Another Undefeated Spring has Middlebury Atop Final D-III Women's Top 20

Just like that, another season of college lacrosse is in the books.

Middlebury completed a perfect season for the second year in a row and hoisted its third straight national championship trophy, defeating Salisbury 16-5 in the title game. The Sea Gulls were excellent in their own right, defeating three Top 20 teams to make it to the final: Babson, Washington and Lee, and William Smith.

Both Colby and Pomona-Pitzer rose up the board following their quarterfinal appearances. Meanwhile, Colorado College secured its spot in the Top 20 with an appearance NCAA regionals.

Christopher Newport nearly snuck into the quarterfinals, taking Washington and Lee to the limit in the round of 16. Though the Captains lost that game 12-10, Kelsey Winters dished five assists to become the Division III leader in career assists (277).

Take a look at the final USA Lacrosse Division III Women’s Top 20 below:

USA LACROSSE DIVISION III
WOMEN’S TOP 20

1. Middlebury, 23-0 (Prev: 1)
2. Salisbury, 18-4 (Prev: 8)
3. Franklin & Marshall, 19-4 (Prev: 3)
4. William Smith, 20-4 (Prev: 6)
5. Tufts, 16-4 (Prev: 4)
6. Washington and Lee, 18-4 (Prev: 7)
7. Colby, 13-7 (Prev: 12)
8. Wesleyan, 16-4 (Prev: 2)
9. Gettysburg, 17-4 (Prev: 5)
10. Pomona-Pitzer, 19-2 (Prev: 11)
11. Roanoke, 17-5 (Prev: 13)
12. Christopher Newport, 14-7 (Prev. 16)
13. Ithaca, 18-2 (Prev. 9)
14. TCNJ, 14-5 (Prev: 10)
15. York, 14-7 (Prev: 15)
16. Babson, 17-3 (Prev. 17)
17. Stevens, 17-4 (Prev. 14)
18. MIT, 17-5 (Prev. 18)
19. Trinity, 9-9 (Prev. 19)
20. Colorado College, 16-6 (Prev. NR)

Also considered (alphabetical order): Amherst (8-8), Cabrini (15-5), Chicago (13-5), Denison (15-5), Shenandoah (15-5)

HOT

Middlebury (no change)

There’s dominance, and then there’s two undefeated seasons in a row and one loss overall since the 2022 season. With parity the buzzword across all levels of women’s lacrosse, the Panthers are holding firm as the unquestioned best team in Division III women’s lacrosse. That should be applauded.

Salisbury (+6)

The Sea Gulls went through a gauntlet to reach the championship game, beating Babson, Washington and Lee, and William Smith. But there was no stopping the buzzsaw that is Middlebury. Still, it was a season to remember for Salisbury — which last won a national title in 2021 when Middlebury was inactive due to NESCAC COVID-19 policies.

NOT

Wesleyan (-6)

Wesleyan was as hot as anyone entering the NCAA tournament but fell to Colby in the third round. The defense did everything it could, holding Colby to seven goals, but the offense mustered just five scores. That simply won’t get it done in May.

IN

Colorado College (No. 20)

Colorado College beat a capable U of Chicago team to make it to the third round of the NCAA tournament, where an unfortunate meeting with Middlebury loomed. It was over quickly, with Middlebury up 16-5 at halftime, but it was still a great showing by the Tigers.

OUT

Amherst (was No. 20)

Amherst failed to earn an NCAA tournament berth, making it an easy bump to make way for Colorado College.