating up on the lower tier of the PSAC’s East Division over the past 10 days, the Rams can virtually clinch the division title by beating their rival for the second time this season. West Chester won the earlier meeting 16-5 last month.
Similarly, No. 2 Regis can take another step closer to securing the RMAC’s regular season crown when it faces Westminster and Colorado Mesa in its final road trip. The Rangers already own victories over both teams.
Coming off an 18-7 win over Rollins last week, No. 5 Tampa is now in control in the SSC as the league’s only remaining unbeaten team. The Spartans, 5-0 in league play, can claim the top seed for the SSC tournament with wins over No. 16 Embry-Riddle and No. 17 Lynn this week.
The NCAA will release its first regional ranking of the season this Wednesday, listing teams in alpha order within each region. Our picks would be West Chester (Atlantic Region), Regis (Midwest), Tampa (South) and No. 3 Pace (East) as the top spots in the four regions.
April 17, 2023 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
West Chester |
13-0 |
1 |
4/19 at No. 8 East Stroudsburg |
|
2 |
Regis |
12-0 |
2 |
4/21 at Westminster |
|
3 |
Pace |
11-1 |
3 |
4/18 at American International |
|
4 |
UIndy |
13-2 |
4 |
4/21 vs. Quincy |
|
5 |
Tampa |
13-2 |
5 |
4/19 at No. 16 Embry-Riddle |
|
6 |
Florida Southern |
13-2 |
6 |
4/19 at Florida Tech |
|
7 |
Maryville |
15-1 |
8 |
4/21 vs. Rockhurst |
|
8 |
East Stroudsburg |
11-2 |
9 |
4/19 vs. No. 1 West Chester |
|
9 |
Le Moyne |
11-2 |
10 |
4/18 at Saint Rose |
|
10 |
Flagler |
14-1 |
11 |
4/22 at Lander |
|
11 |
Rollins |
13-2 |
7 |
4/19 at Saint Leo |
|
12 |
Wingate |
14-2 |
14 |
4/22 at No. 15 Limestone |
|
13 |
Grand Valley State |
11-4 |
16 |
4/23 at Northern Michigan |
|
14 |
Adelphi |
9-4 |
13 |
4/18 vs. No. 19 Bentley |
|
15 |
Limestone |
12-2 |
17 |
4/18 vs. Lincoln Memorial |
|
16 |
Embry-Riddle |
12-3 |
12 |
4/19 vs. No. 5 Tampa |
|
17 |
Lynn |
11-5 |
15 |
4/19 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic |
|
18 |
Molloy |
11-3 |
20 |
4/22 at Roberts Wesleyan |
|
19 |
Bentley |
8-4 |
19 |
4/18 at No. 14 Adelphi |
|
20 |
Saint Anselm |
9-3 |
18 |
4/18 at Franklin Pierce |
Grand Valley State (+3)
It hasn’t been a smooth ride for the Lakers, who were ranked No. 5 in the preseason but started 2-4 overall and fell as low as No. 17 in the weekly ranking. To its credit, GVSU seems to have steadied the ship in recent weeks and extended its winning streak to eight games by adding three more victories last week. Once again, they will be the team to beat in the GLIAC tournament.
Wingate (+2)
The Bulldogs are another team riding a long winning streak, pushing their run to 10 straight with two more blowout wins. Having already clinched at least a share of the regular season South Atlantic Conference title, Wingate can claim the outright conference championship this Saturday at No. 15 Limestone.
Rollins (-4)
The Tars began this season with 12 straight wins but have stumbled recently against the top contenders in the SSC. Rollins let a three-goal second quarter lead get away against No. 6 Florida Southern 10 days ago, then got rolled by No. 5 Tampa 17-7 last Saturday. Trailing 2-1 early, Tampa scored 10 of the next 11 games to blow the game open.
Embry-Riddle (-4)
The Eagles have made great strides as a program in the past two years, emerging as a contender in the difficult Sunshine State Conference. But last Saturday was not one of their better efforts, allowing 26 goals in a 12-goal loss to No. 6 Florida Southern, which tied its team record for most goals scored in a game. The challenge doesn’t get easier this week as Tampa comes to town.
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.
