Although just about half the teams in the Division II rankings have not yet taken the field — notably the NE10 only recently stated its intention to play a season, and the Sunshine State Conference has been silent since December — there was still some movement from the preseason rankings.
Catawba picked up the biggest upset in the young 2021 season, taking an early lead and holding off then-No. 4 Belmont Abbey on Feb. 12. Even after a loss to Mount Olive, Catawba jumps into the Nike / US Lacrosse Top 20.
That same Mount Olive team followed its win over Catawba by holding Queens (N.C) to just four goals in a victory.
Much is yet to be figured out as it pertains to the Division II schedule, but the season has kicked off, and the competition could be a tight as it has been in years.
Nike / US Lacrosse
Division II Men's Top 20
Feb. 22, 2021 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa | 0-0 | 1 | TBD |
| 2 | Le Moyne | 0-0 | 2 | TBD |
| 3 | Mercyhurst | 0-0 | 3 | TBD |
| 4 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 2-0 | 6 | 2/27 at Coker |
| 5 | Seton Hill | 0-0 | 5 | 2/27 at Chestnut Hill |
| 6 | Adelphi | 0-0 | 7 | TBD |
| 7 | Mercy | 0-0 | 8 | TBD |
| 8 | Limestone | 2-0 | 9 | 2/27 vs. Wingate |
| 9 | Mount Olive | 3-0 | 10 | 2/23 at Newberry |
| 10 | Indianapolis | 1-0 | 11 | 2/28 vs. Davenport |
| 11 | Lindenwood | 2-0 | 13 | 2/24 at Maryville |
| 12 | Wingate | 2-0 | 14 | 2/27 at No. 8 Limestone |
| 13 | Rockhurst | 2-0 | 15 | 2/27 at Lewis |
| 14 | Catawba | 1-1 | NR | 2/27 at North Greenville |
| 15 | Belmont Abbey | 0-2 | 4 | 2/27 vs. Montevallo |
| 16 | Queens (N.C.) | 0-1 | 12 | 2/27 at Newberry |
| 17 | Saint Anselm | 0-0 | 16 | TBD |
| 18 | Florida Southern | 0-0 | 17 | 3/20 at Florida Tech |
| 19 | Pace | 0-0 | 18 | TBD |
| 20 | Colorado Mesa | 0-0 | 19 | 2/27 vs. BYU (MCLA) |
Also considered: Florida Tech, Lake Erie, Lynn, Rollins, Saint Leo
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Mount Olive (+1)
The Trojans are off to a 3-0 start with wins over Queens (N.C.) and now-No. 14 Catawba by an average of seven goals per game. The closest game so far this season? A 10-8 season-opening victory over Coker on Feb. 10. Aidan Lalonde and Lucas Shein both have five goals and two assists on the season.
NOT
Belmont Abbey (-11)
It was a tough start for Belmont Abbey, which dropped back-to-back games to Catawba (13-9) and Lenoir-Rhyne (14-11). The 10 goals per game so far this season is down from 13.9 in the seven games played during the 2020 season.
IN
Catawba (No. 14)
The first time Catawba has entered the rankings in quite some time, and it did so in convincing fashion. Matt Mitchell (three goals, one assist) and Trevor Bellotte (two goals, two assists) fueled the 13-9 win over Belmont Abbey. The loss to Mount Olive was less-than-impressive, but the Trojans are off to a hot start.
OUT
Lynn (was No. 20)
With the season weeks away from Lynn, it falls out of the ranking in favor of a team (Catawba) that has picked up a big win already this season.