Middlebury has taken over the top spot in this week's Nike/US Lacrosse Division III Women's Top 20, though it thanked the team responsible for its ascension in a less-than-friendly way.
Previous No. 1 TCNJ surrendered a 6-3 lead at home to then-No. 14 Wesleyan Wednesday, falling to the surging Cardinals, 7-6. Wesleyan then tried to complete a likely unheard-of sweep of the top two teams in the nation, on the road, no less, in a Saturday affair at the then-No. 2 Panthers. Middlebury (5-0) had none of it, dealing the Cardinals a harsh reality check, 13-1.
Last week's significant schedule also saw defending NCAA champion Gettysburg move to 5-0 and No. 2 with a 12-4 road win at then-No. 7 Mary Washington. Then-No. 6 Tufts likewise scored a big road win, 11-9 at then-No. 15 Colby. York, previously ranked No. 10, knocked then-No. 4 Trinity from the ranks of the unbeaten in dramatic fashion, 16-15 in double overtime.
The week ahead once again features several showdowns involving ranked teams; perhaps most notably, the No. 7 Spartans hosting the Bullets and traveling to the Sea Gulls.
March 19, 2018 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlebury | 5-0 | 2 | 3/24 No. 14 Bowdoin |
| 2 | Gettysburg | 5-0 | 3 | 3/21 at No. 7 York |
| 3 | Salisbury | 6-0 | 5 | 3/19 vs. No. 19 William Smith |
| 4 | Tufts | 4-0 | 6 | 3/21 at Washington and Lee |
| 5 | Trinity | 4-1 | 4 | 3/24 at No. 4 Tufts |
| 6 | TCNJ | 4-1 | 1 | 3/20 Ursinus |
| 7 | York | 4-1 | 10 | 3/21 No. 2 Gettysburg |
| 8 | Amherst | 5-0 | 9 | 3/20 at Springfield |
| 9 | Mary Washington | 7-1 | 7 | 3/24 Messiah |
| 10 | Cortland | 4-1 | 11 | 3/20 No. 11 Ithaca |
| 11 | Ithaca | 4-1 | 8 | 3/20 at No. 10 Cortland |
| 12 | Geneseo | 4-0 | 16 | 3/21 RIT |
| 13 | Wesleyan | 4-1 | 14 | 3/20 vs. Babson |
| 14 | Bowdoin | 5-1 | NR | 3/21 at Endicott |
| 15 | St. John Fisher | 2-1 | 17 | 3/23 No. 10 Cortland |
| 16 | Franklin & Marshall | 5-2 | 18 | 3/21 Catholic |
| 17 | Claremont Mudd Scripps | 8-1 | 19 | 3/21 Chapman |
| 18 | William Smith | 2-2 | 20 | 3/19 vs. No. 3 Salisbury |
| 19 | Bridgewater | 5-0 | NR | 3/24 at Lynchburg |
| 20 | Colby | 1-3 | 15 | 3/19 New England |
Also considered (alphabetical order): Brockport, Capital, Catholic, Denison, Hamilton, Messiah, Stevens, Washington College, Washington and Lee
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
York (+3)
The Spartans Wednesday handed then-No. 4 Trinity its first loss, 16-15 in double overtime, after trailing early, 8-1. Melissa Meehling buried the game-winner on a free-position shot with 1:52 on the clock. Meghan Fox scored eight goals to lead York, which avoided a letdown Friday by handling Oswego on the road, 13-6. The Spartans have another brutal week, hosting No. 2 Gettysburg Wednesday before opening CAC play Saturday at No. 3 Salisbury.
NOT
Colby (-5)
A home loss to then-No. 6 Tufts sent the Mules tumbling to a 1-3 start. They can get back on track this week with two of three at home.
IN
Bowdoin
The Polar Bears enter at No. 14, and their only blemish opposite five wins remains a road loss at NESCAC rival and then-No. 15 Amherst. Bowdoin since has won three straight, including an 18-8 dismantling of then-No. 13 Hamilton.
Bridgewater
The Eagles debut at No. 19 as they've started 5-0, pitching two 20-0 shutouts along the way. Navigating the ODAC will present challenges, but Bridgewater plays five straight at home after Saturday's league opener at Lynchburg.
OUT
Catholic
A tough stretch has followed the Cardinals' 3-1 start, as they've lost their last three games. Wednesday at Tierney Field, they led then-No. 11 Cortland 6-3 early in the second half and were tied at 7 before succumbing in stunning fashion, 16-8. Catholic has another midweek test away from our nation's capital, traveling to No. 16 F&M Wednesday.
Hamilton
The Cardinals struggled last week in Florida, dropping a 15-11 decision to then-No. 16 Geneseo Tuesday before being handled by Bowdoin Thursday, 18-8.