Defending D-I national champion Pittsburgh, ranked No. 1 in the WCLA Preseason Top 20, has solidified that position with a strong start to the 2020 season. After finishing 4-0 against four ranked opponents at the Golden State Invitational in Los Angeles and adding three more wins last weekend, the 7-0 Panthers retain the top position in the first WCLA D-I Top 20 ranking of the year. 

Pitt had just one tightly contested game in California, a 14-13 win over No. 2 UCLA. In the other games, Pitt cruised to decisive wins over No. 10 San Diego State, No. 9 Cal Poly and No. 8 Santa Clara. 

UCLA offset its loss to Pitt with two impressive victories, defeating No. 3 Michigan, 10-9, and No. 4 Georgia, 13-11. Ranked fifth in the preseason, the Bruins jumped three spots in this new poll. 

No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Georgia both won three of four games at the Golden State Invitational. In total, the three non-California teams posted a combined 10-2 record at the event, while the four California squads finished a combined 2-10 (with tournament host UCLA accounting for both wins).

Georgia has also been impressive through its early schedule, with a 5-1 record that has jumped the Bulldogs up six spots from their preseason ranking. Georgia won three of four games in Los Angeles, losing only to UCLA, 13-11. 

Five D-I squads finished with unblemished records at the Santa Barbara Shootout, highlighted by a 3-0 showing by No. 6 BYU and a 4-0 mark by No. 7 Virginia. The Cavaliers jumped six spots from the preseason, fueling much enthusiasm for the season ahead. 

“We were really excited to head out to California and face some teams we don't have the opportunity to play on a regular basis, and we are really proud of how we did,” said Virginia club president Jessi Rowell. “We have been working hard to come back better and stronger this year. We cannot wait for the rest of the season.” 

Miami Ohio and Florida State, both unranked in the preseason, are now ranked 14th and 15th on the strength strong early showings. Miami finished 3-0 in Santa Barbara while the Seminoles have started 8-0 this season. No. 5 Colorado is also among the undefeated teams and has moved up 10 spots from its preseason position.

WCLA Division I
National Top 20

In Division II, preseason No. 1 Navy Club and No. 2 Loyola Club hold the same positions in the first weekly poll. Navy is off to a 2-0 start with wins over No. 18 Salisbury and unranked George Washington, while Loyola stands 2-0 with victories over Drexel Club and Maryland Club. 

Denver Club, Oakland and St. Thomas round out the top five. 

With a 5-1 start to the season that included four wins in Santa Barbara, UC San Diego is the most notable newcomer in the first ranking of the season. Unranked in the preseason, the Tritons debut at No. 9 this week. They are one of eight teams in this week’s poll that were not ranked in the preseason.

No. 7 Gonzaga enjoyed the biggest jump, climbing 12 spots from its position in the preseason poll. The Zags started the year with five straight wins, and their only losses have come in tight games against No. 3 Denver and No. 6 Air Force. 

Nearly 230 non-varsity collegiate teams comprise the WCLA and compete under the US Lacrosse umbrella. The 2020 season will conclude with the D-I and D-II national championships in Round Rock, Texas, May 6-9.

WCLA Division II
National Top 20