NESCAC's Arrival Adds Williams to USA Lacrosse Division III Men's Top 20

While the Division III men’s slate wasn’t packed with upsets or wild results, it did feature the debut of the NESCAC. In the immortal words of John McClane, “Welcome to the party, pal.”

With multiple teams ranked in the Top 20 since the preseason, it was time for the so-called “Little Ivies” to show up and show out — and most of them did. Williams was the only team to do battle out of the conference, as the Ephs downed a plucky Babson team 14-13 thanks to eight goals from attackman Calvin Caputo and 17 saves from junior netminder Matt Wetmore.

Elsewhere, Tufts handled Connecticut College 19-9, Bowdoin took over the second half to defeat Trinity 13-6 and Middlebury leaped past Amherst 17-11.

The top three teams of this Top 20 won, although RIT let York get into the Tiger cage in the fourth quarter. A Jake Erickson goal with 2:34 remaining ended up being the winner, but RIT led by as much as five goals early in the third quarter.

It feels like a three-man race at the top, but the most interesting action is taking place in the middle of the Top 20. Undefeated runs from Dickinson, St. Lawrence, RPI and Swarthmore have been more dramatic than the rest of the table — with one exception.

Washington and Lee escorted Denison out of the Top 20 on Sunday with a 13-11 win that was closer than it could have been. The Generals outshot the Big Red 47-37 and didn’t score on either of their man-up chances. Either way, W&L moves up and Denison moves to the outskirts of the Top 20.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION III
MEN’S TOP 20

1. Salisbury, 5-0 (Prev: 1)
2. Christopher Newport, 5-0 (Prev: 2)
3. RIT, 4-0 (Prev: 3)
4. Tufts, 1-0 (Prev: 4)
5. Dickinson, 3-0 (Prev: 6)
6. Gettysburg, 2-1 (Prev: 7)
7. Middlebury, 1-0 (Prev: 8)
8. Bowdoin, 1-0 (Prev: 5)
9. RPI, 5-0 (Prev: 10)
10. Union, 3-0 (Prev: 11)
11. St. Lawrence, 4-0 (Prev: 12)
12. Swarthmore, 4-0 (Prev: 15)
13. Lynchburg, 1-2 (Prev: 9)
14. York, 2-2 (Prev: 13)
15. Wesleyan, 1-0 (Prev: 16)
16. Washington and Lee, 3-1 (Prev: 18)
17. Skidmore, 5-0 (Prev: 20)
18. Amherst, 0-1 (Prev: 14)
19. Williams, 1-0 (Prev: NR)
20. Hampden-Sydney, 4-2 (Prev: 17)

Also considered (alphabetical order): Babson, Denison, Kenyon, Randolph-Macon, Roanoke, Stevens

HOT

Dickinson (+1)

The Red Devils took down their most challenging opponent to date with a 15-13 victory over Roanoke. The Maroons were knocking on the door of the Top 20 before this loss, but Dickinson answered the door with the acrimony of a father meeting his daughter’s prom date. Junior attackman Owen Porter more than doubled his season goal total with four strikes, and faceoff man John McKee continued his hot streak by winning more than 60 percent of his draws for the third straight game. No one wanted a piece of Dickinson last year around tournament time, and it looks like they have carried that Mephistophelian energy into 2024. 

NOT

Hampden-Sydney (-3)

It’s a knee-jerk reaction, but a loss to St. Mary’s sees the Tigers dangling off the edge of the Top 20. After winning four straight, including edging out a win over Cabrini, Hampden-Sydney’s loss was surprising. It’s a senior-heavy group, led by Ray O’Brien at attack, and that experience should help this team refocus. They take on Ohio Northern this weekend in an effort to get back to their winning ways. 

IN

Williams (No. 19)

The Ephs came out gunning against a difficult opening-day opponent in Babson. The Beavers will feel very unlucky — snakebit, even — considering they have lost their last two games by one goal. Williams, on the other hand, will feel elated to get that first win on the board. The Ephs’ offense really carried them in this one (if by offense, you mean Calvin Caputo, which we do), but junior goaltender Matt Wetmore — who played in just three games last season — was a real difference-maker in net with 17 saves in his first full game as an Eph. Welcome to the Top 20, Williams. Your reward is a date with Union on Wednesday.

OUT

DENISON (was No. 19)

The Big Red fell to W&L last week, losing late after playing the Generals tight. They have dropped to 2-2 on the season and need a signature win to get them back in the Top 20. Their two wins are comfortable victories against Albion and Baldwin Wallace, while their two losses are this week’s stumble and a week one blowout at the hands of RIT. Denison has upcoming contests with Lynchburg and Gettysburg, both opportunities to get back into the rankings, but for now, they don’t warrant a spot in the poll.