First-Time Champ Pace is No. 1 in Final Nike/USA Lacrosse D-II Women's Top 20
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© 2024 USA Lacrosse. All Rights Reserved.
© 2024 USA Lacrosse. All Rights Reserved.
Coming off a historic season that culminated with an overpowering performance in the national championship game, Pace finishes as the top-ranked team in the final Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20.
Pace (21-2) scored the first 13 goals in the 2023 NCAA final on the way to a decisive 19-9 victory over previously top-ranked West Chester on May 21 in Indianapolis. Making the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance, the Setters defeated No. 20 New Haven and No. 12 Adelphi in the East regional, then upended No. 3 Florida Southern in the national semifinal before handing West Chester its only loss of the season.
“This is so unbelievable,” Pace head coach Tricia Molfetta said following the championship game victory. “Credit to our players, who all season long stayed very level headed and just kept moving forward. They wouldn’t be denied. This is a big deal for our program.”
After owning the top spot in the ranking for virtually the entire season, West Chester (22-1) drops to No. 2 in the final Top 20. The Rams finished as national runner-up for the ninth time in program history.
Florida Southern, Tampa, and UIndy round out the top five.
FINAL |
W/L |
Prev |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Pace |
21-2 |
4 |
|
2 |
West Chester |
22-1 |
1 |
|
3 |
Florida Southern |
18-4 |
7 |
|
4 |
Tampa |
18-3 |
3 |
|
5 |
UIndy |
18-3 |
2 |
|
6 |
Grand Valley State |
16-5 |
12 |
|
7 |
Regis |
17-2 |
5 |
|
8 |
Le Moyne |
18-3 |
6 |
|
9 |
Maryville |
17-3 |
8 |
|
10 |
Flagler |
17-2 |
9 |
|
11 |
East Stroudsburg |
14-6 |
15 |
|
12 |
Adelphi |
13-7 |
16 |
|
13 |
Rollins |
15-4 |
11 |
|
14 |
Wingate |
17-2 |
10 |
|
15 |
Seton Hill |
15-5 |
13 |
|
16 |
Kutztown |
13-6 |
14 |
|
17 |
Embry-Riddle |
13-5 |
17 |
|
18 |
St. Anselm |
13-5 |
18 |
|
19 |
Mercy |
13-6 |
19 |
|
20 |
New Haven |
11-8 |
NR |
Paul Ohanian has worked at USA Lacrosse since 2006 and is currently the senior manager of program content. Prior to joining USA Lacrosse, he served as SID at a Division III school with a strong lacrosse tradition and learned to appreciate the commitment and passion that athletes at all levels bring to the game.
