The summer of lacrosse will soon make way for fall ball, and thus the dawn of the next NCAA women’s lacrosse season is here.
As we here at USA Lacrosse Magazine do every year, we’re taking a crack at ranking the Top 25 programs in the country before the fall exhibition season begins. Check back each day this week as we break down another five-team segment, ending with Nos. 5-1 on Friday.
Also considered (alphabetical): Arizona State, Army, Drexel, Navy, Temple
Early 2023 Rankings
Division I Men
No. 25 - No. 21
No. 20 - No. 16
No. 15 - No. 11
No. 10 - No. 6
No. 5 - No. 1
Division I Women
No. 25 - No. 21
No. 20 - No. 16
No. 15 - No. 11
No. 10 - No. 6
No. 5 - No. 1
25. PENN
2022 record: 6-9 (3-4 Ivy League)
Last seen: A rough season in Philadelphia ended with the Quakers winning three of four, and the loss was just a two-goal deficit to Ivy champion Princeton.
Initial forecast: It was an unusually poor season for the Quakers and Karin Corbett, a coach who consistently leads competitive teams deep into the Ivy League tournament. Her roster was largely untested after COVID-19 wiped out 2020 and 2021 was limited to just one game, so there’s a built-in excuse there. If 2022 provided anything for the Quakers, it was a chance for some young players to get experience. Niki Miles, Keeley Block and Anna Brandt highlight the Quaker offense, which returns nine of its top 10 scorers.
24. COLORADO
2022 record: 11-6 (5-5 Pac-12)
Last seen: Two weeks after thumping Oregon, the Buffs fell to the Ducks 14-10 in the Pac-12 tournament.
Initial forecast: Sadie Grozier (49 goals, nine assists), Charlie Rudy (37 goals, 13 assists), Morgan Pence (27 goals, eight assists) and Sam McGee (31 goals, three assists) are back for the Buffs in 2023. Offense won’t be the issue for a team that appeared bound for one of the final at-large bids before Oregon ended its season in upset fashion. Grace Donnelly (.443 save percentage) is back to lead a defense that has holes to fill. Macaul Mellor, Sabrina Robbins, Kate Burnside and Devon Bayer are all defensive starters in need of replacing.
23. UMASS
2022 record: 16-4 (9-0 Atlantic 10)
Last seen: The Minutewomen made the NCAA tournament as an at-large team after falling in the A-10 tournament to Saint Joseph’s, but UMass fell to Princeton in the first round.
Initial forecast: The UMass offense was again near the top of the NCAA, checking in at No. 9 nationally (16.0 goals per game). New head coach Jana Drummond’s offense will have a bit of a new look, though. Of the seven UMass players who produced 30 points or more in 2022, only two return — Alex Finn (30 goals, 21 assists) and Fiona McGowan (28 goals, 12 assists). Midfield fixture Amy Moreau is back, too, and Charlotte Wilmoth (12 goals, one assist) and Kylee Bowen (10 goals, one assist) could be in for larger roles.
22. YALE
2022 record: 11-6 (6-1 Ivy League)
Last seen: The Bulldogs fell short of an at-large bid after losing in the Ivy League championship game to Princeton.
Initial forecast: One of the surprises of 2022, Yale might not be going away this spring. Another Division I women’s lacrosse coach walked away impressed after watching film of the Bulldogs, who made their first-ever Ivy League tournament appearance last season. Leading goal scorer Olivia Markert (45 goals, nine assists) has graduated, though, leaving the offense in the hands of Olivia Penoyer (23 goals, 37 assists) and Fallon Vaughn (33 goals, 12 assists). There’s possible staying power on this roster, with Vaughn, Taylor Lane (28 goals, seven assists), Taylor Everson (26 goals, eight assists) and Jenna Collignon (26 goals, two assists) all making massive impacts as first-year players. If Yale has any weakness, it’s in goal. Clare Boone (.375 save percentage) and Cami Donadio (.378 save percentage) will likely battle for time this spring.
21. JOHNS HOPKINS
2022 record: 10-9 (2-4 Big Ten)
Last seen: The Jays gave Duke a challenge in the NCAA tournament, but Hopkins ultimately fell 17-12 in Janine Tucker’s final game on the sideline.
Initial forecast: For the first time in almost three decades, Johns Hopkins has a new head coach. Tim McCormack comes to Baltimore from Arizona State, where he helped elevate the Sun Devils into a prominent West Coast program. McCormack is losing a significant chunk of veteran leadership — program mainstays like Shelby Harrison, Keegan Barger and Kathleen Garvey just completed their graduate seasons — so the Long Island native must now work to establish the team’s identity. He has plans to do just that, telling USA Lacrosse Magazine shortly after his hiring that he plans on creating a unique brand of lacrosse on Homewood Field.