Last week, upstarts Lynn and Embry-Riddle seemed to be well positioned as new championship contenders in the competitive Sunshine State Conference (SSC), and that status was reflected in the NCAA’s first regional rankings.
A lot can change in just one week.
Following multiple upsets that sparked a plethora of changes to this week’s Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20, both Lynn and Embry-Riddle failed to qualify for the four-team SSC tournament, and traditional powers Tampa, Florida Southern and Rollins assumed their customary positions as the primary title contenders. No. 11 Tampa claimed the top seed in the tournament and jumped eight spots in this week’s Top 20.
The upsets were not confined to the South Region. In the NE10, Stonehill continued its month-long rise and moved into a tie for first place by beating previously undefeated Adelphi for the first time since 2007. The Skyhawks could also jump Adelphi into the No. 1 spot in the East Region when the new NCAA regional ranking is released this week.
Meanwhile, undefeated Queens (17-0) maintains its hold on No. 1 in the Top 20 for the sixth straight week. The Royals were also the South Region’s top ranked team in the NCAA regional ranking. No. 2 UIndy is the NCAA’s leader in the Midwest Region, and No. 4 East Stroudsburg is tops in the Atlantic Region.
Stay tuned as further shuffling in both the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20 and the NCAA’s next regional ranking is likely as some conference tournaments begin play this week while other leagues conclude regular season play. As we just saw, a lot can change in seven short days.
April 25, 2022 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Queens |
17-0 |
1 |
4/29 vs. TBD |
|
2 |
Indianapolis |
16-1 |
2 |
4/29 vs. McKendree |
|
3 |
Regis |
15-0 |
4 |
4/28 at Westminster |
|
4 |
East Stroudsburg |
13-1 |
5 |
4/27 at Shippensburg |
|
5 |
West Chester |
13-1 |
6 |
4/27 vs. Kutztown |
|
6 |
Adelphi |
13-1 |
3 |
4/27 vs. Franklin Pierce |
|
7 |
Grand Valley State |
16-1 |
7 |
4/29 vs. Northern Michigan |
|
8 |
Stonehill |
12-2 |
11 |
4/27 vs. Southern New Hampshire |
|
9 |
Lindenwood |
14-3 |
8 |
4/29 vs. Rockhurst |
|
10 |
Le Moyne |
11-4 |
13 |
4/27 at Southern Connecticut State |
|
11 |
Tampa |
10-6 |
19 |
4/28 vs. St. Leo |
|
12 |
Florida Southern |
13-3 |
15 |
4/28 vs. No. 15 Rollins |
|
13 |
Seton Hill |
13-3 |
17 |
4/27 at Edinboro |
|
14 |
Pace |
1-4 |
14 |
4/27 vs. Assumption |
|
15 |
Rollins |
13-3 |
12 |
4/28 vs. No. 12 Florida Southern |
|
16 |
Lynn |
13-4 |
9 |
Regular season completed |
|
17 |
Wingate |
14-2 |
16 |
4/29 vs. TBD |
|
18 |
Embry-Riddle |
13-4 |
10 |
Regular season completed |
|
19 |
Mercy |
10-4 |
18 |
4/26 vs. Bridgeport |
|
20 |
Colorado Mesa |
11-4 |
NR |
4/28 vs. UC-Colorado Springs |
Also considered: Davenport (11-5), Florida Tech (9-5), IUP (11-4), Mercyhurst (11-4), Millersville (10-5), Roberts Wesleyan (8-5)
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Tampa (+8)
In our midseason report, we cited the Spartans as having the toughest schedule in the nation. They had already played five teams ranked in the top 10, and that was before starting on their competitive lineup of conference games. Coach Kelly Gallagher believed she would have a battle-tested squad, and those words proved to be prophetic. With key wins over both Embry-Riddle and Lynn this past week, No. 11 Tampa finished 6-1 in league play and owns the top seed for the SSC tournament.
Seton Hill (+4)
One week after returning to the ranking, the Griffins continue to be one of the fastest risers, as they extended their winning streak to nine games and established themselves as legit championship contenders again in the PSAC. Seton Hill can clinch its second straight PSAC Western Division title with a win in this week’s regular season finale against Edinboro.
NOT
Embry-Riddle (-8)
The Eagles had a breakthrough 2022 season, but back-to-back losses to No. 11 Tampa and unranked St. Leo in the final week of the regular season cost them a spot in the SSC tournament and may prove costly when NCAA bids are announced. ERAU was third in the NCAA’s first regional ranking for the South Region but may now be outside of the critical top four in the next ranking.
Lynn (-7)
Similar to ERAU, the Fighting Knights controlled their own destiny as they entered the final week of the regular season. Consecutive losses to Tampa and Florida Southern, both at home, cost them a spot in the SSC tournament and will likely see them tumble from their number two position in the NCAA’s regional rankings. How far they fall will determine if they will be back on the field in 2022.
IN
Colorado Mesa (No. 20)
The Mavericks have won eight straight games (including one forfeit) to join the Top 20 ranking for the first time this season. They trail only undefeated Regis in the RMAC standings and have a chance to avenge an earlier loss to the Rangers when they meet later this week. All four of CMU’s losses this season have come against teams ranked in the top 10.
OUT
Roberts Wesleyan (was No. 20)
Unlike last year’s run to the final four, RWC just hasn’t been able to maintain any momentum this season. Last Saturday’s ECC showdown against No. 19 Mercy was more of the same, as the Redhawks had an early 5-1 lead but eventually lost 14-11. A likely rematch against Mercy awaits in the conference tournament.