In some respects, the 2019 season ended the same way that other recent campaigns have ended, with perennial power Adelphi hoisting the NCAA Division II championship trophy.
Unlike other seasons, however, Adelphi did not take its usual path in claiming its ninth national title, and fourth in the past six years.
The Panthers were never the front-runner during the 2019 season and never held the top spot in the weekly Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Women's Top 20 ranking. They were an early exit in their own conference tournament and entered the NCAA Tournament as the East Regional’s No. 3 seed, their lowest ever.
In truth, Adelphi spent much of the year flying below most people’s radars ... until the end.
Last year, we underestimated the rise of national semifinalist Regis, placing them ninth in the preseason, and completely missed on national semifinalist Queens, omitting them altogether from the preseason Top 20. Will there be a similar dark horse who emerges as the 2020 champion, or will Adelphi start and finish the year as No. 1?
1. Adelphi Panthers
X-Factor: Alexandra Beebe, D, So.
With the graduation of defensive anchor Nicki Stanco, the Panthers need to identify a new backline leader. Coming off a banner freshman season in which she led the team with 47 caused turnovers, Beebe could be that person.
Player to Watch: Alison Johnson, A, Sr.
Much of the credit for US Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Player of the Year Kole Pollock’s success can be attributed to Johnson, one of the top facilitators in the nation. A two-time All-American and former NE10 Player of the Year, Johnson finished fourth in Division II with 72 assists in 2019.
2. West Chester Golden Rams
The Golden Rams tied a school record with 20 wins, captured their 22nd PSAC title and earned the program’s 10th appearance in the national championship game. WCU lost eight seniors, including top scorers Sami Barnett and Maggie Stella, but return a pair of All-Americans in Tatum Altman and defensive anchor Molly Reinhart.
3. Le Moyne Dolphins
The Dolphins were dominant for much of the 2019 season, including a 26-game winning streak that ended in the NE10 championship game. An overtime loss to Adelphi one week later brought the season to a close in the NCAA’s East Regional final. All-American Bryanna Fazio graduated and coach Kathy Taylor moved to Colgate. A new era begins.
4. Queens (N.C.) Royals
The Royals enjoyed a historic 2019 season, advancing to the national semifinals for the first time while riding a program-record 16-game winning streak. Offensive standout Hanna Scott and defender Cammy Case graduated, but returning All-Americans Ally Blood (97 points) and goalie Chase Brokaw (8.63 GAA) should help sustain the momentum.
5. Regis Rangers
The Rangers are the only team to earn back-to-back final four berths in 2018 and 2019. Four returning all-region players will lead the way, including 48-goal scorer Ali Vanek and juniors Kyleigh Peoples (75 points), defender Sarah Kate Dhom and All-America goalie Elle Crawford.
6. Tampa Spartans
The Spartans claimed their first Sunshine State Conference championship in 2019 and earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA’s South Regional. Five all-region players are back, led by SSC player of the year Claire Swanson, top scorer Carly Vaccaro and goalie Bridget Sutter.
7. Lindenwood Lions
The Lions made four straight national semifinal appearances from 2014-2017 but have been one-and-done in the NCAA tournament in the past two seasons. All-American midfielder Carly Fedorowski and defender Morgan Reader will try to lead another run to the final weekend.
8. Rollins Tars
Rollins won its first 10 games in 2019, climbed as high as third in the Nike Top 20 ranking and advanced to the national quarterfinals. The Tars lose the SSC’s leading scorer, Kallie German, but welcome back All-American midfielder Lily Rizk and Hannah Ashton.
9. Florida Southern Moccasins
With the recent rise of Tampa and Rollins, it was unlikely that the Mocs would be able to continue their SSC dominance that yielded three straight league titles and three straight NCAA championship game appearances. Riley Bannatyne and Grace Glinecki, last year’s top two scorers, will try to lead the resurgence.
10. Limestone Saints
Despite posting 18 wins and capturing their 12th Conference Carolinas title, the Saints were left out of the NCAA tournament in 2019. That, and the return of five 20-goal scorers, might prime the pump for 2020.
11. East Stroudsburg Warriors
The Warriors made their third straight NCAA appearance in 2019 and will look to returning All-Americans Krista Mitarotonda and Tatyana Petteway to help continue the success.
12. Mercyhurst Lakers
Nine straight wins to end the regular season helped the Lakers claim an NCAA berth in 2019. All-American Kira Kolb returns as the defensive anchor.
13. Mercy Mavericks
With LIU Post’s move to Division I, Mercy becomes the clear-cut favorite in the ECC. The Mavericks won 15 games last year and made the program’s second NCAA tournament appearance.
14. Indianapolis Greyhounds
Two-time champions of the GLIAC, the Greyhounds have a new home in the Great Lakes Valley Conference as they aim for their third straight NCAA tournament berth.
15. Grand Valley Lakers
Coming off a 14-win season, the Lakers are the preseason favorites in the GLIAC following UIndy’s move to the GLVC.
16. Colorado Mesa Mavericks
CMU earned its first NCAA berth in 2019 and claimed its first victory. With Lindenwood’s move to the GLVC, the Mavericks will likely be Regis’ top challenger in the RMAC.
17. Saint Leo Lions
The Lions started 13-0 last year and hope to take the next step in challenging for the SSC title.
18. Assumption Hounds
The Hounds earned their highest national ranking and won a school-record 14 games in 2019.
19. Bentley Falcons
Returning goalie Eliza Bresler was a first team All-American last year, the first in program history.
20. New Haven Chargers
Senior first-team All-American Raven Linton is one of the top defenders in the nation.