Merrimack and Le Moyne have spent much of the season leading the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Men’s Top 20. Calm at the top.
But behind them, chaos has been the story of the Division II season. This past week was no exception, with No. 3 Pace falling to NYIT and No. 4 Colorado Mesa dropping two games in Florida over the course of a couple days.
There’s plenty of movement this week, including three new teams in the rankings. But there could be change at the top very soon — Merrimack and Le Moyne meet this weekend.
March 19, 2018 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merrimack | 4-0 | 1 | 3/24 vs. No. 2 Le Moyne |
| 2 | Le Moyne | 5-0 | 2 | 3/24 vs. No. 1 Merrimack |
| 3 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 8-1 | 5 |
3/21 vs. Queens (N.C.)
|
| 4 | Seton Hill | 6-1 | 6 | 3/24 vs. Chestnut Hill |
| 5 | Tampa | 8-1 | 7 |
3/21 at Florida Tech
|
| 6 | Mercyhurst | 5-1 | 9 |
3/24 vs. No. 18 Lake Erie
|
| 7 | Adelphi | 3-1 | 10 | 3/24 vs. Southern New Hampshire |
| 8 | Limestone | 5-3 | 11 | 3/21 at Emmanuel |
| 9 | Mount Olive | 8-2 | 13 | 3/24 at Florida Tech |
| 10 | Saint Leo | 6-1 | 14 |
3/24 vs. Embry-Riddle
|
| 11 | Colorado Mesa | 7-2 | 4 | 3/24 vs. Westminster |
| 12 | NYIT | 4-4 | 17 |
3/20 at Chestnut Hill
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| 13 | Pace | 3-1 | 3 |
3/24 at Saint Michael's
|
| 14 | Lynn | 7-1 | NR | 3/24 at No. 20 Rollins |
| 15 | Belmont Abbey | 5-3 | 8 |
3/24 at Chowan
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| 16 | LIU Post | 2-2 | 15 |
3/21 vs. UDC
|
| 17 | Mercy | 5-1 | 12 |
3/20 at American International
|
| 18 | Lake Erie | 3-1 | 16 |
3/24 at No. 6 Mercyhurst
|
| 19 | Florida Southern | 4-3 | NR |
3/24 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic
|
| 20 | Rollins | 2-3 | NR |
3/24 vs. No. 14 Lynn
|
ALSO CONSIDERED: Bentley, Indianapolis, Lindenwood, Queens (N.C.), Southern New Hampshire, Rockhurst, Saint Anselm, Tusculum, Wheeling Jesuit, Wingate
HOT
Lenoir-Rhyne (+2)
The Bears just keep winning. Except for a one-goal loss to Colorado Mesa, Lenoir-Rhyne has rolled through its schedule. It has beaten Limestone, Seton Hill and Belmont Abbey so far this season.
Saint Leo (+4)
Saint Leo bounced back from a loss to Mount Olive earlier in the month with wins over solid teams in Queens (N.C.) and Lindenwood. At 6-1, the Lions have the look of a team that can compete in the Sunshine State Conference.
NYIT (+5)
It was a rough start to the 2018 season, but the Bears have won three of four games, including ones over Bentley and Pace. Looking back, losses to Merrimack, Tampa, Saint Leo and Seton Hill don’t seem as damaging. NYIT has a favorable next few weeks.
NOT
Colorado Mesa (-7)
The trip to Florida was not a strong one for Colorado Mesa. The Mavericks dropped games to Rollins and Florida Southern and just got by first-year Division II Palm Beach Atlantic. The margin for error is small for Colorado Mesa, as it heads back into RMAC play.
Pace (-10)
It’s still early in the season for the Setters, but a loss to NYIT moves them behind the Bears for the time being. Pace will have plenty of chances to get another quality win, with Adelphi on the horizon next week.
Belmont Abbey (-7)
Belmont Abbey, too, dropped two games last week, falling by a goal at Tampa and at home to Lynn. Abbey has now lost three straight but has wins over Rollins and Florida Southern this season.
NEW
Lynn
The Fighting Knights picked up a signature win over Belmont Abbey over the weekend and moved to 7-1 on the season. With its only loss coming to Limestone, Lynn's resume certainly deserved attention.
Florida Southern
It’s been an up-and-down year for the Mocs, but they finally picked up a win over a ranked team last week. Yes, Florida Southern lost to Belmont Abbey, Le Moyne and Wingate, but the win over Colorado Mesa was impressive.
Rollins
Rollins separated from a group of contenders for the final spot after taking down Colorado Mesa 12-9 on Tuesday. It certainly didn’t start the season on a strong foot, but a matchup with fellow newly ranked team Lynn awaits.
OUT
Indianapolis
After entering the rankings last week, Indy lost twice to Mount Olive and Young Harris. The setback to Mount Olive is understandable, but the next one to Young Harris certainly curbed any moment Indy had going.
Saint Anselm
It’s a small sample size, but the 15-8 loss to Adelphi knocks the Hawks out of the rankings for now.
Lindenwood
After starting 3-0, the Lions have dropped three straight games to quality opponents. The first came March 10 to Limestone, then Saint Leo and Tampa last week.