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Ranked teams beware. The rest of women’s lacrosse isn’t afraid.

That’s been the message sent in the Division I women’s lacrosse world this February, with an improbable number of upsets setting the stage for a spring season with more surprises most assuredly on the way.

On Friday night, it was unranked Richmond that got four goals from Nicole Concannon in an 11-10 win over No. 16 Stanford.

Concannon capitalized on a feed from Grace Muldoon with 1:23 left in the game, giving Richmond (4-0) an 11-8 lead. Ailish Kelly and Katy Gilbert then scored 16 seconds apart, with Gilbert’s goal putting the Cardinal down 11-10 with 54 seconds remaining.

Kelly won the ensuing draw, but Sophia DiCenso caused a turnover that was picked up by Hannah Custer. Richmond ran the clock down to 2 seconds, sealing the upset.

Stanford (1-3) has scuffled out of the gate, but Ali Baiocco returned to the field for the first time in 2022 in this one, finishing with three assists. Her return is good news for a Stanford team that is in desperate need of a turnaround.

NOTABLE

  • No. 17 Vanderbilt and Elon were unexpectedly deadlocked through the first half, but the Commodores — newly ranked in the most recent update to the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division I Women’s Top 20 — upped the defense in the final 30 minutes. Vanderbilt outscored the Phoenix 10-4 in the second half, and Bri Gross’ four goals paced the attack in a 17-11 road win. Vanderbilt (3-0) outshot Elon (0-3) 33-20.

  • Denver improved to 4-0 and pinned Ohio State with its first loss behind a hat trick from Julia Gilbert in a 12-5 win over Ohio State at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Lauren Black, Charlotte Boote, Kayla DeRose and Bea Beahrins each scored twice for the Pios. Regan Alexander made eight saves for Ohio State (3-1).

  • Sydney Foster scored with 5:24 remaining to lift Saint Joseph’s to a 10-9 win at previously unbeaten Navy. Lauren Figura led the Hawks with three goals, all coming in the second quarter as Saint Joseph’s turned a 4-1 deficit into a 5-4 lead. The Hawks never trailed again, as Syracuse transfer Jorden Concordia made 18 saves.

  • Shea Garvia had six goals and two assists, Kyra LaMotte scored five goals and Mary Schumar doled out five assists to lead Marquette to a 22-9 win over Detroit Mercy.

  • East Carolina remained unbeaten with a 16-10 win over George Mason. Frances Kimel, Megan Tryniski and Payton Barr each had a hat trick. The Pirates (4-0) play at No. 7 Duke on Monday.

HOW THE NIKE/USAL TOP 20 FARED

No. 12 Denver 12, Ohio State 5
Richmond 11, No. 16 Stanford 10
No. 17 Vanderbilt 17, Elon 11

FULL SCOREBOARD

Arizona State 16, San Diego State 6
Cincinnati 15, Gardner-Webb 9
Coastal Carolina 15, Radford 9
No. 12 Denver 12, Ohio State 5
East Carolina 16, George Mason 10
Kent State 15, Presbyterian 12
Marquette 22, Detroit Mercy 9
Richmond 11, No. 16 Stanford 10
Saint Joseph’s 10, Navy 9
No. 17 Vanderbilt 17, Elon 11