All season long, the race to the top featured two teams — Le Moyne and Merrimack. The Dolphins took down the Warriors midseason, but it’s what happens in May that matters.

Le Moyne came into the NE-10 tournament undefeated, but fell to Saint Anselm, allowing Merrimack to make a run to the conference title. Then, the third-seeded Dolphins fell to Seton Hill in the first round of the NCAA tournament, ending the season on a losing streak.

But Merrimack left no doubt — it is the top team in Division II men’s lacrosse. After storming through the NE-10 tournament, the Warriors dominated NYIT 24-6 in the first round, did the same to Seton Hill in the second round 16-9 and finished off its first championship in program history with a 23-6 victory over Saint Leo.

By season’s end, Merrimack was above and beyond the best team in Division II. The offense, which scored 15.37 goals per game in the regular season, went off for 21 goals per game in the NCAA tournament. And the Warriors are loaded, so it could just be the start of something special.

HOT

Seton Hill (+2)

Seton Hill got past Le Moyne in the first round of the NCAA tournament, getting a hat trick from Jack Moran to hold on against the perennial Division II contender. With two losses, a win over Le Moyne, and a better result against Merrimack than Saint Leo, Seton Hill moves to the No. 2 spot.

Saint Leo (+2)

What a run for the Lions, who made their first national championship game appearance in school history. The title game didn’t go as planned, but wins over Tampa and Lenoir-Rhyne in the NCAA tournament were impressive enough to warrant a move to No. 3.

NOT

Le Moyne (-3)

It was a bitter end to what could have been a special season at Le Moyne. The second-ranked defense in Division II (6.59 goals per game) allowed 23 goals in two games — nine in the NE-10 loss to Saint Anselm and 14 to Seton Hill in the NCAA tournament.