Over half of the teams in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division III Women’s rankings have still yet to hit the field this season, but that all changes this week. All teams in the top 20 will have opened their seasons, with the exception of No. 9 St. John Fisher, by the end of the weekend.
The rankings will also begin to shake out with a number of nationally ranked battles on the slate.
Reigning national champion and No. 1 Middlebury opens the season — and the usual NESCAC gauntlet — when it hosts Bowdoin on Saturday. Last year’s runner-up, Salisbury, has a top 10 battle against No. 8 Washington and Lee, and central Pennsylvania powers, No. 5 York and No. 7 Franklin & Marshall, have a midweek clash on Wednesday.
Nike/US Lacrosse
Division III Women’s Top 20
Feb. 24, 2020 |
W/L |
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Next |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlebury | 0-0 | 1 | 2/29 vs. No. 18 Bowdoin |
| 2 | Gettysburg | 2-0 | 2 | 2/29 vs. Denison |
| 3 | Salisbury | 1-0 | 3 | 3/1 vs. No. 8 Washington and Lee |
| 4 | Tufts | 0-0 | 4 | 2/29 at Colby |
| 5 | York | 1-0 | 5 | 2/26 vs. No. 7 Franklin & Marshall |
| 6 | Wesleyan | 0-0 | 6 | 2/29 at Bates |
| 7 | Franklin & Marshall | 1-0 | 13 | 2/26 at No. 5 York |
| 8 | Washington and Lee | 1-1 | 7 | 2/26 at Rhodes |
| 9 | St. John Fisher | 0-0 | 8 | 3/5 at Lynchburg |
| 10 | TCNJ | 0-0 | 9 | 2/29 vs. Haverford |
| 11 | William Smith | 0-0 | 10 | 2/26 at SUNY Geneseo |
| 12 | Catholic | 0-0 | 11 | 2/26 at St. Mary's (Md.) |
| 13 | Amherst | 0-0 | 12 | 2/29 at Hamilton |
| 14 | Mary Washington | 1-1 | 14 | 2/26 vs. Randolph-Macon |
| 15 | Colorado College | 2-0 | 15 | 3/9 vs. Wesleyan |
| 16 | Claremont-Mudd-Scripps | 1-0 | 16 | 2/26 at Pomona-Pitzer |
| 17 | Brockport | 1-0 | 17 | 3/7 vs. Ithaca |
| 18 | Bowdoin | 0-0 | 18 | 2/29 at No. 1 Middlebury |
| 19 | Cortland | 0-0 | 19 | 2/29 vs. Ithaca |
| 20 | Colby | 0-0 | NR | 2/29 vs. Tufts |
Also considered (in alphabetical order): Babson, Denison, Dickinson, Ithaca, Rhodes, Trinity
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Franklin & Marshall (+6)
Sophomore Marissa McGarrey’s goal with 3:40 remaining in the game gave the Diplomats a 9-8 victory over Washington and Lee, avenging a loss in last year’s season opener between the two schools. Another test awaits with York on Wednesday. F&M edged York in overtime last season.
NOT
Washington and Lee (-1)
The Generals have a difficult stretch to open the season, having already played two nationally ranked foes. After beating No. 14 Mary Washington in its opener two weeks ago, W&L struggled to mount an offensive threat against F&M. W&L fell behind 7-3 early in the second half before rallying to tie the score twice, but it never regained the lead it held briefly early in the game.
The challenges continue this week with games against Rhodes and Salisbury.
IN
Colby (No. 20)
After starting 6-1 last season, the White Mules won just three games after March 27. But this is a talented program that posted wins over Amherst and Trinity last season and will be much more experienced. Grace Langmuir, Robyn Pirie and Sarah Stark, all earned all-region honors as underclassmen last year.
OUT
Illinois Wesleyan (previously No. 20)
A trip to Tennessee resulted in two close losses for Illinois Wesleyan. The Titans dropped a 15-12 neutral site game to No. 15 Colorado College and then fell 12-11 to Rhodes.