After four weeks of rankings, we can finally say that each team in the Division II top 20 has started its season.
Unfortunately for Adelphi — the last team to do so — the season-opener did not go as planned. Lenoir-Rhyne, trailing by as many as five goals to the Panthers, surged back in the second to complete the 17-16 upset victory in what was one of the game’s of this early season.
Adelphi, a team with high hopes for 2020, falls back to No. 8, while Lenoir-Rhyne makes the jump into the top 10.
Elsewhere in the rankings, Mercyhurst stayed unbeaten with a 10-9 win over Indianapolis and Rollins makes a big jump after topping Wingate last weekend.
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
Nike/US Lacrosse
Division II Men's Top 20
March 2, 2020 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limestone | 4-0 | 1 | 3/8 vs. No. 8 Lenoir-Rhyne |
| 2 | Le Moyne | 3-0 | 3 | 3/4 vs. Lake Erie |
| 3 | Mercyhurst | 4-0 | 4 | 3/7 at Molloy |
| 4 | Tampa | 4-0 | 5 | 3/4 vs. No. 9 Adelphi |
| 5 | Belmont Abbey | 5-0 | 6 | 3/7 vs. No. 13 Rollins |
| 6 | Seton Hill | 4-0 | 7 | 3/4 vs. Roberts Wesleyan |
| 7 | Rockhurst | 5-0 | 8 | 3/8 vs. No. 18 Colorado Mesa |
| 8 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 4-1 | 19 | 3/8 vs. No. 1 Limestone |
| 9 | Adelphi | 0-1 | 2 | 3/4 vs. No. 4 Tampa |
| 10 | Mercy | 3-1 | 10 | 3/7 vs. No. 17 Pace |
| 11 | Lindenwood | 3-0 | 12 | 3/8 at Maryville |
| 12 | Queens (N.C.) | 4-2 | 9 | 3/7 at Coker |
| 13 | Rollins | 2-1 | 20 | 3/7 at No. 5 Belmont Abbey |
| 14 | Wingate | 3-2 | 11 | 3/7 vs. Lincoln Memorial |
| 15 | Mount Olive | 4-1 | 13 | 3/8 at No. 20 Florida Southern |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 2-2 | 14 | 3/7 vs. Young Harris |
| 17 | Pace | 1-0 | 15 | 3/7 at No. 10 Mercy |
| 18 | Colorado Mesa | 5-0 | 16 | 3/5 vs. Davenport |
| 19 | Saint Anselm | 1-0 | 17 | 3/7 vs. Lake Erie |
| 20 | Florida Southern | 2-2 | N/A | 3/4 vs. Saint Rose |
Also considered (alphabetical order): Assumption, Bentley, Florida Tech, Lynn, NYIT, Saint Leo
HOT
Lenoir-Rhyne (+11)
The Bears have made similar jumps in the ranking after pulling an upset, but the Adelphi victory signals a possible return to the national spotlight. Lenoir-Rhyne dropped 17 goals on Adelphi, more than any team did last year. Another chance for an upset comes this week against No. 1 Limestone.
Rollins (+7)
Last week, Rollins was teetering on the edge of the Division II Top 20 after falling to Queens (N.C.). But an overtime victory over Wingate, in which Rollins scored the final three goals, gives the Tars more breathing room at No. 13.
NOT
Adelphi (-7)
The Panthers opened the season well, taking an early lead on Lenoir-Rhyne in their first game. But Adelphi didn’t finish the job, eventually falling 17-16 in a thriller. It’s a setback, but Adelphi meets Tampa at Homewood Field with a chance to get back on the right foot.
NEW
Florida Southern (No. 20)
A blowout win over Montevallo and a loss by Bentley vaults the Mocs into the Division II Top 20. Florida Southern meets Saint Rose this week to try to maintain its spot.
OUT
Bentley (previously No. 18)
The Falcons, too, opened their season last week with a loss — falling 16-9 to Adelphi on Feb. 29. Bentley is out for now, but matchups with NYIT and Mercy await and provide a good chance to make an impression.