17. JACKSONVILLE
2021 record: 12-2 (3-0 ASUN)
Last seen: Losing in a revenge game for Florida, a 17-3 drubbing in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Initial forecast: Let’s talk about that revenge game. An impressive, gritty 12-11 win over Florida on March 13 set the stage for a program-best season, but the Dolphins couldn’t cash in against the Gators in that second meeting. But that’s OK. They’re only two losses were against Florida and Coastal Carolina (in overtime), and the offense was its usually strong self. Molly Brock (85 draw controls) proved pivotal in the center circle, and the midfielder could be in for an even bigger spring this time. Jacksonville returns 213 of its 219 goals (97.3 percent) from last year, with Julia Kolderman representing the lone player gone to graduation. Sarah Elms, Jenny Kinsey, Brock, Alyssa Arnold and Grace Hobson are a formidable group to anchor the Dolphins, but defense remains the question. Addy Tysdal, a junior who started all 14 games but saved just 41 percent of shots, could face competition from senior Dayna Martinetto, who played in 12 games but saved 52 percent of shots.
16. RUTGERS
2021 record: 7-9 (5-7 Big Ten)
Last seen: Losing 20-8 to Stony Brook in the second round of the NCAA tournament after earning its first-ever NCAA tournament win two days earlier.
Initial forecast: With the caveat — again — being that judging the Big Ten was a chore last spring, Rutgers admittedly looked promising. The Scarlet Knights took major strides under Melissa Lehman, winning its first-ever NCAA tournament game by upsetting Drexel 16-13. It was just the second NCAA tournament game ever for Rutgers, which has been around since 1977. Rutgers has some potential to stick around thanks to a combination of productive veterans and exciting young players. Cassidy Spilis, now a junior, burst onto the scene with 49 goals and 65 draw controls, giving the Scarlet Knights a dynamic second option behind program staple Taralyn Naslonski (34 goals, 23 assists). Like Spilis, Marin Hartshorn was a contributor on the circle and on offense (23 goals, 18 assists, 53 draw controls). Those three are all back, as is exciting defender Meghan Ball — a 16-game starter who controlled 75 draws of her own. Overall, Rutgers is in a good spot, needing to replace starters in attacker Hannah Hollingsworth and midfielder Julia Lytle. (Hollingsworth will likely be replaced by graduate transfer Stephanie Kelly, who posted 45 goals and 46 assists as Co-Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year with Saint Joseph’s last season). The big question comes in goal, where Alonna Gliksman and Sophia Cardello combined to save just 36.4 percent of shots. Figuring out that situation would mean big things for Rutgers.