Adelphi Looking Dangerous in Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Men's Top 20
It was a slow week for movement across the board in Division II; however, there were still a number of exciting games played on the last weekend of March.
Second-ranked Adelphi started slowly against Saint Anselm, logging just two goals in the first half. The Panther offense came to life in the second half, though, outscoring the Hawks 9-1. With an 11-4 win over one of the tougher opponents in the NE-10, the Panthers will look to stay perfect when they visit St. Rose on Tuesday, followed by another NE-10 battle against Assumption next Saturday.
UIndy eked out a win against a very good Lewis squad, which threw everything it had at the Greyhounds. Star scorer Drew Billig is usually the hero in the fourth quarter, but it was Wyatt Auyer who scored two goals in a row to tie the score and set up a solo goal from Nick Randgaard to win it with 1:25 remaining. Lewis had two chances to tie it again off the draw, but neither one could make contact with the goal.
Down south, Tampa needed overtime — and a massive OT save from Blake Ulmer — to beat Westminster during the week. Florida Tech dropped its second game in a row to Saint Leo, which will see them out of the Top 20 this week. They have plenty of high-profile games left, but at 4-4, things don’t look as promising as they once did.
As April approaches, so too do the more intense in-conference matchups across the division. Tuesday promises to be a day of reckoning for several programs, as six ranked teams are set to battle — including a titanic matchup between Pace and Le Moyne that could shift the balance of Division II power in the northeast.
NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION II MEN’S TOP 20
|
|
March 27, 2023 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Le Moyne |
7-0 |
1 |
3/28 at No. 11 Pace |
|
2 |
Adelphi |
7-0 |
2 |
3/28 at Saint Rose |
|
3 |
UIndy |
7-1 |
3 |
4/1 vs. Davenport |
|
4 |
Mercy |
7-1 |
4 |
4/1 at No. 6 Mercyhurst |
|
5 |
Tampa |
7-1 |
5 |
4/1 at No. 14 Rollins |
|
6 |
Mercyhurst |
4-1 |
6 |
3/27 vs. Alderson Broaddus |
|
7 |
Wingate |
8-1 |
7 |
3/29 at No. 8 Lenoir-Rhyne |
|
8 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
8-1 |
8 |
3/29 vs. No. 7 Wingate |
|
9 |
Frostburg State |
8-0 |
10 |
3/28 at No. 17 Seton Hill |
|
10 |
Anderson |
10-1 |
9 |
3/29 at No. 18 Newberry |
|
11 |
Pace |
6-0 |
12 |
3/28 vs. No. 1 Le Moyne |
|
12 |
Limestone |
7-3 |
11 |
4/1 at Coker |
|
13 |
Colorado Mesa |
8-2 |
13 |
4/1 vs. Westminster |
|
14 |
Rollins |
7-1 |
15 |
4/1 vs. No. 5 Tampa |
|
15 |
Florida Southern |
8-2 |
16 |
4/1 at Embry-Riddle |
|
16 |
Saint Anselm |
2-2 |
14 |
3/28 vs. So. New Hampshire |
|
17 |
Seton Hill |
5-3 |
18 |
3/28 vs. No. 9 Frostburg State |
|
18 |
Newberry |
4-2 |
19 |
3/29 vs. No. 10 Anderson |
|
19 |
Bentley |
3-2 |
20 |
3/28 at Assumption |
|
20 |
Belmont Abbey |
6-3 |
NR |
4/1 vs. Mount Olive |
Also considered (alphabetical order): Chestnut Hill (4-2), Lewis (5-3), Saint Michael’s (4-1)
Nike/USA Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Adelphi (no change)
This team is dangerous. While the top teams in the NE-10 are constantly referenced as some of the most problematic squads to line up against, Adelphi might be the deadliest. The Panthers’ style of play is all-out from the opening whistle, and they have plenty of pop on offense to tear down most teams. Led by junior midfielder Logan Tucker, the Panthers can turn any game into a track meet, although their most recent win against Saint Anselm was their toughest test to date. The Panther offense stalled early on, but a five-goal third quarter, led by Tucker’s two goals, was the final push Adelphi needed to overcome the Hawks.
NOT
Newberry (+1)
The rare time a “not” squad actually moves up in the Top 20, but that’s more a product of other happenings across the D-III landscape. The Wolves have not been howling to signal successful hunts; they have been wailing in pain from losing three games in a row. Their most recent defeat came at the hands of Limestone, 13-11. To be fair, Newberry has played the three toughest teams in the SAC in a row. To be even more fair, they have lost to Wingate, Lenoir-Rhyne and now Limestone. Given that strength of opponent, it’s hard to drop them from the ranks, but another loss just might see the wolves forced into another habitat.
OUT
Florida Tech (was No. 17)
It’s now back-to-back losses for Florida Tech after giving up 20 goals to Colorado Mesa a week ago and falling to Saint Leo 16-8 on Saturday. The experience against quality opponents is valuable for the Panthers, as they are still a young team. None of their top six scorers are seniors. But the Sunshine State Conference is loaded with Top 20 teams, and the stretch of conference play has arrived. Florida Tech doesn’t have much wiggle room the rest of the way and will need to stack some conference wins.
IN
Belmont Abbey (No. 20)
The Crusaders are back in the Top 20 after some early losses dropped them out of contention a few weeks ago. They have been in consideration for a return, and thanks to a three-game winning streak, they are back in. Their latest game was a triple-overtime win over Conference Carolina foe Barton 12-11 this past Saturday. Tre Childers ended the sudden victory madness with his third goal of the contest. Next week, the Crusaders look to improve to 3-0 in conference play with a matchup against Mount Olive.
PREVIOUS RANKINGS
Dan Arestia and Kyle Devitte
Dan Arestia and Kyle Devitte cover Division II and III men's lacrosse for USA Lacrosse Magazine.
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