After a couple of quiet weeks lacking match-ups among the top teams in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Women's Top 20, we had several in recent days. To no surprise, No. 1 Adelphi continued its season-long dominance, defeating No. 11 New Haven and No. 5 LIU Post in back-to-back games. The Panthers get their last real test of the regular season Tuesday in the biggest game of the year, an NE-10 battle of behemoths, as AU visits No. 3 Le Moyne.
Meanwhile, No. 2 Lindenwood also continues to meet all challenges. The undefeated Lions extended their win streak to 15 games with a 16-8 victory at then No. 7 Limestone Saturday. The Lions seized control early, building an 8-2 halftime advantage, and finished with four players recording three goals apiece. Lindenwood concludes its two-game swing through the South with Monday’s game at No. 5 Queen’s.
In the always entertaining and competitive PSAC, No. 14 East Stroudsburg has surged to the top of the standings with a six-game winning streak, including a big 16-10 win over No. 16 Mercyhurst on Saturday.
Big games dot the schedule again this week. In addition to the showdown between No. 1 Adelphi and No. 3 Le Moyne, there are two big contests in the ECC: No. 6 NYIT hosting No. 17 Molloy, and No. 7 LIU Post against No. 12 Mercy. In the South, No. 4 Florida Southern puts its 13-game win streak on the line with a visit to No. 9 Limestone.
April 17, 2017 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelphi | 12-0 | 1 | 4/18 at No. 3 Le Moyne |
| 2 | Lindenwood | 15-0 | 2 | 4/17 at No. 8 Queen’s |
| 3 | Le Moyne | 12-0 | 3 | 4/18 vs. No. 1 Adelphi |
| 4 | Florida Southern | 16-2 | 4 | 4/22 at No. 9 Limestone |
| 5 | Queens (N.C.) | 12-2 | 8 | 4/17 vs. No. 2 Lindenwood |
| 6 | NYIT | 12-1 | 9 | 4/19 vs. No. 17 Molloy |
| 7 | LIU Post | 9-2 | 5 | 4/20 vs. No. 15 New Haven |
| 8 | Florida Tech | 11-2 | 10 | 4/20 at. No. 11 Rollins |
| 9 | Limestone | 13-2 | 7 | 4/18 at North Greenville |
| 10 | Regis | 2-1 | 13 | 4/19 at Adams State |
| 11 | Rollins | 11-3 | 6 | 4/20 vs. No. 8 Florida Tech |
| 12 | Mercy | 13-1 | 15 | 4/22 vs. No. 7 LIU Post |
| 13 | Pace | 10-2 | 16 | 4/18 vs. No. 15 New Haven |
| 14 | East Stroudsburg | 11-2 | 20 | 4/18 at Kutztown |
| 15 | New Haven | 9-2 | 14 | 4/18 at No. 13 Pace |
| 16 | Mercyhurst | 8-3 | 11 | 4/18 at Indiana (Pa.) |
| 17 | Molloy | 9-3 | 18 | 4/19 at No. 6 NYIT |
| 18 | West Chester | 9-3 | 12 | 4/18 at Shippensburg |
| 19 | Wingate | 11-3 | 17 | 4/19 at No. 5 Queen’s |
| 20 | Slippery Rock | 10-3 | 19 | 4/18 vs. Gannon |
Also considered: Bridgeport, Colorado Mesa, Tiffin
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
East Stroudsburg (+6)
The Warriors, who were not ranked two weeks ago, had the biggest jump in this week’s poll, moving up six spots to number 14 on the strength of six straight wins. That run included a big 16-10 win over Mercyhurst, powered by five goals from Chessie Rahmer and 22 saves by freshman goalie Tatyana Petteway. ESU, 11-2 overall and 7-1 in conference, now stands alone at the top of the PSAC standings with two weeks remaining in the league’s regular season.
Queens (N.C.) (+3)
Eight straight wins have powered the Royals to their highest ranking of the season. Queens has scored 20 goals or better in five of the eight wins during the streak. Queens faces its biggest test of the season Monday afternoon, hosting No. 2 Lindenwood.
Florida Southern (+0)
The defending champions have not moved from the number four perch that they have occupied for several weeks, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t one of the hottest teams in the country. The Mocs extended their winning streak to 13 games with two more victories this week, including an 18-5 pounding of previously No. 6 Rollins. The regular season concludes Saturday with a non-conference showdown at No. 7 Limestone.
NOT
West Chester (-6)
It seems like the Rams have been on a yo-yo all season, alternating between the “Hot” and “Not” list just about every week. Ranked as high as seventh at one point before dropping, WCU had won three straight and climbed back to No. 12 in the poll last week, but that run ended with a 13-12 loss to unranked Lock Haven last Wednesday. The good news: with a 6-2 conference record, the Rams are still in position to control their own destiny in the PSAC race.
Mercyhurst (-5)
The defending PSAC champs had a chance to solidify their hold on first place in the conference race, but were upended by East Stroudsburg on Saturday. Despite outshooting ESU, 39-26, the Lakers trailed by as many as nine goals in the second half before a late rally fell short.