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The 2020 lacrosse season ended abruptly, and it’s anyone’s guess exactly when the 2021 season will begin. But there’s been plenty of movement in the offseason.
While it’s probably a greater challenge to forecast the upcoming season than in most years, US Lacrosse Magazine will give it a try.
Up today: Nos. 10-6.
2020 record: 4-1
Last seen: Dropping a back-and-forth 19-15 decision to a scorching-hot Loyola team.
Initial forecast: If there’s an Ivy League program that can shoulder the loss of an all-time great in Gabby Rosenzweig and the steady contributions of Erin Barry, it’s the Quakers. Sure, Rosenzweig — the program’s all-time points leader (247) — and Barry led the team in goals and points, but Taylyn Stadler, Caitlin Cook, Zoe Belodeau and Michaela McMahon weren’t far behind on the versatile offense. Belodeau, who was on a torrid pace during her 2018 freshman season, has yet to repeat that type of success, but all signs point to her stepping into a large role in 2021. There’s something of a goalie competition here between Krissy Kowalski and Kelly Van Hoesen, though both performed capably in 2020.
2020 record: 5-1
Last seen: Closing 2020 on a four-game winning streak after dropping a close one to USC on Feb. 15.
Initial forecast: The Wolverines take a hit on the offensive end, losing Chandler Kirby and Lilly Grass after the pair opted not to take a fifth year at Michigan. But program-great Molly Garrett is back, as is Nadine Stewart. Overall, Michigan returns much of its scoring punch, headlined by Caitlin Muir, Maggie Kane, Garrett and Kaitlyn Mead. Several players on the defensive side will take advantage of the extra eligibility, namely starters Quinn Melidona and Sydney Whitaker, who will be a steady presence in front of goalkeeper Arielle Weissman. Michigan allowed exactly 10 goals per game in 2020, and defense has long been this program’s strength. With an underrated offense mostly back, Michigan could continue to find itself in the top-10 conversation.
2020 record: 6-2
Last seen: A seesaw season, albeit an impressive one, ended prematurely after a 17-9 win over Navy.
Initial forecast: Each of Florida’s big 2020 wins was immediately followed by a head-scratching loss. The Gators stormed into College Park and ended Maryland’s 86-game home winning streak, only to fall seven days later to Loyola 17-6. Then after a 12-10 win over Stony Brook, Florida fell four days later at Dartmouth. You can chalk much of this up to growing pains, as Florida was an overwhelmingly young team that performed admirably, all things considered. The starting lineup against Maryland featured five freshmen (including two redshirt-freshmen). With Tewaaraton favorite Shannon Kavanagh leading the charge, Florida is scary heading into 2021.
2020 record: 3-3
Last seen: After a rare three-game losing streak, the Terps won two straight to close 2020.
Initial forecast: For the first time in the Cathy Reese era, you can’t just pencil Maryland into the top three and move on. One of the more confounding teams to rank, the Terps certainly struggled at times in 2020, but let’s remember something: Through constant turnover, graduations, injuries and the like, Reese has led Maryland to the Final Four 11 times in 14 years, with five championships since 2010. 2021 is certainly a fresh start for Maryland, which lost Kali Hartshorn after she opted to not return. But Brindi Griffin is back as a veteran leader for this young team. Last year, freshmen and sophomores accounted for 25 of the team’s 76 goals. Improvement is coming.
2020 record: 4-3
Last seen: Dropping a 20-18 slugfest against North Carolina at home.
Initial forecast: Offensively, there might not be a scarier team than Northwestern. Lindsey McKone and Megan Kinna return as graduate students, meaning the program’s top four scorers are back. Then add in the versatile presence of Sammy Mueller, a transfer from Virginia, and Northwestern’s high-pace offense will again be a problem for defenses with Mueller and Brennan Dwyer securing possession on the draw. It’s Northwestern’s own defense that has limited Kelly Amonte Hiller’s program in recent seasons. Playing at a high pace breeds opportunity for other teams to score — making high scores somewhat more palatable — but the combination of Julie Krupnick and Madison Doucette in goal saved just 38 percent of shots in 2020. The Wildcats ranked 100th nationally by allowing 15.14 goals per game.
