Another season in the books. All that’s left is the NCAA tournament, as teams wrapped up their conference tournaments last weekend.

Christopher Newport was knocked off the No. 1 spot in this week’s rankings after losing to Salisbury in the Coast-2-Coast conference. The win wasn’t quite enough for the Sea Gulls to make the jump into poll position because of their regular season loss to CNU in April. 

That said, RIT has reclaimed the No. 1 ranking after securing another Liberty League title. The defending champ heads into the NCAA tournament at the same position where it started, ranked at the top of the field.

A slip up for Union bumped them out of the Liberty League semifinals. It looked like Union was headed for a rematch with RIT before it was held to nine goals in a loss to St. Lawrence. The Saints moved up a few spots in the rankings as a result.

Dickinson completed an undefeated season and moved into the top five after an overtime win against Gettysburg. The Red Devils won 18 games on the season. York was able to hold off Stevenson in another close game to claim the MAC title. The Spartans moved up to No. 4, and Stevenson dropped just one spot. 

In the NESCAC, Tufts crafted a second half scoring run to beat Bowdoin and claim the conference title. Wesleyan’s semifinal run pushed them up to No. 17, while Amherst’s early exit dropped them back 18.

Gettysburg’s OT loss to Dickinson was enough to keep them from falling too far. RPI also stays inside the Top 20 despite losing to RIT. The first win was impressive, but it’s always going to be a challenge to beat the deafening champion twice in the same season.

Denison also entered the Top 20 after winning the NCAC and earning win No. 15 win on the season. Denison replaced Washington and Lee, which lost to Hampden-Sydney in the ODAC.

With the regular season and conference tournaments wrapped up, the focus shifts to the NCAA tournament, which was selected Sunday evening. Every game is now an elimination game, with a trip to East Hartford on the line.

*Editor’s Note: The final update to the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s Top 20 will be June 6.

NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION III MEN’S TOP 20

Also considered (alphabetical order): Catholic (13-4), Clarkson (11-5) Grove City (15-4), Illinois Wesleyan (11-5), Ithaca (10-6), John Carroll (16-2), Ohio Wesleyan (10-6)

Nike/USA Lacrosse Rankings

Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women

HOT

Salisbury (+1)

Since losing their first game of the season, the Sea Gulls are winners of five straight and Coast-2-Coast conference champions. They were able to avenge their loss against Christopher Newport in the conference championship game with a 15-5 win. Now the focus shifts to the NCAA tournament, where Salisbury lost in the national championship game in 2021.

NOT

Union (-3)

Union was cruising into Liberty League postseason play, riding a four-game winning streak to close the season. But the offense only managed nine goals in a loss against St. Lawrence in the conference tournament. The Dutchmen are a capable group, though, who nearly beat RIT in April. They’ll look to turn things around when the tournament starts.

IN

Denison (No. 20)

Earning win No. 15 on the season, Denison jumps into the top 20. Denison hopes to make a run in the NCAA tournament, which starts with a game against Grove City on May 13.

OUT

Washington and Lee (was No. 20)

Washington and Lee had won its last eight games heading into the ODAC tournament, but it lost in the semifinals. Falling to Hampden-Sydney was enough to knock W&L outside of the Top 20. W&L is back in action against Cabrini on May 14.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS

• Preseason

• Week 1 (Feb. 14)

• Week 2 (Feb. 21)

• Week 3 (Feb. 28)

• Week 4 (March 7)

• Week 5 (March 14)

• Week 6 (March 21)

• Week 7 (March 28)

• Week 8 (April 4)

• Week 9 (April 11)

• Week 10 (April 18)

• Week 11 (April 25)

• Week 12 (May 2)