Way-Early 2020 Rankings

Division I Men
No. 25-No. 21
No. 20-No. 16
No. 15-No. 11
No. 10-No. 6
No. 5-No. 1

Division I Women
No. 25-No. 21
No. 20-No. 16
No. 15-No. 11
No. 10-No. 6
No. 5-No. 1

Division III Men
No. 10-No. 6
No. 5-No. 1

Division III Women
No. 10-No. 6
No. 5-No. 1

While the 2019 college lacrosse season ended just a couple weeks ago, US Lacrosse Magazine takes its first look at the 2020 prospects. This week, we will rank the top 25 teams in an initial forecast.

Up now: No. 10-6.

No. 10 PENN

2019 record: 12-6 (5-2 Ivy League)

Last seen: Struck down by Georgetown in the NCAA first round, 13-12, in overtime

Senior starters lost: 81 of 216 (17.1 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 0 of 224 (0.0 percent)

Initial forecast: The Quakers are expected to return every single goal scorer from the 2019 squad. Tewaaraton Award nominee and third-team All-American Gabby Rosenzweig set a Penn single-season record for points (98) by scoring 35 goals and dishing 63 assists. Her main targets were Zoe Belodeau (42g, 15a) and All-American Erin Barry (37g, 6a). Seeing increased support from the likes of Tarlyn Stadler (26 goals), Michaela McMahon (22) and Elyse Decker (21) would prove fruitful to be a bonafide top 10 team. Penn’s signature defense should be as good as last season. Mikaila Cheeseman is poised for another strong season in net after posting a career-best save percentage (45.8) and GAA (10.65). There are two holes to be filled, but the Quakers can lean on the leadership of rising senior Chelsea Kibler, who had a team-high 23 caused turnovers, and midfielder Abby Bosco (54g, 44dc).

NO. 9 NOTRE DAME

2019 record: 14-5 (5-2 ACC)

Last seen: Unable to overcome an 8-0 deficit to Northwestern on its home field in the NCAA second round

Senior starters lost: 94 of 228 (41.2 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 72 of 285 (25.3 percent)

Initial forecast: Notre Dame seemed so close to breaking through in a major way in 2019. The Fighting Irish defeated Notre Dame and had close calls with Syracuse, Boston College and Northwestern. Next year’s team should be really good offensively with a pair of All-ACC first-teamers on top of the scoresheet. Maddie Howe (59g, 19a) was the team leader in goals, while Andie Aldave (47g, 20a) had a presence all over the field as she pulled down 152 draw controls. Of the five senior graduations, the biggest impact will be in net. The Irish’s all-time wins and saves leader Samantha Giacolone leaves a huge void. Her senior season was a masterpiece (49.8 save pct.), which contributed mightily to Notre Dame’s fourth-ranked defense (8.05 goals against per game). Rising junior Bridget Deehan saw just 149 minutes as Giacolone’s backup, but was extraordinary in Notre Dame’s final game of the season at Northwestern with 11 saves against six goals allowed in 45 minutes of reserve play. If Notre Dame’s 2020 defense resembles the 2019 version, the Fighting Irish may very well advance past opening weekend in the NCAA tournament.

NO. 8 MICHIGAN

2019 record: 16-4 (4-2 Big Ten)

Last seen: Sputtering in the NCAA second round to Denver in a 9-5 loss at home

Senior starters lost: 93 of 240 (38.8 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 44 of 257 (17.1 percent)

Initial forecast: Michigan’s trajectory continues to point ever upward. The Wolverines set all sorts of program records in 2019 and a follow-up act in 2020 will be difficult to replicate as they will not be sneaking up on anyone. Offensively, both All-Big Ten representatives will be back. Caitlin Muir (38g, 21a) led the team in points and shooting percentage (51.4), but also in turnovers (37). Maggie Kane (34g, 4a) is a sparkplug all over the field with contributions on defense (23gb, 17ct) and the draw (37dc). Molly Garrett (29g, 65dc) is Michigan’s clutch player, providing crucial game-winning goals in pressure situations. The Wolverines’ biggest unknowns will be on defense. The net will feature a starter other than Mira Shane or Alli Kothari for the first time since 2016. In front of that new goalie will be at least three new starting defenders. One steadying presence will be the return of fifth-year senior Maggie Handlan, who suffered a season-ending injury in 2019.

NO. 7 VIRGINIA

2019 record: 13-7 (3-4 ACCt)

Last seen: In the NCAA quarterfinals, losing to North Carolina, 14-7

Senior starters lost: 100 of 240 (41.7 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 95 of 262 (36.3 percent)

Initial forecast: Virginia will be the Sammy Mueller (48g, 24a) show in 2020. Mueller, a first-team IWLCA All-American in 2019, led the Cavs in points (72) and was second in draw controls (80) in a sophomore season that backed up her ACC Freshman of the Year campaign from 2018. How supporting offensive talent like Lillie Kloak (31 goals), Nora Bowen (30) and Ashlyn McGovern (27) will dictate Virginia’s fortunes in 2020. There are a couple losses on defense, too, but goalie Charlie Campbell (45.1 save pct.) proved more than capable in her first year as the team’s starter. Improved play from Campbell and her defensive corps give the ‘Hoos another crack at a top-eight seed in the NCAA tournament.

NO. 6 BOSTON COLLEGE

2019 record: 22-2 (7-0 ACC)

Last seen: Falling in its the third consecutive national title game at the hands of Maryland

Senior starters lost: 197 of 288 (68.4 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 250 of 404 (61.9 percent)

Initial forecast: There is no team in America that will go through a more complete overhaul than Boston College will in 2020. Every senior on the team contributed in a massive way, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the newcomers are unable to sustain the Eagles high level of success. Four first-team All-Americans have departed, three of which were on the offensive side of the ball. Cara Urbank (55g, 19a), Sheila Rietano (35g, 14a) and Jordan Lappin (23g, 7a) are the leading returners. It will be interesting to see how quickly coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein can rebuild the offense and if it will continue to work at the breakneck pace it did in the past. On defense, there are plenty of questions to be asked, too. The highlight in the back will be that of rising junior Abbey Ngai (10.20 GAA, 47.5 save pct.) who took the starting reins early in the season and didn’t relinquish the role until the national title game.