Division II men’s lacrosse is back, and the competition for a national title might be as fierce as ever. With the departure of Merrimack and LIU Post, more teams have a shot at making it to Lincoln Financial Field on Memorial Day Weekend.
The majority of teams have gotten their seasons underway, but there is little movement in this week’s Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Men’s Top 20.
Most notably, Colorado Mesa is the biggest mover, dominating Saint Leo 16-8 and jumping four spots to No. 16. Mercyhurst and Tampa also scored strong season-opening wins over Wingate and Queens (N.C.), respectively.
All but three teams in the top 20 will be in action this week, so the season will be fully underway in the coming days. Rejoice fans, lacrosse is back.
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
Nike/US Lacrosse
Division II Men’s Top 20
Feb. 10, 2020 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limestone | 1-0 | 1 | 2/14 vs. Tusculum |
| 2 | Adelphi | 0-0 | 2 | 3/1 at No. 19 Lenior Rhyne |
| 3 | Le Moyne | 0-0 | 3 | 2/15 vs. Roberts Wesleyan |
| 4 | Mercyhurst | 1-0 | 4 | 2/15 vs. Lewis |
| 5 | Tampa | 1-0 | 6 | 2/15 vs. Young Harris |
| 6 | Belmont Abbey | 2-0 | 5 | 2/15 vs. No. 18 Florida Southern |
| 7 | Seton Hill | 0-0 | 7 | 2/15 at Davis & Elkins |
| 8 | Mount Olive | 1-0 | 8 | 2/12 at Coker |
| 9 | Indianapolis | 1-0 | 10 | 2/15 vs. Lake Erie |
| 10 | Mercy | 0-0 | 12 | 2/11 at American International |
| 11 | Rockhurst | 2-0 | 13 | 2/15 at Columbia (Mo.) |
| 12 | Queens (N.C.) | 1-1 | 9 | 2/15 vs. No. 17 Rollins |
| 13 | Lindenwood | 1-0 | 15 | 2/15 at Mars Hill |
| 14 | Wingate | 1-1 | 11 | 2/16 vs. Westminster |
| 15 | Pace | 0-0 | 14 | 2/22 vs. Dominican |
| 16 | Colorado Mesa | 2-0 | 20 | 2/10 at Shorter |
| 17 | Rollins | 1-0 | 17 | 2/15 at No. 12 Queens (N.C.) |
| 18 | Florida Southern | 1-0 | 18 | 2/15 at No. 6 Belmont Abbey |
| 19 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 1-0 | 19 | 2/14 vs. Westminster |
| 20 | NYIT | 1-0 | N/A | 2/18 vs. Georgian Court |
ALSO CONSIDERED: Bentley, Florida Tech, Saint Anselm, Saint Leo, Tusculum
HOT
Colorado Mesa (+4)
Mesa went 2-0 to start the season, including an impressive 16-8 win over Saint Leo on Saturday. With a light slate over the coming weeks, the Mavericks should continue to rise in the rankings. Johnny Cary has six goals and three assists on the young season.
NOT
Wingate (-3)
The Bulldogs squandered a halftime lead and only scored once in the second half, allowing Mercyhurst to pull back for the 10-6 victory. It’s not an alarming loss, but definitely one that could have given Wingate a jolt of confidence in February.
IN
NYIT
Maybe this is the season the Bears return as a Division II power. After a few tough years, NYIT is back in the top 20 early in the 2020 season. It dominated UDC 18-5 to open its season and replaces Saint Leo.
OUT
Saint Leo
Last year was a tough one for the Lions, and the 2020 season didn’t start on a positive note. An eight-goal loss to Colorado Mesa in which Saint Leo allowed 16 goals — five more than the 2019 average — drops the Lions from the rankings this week.