There’s good news and bad news for Division II women’s programs as the 2019 season gets underway. 

The expanded 16-team NCAA championship bracket will be the largest ever for the sport, allowing for four more teams than last year and reflecting a 100-percent growth from the eight-team tournament of just four years ago.

The bad news is that there are some traditional heavyweights that will likely dominate each of the four regions (Atlantic, East, Midwest, South) again in 2019, keeping the entry path for newcomers into the postseason quite narrow.

One of those power programs, Le Moyne, enjoyed its own breakthrough last year, claiming its first national championship after years of close finishes. The Dolphins are among the popular choices for another title this spring.

Here’s a rundown of our Preseason Top 20:

1. Le Moyne

The Dolphins had to beat their NE10 nemesis, Adelphi, twice last year on their run to the NCAA title. Led by first-team All-American Bryanna Fazio (78 goals, 105 points) and national goalie of the year Hannah George, Le Moyne may need to repeat that feat in order to successfully defend its crown.

2. Adelphi

The Panthers lost several key seniors, but have returning talent in junior Alison Johnson, the 2018 NE10 Player of the Year, and Kole Pollock, who scored a school-record 85 goals last year. With a 104-6 record over past four seasons, it’s hard to look past the Panthers.

3. Florida Southern

The Mocs have made three straight national championship game appearances, winning the title in 2016 and finishing as runners-up in 2017 and 2018. FSC will count on All-Americans Dani Bursinger and Sam Keesey to lead the way back to championship weekend in 2019. 

4. West Chester

The Rams exceeded many expectations during a 19-1 campaign last year, but that’s not likely to be the case in 2019. With All-American midfielders Maggie Stella and Sami Barnett leading the way, a championship run will not be a surprise.

5. Lindenwood

The 2018 season ended unexpectedly for the undefeated Lions with a 15-14 overtime loss in the NCAA quarterfinals, snapping a streak of four straight national semifinal appearances. Graduation hit hard, but the Lions always seem to fill the holes with talented replacements.

6. LIU Post

The Pioneers are aiming for their fifth straight ECC title in their final season in Division II. Juniors Alyssa Mallery (77 goals) and Brianna Feldman (60 goals) headline a deep roster that has just one big question mark, the need to replace All-American goalie and four-year starter Olivia Kirk.

7. Florida Tech

The biggest obstacle to FIT’s national success has been getting past SSC-foe Florida Southern, which handed Tech all three of its losses in 2018. New coach McKenzie Rafferty must rebuild the offense, but has All-Americans Olivia Going on defense and Sam Schiano at midfield.

8. East Stroudsburg

The Warriors earned their second straight NCAA Tournament berth in 2018 and advanced to the final four after upsetting PSAC-rival West Chester in the national quarterfinals. The postseason experiences of the past two years should pave the way for another strong run this spring.

9. Regis

Back-to-back 17-win seasons and a first ever appearance in the national semifinals has the Rangers trending in the right direction. All-American attacker Sarah Myres (72 goals, 107 points) and midfielder Kyleigh Peoples (78 points) are among the key returnees. 

10. Indianapolis

The Greyhounds were one of 2018’s breakthrough teams, setting a new school record with 16 wins, capturing the GLIAC title and earning their first NCAA appearance.

11. Limestone

The Saints are always a strong contender in the South and will challenge for one of the region’s four tournament berths.

12. Rollins

The Tars were 14-4 last year and only lost one game to a team outside the top five. Lots of returning talent will fuel a strong offense.

13. Mercyhurst

The Lakers have made five straight appearances in the PSAC league final and should contend for top honors again.

14. Mercy

Returning All-American Hunter Isnardi is one of the top players in the nation and has helped the Mavericks register 30 victories in the past two seasons. 

15. Colorado Mesa

New head coach Shanta Loecker will try to build on the program’s recent success that has yielded 36 wins over the past three seasons.

16. Grand Valley State

Mackenzie Lawler takes over as just the second coach in program history and inherits a squad that finished 13-5 in 2018.

17. NYIT

The Bears finished 14-5 last year and hope to take another step forward in the ECC as they begin their third varsity season.

18. Pace

The Setters are coming off the best season in program history, winning a school-record 14 games and recording 10 wins in the NE10.

19. Lake Erie

The Storm finished last season with a 16-game winning streak while capturing their first league championship. 

20. Merrimack

The Warriors return virtually everybody from a 14-win team as they try to claim an NCAA bid in their final Division II campaign.

NOTE: These rankings were compiled before the season. The first Division II Women's Top 20 will be released on Feb. 11.