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. 5-1.

No. 5 PRINCETON

2019 record: 16-4 (6-1 Ivy League)

Last seen: In the NCAA quarterfinals, losing at Boston College, 17-12

Senior starters lost: 100 of 240 (41.7 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 154 of 290 (53.1 percent)

Initial forecast: Princeton was a team that was getting better at the end of the year and will look to take that momentum into 2020. Two of the top three scorers are back. Unanimous All-Ivy League attacker Kyla Sears (55g, 40a) and second-team All-Ivy League threat Tess D’Orsi (64, 16a) will be one of the top scoring duos in the country next year. They’ll be relying on a younger cast to aid their journey as several tertiary scoring options have graduated. Princeton’s losses are dispersed throughout the lineup, which will make the transition a bit easier. One of the most valuable assets to the Tigers is the play of Ivy League Goalkeeper of the Year Sam Fish. The rising junior has been rock steady in her first two years accumulating a 48.8 save percentage and allowing a shade over 10 goals per game. A marginal improvement by Fish could see the Tigers remain a top five contender and a strong candidate for championship weekend.

No. 4 NORTHWESTERN

2019 record: 16-5 (5-1 Big Ten)

Last seen: Making the team’s first NCAA semifinal appearance since 2014 in a 25-13 loss to eventual national champions Maryland

Senior starters lost: 67 of 252 (26.6 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 154 of 366 (42.1 percent)

Initial forecast: Northwestern’s transition from a defensively stout program to an offensive juggernaut is complete and will continue in 2020. The Wildcats averaged 17.4 goals per game and that production should continue. Yes, Northwestern will have to absorb the loss of Tewaaraton finalist Selena Lasota who scored 276 goals in her career. Nevertheless, the Wildcats are more than one player. Izzy Scane (62g, 18a), Lindsey McKone (45g, 28a) and Lauren Gilbert (52g, 13a) are a formidable force who will continue to pump goals into the net. Gilbert is an aggressive player who notched 15 tallies from the 8-meter last season and continues Northwestern’s trend of hard-driving players. The Wildcats return key pieces at the draw (Brennan Dwyer, 181dc) and defense (Ally Palermo, IWLCA All-Region defender). A big question mark is in the net. Julie Krupnick (13.95 GAA, 41.1 save pct.) lost the job to now graduated Mallory Weisse and will battle U19 goalie Madison Doucette for the starting job.

No. 3 MARYLAND

2019 record: 22-1 (6-0 Big Ten)

Last seen: Winning the national championship, rebounding from a surprising loss in the Big Ten final to out-score its four NCAA opponents by an average of eight goals per game

Senior starters lost: 153 of 276 (55.4 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 193 of 310 (51.7 percent)

Initial forecast: Maryland has the unenviable task of replacing an incredible senior class. Seven starters are gone including Tewaaraton-winning goalkeeper Megan Taylor and the top three scorers in Jen Giles, Erica Evans and Caroline Steele who combined for 226 points last season. Not all is lost, there’s plenty of talent returning. The scoring onus now falls to Brindi Griffin (44g, 24a), Kalie Hartshorn (48g, 19a) and Grace Griffin (45g, 12a). Hartshorn (137dc) and Lizzie Colson (127dc) spearhead a formidable draw unit, which will alleviate pressure from what will be an inexperienced defensive core. Maryland certainly has talent depth that few programs possess. The beginning of next season may look a lot like 2018, with new players learning their roles on the fly in the midst of Maryland’s typically difficult non-conference schedule leading into Big Ten play.

No. 2 SYRACUSE

2019 record: 16-5 (5-2 ACC)

Last seen: Unable to keep up with Northwestern in an 18-14 NCAA quarterfinal loss as a No. 5 seed

Senior starters lost: 60 of 252 (23.8 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 47 of 295 (15.9 percent)

Initial forecast: Is this the year that Gary Gait’s Syracuse squad finally breaks through with a national title? The experience returning (10 of 12 starters) for the Orange is among the best in the nation. The top four scorers are back led by All-ACC standout Emily Hawryschuk (71g, 67dc). In support of Hawryschuk are Meagan Tyrrell (37g, 20a), Megan Carney (32g, 24a) and Sam Swart (32g, 6a). Defensively, Sarah Cooper (36gb, 33ct) Kerry Defliese (33gb, 28) and Ella Simkins (29gb, 26ct) are talented and versatile, helping on draws and getting out in transition as needed. Expect a big senior season out of goalie Asa Goldstock, who has shown big in important games (10+ saves against Boston College, Maryland, Florida and Notre Dame).

No. 1 NORTH CAROLINA

2019 record: 17-4 (5-2 ACC)

Last seen: Dropping the rubber match with Boston College in the NCAA semifinals, which was a thrilling 15-14 double overtime game

Senior starters lost: 59 of 252 (23.4 percent)

Senior scoring departing: 63 of 319 (19.7 percent)

Initial forecast: Arguably the most talented team in 2020 will be North Carolina. The Tar Heels are the complete package on offense, defense and in net. Jamie Ortega (81g, 31a), Katie Hoeg (31g, 73a), Olivia Ferrucci (34g, 25a) and Tayler Warehime (34g, 4a) feature on an offense that returns over 80 percent of its firepower. Ortega set the UNC record for points in a season (112) and Hoeg became the second Tar Heel behind her counterpart to join her with 100 points in a season. There’s only one loss on defense that held teams to 8.62 goals per game game, which ranked eighth nationally. Taylor Moreno will make a case that another goalie should win the Tewaaraton. She posted a 53.2 save percentage on the back of 11 performances of 10 saves or more. If her consistency improves, the Tar Heels will be even tougher to score on in 2020. The lone question remains at the draw where UNC ranked 30^th nationally (54.3 percent). Maryland won the national title last year as the 19^th rated draw unit, so a complete overhaul isn’t needed, just tangible signs of progress.