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. 20 NAVY

2017 record: 18-5 (8-1 Patriot League)
Last seen: Dancing like a true Cinderella team, upsetting Loyola for the conference crown, downing No. 7 seed Penn and UMass in the NCAA first two rounds, stunning reigning national champion North Carolina in the quarterfinals before ultimately falling by just one to Boston College in the final four.
Senior starts lost: 45 of 276 (16.3 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 83 of 545 points (15.23 percent)

Initial forecast: Navy had quite the sensational season in 2017. Loyola was the preseason favorite to repeat as the Patriot League champion, but the Mids had other plans. Prior to the Greyhounds joining the conference, Navy was the leader, winning titles from 2010-2013, and this year, they were determined to return to that pedestal. Navy lost to Loyola 13-9 in March, but flipped the script in the conference championship, winning convincingly 15-5. Then it cruised through the NCAA tournament with wins over Penn, UMass and reigning national champion North Carolina before ultimately falling to Boston College by one in the final four. Good news for 2018 – many return. Statistically, they graduate the third best attacker in points, Morgan Young, and third best defender in terms of ground balls and caused turnovers, Meghan Hubley. But their two top attackers, Jenna Collins and Kelly Larkin, are back, as are their draw control leader Julia Collins and starting keeper Ingrid Boyum.

NO. 19 COLORADO

2017 record: 16-4 (7-1 MPSF)
Last seen: Surprising the lacrosse world as the new MSPF power in just its fourth year as a program, upsetting Northwestern, Penn State and Stanford in the regular season, but having a disappointing end in the MPSF final and the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Senior starts lost: 113 of 240 (47.1 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 184 of 399 points (46.1 percent)

Initial forecast: Colorado had its own version of a Cinderella story, surprising many in the lacrosse world during the regular season. The Buffs opened the year with an overtime win over Northwestern, followed by a defeat of UMass, then Denver, Penn State and Stanford. They fell to Stony Brook by just four, but USC reasserted its dominance in its final year in the MPSF, beating Colorado twice, first by six, then by five in the conference championship. Still, the Buffs earned an at-large bid to the NCAAs for its historical season as only a fourth-year program, but UMass sought revenge with its 13-7 win over them. However, looking to 2018, Colorado loses a 16-member senior class, including its impressive goalie Paige Soenksen and No. 2 attacker Johnna Fusco, raising some questions whether it can repeat this year’s performance. Its leading scorer Darby Kiernan will need to step up even more.

NO. 18 VIRGINIA TECH

2017 record: 11-8 (2-5 ACC)
Last seen: Proving it can turn around its program under new head coach John Sung, despite a subpar ACC record and ending the year on a six-game losing streak.
Senior starts lost: 39 of 228 (17.1 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 60 of 326 points (18.4 percent)

Initial forecast: In John Sung’s first season at the helm of the Virginia Tech program, the Hokies impressed early on. They defeated Boston College 18-12 and Duke 11-6, but ended the year on a six-game losing streak, kicked off by two overtime losses to ACC foes Louisville and Syracuse, leaving them out of the NCAA tournament. In order to have a successful turnaround for 2018, the Hokies will need to continue its mindset from the beginning of this year, but they lost leading scorer Kristine Loscalzo. On the bright side, though, its graduating senior class was only four players. Tristan McGinley, who tied Loscalzo for first in points and also had the most draw controls, is back, as are the next five scorers trailing McGinley, each of which tallied 35 points or more. Goalie Meagh Graham returns too, plus a majority of the defense. 

NO. 17 JAMES MADISON

2017 record: 14-7 (5-1 CAA)
Last seen: Exceling in the CAA, avenging a regular season loss to Delaware, easily handling Louisville to kick off the NCAAs but dropping out with a loss to Penn State.
Senior starts lost: 65 of 252 (25.8 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 75 of 382 points (19.6 percent)

Initial forecast: James Madison was the CAA leader this season, losing by just two to the reigning champion North Carolina in the season opener and topping revamped Virginia Tech, plus Top 20 teams in Towson and Elon. Its lone conference loss to Delaware was avenged after defeating the Blue Hens in the CAA tournament, ultimately leading the Dukes to the conference crown. They fell to Penn State in the NCAAs, but can be looking up in 2018. Despite graduating their starting goalie Emily Poelma, just five seniors left. Every other statistical leader returns, including draw specialist Haley Warden and point leader Katie Kerrigan. Next year’s senior class will be a force next season, which also features leading scorer Kristen Gaudian.

NO. 16 CORNELL

2017 record: 13-6 (6-1 Ivy League)
Last seen: Hosting the Ivy League tournament for the first time in program history as the top seed, but lost to Princeton twice, first in the conference final and again in the NCAAs.
Senior starts lost: 96 of 228 (42.1 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 173 of 337 points (51.3 percent)

Initial forecast: For the first time in program history, Cornell earned the right to host the Ivy League tournament as the top seed. The Big Red was neck and neck with Penn and Princeton, also 6-1 in the conference, but won the tiebreaker based on goal differentials. They started the year strong, falling to final four contender Penn State by just one, defeating Penn and handling USC, but ultimately fell to the Tigers in the conference final. The Big Red impressed in the first round of the NCAA tournament with a win over Notre Dame, but again it was Princeton that knocked them out. Next year, Cornell loses its three captains Catie Smith, Catherine Ellis and Kristy Gilbert, part of a standout seven-member senior class, which also featured point leader Amie Dickson and starting goalie Renee Poullott. Replacements will need to be made, but Sarah Phillips should be poised to take the reins on offense as an upperclassman and Taylor Reed can take over in the midfield on the draw.