Week 5 Women's Lacrosse Preview: Appointment Viewing, a Key Ivy Clash

We knew that things would be different heading into the season. The sheer roster upheaval as players with pandemic-related eligibility extensions (mostly, perhaps finally, depending on your rooting interest) graduated left us with more questions than answers about how things would shake out.

Some teams have answered the bell over the first month of the season. Exhibits A and B: Stanford and Clemson, unranked to start the season, are now Nos. 6 and No. 7, respectively, in the USA Lacrosse Top 20. Clemson’s rise comes after wins over typical ACC juggernauts Syracuse and Notre Dame. Stanford draws the former this Friday.

While March rankings matter only slightly more than preseason ones, the results become more significant as more teams dig into conference action, including the Ivy League. Bookmark these games — you may return to them in April and May as conference tournament seeds come down to tiebreakers.

PICK FIVE

NO. 6 STANFORD (6-0, 2-0 ACC) AT NO. 9 SYRACUSE (3-3, 0-2 ACC)  
5 P.M. EASTERN FRIDAY | WATCH: ACCNX

Stanford storyline to watch: The Cardinal went from being the class of the Pac-12 to ... a contender in the Atlantic Coast Conference? We won’t get ahead of ourselves — how Stanford stacks up against co-favorites Boston College and North Carolina remains to be seen. However, a 6-0 start with wins over Virginia, Colorado and USC is impressive. The offense is one reason. The Cardinal has scored at least 13 goals in each of their six games and are sixth nationally in scoring offense. Watch how Aliya Polisky (23G) and Elise Murphy (16A) fare against a Syracuse defense that held Clemson’s 16-goals-per-game offense to nine last weekend.

Syracuse storyline to watch: Syracuse is reeling after three straight losses and news that Olivia Adamson (10G, 6A, 5DC) would miss the remainder of the season. Adamson’s leadership and offensive and circle prowess were vital for a Syracuse team rebuilding in both areas. Her loss was felt in a Saturday loss at home to Clemson in which the Tigers held a 17-4 advantage on the draw, enough to counteract the Orange’s staunch defense. It’s a bit dramatic to say this game will define Syracuse’s season. It won’t. But Syracuse could use a win Friday, and by the way, No. 15 Johns Hopkins looms Monday.

NO. 17 DUKE (4-2, 1-1 ACC) AT NO. 7 CLEMSON (5-0, 2-0 ACC)  
12 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | WATCH: ACCNX

Duke storyline to watch: The Blue Devils scored an impressive win over Notre Dame on Friday and beat Xavier on Sunday. Not to be a downer, but Duke trailed in draws in both games (13-11 vs. Notre Dame and 16-13 vs. Xavier). The circle is an area where Clemson shines (.638 draw percentage, No. 8 in Division I). Ditto for offense (16.20 goals per game, also No. 8 in Division I). The Blue Devils either need to limit Clemson’s possessions in the circle or buckle down on defense (or both) to win Saturday.  

Clemson storyline to watch: It’s tough to declare the Tigers the hottest team in the early going (Yale, North Carolina and Stanford would have words). However, they’re arguably the most surprising. After beating Notre Dame in South Bend on Feb. 22, the Tigers marched into the Dome and upended then-No. 6 Syracuse 9-8 for its best win in program history. Is Duke — and a 7-0 start — next?

NO. 11 FLORIDA (4-2, 1-1 BIG 12) AT NO. 15 LOYOLA (4-2, 1-0 PATRIOT)  
12 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | WATCH: ESPN+

Florida storyline to watch: In previous seasons, March was an easier month for the Gators, who often kicked off their season with the likes of North Carolina, Syracuse and Maryland. They then cake-walked until the conference tournament, save for James Madison, who the Gators lost to 17-16 despite a six-goal fourth quarter last weekend. That won’t be the case this year. Loyola marks the second of five ranked opponents Florida will lock horns with this month, with No. 19 Navy (March 12), No. 7 Clemson (March 20) and No. 18 Penn (March 26) on the horizon. A win Saturday would build momentum and RPI.

Loyola storyline to watch: We knew Chase Boyle and Georgia Latch would spearhead the Greyhounds offense. But freshman midfielder Mim Suares-Jury (10G, 2A, 8GB, 5CT) might have next — and now. A member of Australia’s U20 team and an Al-World selection, Suares-Jury has provided a formidable third option. Keep an eye on her if you can. She’s lightning-fast and was a silver medalist in the 100-meter event at the 2022 Victorian U17 track and field championship.

HARVARD (3-1, 0-0 IVY) AT No. 12 PRINCETON (4-1, 0-0 IVY) 
12 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | WATCH: ESPN+

Harvard storyline to watch: As impressive as Princeton has looked even in an opening-season loss to Virginia, Harvard stands a chance. The Crimson enter the game having most recently upended Navy (11-9) and UConn (13-12 in overtime). There’s no single player that pops for Harvard. It employs a balanced offense, with no player eclipsing 20 points yet. (Callie Batchelder and Caroline Mullahy have 17 points apiece. Charlotte Hodgson has 13 points and 30 draws, and Grace Mullahy has 12 points.) And senior netminder Lizzie Francioli has been solid with a 47.8% save percentage and 9.54 goals-against average. It’s been enough for a 3-1 start, but how about a win over Princeton, something that hasn’t happened since April 14, 2012?

Princeton storyline to watch: Kyla Sears was the heart of Princeton’s offense from 2018-22, and the Tigers’ identity has been in flux for the last two years. The unit has come into its own this season, leaning on McKenzie Blake (4.25 goals per game, No. 4 in Division I) and Haven Dora (5.25 assists per game, No. 1 in Division I). It’s fun to watch these two work.

NO. 10 MARYLAND (3-1, 0-0 BIG TEN) AT NO. 8 JAMES MADISON (4-1, 0-0 AAC)  
12 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | WATCH: ESPN+

Maryland storyline to watch: A pair of freshmen lead the Terps in draws in Shelby Sullivan (18 DC, 7G) and Kayla Gilmore (14DC, 6G). Meanwhile, an unsurprising name, Kori Edmonson, holds the team lead in points (15) and goals (12).

James Madison storyline to watch: Maddie Epke has stolen the show and is the show for James Madison, which bid farewell to all-timer Isabella Peterson last May. Epke leads the Dukes in goals (16), assists (7) and draws (56). Speaking of which, Epke ranks second nationally in draws per game (11.20).

DON’T FORGET ABOUT…

NO. 1 BOSTON COLLEGE (6-0, 2-0 ACC) AT NOTRE DAME (3-3, 0-2 ACC) 
11 A.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | WATCH: ACCNX

NO. 13 VIRGINIA (3-2, 1-1 ACC) AT NO. 1 NORTH CAROLINA (6-0, 2-0 ACC) 
2:30 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | WATCH: ACCNX

Choosing games featuring Boston College and North Carolina is, admittedly, like florals for springtime (h/t to Miranda Priestly of Devil Wears Prada). But we can’t help it. These teams are a blast to watch. For BC, it’s the formidable mix of Rachel Clark, Emma LoPinto and Mckenna Davis on offense and Shea Dolce in net.

And with UNC, it’s just a total package. The way the offense, led by Ashley and Chloe Humphrey, flows and dominates is textbook perfect. Same for the way the defense, ranked second nationally in goals-allowed per game (4.80), shows up.

BC and UNC appear to be on a collision course to see who takes the most flowers (in the form of trophies and individual accolades) this spring.