Just when we thought the top of the Division II season was settling down toward the NCAA tournament, fans were treated to the most tumultuous weekend of the year. Entering the week, there were three undefeated teams sitting in the top three — Adelphi, Limestone and Mercy.
Fast-forward to Monday, and only one is left standing, and it’s a familiar name. Limestone, winner of three of the past five NCAA Division II titles, sits at 14-0 and No. 1 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Men’s Top 20 after beating Belmont Abbey and Barton last week.
Previously No. 1 and unbeaten Adelphi fell to Le Moyne 10-8 at home despite a furious second-half rally. Adelphi drops back to No. 4 this week.
Mercy, the other unbeaten team and No. 3 last week, scored just two goals in an upset loss to Mercyhurst. The Mavericks fall back to No. 8 in this week’s rankings.
With the tournament field expanding to 12 teams this season, more teams have hope of claiming at-large bids as the season heads toward its conclusion. Could there be more upsets in store as we progress? That remains to be seen, but this past week has given us an indication that the fun won’t stop anytime soon.
Nike/US Lacrosse
Division II Men’s Top 20
April 15, 2019 |
W/L |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limestone | 14-0 | 2 | 4/20 at No. 13 Mount Olive |
| 2 | Merrimack | 10-1 | 4 | 4/16 vs. No. 19 Assumption |
| 3 | Le Moyne | 11-2 | 7 | 4/20 vs. Saint Michael's |
| 4 | Adelphi | 12-1 | 1 | 4/16 at No. 18 Bentley |
| 5 | LIU Post | 10-2 | 6 | 4/20 at No. 8 Mercy |
| 6 | Indianapolis | 11-1 | 10 | 4/19 vs. No. 16 Rockhurst |
| 7 | Mercyhurst | 9-3 | 13 | 4/20 at Wheeling Jesuit |
| 8 | Mercy | 13-1 | 3 | 4/20 vs. No. 5 LIU Post |
| 9 | Queens (N.C.) | 11-2 | 5 | 4/20 vs. No. 14 Wingate |
| 10 | Belmont Abbey | 12-2 | 8 | 4/17 vs. Emmanuel |
| 11 | Seton Hill | 9-3 | 11 | 4/16 vs. Walsh |
| 12 | Pace | 9-3 | 9 | 4/16 vs. Franklin Pierce |
| 13 | Mount Olive | 11-2 | 12 | 4/20 vs. No. 1 Limestone |
| 14 | Wingate | 10-3 | 14 | 4/20 at No. 9 Queens (N.C.) |
| 15 | Lynn | 10-3 | 18 | 4/20 vs. Saint Leo |
| 16 | Rockhurst | 11-2 | 19 | 4/19 at No. 6 Indianapolis |
| 17 | Catawba | 9-4 | 17 | 4/20 at Tusculum |
| 18 | Bentley | 8-2 | N/A | 4/16 vs. No. 4 Adelphi |
| 19 | Assumption | 8-4 | 15 | 4/16 at No. 2 Merrimack |
| 20 | Tampa | 11-5 | 16 | 4/20 at Palm Beach Atlantic |
Also Considered: Colorado Mesa, Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Lenoir-Rhyne, Lindenwood, Maryville, NYIT, Palm Beach Atlantic, Rollins, Saint Anselm, Saint Leo
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Mercyhurst (+6)
Dismantling the previously unbeaten and third-ranked Mercy Mavericks is a significant achievement for this Mercyhurst team. The Lakers were the first team to drop double digits on the top-ranked Mercy defense. An impressive performance all around.
Indianapolis (+4)
IndyU’s rise to No. 6 was influenced by the losses of team’s above it in the rankings, but not entirely.
NOT
Mercy (-5)
It was a historic start for the Mavericks, who jumped to No. 3 in the top 20. But a 10-2 loss to Mercyhurst puts a halt on the Mercy momentum for now, and drops it to No. 8. A tough test against LIU Post awaits.
Pace (-3)
The Setters have now lost two of three games, granted they came to Le Moyne and Merrimack. The combined score of both of the losses was 25-11. Plenty of time left in the season, but Pace could use a big win.
IN
Bentley
Bentley put together a strong week, taking down Saint Anselm and Assumption in conference play. The Falcons are now 8-2 with the lone losses coming to Le Moyne and Merrimack.
OUT
Lindenwood
In a virtual rankings play-in game, Lindenwood fell 12-6 to Rockhurst. The Lions have now lost four of seven games, while averaging just six goals per game in the losses, and move out of the top 20 for this week.