Tough Schedule Helping FSC Climb USA Lacrosse Division II Women's Top 20

This past offseason, Kara Reber assembled one of the most challenging schedules in her tenure at Florida Southern, with seven Top 20 teams among the first eight games. No cupcakes for the Mocs to start to the 2024 season.

And FSC took a few lumps, with home losses against No. 4 Adelphi and No. 6 Regis, and a road loss at No. 2 Pace, the defending national champion.

But now, as mid-April approaches, the Mocs are thriving, riding a seven-game winning streak and leading the competitive Sunshine State Conference race as the only undefeated team remaining in league play. Florida Southern is also making its way back up in the weekly ranking, hitting No. 7 in this week’s USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20.

Clearly, Reber knew that the stiff competition early in the year would benefit her team later in the season. It’s a philosophy she’s employed for most of her 13 seasons at FSC.

“We don’t shy away from good competition,” said Reber, who has also seen her team persevere through a rash of preseason injuries that impacted the roster. “We’ll play whoever we can get on our schedule.”

With three league games remaining, Florida Southern is once again in position to capture the top seed for the SSC Championship Tournament, which provides home field advantage for every game.

With conference play in full force, there’s plenty of games of note on this week’s calendar. Three huge matchups to watch include No. 2 Pace at No. 4 Adelphi (NE10), No. 14 Kutztown vs. No. 15 East Stroudsburg (PSAC), and No. 9 Tampa vs. No. 10 Lynn (SSC) in a battle between two of FSC’s pursuers.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION II
WOMEN’S TOP 20

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

Also considered (alphabetical order): Bloomsburg, Northern Michigan, Rockhurst, Saint Leo, Slippery Rock

HOT

Anderson (+5)

It looks like there’s another contender emerging in the South Region. Second-year program Anderson announced itself Saturday by defeating No. 15 Wingate 16-15 to register its first-ever Top 20 victory. Coming off a 9-8 first season, the Trojans were tabbed to finish seventh in the SAC’s 2024 coaches preseason poll. Instead, they are now 12-2 and 7-1 in league games, tied for second place with defending league champion Wingate, the preseason pick to repeat. Coach Gail Wallach’s young roster features 29 freshmen and sophomores, with just two juniors and one senior. The future looks bright.

Tampa (+2)

After early losses against Adelphi and Pace, the Spartans have now won eight of their last nine, with the only setback during that stretch coming against Florida Southern. Tampa kept the momentum going with decisive league wins over Saint Leo and Florida Tech, setting up a huge clash with Lynn this week.

NOT

Lynn (-4)

Last week, the Fighting Knights achieved their highest ranking of the season, climbing to sixth. On Saturday, they found out how tenuous the footing can be so near to the top, losing at unranked Saint Leo and seeing their 10-game winning streak halted. The road doesn’t get easier for Lynn in the competitive SSC, with games against Top 10 foes Tampa and Florida Southern over the next 10 days.

Embry-Riddle (-2)

The Eagles were hoping to solidify their candidacy in the SSC race in last week’s matchup against FSC but found out that they still have some work to do to close the gap against the Mocs. ERAU led 3-1 early but then endured a 27-minute scoring drought as FSC seized control on the way to an eventual 20-10 victory.

IN

Lock Haven (No. 16)

The Bald Eagles have been one of the surprises in the PSAC this season and lead the Western Division with a 5-1 league record. Lock Haven improved to 10-1 overall with Saturday’s 13-9 win over IUP, highlighted by a 13-save effort by goalie Dana Mirigliano.  The program has secured its first 10-win season since 2018.

OUT

Florida Tech (was No. 20)

The Panthers got another reminder last week about the realities of life in the SSC, where there are no easy passes. Florida Tech built an early five-goal lead against Rollins, only to lose 16-15 as the Tars scored the game-winner with 37 seconds remaining. Three days later, the Panthers fell behind 7-0 to Tampa in the opening quarter and never recovered in an 18-3 loss. It’s a tough path through the SSC.