Dartmouth slowly (but surely) entered and then climbed the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Women’s Top 20 during the first four weeks of the 2020 season, but now the Big Green are front and center.
After a mid-week win over visiting Florida, the Big Green are up to No. 6 — a five-spot jump.
Another team making noise is Duke, which earned a much-needed ACC win over Virginia. Duke hadn’t defeated a ranked opponent in three previous tries. Could this be the start of good things to come for the Blue Devils?
Nike/US Lacrosse
Division I Women’s Top 20
March 9, 2020 |
W/L |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina | 6-0 | 1 | 3/9 at No. 9 Northwestern |
| 2 | Notre Dame | 6-0 | 2 | 3/11 at Vanderbilt |
| 3 | Loyola | 5-0 | 3 | 3/14 vs. Lehigh |
| 4 | Stony Brook | 4-1 | 5 | 3/15 at No. 8 USC |
| 5 | Syracuse | 7-1 | 6 | 3/12 at No. 17 Virginia |
| 6 | Dartmouth | 5-0 | 11 | 3/15 at Albany |
| 7 | Florida | 5-2 | 4 | 3/10 vs. Navy |
| 8 | USC | 6-0 | 8 | 3/13 at Arizona State |
| 9 | Northwestern | 4-2 | 9 | 3/9 vs. No. 1 North Carolina |
| 10 | Michigan | 5-1 | 10 | 3/13 at Cincinnati |
| 11 | Penn | 4-1 | 7 | 3/14 at No. 19 Duke |
| 12 | Maryland | 3-3 | 15 | 3/14 vs. Rutgers |
| 13 | Richmond | 7-0 | 12 | 3/14 vs. Villanova |
| 14 | UMass | 4-1 | 16 | 3/14 at Towson |
| 15 | James Madison | 5-1 | 19 | 3/13 at Canisius |
| 16 | Virginia | 5-3 | 13 | 3/12 vs. No. 5 Syracuse |
| 17 | Princeton | 3-2 | 14 | 3/17 at Jacksonville |
| 18 | Denver | 6-1 | 18 | 3/11 vs. Coastal Carolina |
| 19 | Duke | 5-3 | NR | 3/10 vs. East Carolina |
| 20 | Boston College | 3-3 | 17 | 3/11 vs. Hofstra |
Also considered (alphabetical order): Army (7-0), Colorado (3-2), Hofstra (4-2), Jacksonville (3-1), Penn State (5-2), Virginia Tech (7-2)
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Dartmouth (+5)
Dartmouth is doing this without a true superstar, but Katie Bourque — last week’s US Lacrosse Player of the Week — has put herself in the national spotlight. After being held without a goal in the season opener, Bourque has scored 21 goals in the last four games. The 2019 Ivy League regular season co-champion, Dartmouth isn’t a fluke.
James Madison (+4)
The offense is starting to come together. The Dukes outscored Penn State and Rutgers a combined 32-11 this week, and the win over Penn State was particularly impressive considering how the Nittany Lions have played thus far. Sophomore Kacey Knobloch led JMU with nine points this week.
NOT
Penn (-4)
The Quakers defense couldn’t keep high-scoring Loyola in check on Saturday in a 19-15 loss. Nearly all the hustle stats were even or close to even. The big difference was between the pipes. Goalies Krissy Kowalski and Kelly Van Hoesen combined for just six saves (all by Kowalski).
Virginia (-3)
The Hoos are now 1-3 in their last four games after a 16-10 loss to ACC rival Duke. The schedule gets no easier, as the next three games bring Syracuse, James Madison and Penn State to Charlottesville.
Princeton (-3)
Princeton fell behind 7-0 against Stony Brook on Sunday in an eventual 18-12 loss, and the Tigers also experience a fall when considering they lost to Virginia (which is also falling).
Florida (-3)
It’s been nearly impossible to predict Florida’s 2020 season. Each great success — wins over Maryland and Stony Brook — were followed by great losses. One week after topping then-No. 2 Maryland, the Gators badly lost to Loyola. Three days after beating then-No. 3 Stony Brook, the Gators lost to Dartmouth.
IN
Duke (No. 19)
Duke has been on the cusp for awhile, but the Blue Devils earned their way into the Top 20 with their upset win over Virginia. Duke has seven players with double-digit goals and four with at least 14.
OUT
Hofstra (previously No. 20)
Hofstra gets the bump to make way for Duke, but the Pride held their own in a 16-11 loss to Maryland. The Pride can make a case to re-enter the Top 20 by beating Boston College on Wednesday in Chestnut Hill.