It’s been an unusual year for the Nike / US Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20, with very little movement at the very top of this season’s ranking. Lindenwood was the preseason No. 1 team and has held firm to that top spot through its 8-0 start. Just behind, Indianapolis, Le Moyne and West Chester have steadily maintained their positions, too.
In fact, for the fourth straight week, the top four remains unchanged.
Conversely, the No. 5 position has had no stability this year, and for the fifth straight week, has a new occupant. This week, Queens jumps three spots into that slot after beating last week’s No. 5, Limestone, on the road.
The three-way battle for supremacy in the Sunshine State Conference also continues to heat up, with Rollins firing the latest salvo by taking down Florida Southern last week. Along with Tampa, all three teams are planted in this week’s top 10.
Further down, No. 13 Seton Hill and No. 15 Roberts Wesleyan remain undefeated as they move into the back half of their schedules. And Belmont Abbey, riding a 10-game winning streak, joins the ranking for the first time this season, sliding in at No. 20.
Nike / US Lacrosse
Division I Women’s Top 20
April 12, 2021 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lindenwood | 8-0 | 1 | 4/16 vs. Missouri Western |
| 2 | Indianapolis | 9-0 | 2 | 4/16 vs. Maryville |
| 3 | Le Moyne | 7-0 | 3 | 4/13 at American Int’l |
| 4 | West Chester | 7-0 | 4 | 4/14 at Millersville |
| 5 | Queens | 10-1 | 8 | 4/17 at Catawba |
| 6 | Limestone | 9-1 | 5 | 4/13 vs. Belmont Abbey |
| 7 | East Stroudsburg | 7-1 | 6 | 4/17 at No. 4 West Chester |
| 8 | Tampa | 5-1 | 9 | 4/14 at St. Leo |
| 9 | Rollins | 4-1 | 12 | 4/17 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic |
| 10 | Florida Southern | 4-1 | 7 | 4/14 vs. Lynn |
| 11 | Grand Valley State | 6-1 | 11 | 4/16 at N. Michigan |
| 12 | Regis | 5-1 | 10 | 4/16 vs. Adams State |
| 13 | Seton Hill | 7-0 | 14 | 4/14 at Slippery Rock |
| 14 | Adelphi | 2-2 | 13 | 4/15 vs. No. 17 Pace |
| 15 | Roberts Wesleyan | 8-0 | 15 | 4/17 vs. Molloy |
| 16 | St. Anselm | 4-0 | 16 | 4/13 vs. No. 19 Bentley |
| 17 | Pace | 7-1 | 18 | 4/15 at No. 14 Adelphi |
| 18 | Mt. Olive | 10-1 | 19 | 4/17 vs. No. 20 Belmont Abbey |
| 19 | Bentley | 5-1 | 20 | 4/13 at No. 16 St. Anselm |
| 20 | Belmont Abbey | 10-1 | NR | 4/13 at No. 6 Limestone |
Also considered: Assumption (4-2), Bloomsburg (5-3), Mercy (5-1), Mercyhurst (7-2)
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Queens (+3)
The Royals were ranked second in the preseason but dropped down following an early season home loss to UIndy. Since that game, Queens has rebound with eight straight victories, the most impressive being last week’s 9-8 win at then-No. 5 Limestone. The Royals remain undefeated in South Atlantic League games and will likely be the top seed in the SAC Tournament.
Rollins (+3)
The Tars had their best win of the season with a 14-13 victory at then-No. 7 Florida Southern last week. Senior Sammy Ottimo provided the late-game heroics by scoring the game-winner with three seconds left in the tightly-played affair which featured eight ties and four lead changes. Rollins has now won four straight following its season-opening loss to Tampa.
NOT
Florida Southern (-3)
Despite the one-goal loss to Rollins last week, the Mocs are still part of a three-team battle at the top in the SSC. Florida Southern won’t get a second chance against Rollins but could further strengthen its cause with a second victory over No. 8 Tampa.
IN
Belmont Abbey (No. 20)
The Abbey opened its season with a two-goal loss to Wingate on Feb. 13 and then turned into a steamroller. BA has won 10-straight since that opening loss and is posting some crazy offensive numbers against the rest of Conference Carolinas. Abbey is averaging 24 goals per game over its last six CC contests, including Saturday’s 23-4 win over Chowan. The Crusaders get their toughest test on Tuesday, visiting No. 6 Limestone.
OUT
Assumption (was No. 17)
It’s been a disjointed season for the Greyhounds thus far, mainly due to COVID, with four games postponed or rescheduled in recent weeks. Assumption slips out of the Top 20 following Saturday’s loss to Bentley. After a 3-0 start, the Hounds have dropped two of their last three.