The trend continued last week in Division II men’s lacrosse — (somewhat) calm at the top, but chaos in the middle of the rankings. The top four teams stayed put, with Merrimack beating Lake Erie, Adelphi downing Tampa, Limestone topping Queens and Belmont Abbey surviving a double-overtime scare from Rockhurst.
However, there were a handful of losses by teams ranked 10-20 that helped shake up that portion of the rankings and welcome two new teams this week. Colorado Mesa joins the top 20 after stifling Lynn 10-5 and Wingate jumps to No. 17 thanks to a 17-3 win over previously ranked Palm Beach Atlantic.
There are only seven undefeated teams appearing in this week’s Top 20 — a sign that the depth of talent runs deep in Division II this year. It seems no team is safe so far this season. It should set up for a fun 2019 season.
Nike/US Lacrosse
Division II Men’s
Top 20
March 4, 2019 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merrimack | 2-0 | 1 | 3/9 at No. 9 LIU Post |
| 2 | Adelphi | 4-0 | 2 | 3/13 vs. Molloy |
| 3 | Limestone | 5-0 | 3 | 3/5 vs. Lees-McRae |
| 4 | Belmont Abbey | 6-0 | 4 | 3/9 vs. No. 18 Queens (N.C.) |
| 5 | Mercy | 5-0 | 6 | 3/6 vs. Post |
| 6 | Le Moyne | 3-1 | 8 | 3/9 vs. American International |
| 7 | Indianapolis | 4-0 | 10 | 3/9 vs. Young Harris |
| 8 | Pace | 2-0 | 11 | 3/10 vs. Georgian Court |
| 9 | LIU Post | 2-1 | 5 | 3/9 vs. No. 1 Merrimack |
| 10 | Seton Hill | 4-2 | 14 | 3/16 vs. No. 3 Limestone |
| 11 | Lynn | 1-1 | 9 | 3/5 at Westminster |
| 12 | Mount Olive | 4-1 | 10 | 3/5 vs. Walsh |
| 13 | Lindenwood | 5-1 | 12 | 3/9 vs. No. 16 Tampa |
| 14 | Saint Anselm | 0-1 | 15 | 3/16 vs. No. 2 Adelphi |
| 15 | Mercyhurst | 1-2 | 13 | 3/9 vs. Molloy |
| 16 | Tampa | 2-3 | 7 | 3/6 vs. North Greenville |
| 17 | Wingate | 3-1 | N/A | 3/6 vs. No. 19 Florida Southern |
| 18 | Queens (N.C.) | 3-1 | 16 | 3/6 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic |
| 19 | Florida Southern | 2-1 | 20 | 3/6 at No. 17 Wingate |
| 20 | Colorado Mesa | 3-2 | N/A | 3/13 vs. Rollins |
Also Considered: Assumption, Bentley, Florida Tech, Lake Erie, Lenoir-Rhyne, NYIT, Palm Beach Atlantic, Rockhurst, Rollins, 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
Pace (+3)
The Setters started the season with a win over Dominican, but all eyes quickly focused on a big game against LIU Post last weekend. Pace proved its legitimacy as a top 10 team with a 10-7 win over the in-state rivals, thanks to three goals from Daniel Keenan. It doesn’t play another ranked team until March 27 at Adelphi.
Indianapolis (+3)
Indy has gotten off to a scorching hot start, following up its upset of Seton Hill last month with another ranked victory. This time, it came over Mercyhurst — an 11-9 comeback victory. Indy trailed 7-5 at halftime but caught fire in the second half. Parker Kump scored the eventual game-winning goal with 6:07 left.
NOT
Tampa (-9)
It was a rough week for the Spartans, who fall to No. 16 after losing to Adelphi and Assumption at home. The matchup with Adelphi, even the loss by eight goals, was a tough test. But a Sunday upset at the hands of Assumption pushes Tampa’s record to 2-3 on the year. The Spartans are averaging 16.5 goals per game in victories and 10 goals per game in losses.
IN
Wingate
A thrashing of Palm Beach Atlantic in a virtual play-in game for the rankings vaults the Bulldogs into the No. 17 spot. Wingate has tallied two straight wins over quality Florida opponents (Rollins, PBA), and No. 19 Florida Southern is next.
Colorado Mesa
A 10-5 win over Lynn is impressive for a team that has had its share of upset victories in the past few years. Had it not been for losses to Lindenwood and Whittier, Colorado Mesa would have been in the thick of the rankings. The defense is averaging just under nine goals per game this season.
OUT
Lenoir-Rhyne
The schedule was certainly tough out of the gates for Lenoir-Rhyne, but an 0-4 start moves the Bears to the outside-looking-in category. This time, Lenoir-Rhyne fell 12-10 to Florida Tech. The Bears have failed to reach 12 goals in all but one of their games. Another ranked opponent awaits in Wingate, with Queens on the horizon for March 20.
Palm Beach Atlantic
It was a good run for the Sailfish, who fall out of the top 20 with a 17-3 loss to Wingate. There’s still plenty of promise for the second-year program, which will face Queens on March 6.