The Division II season kicked off with a huge upset on Saturday. Limestone, entering the year as defending champions and No. 1 in our preseason rankings, fell to an inspired Lenoir-Rhyne team 17-13.
This season looked as though it could have more parity than in previous years, and fans got a dose of it immediately. For the Bears, it’s the first-ever win over Limestone in the eight seasons they’ve fielded a team. As a result. Merrimack takes over as No. 1, althought it has yet to start its season.
We’re just getting into the season — with many teams in the top 20 still idle — and the excitement is already present.
Feb. 12, 2017 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merrimack | 0-0 | 2 | 2/18 at NYIT |
| 2 | Le Moyne | 0-0 | 3 |
2/17 vs. Mercy
|
| 3 | Limestone | 0-1 | 1 |
2/18 vs. Tampa
|
| 4 | Adelphi | 0-0 | 4 |
2/24 at LIU Post
|
| 5 | NYIT | 1-0 | 6 |
2/18 vs. Merrimack
|
| 6 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 2-0 | 8 |
2/17 vs. Seton Hill
|
| 7 | Tampa | 2-0 | 7 | 2/18 at Limestone |
| 8 | Pace | 0-0 | 5 | 3/3 vs. LIU Post |
| 9 | Belmont Abbey | 2-0 | 9 | 2/17 vs. Molloy |
| 10 | Seton Hill | 1-0 | 10 |
2/17 at Lenoir-Rhyne
|
| 11 | Wingate | 1-0 | 11 | 2/18 at Mercyhurst |
| 12 | Mount Olive | 1-0 | 12 |
2/17 vs. Catawba
|
| 13 | Mercy | 0-0 | 14 |
2/17 at Le Moyne
|
| 14 | Lake Erie | 0-0 | 15 | 3/3 at Merrimack |
| 15 | Colorado Mesa | 1-0 | 16 |
2/22 at Mars Hill
|
| 16 | Mercyhurst | 0-1 | 13 |
2/18 vs. Wingate
|
| 17 | St. Anselm | 0-0 | 17 |
3/3 vs. Seton Hill
|
| 18 | Lindenwood | 1-0 | 19 |
2/23 vs. Montevallo
|
| 19 | LIU Post | 0-0 | 20 |
2/17 at American International
|
| 20 | Saint Leo | 2-0 | N/A |
2/16 vs. Young Harris
|
ALSO CONSIDERED: Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Indianapolis, Rollins, Southern New Hampshire, Tusculum, Queens (N.C.)
HOT
Lenoir-Rhyne (+2)
The Bears move up in this week’s rankings after pulling off the biggest upset in school history. Early season wins certainly carry significance, and overreacts are common, but Lenoir-Rhyne still ranks behind Limestone for the time being.
If Eric Dickinson and freshman Myles Moffat can produce like they did last weekend, this team could find itself continuing to move up the rankings as the weeks pass by.
NYIT (+1)
NYIT won the other matchup between ranked teams over the weekend. The Bears blew out then-No. 13 Mercyhurst and move ahead of the idle Pace Setters. Andrew Zito had a great day with five goals and an assist.
NOT
Pace (-3)
Pace was the victim of being inactive last weekend. Lenoir-Rhyne, Tampa and NYIT all picked up wins, while the Setters prepared for their season opener.
While Pace moves back this week, once the season gets started, it might not take long for it to move back up in the rankings.
IN
Saint Leo
Two blowout wins over Alabama-Huntsville and Lincoln Memorial put Saint Leo into the rankings for the week.
A big matchup with NYIT looms on Feb. 25, but the Lions have gotten off on the right foot, or paw.
OUT
Queens (N.C.)
The Royals couldn’t pull the upset of Tampa this weekend, but will have plenty of time to move back in the rankings. Queens will meet the team that replaced it (Saint Leo) on March 10.