The 2020 lacrosse season ended abruptly, and it’s anyone’s guess exactly when the 2021 season will begin. But there’s been plenty of movement in the offseason.

While it’s probably a greater challenge to forecast the upcoming season than in most years, US Lacrosse Magazine will give it a try.

Up today: Nos. 25-21.

Early 2021 Rankings

Division I Men
No. 25 - No. 21
No. 20 - No. 16
No. 15 - No. 11
No. 10 - No. 6
No. 5 - No. 1

Division I Women
No. 25 - No. 21
No. 20 - No. 16
No. 15 - No. 11
No. 10 - No. 6
No. 5 - No. 1

25. HOFSTRA

2020 record: 4-3

Last seen: A Newton, Mass., loss to Boston College in which BC dropped 13 in the first half.

Initial forecast: Perhaps this will be Hofstra’s year to overtake James Madison in the CAA. The Pride will enjoy the returns of Alexa Mattera, Darcie Smith and all-time great Alyssa Parrella as fifth-year seniors, giving head coach Shannon Smith a sturdy base from which to build. Hofstra ranked 37th nationally with 13.43 goals per game and secured 16.29 draws per game, good for 13th nationally. But the defense lagged behind by allowing 12.14 goals per game, ranking 55th in the nation. Darcie Smith’s return helps in that regard. Goalkeeper Jess Smith was a standout as a freshman in 2019, and a rough final game against Boston College last year skewed her final stat line. With her performing at peak levels, Hofstra is in good shape on that end of the field.

24. STANFORD

2020 record: 3-4

Last seen: An easy 17-6 victory over Arizona State, Stanford’s largest margin of victory in 2020.

Initial forecast: Mikaela Watson, the team’s leading scorer with 20 goals in 2020, is back for a fifth year in 2021. That alone is good news for Danielle Spencer’s program. Joining Watson as fifth-year contributors are defender Kyra Pelton and midfielders Daniella McMahon and Jacie Lemos. It’s the youngsters that should be the most exciting for the Cardinal, though. Attackers Ashley Humphrey and Sarah Jacques, high school teammates at Darien (Ct.), are two of the top recruits in their class and could be difference-makers. Neither played in high school in 2020 due to COVID-19, but they were electric when they were last on the field. As a junior, Humphrey  recorded 63 goals, 66 assists and 15 ground balls as the X attacker for Darien. Jaques, a right-handed high-side attacker, finished her junior season with 84 goals, 30 assists, 25 ground balls and 50 draw controls. 

23. COLORADO

2020 record: 3-2

Last seen: Throttling Coastal Carolina 19-8 and outscoring Oregon and CC a combined 40-13 to end the season.

Initial forecast: Tied with Penn as the No. 23 defense in 2020 (10.20 goals allowed per game), the Buffs will welcome back stalwart goalkeeper Julia Lisella for a sixth season. She averaged 9.20 saves per game and saved 48.4 percent of shots — a mark that’s just about her career average of 48.7 percent. The defense is this team’s strongest unit, but with the Buffs’ top five scorers returning (Charlie Rudy, Chloe Willard, Sadie Grozier, Zoe Lawless and Liz Phillips), Colorado could see improvement on that end of the field.

22. PENN STATE

2020 record: 5-2

Last seen: Staving off Vanderbilt in Nashville in a 14-13 win.

Initial forecast: Let’s start with an interesting fact. Here are a handful of offenses that Penn State performed better than in 2020: Florida, USC, Colorado, Boston College, Virginia and Maryland. Unfortunately, the defense ranked 53rd nationally and couldn’t help prop up the offensive showings of Maria Auth, Sophia Triandafils, Lauren Craft and Quinn Nicolai — the team’s top four scorers who all return in 2021. The Big Ten is a gauntlet, but Penn State has some talent. Is it enough to make a splash and crack the top 20?

21. NAVY

2020 record: 2-4

Last seen: Ending 2020 on a three-game skid with big losses to Maryland and Florida.

Initial forecast: Because of her commitment to the United States Navy, Kelly Larkin — Navy’s best player of all-time — won’t be back in 2021. She finished her career with 376 points, records for Navy and the Patriot League. With a full season in 2020, she likely would have become the fourth member of the exclusive 400-point club (Kylie Ohlmiller, Jen Adams, Courtney Murphy). Now, Navy must find another offensive force. Nicole Victory is the team’s top returning point scorer after the graduations of Larkin and Kayla Harris. Reagan Roelofs (12 goals) is also back. But the Mids will need more.