Now that the 2017 season is complete and Adelphi has walked off with the championship trophy once again, we start looking ahead. Is it too early to discuss the 2018 season? Absolutely; there’s no question about that. But good, bad or otherwise, it’s also what we do here.

We look at rosters. We look at trends. We evaluate projected returnees vs. impact players lost to graduation. We consider which teams made great progressions in 2017, and which ones may have regressed from recent standards. We mix it all together and make, ultimately, uneducated guesses.

As we all know, past performance is no guarantee of future results.

But we’re doing it anyway.

1. Adelphi

The Panthers lose six seniors, including the program’s all-time leading scorer, Jacqueline Jahelka, and the NE-10’s Defender of the Year, Ryley Weber. But it’s hard not to tab Adelphi as the team to beat once again, especially with a resume that includes three NCAA titles in the past four years and an incredible four-year record of 85-3.

2. Florida Southern

In just six years as a varsity program, FSC has become the team to beat in the South Region. Back-to-back appearances in the national championship game, including winning it all in 2016, supports that claim. The expected return of four All-Americans, including Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year Emily Santoli, makes the Mocs a strong title contender again in 2018. 

3. Lindenwood

After making their fourth straight NCAA semifinal appearance, there’s no doubt that the Lions are among the national elite. Lindenwood posted a school-record 21 wins in 2017 and was the last undefeated team in the nation. The return of All-Americans Sophie Buelow, the team’s leading goal scorer, and goalie Rachel Ortell, should keep the Lions among the top contenders.

4. Le Moyne

If not for Adelphi, we may be talking about Le Moyne as a multi-championship winner in recent years. The Dolphins have made three national semifinal appearances in four years, only to have their season ended each time by NE-10 rival Adelphi. Five of the top six scorers are expected to return, providing a solid core for another deep run in 2018.

5. Queens (N.C.)

The Royals have won 35 games over the past two seasons and won their fourth straight South Atlantic Conference title in 2017. Two-time All-American Hanna Scott returns to lead an offense that registered 20 goals or better six times and has helped Queens reach the national quarterfinals in back-to-back seasons.

6. LIU Post

The Pioneers lost just three games in 2017, falling twice to Le Moyne and once to Adelphi, all in tight contests. The three-time defending ECC champions return first team All-American goalie Olivia Kirk and two of their top scorers in Ryan McKinney and Alyssa Mallory.

7. Regis

The Rangers earned their first NCAA tournament berth in 2017 after claiming the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship with a win over Lindenwood. The nation’s highest-scoring team averaged more than 16 goals per game and expects to return four 30-goal scorers, as well as All-American midfielder Jada Bonner.

8. Florida Tech

FIT supplanted Rollins in 2017 as the primary challenger to Florida Southern’s reign in the Sunshine State Conference. Unfortunately, the Panthers still have some work ahead to close the gap against FSC, which handed Florida Tech three of its four losses. Nevertheless, the third-year program is on a great trajectory after reaching the NCAA quarterfinals.

9. East Stroudsburg

The Warriors enjoyed a record-setting season and achieved several program milestones, including its first PSAC title and first NCAA tournament berth. The return of All-American midfielder Chessie Rahmer and goalie Tatyana Petteway will help offset the loss of a strong senior core, but ESU won’t be able to sneak up on anybody in 2018.

10. NYIT

The Bears were one of the best stories of the 2017 season as the first-year program with a roster full of transfers from the former Dowling program reached the NCAA tournament. Nine seniors will be gone, so some rebuilding is needed to make a second straight postseason appearance.

The Rest

Limestone is always a strong contender in the South Region and will be among those vying for a postseason berth…Colorado Mesa is poised to be the next team to emerge nationally from the RMAC…Coming off a record 16-win season, Mercy should challenge for ECC supremacy next season…New Haven is a likely contender for a third NE-10 playoff berth in the North Region…Mercyhurst and West Chester could reclaim top honors in the PSAC if ESU slips.