Stability at the Top Rules USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20

As a reflection of the unpredictable results on the field this spring, many of the weekly collegiate rankings, primarily in Division I, have been in constant turmoil. A new No. 1 team seemingly emerges each week, amidst significant debate and some controversy.

That hasn't been the case in Division II, where stability and consistency have dominated the 2024 season. The top three in this week’s USA Lacrosse Division II Women's Top 20 - West Chester, Pace, and Maryville - have been the same since the second week of March. They are the last three undefeated teams, with a combined 37-0 record, and continue to churn out victories week after week. Boring, perhaps, but steady as it gets.

That's not to say that these teams haven't had some scares along the way. West Chester had to go to overtime last month to defeat unranked Roberts Wesleyan in snow squalls and sleet. Pace has survived back-to-back one-goal scares in the past 10 days, including a 12-11 win at No. 5 Adelphi last week. Maryville took its place among the top teams following a narrow 7-6 win against No. 7 Grand Valley State in early March.

It's clear that there are dangerous contenders that legitimately occupy the top 10 positions behind the big 3. But so far, they have all fallen short when they've had their shot against the leaders. No. 4 Regis’ only loss this year came at home against Maryville. Adelphi, as mentioned, was unable to take down Pace last week. No. 6 Florida Southern has three losses, including a setback at Pace.

Will the stability at the top hold the rest of the way? That's impossible to say, of course, especially since there's still plenty of lacrosse ahead. We have enough big games and fun matchups coming, including conference tournaments, to hold our attention in the next few weeks. So steady she goes. Maybe.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION II
WOMEN’S TOP 20

1. West Chester, 11-0 (Prev: 1)
2. Pace, 12-0 (Prev: 2)
3. Maryville, 14-0 (Prev: 3)
4. Regis, 12-1 (Prev: 6)
5. Adelphi, 10-2 (Prev: 4)
6. Florida Southern, 13-3 (Prev: 7)
7. Grand Valley State, 11-1 (Prev: 8)
8. Tampa, 12-3 (Prev: 9)
9. Limestone, 14-1 (Prev: 5)
10. Lynn, 12-3 (Prev: 10)
11. Flagler, 14-2 (Prev: 11)
12. Anderson, 13-2 (Prev: 13)
13. Kutztown, 10-2 (Prev: 14)
14. Wingate, 12-4 (Prev: 17)
15. Lock Haven, 11-1 (Prev: 16)
16. Embry-Riddle, 12-4 (Prev: 12)
17. East Stroudsburg, 8-4 (Prev: 15)
18. Mount Olive, 13-3 (Prev: 19)
19. UIndy, 11-4 (Prev: 20)
20. Rollins, 11-5 (Prev: 18)

Also considered (alphabetical order): Alabama-Huntsville, Bloomsburg, Northern Michigan, Slippery Rock, Saint Leo

HOT

Wingate (+3)

The Bulldogs concluded their regular season (yes, you read that correctly) last Saturday with their best win of the year, handing No. 9 Limestone its first loss of the season, 12-8. With the victory, Wingate clinched at least a share of the South Atlantic Conference’s regular season title. The Bulldogs now have a bye in the opening round of the SAC tournament and will be back in action on April 24 in the semifinal round.

Regis (+2)

Regis extended its winning streak to nine games and maintained sole possession of first place in the RMAC standings with a convincing 13-3 win over UC-Colorado Springs last Friday. The victory helped the Rangers climb back into the top five of the rankings for the first time since early March.  The Regis defense, allowing just 8.38 goals per game, limited UCCS to just one goal through the first 54 minutes of Friday’s game.

NOT

Limestone (-4)

The Saints had their lowest scoring game of the season, as they suffered their first loss of the year in Saturday’s 12-8 loss at Wingate. Limestone closes out its regular season this week against Mars Hill and still has a chance to secure one of the two first-round byes for the six-team SAC tournament.

Embry-Riddle (-4)

The Eagles had climbed to as high as No. 7 in the national ranking two weeks ago but have slipped badly since that time, losing three of their last four. The latest setback came Saturday in an 18-12 home loss against SSC foe Saint Leo. ERAU closes out its regular season at No. 8 Tampa on Wednesday, looking to regain some momentum before quarterfinal round play in the SSC tournament begins Saturday.