Defense has been a cornerstone for many of Division II men’s lacrosse’s most successful programs — and the 2019 season has only added to that theme. The three remaining unbeaten teams (Adelphi, Limestone and Mercy), all sit in the top 10 in scoring defense.
Mercy, off to a historic 13-0 start, leads the country by allowing 6.67 goals per game, followed by Limestone (7.09). No. 1 Adelphi sits ninth in scoring defense at 8.09 goals allowed per game.
Those numbers are a major factor in why Adelphi, Limestone and Mercy find themselves atop the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Men’s Top 20. The Panthers got by NYIT and Saint Rose last week, the Saints held Catawba to seven goals in a win and the Mavericks averaged 6.5 goals against in two victories.
Both Adelphi and Limestone will be tested this coming week, with Le Moyne and Belmont Abbey on the schedule, respectively.
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
April 8, 2019 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelphi | 12-0 | 1 | 4/13 vs. No. 7 Le Moyne |
| 2 | Limestone | 12-0 | 2 | 4/10 vs. No. 8 Belmont Abbey |
| 3 | Mercy | 13-0 | 3 | 4/13 vs. No. 13 Mercyhurst |
| 4 | Merrimack | 8-1 | 4 | 4/10 at Franklin Pierce |
| 5 | Queens (N.C.) | 10-1 | 5 | 4/10 at Newberry |
| 6 | LIU Post | 9-2 | 7 | 4/13 vs. NYIT |
| 7 | Le Moyne | 10-2 | 8 | 4/13 at No. 1 Adelphi |
| 8 | Belmont Abbey | 11-1 | 9 | 4/10 at No. 2 Limestone |
| 9 | Pace | 8-2 | 6 | 4/10 vs. Saint Anselm |
| 10 | Indianapolis | 10-1 | 10 | 4/13 at Maryville |
| 11 | Seton Hill | 7-3 | 11 | 4/10 at Wheeling Jesuit |
| 12 | Mount Olive | 9-2 | 13 | 4/10 vs. Barton |
| 13 | Mercyhurst | 7-3 | 12 | 4/9 vs. Walsh |
| 14 | Wingate | 8-3 | 15 | 4/10 vs. Coker |
| 15 | Assumption | 7-3 | 18 | 4/10 vs. Bentley |
| 16 | Tampa | 8-4 | 19 | 4/10 vs. Rollins |
| 17 | Catawba | 8-3 | 14 | 4/10 at Lenoir-Rhyne |
| 18 | Lynn | 8-3 | 20 | 4/10 at Palm Beach Atlantic |
| 19 | Rockhurst | 10-2 | N/A | 4/13 vs. No. 20 Lindenwood |
| 20 | Lindenwood | 9-4 | 17 | 4/13 at No. 19 Rockhurst |
Also Considered: Bentley, Colorado Mesa, Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Lenoir-Rhyne, Maryville, NYIT, Palm Beach Atlantic, Rollins, Saint Anselm, Saint Leo
HOT
Tampa (+3)
It must be the Florida sunshine. The Spartans have won seven straight games, including victories over Colorado Mesa (in Tampa), Florida Tech, Florida Southern and Saint Leo. Next up are Rollins and Lynn, two more quality Florida opponents.
Belmont Abbey (+1)
Belmont Abbey has rallied off five straight games, knocking off Indianapolis, Lynn and Mount Olive while dropping 31 goals on Chowan. This team is peaking at the right time as May approaches.
NOT
Pace (-3)
Pace has lost two of its last four games after rising to the top 5 earlier this season. The losses came to Adelphi and Le Moyne, so neither result is completely unexpected. The Setters can still compete in the NE10.
Lindenwood (-3)
A 15-4 loss to Mount Olive made it three in six for the Lions, who fall to No. 20 in this week's rankings. The best win for Lindenwood on the season is Tampa, and it sits 1-4 against teams in the rankings.
NEW
Rockhurst
The highest scoring team in the country (18.73 goals per game) moves into the rankings ahead of its matchup with Lindenwood this week. Rockhurst has won six straight games with two ranked opponents left before the GLVC tournament.
OUT
Saint Leo
Consecutive losses to Rollins and Tampa moves Saint Leo to 7-5 on the year and out of the rankings for this week.