Williams returns more than 99 percent of its offense from a 2019 team that was a mere fourth quarter away from playing for a national championship at Lincoln Financial Field. With that heartbreak behind them, the Ephs check in at No. 1 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division III Men's Preseason Top 20.

The rankings are published in the January edition of US Lacrosse Magazine, which drops Jan. 2.

Cory Lund, Kevin Stump and Brendan Hoffman each scored at least 55 goals last season, and they're all back. Sophomore Jake Haase could be in for a larger role in his second season, and senior defenseman Rock Stewart is just that ... a rock. He was first on the Ephs with 37 caused turnovers and second with 95 ground balls.

So much of the early buzz focuses on Williams, but this is a deep year for Division III men's lacrosse.

Salisbury checks in at No. 2 with a loaded roster featuring All-Americans in faceoff specialist Brett Malamphy, defenseman Brad Apgar and attackman Josh Melton. RIT is No. 3 as it looks to capture its ninth straight Liberty League title. Amherst and Tufts round out the top five at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.

Cabrini, the defending national champion, is No. 6.

Rankings are compiled by US Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors, with input from college coaches. The full list of teams appears below.

Check back to uslaxmagazine.com as we roll out our preseason rankings and players of the year for Division I, II and III men’s and women’s lacrosse and look for an extensive NCAA preview in the upcoming editions of US Lacrosse Magazine — an exclusive benefit for US Lacrosse members. Join today to start your subscription.

Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings

Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women

Also considered (alphabetical order): Bates, Christopher Newport, DeSales, Dickinson, Hampden-Sydney, Ithaca, Middlebury, Ohio Wesleyan, RPI, Springfield, Stevens