The 2017 college lacrosse season concluded just a week ago. While it may seem too soon to look ahead to next year, it's still a fun exercise. Over the next five days, US Lacrosse Magazine will make an early attempt to size up a Division I top 25 for 2018.

NO. 5 SYRACUSE

2017 record: 15-7 (5-2 ACC)
Last seen: Having an up-and-down season, falling to North Carolina by seven in the ACC championship and being upset by NCAA runner-up Boston College by 11 in the second round.
Senior starts lost: 89 of 264 (33.7 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 51 of 409 points (12.5 percent)

Initial forecast: Syracuse started 2017 hot with a seven-game winning streak before falling to the top two teams in the nation, Maryland and Florida, in the midst of a 1-4 run. It rebounded with five straight wins before ending the regular season with a one-goal upset to Louisville. The Orange played strong in the ACC tournament with wins over Virginia Tech and Virginia, but ultimately fell to conference champion North Carolina. They suffered one final loss to the NCAA runner-up Boston College after a first-round bye as the No. 6 seed and are still waiting to win it all. Syracuse graduates an eight-member senior class, led by starting attacker Devon Parker, and loses just three of 16 goal scorers. The top three attackers Riley Donahue, Emily Hawryschuk and Nicole Levy, leading draw specialist Morgan Widner and starting goalie Asa Goldstock all return, making for a lethal roster full of depth in 2018.

NO. 4 NORTH CAROLINA

2017 record: 17-3 (6-1 ACC)
Last seen: Being upset by Cinderella Navy in the NCAA quarterfinals after winning the ACC championship as the preseason favorite and reigning national champion.
Senior starts lost: 143 of 240 (59.6 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 234 of 466 point (50.2 percent)

Initial forecast: The reigning national champion had a target on its back in 2017, but held strong, with just two losses in the regular season to Maryland and Syracuse. North Carolina won the ACC title by first defeating Duke and Boston College, followed by seeking its revenge against the Orange in the title game. After a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed, the Tar Heels cruised past Virginia in the NCAA second round, 23-12. However, like many others, they were stunned by Navy, losing to the Cinderella team by two in the quarterfinals. Looking ahead to 2018, North Carolina no longer has this year’s star-studded senior class, which included dominating draw specialist Sammy Jo Tracy, leading goal scorer Molly Hendrick, strong defender Maggie Auslander and starting goalie Caylee Waters. However, there’s a ton of talent waiting in the wings, such as Maggie Bill and Olivia Ferrucci, who both should be healthy again, Marie McCool, who will have this summer’s Team USA experience to bolster her collegiate play and incoming freshman Jamie Ortega, who should bring some firepower.

NO. 3 FLORIDA

2017 record: 17-3 (9-0 Big East)
Last seen: Going down hard as an NCAA tournament seeded team, this year as No. 3, thanks to USC in a second round upset for the second straight season.
Senior starts lost: 56 of 240 (23.3 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 174 of 488 points (35.7 percent)

Initial forecast: For most of 2017, Florida was ranked in the top three nationally, falling to the reigning national champion North Carolina by just three goals in its season opener. The Gators cruised past USC, Towson, Stony Brook and Syracuse, then dominated its conference slate as repeat Big East champions. Its only other loss during the regular season was to Maryland, which earned Florida the No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. However, for the second straight year, after a first round bye, the Gators lost in the second round, this time to USC. They have a ton of young talent for 2018, but lose point leader Sammi Burgess, leading scorer Mollie Stevens and defensive standouts Caroline Fitzgerald and Taylor Bresnahan. The Pirreca sisters, Shayna and Sydney, plus Lindsey Ronbeck will be leading the offense next year and Haley Hicklen will remain in the net, but a replacement will need to be made on the draw with Stevens gone.

NO. 2 STONY BROOK

2017 record: 20-2 (6-0 America East)
Last seen: Playing the national champion to its hardest battle yet, with record breaker Kylie Ohlmiller shutting down their toughest defender.
Senior starts lost: 89 of 264 (33.7 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 120 of 576 points (20.8 percent)

Initial forecast: If you thought Stony Brook was lethal in 2017, there will be more of where that came from in 2018. It recorded just two losses on the year, with only one in the regular season to Florida, and defeated Top 20 teams Towson, Northwestern, USC and Colorado. Not only does Tewaaraton finalist Kylie Ohlmiller return after breaking the Division I single-season points record, formerly set by all-time great Jen Adams in 2001, but senior Courtney Murphy, who set the NCAA goals record in 2016, has one more year left after redshirting due to injury. The Seawolves’ biggest losses are Dorrien Van Dyke, who finished third in points, and Kristin Yevoli, who was second in draw controls, but they are still stacked next year. Draw specialist Keri McCarthy is back, as well as Ohlmiller’s sister, Taryn, who was second in points, goals and assists. As the team that nearly beat Maryland in the quarterfinals – and the only team to lead for the majority of the game against the national champion until the final two minutes – Stony Brook is poised to have a banner year in 2018.

NO. 1 MARYLAND

2017 record: 23-0 (6-0 Big Ten)
Last seen: Proving its dominance by defeating newcomer Boston College 16-13 in the NCAA championship.
Senior starts lost: 96 of 276 (34.8 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 172 of 561 points (30.7 percent)

Initial forecast: With all the doubters after graduating three-time Tewaaraton winner Taylor Cummings in the midfield and Tewaaraton finalist Alice Mercer on defense, Maryland proved its case to the lacrosse world, capturing the Big Ten title and the NCAA crown in its first undefeated season since 2001. The Terps handled the reigning national champion North Carolina early on, winning by three, dominated Syracuse and Florida by 10 goals apiece, cruised through its Big Ten schedule, came back against Stony Brook in the final two minutes in a one-goal game and beat Boston College twice. They graduate a nine-member senior class led by Tewaaraton winner Zoe Stukenberg and Tewaaraton finalist Nadine Hadnagy, but the wealth of talent left on the roster in 2018 could lead to a repeat performance. They still have their overall leading scorer Megan Whittle, the NCAA final leading scorer Caroline Steele and breakout star Jen Giles. Their freshman draw specialist Kali Hartshorn will be more dominant as a sophomore and starting goalie Megan Taylor will be stronger in net as a junior. With Cathy Reese leading the way, nothing is impossible after this year.