22. RICHMOND
2021 record: 10-2 (6-0 A-10)
Last seen: A disappointing showing against an upstart Saint Joseph’s team in the A-10 tournament — ultimately a 19-8 for the Spiders.
Initial forecast: Sam Geiersbach, a program staple on the offensive end, has transferred further south to North Carolina, but there’s still firepower on the attack in Richmond. Juniors Lindsey Frank (37 goals) and Arden Tierney (39 points) now firmly have the keys to the Spiders offense, with graduate student Nicole Concannon, Marina Miller and Kendall Duffy providing support. Longtime goalie Megan Gianforte has graduated, leaving an opening between the pipes. Each of Nicole Burney, Daniela Stelcer and Emilie Bloyer saw time in 2021, but graduate transfer Delaney Galvin (Marist) has started 48 career games. With consistent goalie play reminiscent of Gianforte’s production, Richmond should be just fine.
21. LOUISVILLE
2021 record: 5-11 (1-9 ACC)
Last seen: Losing to top-seeded North Carolina in the ACC tournament 19-6.
Initial forecast: Louisville lost its last four games and went 1-9 in its last 10 games. The question you’re inevitably asking is a fair one: How is Louisville in the Early Top 25? For one, marked improvement was made last spring, even if the record doesn’t indicate it. A 12-9 win over Colorado in February was notable, and even though they weren’t victorious, the Cardinals did lose by just a single goal to Virginia and Boston College (in overtime) and by two goals to Duke. They also beat Virginia Tech. Growth in the always-tough ACC isn’t attained easily, but Louisville won’t be an easy out. Ally Hall, the team’s goals and points leader last spring, graduated, but Caroline Blalock and Hannah Morris are back as key offensive cogs. Like Richmond, the questions lie between the pipes. Rachel Florek is gone, so it’s likely sophomore Sara Addeche’s time in goal. Freshman Juliana Pleck from Auburn, Georgia, is the only other goalie on the roster.