W&L Wins Early Test, Climbs in Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Women's Top 20

Less than half of the teams ranked in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Women’s Preseason Top 20 have played games at the onset of the 2023 season, but there already is some movement.

In arguably the most anticipated matchup of the weekend, former No. 9 Washington and Lee passed a big test with a win against then-No. 6 Franklin & Marshall to slide back into the spot it finished last season.

Unranked Roanoke toppled No. 16 Denison on Saturday in the only other game that caused any shakeup. Meanwhile, No. 4 Salisbury added a second win to stay put, beating No. 17 Catholic, and No. 5 Gettysburg opened with a 15-5 win over Stevenson to kick off the post-Carol Cantele era seamlessly under former assistant Charlotte Cunningham.

More teams jump into action this week, while others won’t get underway until March 4.

NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION III WOMEN’S TOP 20

Also considered (alphabetical order): Amherst, FDU-Florham, Haverford, Kenyon, Mary Washington, Messiah, Pomona-Pitzer, Roger Williams, St. John Fisher, Trinity (Conn.)

Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings

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

HOT

Washington and Lee (+3)

Following the departure of 15-year coach Brooke O’Brien during the offseason, some believed the transition might lead to a slow start for the Generals. It’s still early, but a 15-8 win over Franklin & Marshall on Sunday was a good sign the program is in good hands with former Denison assistant Maddie Coleman. Allie Schwab and Hanna Bishop, the team’s top two scorers in 2022, led the way as each contributed three goals and two assists to help W&L overcome 19 turnovers. Franklin & Marshall tested goalkeeper Caroline Kranich, but she recorded 11 saves to preserve the win.

Salisbury (no change)

The Sea Gulls didn’t gain any ground while the top three teams have yet to play a game, but they collected a respectable 10-5 win over No. 17 Catholic on Saturday and are now 2-0 after opening with a 14-2 victory over Stevenson on Feb. 11. Emma Skoglund netted hat tricks in both games, also adding an assist and a pair of draw controls against Catholic, while Erin Scannell recorded two goals and two ground balls in that game. Kellan McAleer led the defensive effort for Salisbury with three caused turnovers. Salisbury next faces No. 9 W&L on Saturday in a matchup that could impact the rankings.

Gettysburg (no change)

Caroline Sullivan tallied four goals, two assists and three draw controls to lead the Bullets to their 15-5 win over Stevenson on Saturday in Cunningham’s first game as head coach. Jordan Basso added four assists to go with three caused turnovers. Cunningham has big shoes to fill in replacing Cantele, who retired after 30 seasons at the helm, but the new coach spent four years on staff with the Bullets prior to her promotion and that eased the transition.

NOT

Franklin & Marshall (-2)

The loss to Washington and Lee caused the Diplomats to drop down to No. 8, but now they have some time to correct mistakes before returning to action March 1 at Messiah. F&M fell behind 6-2 in the first quarter and was unable to recover. The Diplomats also dropped their 2022 opener to nationally ranked W&L before running off 12 straight victories following that early defeat, so they will be looking for a similar rebound.

IN

Roanoke (No. 18)

Grace Koutouzis and Libby Bowman each scored five goals to power the Maroons’ offense, but the defense backed up that effort with a stout performance for a 14-4 win over formerly ranked Denison. Goalie Kyleigh Chickering had three caused turnovers, six ground balls and six saves on 10 shots faced, while Koutouzis added two assists to her five goals and Bowman chipped in one assist. Roanoke was coming off a 16-5 finish last season.

OUT

Denison (No. 16)

The Big Red were a little sloppy coming out of the gate, as they won 14 of 22 draws but couldn’t keep possession in the 14-4 loss to Roanoke. They finished with 18 turnovers, including seven unforced errors, and were outshot 27-13. Allaire Kotz had two goals and one assist. It doesn’t get any easier, as the Big Red look to rebound against Gettysburg on Saturday.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS

• Preseason