Division III men’s lacrosse hit the ground running this week with more than 30 programs in action.
It’s worth noting that plenty of teams have yet to play a game, as there’s still a few weeks before the NESCAC officially begins its season. Defending national champion RIT, along with many others, will play their first meaningful games next week. That said, there was still plenty of excitement over the weekend that led to records being broken and the first upset of the young 2022 season — warranting an update to the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s Top 20.
Two top-5 teams played their season openers Saturday. Christopher Newport rattled off 22 goals against Roanoke to hold onto its No. 4 ranking. Another heavy hitter, Lynchburg, scored 25 goals while playing suffocating defense, holding Ferrum to just one goal. The Hornets stay at No. 5.
Grove City saw its stock rise after opening its season with back-to-back wins, including a 22-14 win over Colorado College on Sunday. Colorado College, as you’ll see below, had a horrid start to the season and completely fell out of consideration for the top 20 — at least as things stand now.
NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION III MEN’S TOP 20
Feb. 14, 2022 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Salisbury |
0-0 |
1 |
2/19 at Scranton |
|
2 |
RIT |
0-0 |
2 |
2/19 vs. Muhlenberg |
|
3 |
Tufts |
0-0 |
3 |
3/5 vs. Colby |
|
4 |
Christopher Newport |
1-0 |
4 |
2/19 vs. Randolph-Macon |
|
5 |
Lynchburg |
1-0 |
5 |
2/19 vs. Greensboro |
|
6 |
York |
0-0 |
6 |
2/19 vs. Washington and Lee |
|
7 |
Franklin & Marshall |
0-0 |
8 |
2/19 at Lebanon Valley |
|
8 |
St. John Fisher |
0-0 |
9 |
2/26 at Ithaca |
|
9 |
Cabrini |
0-0 |
10 |
2/19 vs. haverford |
|
10 |
Illinois Wesleyan |
2-0 |
14 |
2/19 vs. Ohio Wesleyan |
|
11 |
Stevens |
0-0 |
11 |
2/19 vs. Dickinson |
|
12 |
SUNY Cortland |
0-0 |
12 |
2/26 vs. Skidmore |
|
13 |
Williams |
0-0 |
13 |
3/5 at Trinity |
|
14 |
Stevenson |
0-0 |
15 |
2/19 vs. Ursinus |
|
15 |
Centre |
1-0 |
16 |
2/19 vs. Elmhurst |
|
16 |
Denison |
0-0 |
17 |
2/19 vs. Baldwin Wallace |
|
17 |
John Carroll |
0-0 |
18 |
2/23 vs. Wooster |
|
18 |
St. Lawrence |
0-0 |
19 |
3/2 at SUNY Potsdam |
|
19 |
Wesleyan |
0-0 |
20 |
3/5 vs. Bates |
|
20 |
Grove City |
2-0 |
NR |
2/26 at Baldwin Wallace |
Also considered (alphabetical order): Catholic (1-0), Gettysburg (0-0), Ithaca (0-0), Ohio Wesleyan (0-0), Union (0-0)
Nike/USA Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Illinois Wesleyan (+4)
In a matchup between two top-15 teams, Illinois Wesleyan doubled up Colorado College with a 14-7 win. Colorado College was the highest ranked team that Illinois Wesleyan has beaten in program history. The Titans then survived a quick scare in their second game of the weekend in a comeback win against Rhodes.
Christopher Newport (no change)
Christopher Newport was shot out of a cannon in its season opener, scoring 22 goals. Fifth-year attackman Dylan Rice set a program record with eight goals, and he did so on just 10 shots. He also notched two assists, which tied his own program record for points in a game (10).
The Captains also peppered Roanoke with 72 total shots, another program record. Simply put, there was no shortage of offense for a team that has lofty aspirations in 2022.
IN
Grove City (No. 20)
Grove City got off to an excellent start with a win against Rhodes and a dominating performance against Colorado College. They jump into the top 20 and have next week off before heading on the road to face Baldwin Wallace, followed by another road contest against Christopher Newport.
OUT
Colorado College (was No. 7)
Two losses to open the season pushed Colorado College out of the top 20 despite opening the season as a top-10 team. After losing Saturday, things didn’t get much better for the Tigers, who surrendered 22 goals Sunday. Colorado College has been outscored 36-21 thus far.
The schedule doesn’t get any easier, either. Stevens, Salisbury, Cabrini and Christopher Newport remain in the weeks ahead.