The status quo remains in effect for another week at the top of the WCLA (Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates) Division I and II coaches polls, with Pitt and Utah State, respectively, maintaining their number one spots.

Pittsburgh, 10-0 overall, was idle last week, but returns to action this week against local clubs Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne. No. 2 San Diego State, also 10-0, is the only other undefeated team in the Division I ranking. 

Michigan Club and BYU, which both had strong showings at Colorado’s Mile High Invitational last week, remain third and fourth in the poll.

The defending champion Wolverines finished 4-0 in Colorado, with wins over No. 4 BYU, No. 9 Georgia, No. 11 Colorado Club, and Colorado State. 

BYU finished 3-1 at the event, with wins over No. 14 Virginia Club, No. 17 Boston College, and UConn.

No. 12 Northeastern joined Michigan as the only other undefeated squad among the 12 participants at the MHI Invitational, finishing 4-0 and jumping three spots in this week’s ranking. Virginia Club finished 3-1 in Colorado and was the biggest poll mover, climbing five spots.

Tournament host Colorado finished 2-2 in the 12-team event, an impressive showing when considering that team members were also actively involved in hosting the three-day tournament. The annual spring event is the culmination of months of planning and organizing. 

“We spend many hours putting this event together; creating match-ups, creating the schedule, finding hotel deals for teams, designing t-shirts for the event, and many other smaller tasks,” said Colorado senior Kendall Finnegan, one of five team captains who take the lead in the planning process.

The work doesn’t stop when the tournament begins as team members juggle playing duties with hosting duties. 

“Members of our team are at every game running the clock and helping on the field,” Finnegan said. “It’s a lot of work, but the outcome is worth the hours we put in.” 

Knowing that the Buffaloes are able to provide an opportunity for other WCLA teams & players to come together in a competitive setting is the main reward. 

“We really enjoy hosting so many teams, and it’s great to see them return year after year,” Finnegan said. “The competition is always great and teams enjoy coming out here because they get to play some of the best teams in the nation.” 
 

WCLA Division 1 National Top 20

In Division II, No. 1 Utah State improved to 7-1 overall with decisive wins over Boise State and Wyoming. 

Denver Club, Air Force, St. Thomas and Grand Valley State Club complete this week’s Division II top five.  

No. 4 St. Thomas, 6-0 overall, is one of five remaining undefeated teams in the Division II ranking.

No. 6 Navy Club, which joined the ranking for the first time last week, was the biggest mover this week, climbing five spots to number six. 

No. 12 Salisbury Club is the highest-ranked newcomer. The Sea Gulls posted wins over Navy and Rutgers Club before losing to No. 9 Loyola Club.

No. 20 Gonzaga returns to the poll one week after falling out of the ranking. The Zags improved to 9-0 overall with a win over Portland State. 

The WCLA features 230 Division I and Division II non-varsity teams that compete under the US Lacrosse umbrella. The 2019 season will conclude with the US Lacrosse WCLA D-I and D-II national championships in Virginia Beach, May 8-11. 

WCLA Division 2 National Top 20