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. 15-11.
No. 15 JAMES MADISON
2019 record: 16-4 (6-0 CAA)
Last seen: Losing a one-goal thriller to Stony Brook in the NCAA first round, which snapped a nine game winning streak
Senior starters lost: 81 of 240 (33.8 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 50 of 261 (19.2 percent)
Initial forecast: With four seniors lost and a load of youth receiving quality time in the limelight as the defending national champions, next year’s James Madison team will be more competitive in 2020 than it was in 2019. The Dukes lost just four games, but three of those losses were by five or more goals against the game’s elite (Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia). Nevertheless, the Dukes are nearly fully loaded in 2020. Hanna Haven’s 43 goals have graduated, but the next nine top scorers are slated to return led by Logan Brennan (38g, 15a) and Maddie McDaniel (41g, 3a). McDaniel’s pure scoring strength is her second best commodity as she is a force in the draw circle (127dc in 2019). The biggest questions to be asked will be on defense as three of the back four will need to be replaced. The biggest asset on defense is CAA goalkeeper of the year Molly Dougherty (53.5 save pct., 8.49 GAA), who will be in the discussion as the nation’s top goalie.
No. 14 LOYOLA
2019 record: 16-5 (9-0 Patriot League)
Last seen: Being eliminated by Princeton in the NCAA second round, 17-13
Senior starters lost: 168 of 252 (66.7 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 146 of 288 (45.6 percent)
Initial forecast: Loyola loses two-thirds of its starting lineup from last year, nearly half its scoring and its starting goalkeeper. When you have a scorer like All-American Livy Rosenzweig (46g, 70a) and you own control of a conference like the Patriot League, you remain a top 15 team. Rosenzweig won’t be alone as Sam Fielder (48g, 26a) had the second most goals on the team in 2019 and Elli Kluegel (34g, 5a) found the back of the net plenty of times. The Greyhounds will reload offensively, but the unknowns really creep up in the midfield and on defense. Over 160 draw controls are lost to graduation as is an All-American defender (Kristen Yanchoris) and an All-League goalkeeper (Kady Glynn). If coach Jen Adams is not able to find viable solutions in those positions, the ‘Hounds will slip in 2020.
No. 13 STONY BROOK
2019 record: 16-5 (7-0 America East)
Last seen: Getting outscored 14-2 over the past 47 minutes in a NCAA second round loss to eventual champion Maryland
Senior starters lost: 137 of 252 (54.4 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 92 of 310 (29.7 percent)
Initial forecast: Stony Brook graduates a slew of quality starters, many of which provided supporting roles. The most visible loss is four-year starting goalkeeper Anna Tesoreiro, but defensive stalwarts Mackenzie Burns (31gb, 25ct) and Carlee Janelli (37gb, 22ct) will also be difficult to replace. All-American Ally Kennedy (84g, 124dc) is the centerpiece to the Seawolves with Taryn Olhmiller (36g, 35a) proving she can quarterback the offense. Her health is certainly a concern following her ACL tear in 2018 and missing five games in 2019. Siobhan Rafferty (50g, 8a) rounds out the top trio of scorers that will terrorize opposing defenses once again.
No. 12 DENVER
2019 record: 16-4 (5-0 Big East)
Last seen: In its program’s first NCAA quarterfinal game, dropping a nine-goal decision at Maryland
Senior starters lost: 180 of 240 (75.0 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 78 of 274 (28.5 percent)
Initial forecast: Denver broke through the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in school history and there is plenty of firepower returning, but the Pioneers have to replace several instrucmental leaders. The biggest impact will be on defense, but the Pioneers are fortunate to return Big East Goalkeeper of the Year Carson Gregg, who ranked second in the country in goals against average (7.68). Denver's offense ranked only 31st nationally (13.7 goals per game), but many of the key pieces return. Quintin Hoch-Bullen (71 points), Eliza Radochonski (64 points), Hannah Liddy (58 points) and Bea Behrins (54 points) were four of Denver's top five scorers a year ago.
No. 11 USC
2019 record: 16-4 (9-1 Pac-12)
Last seen: Losing a stunning 11-10 game to Denver in the NCAA first round after overcoming a four-goal second half deficit
Senior starters lost: 39 of 240 (16.3 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 31 of 272 (11.4 percent)
Initial forecast: The Trojans will be loaded in 2020, making them the favorites to repeat in the Pac-12. USC will be expected to contend for a seed in the NCAA tournament and reach the second weekend. Only two starters are gone and four All-Pac-12 honorees will return. The balanced offense which featured nine playmakers tallying at least 20 points has eight of those Trojans back. Kelsey Huff (43g, 35gb), Izzy McMahon (35g, 28 dc) and Hope Anhut (29g, 17a) are a dynamic offensive trio, while do-everything Kerrigan Miller (22g, 56gb, 41ct, 52dc) brings her two-way play back to Los Agneles. In net, Riley Hertford (49.8 save pct., 8.26 GAA) was terrific in her first season as the team’s starter. She will be fronted by Natalie Byrne (21gb, 18ct), Lizzy Wagner (30gb, 10ct) and Morgan Kulgowski (13gb, 10ct).