NASCAR fans believe that one of the unique elements of their sport is that the season begins with their most prestigious race, the Daytona 500. Clearly, most other sports can’t do that. The World Series can’t be played at the beginning of the season. Nor the Super Bowl. But women’s lacrosse may be another story.

It was a great first weekend for NCAA Division II women’s lacrosse, featuring a rematch of last year’s national championship game between preseason No. 1 Adelphi and No. 2 Florida Southern. And if that wasn’t enough, we also had No. 3 Lindenwood hosting No. 5 Queens on the same day. Four of the nations’ top five teams in head-to-head matchups.

So what did we learn?

For starters, we now know that defending champion Adelphi will not waltz undefeated through the regular season and march easily to another national championship. The Panthers aren’t going away, but there are going to be other legitimate challengers in 2018.

One of those is likely to again be Florida Southern, the 2016 champion and 2017 runner-up. The Mocs displayed impressive offensive firepower with their 17-16 takedown of Adelphi. FSC now assumes the role of frontrunner it moves to the No. 1 spot the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Women's Top 20.

Lindenwood, the last undefeated team in 2017, also appears loaded for another strong run, evidenced by its 13-4 beatdown of Queens. The Lions scored the first five goals of the game and never looked back in a dominating performance against a top-five opponent.

One of the best match-ups of the week ahead features No. 6 Florida Tech at No. 7 Limestone on Friday. Two other top-10 members – No. 4 Le Moyne and No. 5 LIU Post – also open their 2018 campaigns this week.
 

Also considered: Grand Valley State, McKendree, Mount Olive, Pace, Slippery Rock, Tampa

Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings

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

HOT

Florida Southern (+1)

It wasn’t the biggest jump of the week, climbing just one position, but perhaps the most noteworthy, as the Mocs assumed the top spot following a 17-16 win over preseason No. 1 and defending champion Adelphi. Dani Bursinger led FSC, the 2016 national champion, with five goals and 10 draw controls. Leading by as many as six goals in the second half, FSC held off a late Adelphi charge to secure the 100th win in the program’s seven-year history.

Limestone (+6)

It’s been a good start for the Saints, who improved to 2-0 with a 13-11 road win at Tampa Saturday. Junior Courtney Lafler and senior Kendra Sheppard led Limestone with three goals each. A big clash with No. 6 Florida Tech looms.

NOT

Regis (-8)

The Rangers jumped to a 5-0 lead at Indianapolis, and also led by four goals in the second half, but eventually lost 12-11 on the road.

Queens (-7)

The Royals were one of the highest scoring teams in the nation last year, averaging almost 15 goals per game, but managed just 10 shots and committed 25 turnovers in a lopsided loss at Lindenwood in their 2018 opener.

NEW

Indianapolis

The Greyhounds move into the Top 20 after winning two of three to start the season, including an upset over then-No. 7 Regis, and a competitive loss against No. 2 Lindenwood. After winning 13 games last year, Indy may be a strong challenger in the Great Lakes Conference this spring.

OUT

Molloy

The season-opening swing through Florida didn’t go quite as hoped for the Lions, who were handed a pair of defeats by Florida Tech and St. Leo. The back-to-back losses dropped Molloy, ranked No. 17 in the preseason, out of the Top 20.