The NCAA Division II men’s lacrosse season has started off with enough excitement to last an entire year.
Just over a week after Lenoir-Rhyne pulled off a shocking upset of Limestone, Tampa did the same on Sunday.
Warrior/US Lacrosse Preseason Player of the Year Andrew Kew scored six goals in the upset win, which vaulted the Spartans into the Top 5. No. 1 Merrimack also survived a tough test from then-No. 5 NYIT and Mercyhurst pulled a minor upset of Wingate on Sunday.
A theme of parity is becoming clear this season. More than a handful of teams could have hopes of winning a national championship in 2018.
Feb. 19, 2017 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merrimack | 1-0 | 1 | 3/3 vs. No. 14 Lake Erie |
| 2 | Le Moyne | 1-0 | 2 |
2/24 at Chestnut Hill
|
| 3 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 3-0 | 6 |
2/19 vs. Molloy
|
| 4 | Tampa | 3-0 | 7 |
2/23 vs. No. 6 NYIT
|
| 5 | Adelphi | 0-0 | 4 |
2/24 at No. 19 LIU Post
|
| 6 | NYIT | 1-1 | 5 |
2/23 at No. 4 Tampa
|
| 7 | Pace | 0-0 | 8 | 3/3 vs. No. 19 LIU Post |
| 8 | Belmont Abbey | 3-0 | 9 | 2/23 vs. Florida Southern |
| 9 | Limestone | 0-2 | 3 | 2/24 vs. Lynn |
| 10 | Mount Olive | 2-0 | 12 |
2/21 at Coker
|
| 11 | Seton Hill | 1-1 | 10 | 2/24 vs. Roberts Wesleyan |
| 12 | Mercyhurst | 1-1 | 16 |
2/24 at Saint Rose
|
| 13 | Wingate | 1-1 | 11 |
2/24 vs. Indianapolis
|
| 14 | Lake Erie | 0-0 | 14 | 3/3 at No. 1 Merrimack |
| 15 | Colorado Mesa | 1-0 | 15 |
2/22 at Mars Hill
|
| 16 | Mercy | 0-1 | 13 |
2/20 vs. Georgian Court
|
| 17 | St. Anselm | 0-0 | 17 |
3/3 vs. No. 11 Seton Hill
|
| 18 | Lindenwood | 1-0 | 18 |
2/23 vs. Montevallo
|
| 19 | LIU Post | 1-0 | 19 |
2/24 vs. No. 5 Adelphi
|
| 20 | Saint Leo | 3-0 | 20 |
2/25 vs. No. 6 NYIT
|
ALSO CONSIDERED: Florida Southern, Indianapolis, Rollins, Southern New Hampshire, Tusculum, Queens (N.C.), Wheeling Jesuit
HOT
Lenoir-Rhyne (+3)
How’s this for a follow-up? A week after the Bears took down Limestone, they used a Colin Lett game-winner to get by Seton Hill in double overtime for the second top-10 win of the young season.
This time, it was attackman Joe Buduo having a big day, scoring four goals and adding two assists to help Lenoir-Rhyne move up to No. 3 in this week’s rankings.
Tampa (+3)
The Spartans have consistently found themselves in the top 10 in Division II, but have yet to find the promised land at the end of the season. With Andrew Kew back in the fold and a capable offense around him, Tampa looks every bit a title contender.
The win over Limestone ended as a 12-10 result, but that was after a five-goal rally by the Saints. The Spartans have already knocked off two ranked opponents and will meet NYIT later this week in another big game.
Mercyhurst (+4)
After a season-opening loss to NYIT, the Lakers responded with a one-goal win over Wingate. Colin Greenway scored the eventual game-winner late in the third quarter, and the Mercyhurst defense, led by sophomore goalie Alec Starr, held strong for the victory.
Mercyhurst has one game separating it from a matchup with Limestone, which given the Saints’ start is a game it will enter with a real chance to win.
NOT
Limestone (-6)
One upset to start the season might have been a fluke, but with its first 0-2 start since 1992, the Saints have not looked like the dominant team of the past several years.
Limestone still ranks in the top 10 in faceoff percentage, but it’s nowhere near the Kevin Reisman-led squad of 2017, which won 74 percent. With fewer possessions, the Saints are tied for 15th nationally with 13 goals per game.
Luckily for the Limestone, the schedule eases up a bit over the next couple weeks. It doesn’t face a top-10 opponent until March 31, when it meets Mount Olive.
Mercy (-3)
Yes, Le Moyne boasts one of the top defenses in Division II, but a three-goal showing against the Dolphins is not a good start to the season. All three of Mercy’s goals came in the first half.
Mercy won’t play another ranked team until April, so there’s plenty of time to move back up in the rankings.