Finally, we have some momentum within the top 10 of the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Men’s rankings. After weeks of stability, Lenoir-Rhyne topped South Atlantic Conference rival Wingate, pulling the Bears into a tie for first place in conference with Limestone.
Also notable is a three-way battle for the Sunshine State second place. Tampa leads the national rankings, but Rollins, Florida Tech and Florida Southern are trading wins and losses entering the final weeks of the regular season. Florida Southern topped Rollins 16-11 on Wednesday, and Florida Tech topped the Mocs 14-13 in overtime over the weekend.
New to the rankings are teams like Belmont Abbey and Mount Olive, who have put together winning streaks after a rough start to the 2022 season.
Nike/USA Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
April 18, 2022 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Tampa |
14-0 |
1 |
4/20 at Embry-Riddle |
|
2 |
Le Moyne |
11-1 |
2 |
4/20 at Saint Rose |
|
3 |
Mercy |
9-1 |
3 |
4/19 at No. 5 Adelphi |
|
4 |
Mercyhurst |
9-2 |
4 |
4/13 at No. 8 UIndy |
|
5 |
Adelphi |
11-0 |
5 |
4/19 vs. No. 3 Mercy |
|
6 |
Limestone |
13-1 |
7 |
4/20 vs. Catawba |
|
7 |
Lindenwood |
11-1 |
8 |
4/23 at Rockhurst |
|
8 |
UIndy |
10-2 |
9 |
4/23 vs. No. 4 Mercyhurst |
|
9 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
12-1 |
10 |
4/23 at Mars Hill |
|
10 |
Wingate |
11-3 |
6 |
4/23 at Tusculum |
|
11 |
Florida Tech |
10-4 |
13 |
4/23 at No. 13 Rollins |
|
12 |
Florida Southern |
10-5 |
12 |
4/23 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic |
|
13 |
Rollins |
11-2 |
11 |
4/23 vs. No. 11 Florida Tech |
|
14 |
Pace |
10-2 |
15 |
4/20 at No. 18 Saint Anselm |
|
15 |
Wilmington |
9-3 |
16 |
4/20 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas |
|
16 |
Colorado Mesa |
10-3 |
17 |
4/22 at CSU Pueblo |
|
17 |
Queens (N.C.) |
9-4 |
14 |
4/20 at Lincoln Memorial |
|
18 |
Saint Anselm |
7-4 |
18 |
4/20 vs. No. 14 Pace |
|
19 |
Belmont Abbey |
7-5 |
N/A |
4/20 at Lander |
|
20 |
Mount Olive |
8-5 |
N/A |
4/22 at Barton |
Also considered: Anderson, Bentley, Lake Erie, Lewis, Maryville, Newberry, Roberts Wesleyan, Rockhurst, Seton Hill
HOT
Florida Tech (+2)
Outside of a double-overtime loss to Tampa and another to the Spartans by three goals, Florida Tech has won nine straight games. Each of the Panther’s last three losses have been followed by three straight victories. Zach Rozgonyi scored the game-winner with 3:13 left in overtime to help take down Florida Southern.
Lenoir-Rhyne (+1)
The Bears sat at 4-3 after a 10-goal loss to Limestone on March 12. Since then, they’ve rallied off seven straight victories and sit in a tie atop the SAC standings with the Saints. Wins over Queens and Newberry were impressive, but holding Wingate to five goals is the top result of the season. All eyes are pointing at a rematch with Wingate in the SAC semifinals, and potentially another with Limestone if they win.
NOT
Wingate (-4)
The Bulldogs still have the potential to win a national title, but scoring five goals after averaging 18 goals per game in the previous four games in not the performance Wingate was hoping for against Lenoir-Rhyne. A matchup with Tusculum separates the Bulldogs from the SAC Tournament.
NEW
Belmont Abbey
With many of the teams in consideration for the rankings coming off losses, Belmont Abbey has rallied off three straight. An overtime loss to Westminster in the only blemish on the record since Feb. 26. The Crusaders sit at 5-0 in the Conference Carolinas.
Mount Olive
The Trojans have won four straight games, beating the same Westminster team that Belmont Abbey could not get past. Sitting just one game behind the Crusaders, this conference tournament will be fun to watch.
OUT
Roberts Wesleyan
The Hawks had plenty of momentum heading into last week’s ranakings, but lost by 16 goals to Mercyhurst. The 2022 season as a whole has been strong for Roberts Wesleyan, but dominant losses to Le Moyne and Mercyhurst show this team still has work to do.
Rockhurst
A regional rivalry game went the way of Colorado Mesa on Saturday, where Rockhurst managed just five goals. The Hawks have now scored just 12 goals in back-to-back losses to UIndy and Colorado Mesa.