In a week that saw the top nine teams in the rankings hold steady despite challenges, we had plenty of shakeups toward the end of the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Men’s Top 20.
Wilmington enters the rankings by pulling off the biggest upset of the past week, dropping six goals in the second quarter to fuel a 17-14 win over Saint Anselm. Giovanni Marino had nine goals on 10 shots to lead the Wildcats to their biggest win of the year.
Rockhurst and Seton Hill both return to the rankings after strong weeks. The Griffins topped both Frostburg and Lake Erie to jump back into the Top 20, while Rockhurst got past Lewis in GLVC play.
NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION II MEN'S TOP 20
April 4, 2022 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Tampa |
10-0 |
1 |
4/6 at No. 13 Florida Tech |
|
2 |
Le Moyne |
8-1 |
2 |
4/9 vs. Assumption |
|
3 |
Mercy |
6-1 |
3 |
4/4 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas |
|
4 |
Mercyhurst |
5-2 |
4 |
4/5 at Walsh |
|
5 |
Adelphi |
7-0 |
5 |
4/6 at No. 14 Pace |
|
6 |
Wingate |
9-2 |
6 |
4/9 at Newberry |
|
7 |
Limestone |
10-1 |
7 |
4/9 vs. Anderson |
|
8 |
Lindenwood |
7-2 |
8 |
4/5 vs. Quincy |
|
9 |
UIndy |
9-1 |
9 |
4/9 vs. No. 18 Rockhurst |
|
10 |
Florida Southern |
8-3 |
12 |
4/6 at Saint Leo |
|
11 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
9-3 |
14 |
4/13 at No. 6 Wingate |
|
12 |
Rollins |
8-1 |
11 |
4/6 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic |
|
13 |
Florida Tech |
7-3 |
15 |
4/6 vs. No. 1 Tampa |
|
14 |
Pace |
7-1 |
10 |
4/6 vs. No. 5 Adelphi |
|
15 |
Queens (N.C.) |
7-3 |
17 |
4/6 vs. North Greenville |
|
16 |
Wilmington |
6-3 |
N/A |
4/6 vs. Felician |
|
17 |
Saint Anselm |
4-3 |
13 |
4/6 vs. Franklin Pierce |
|
18 |
Rockhurst |
6-3 |
N/A |
4/9 at No. 9 UIndy |
|
19 |
Bentley |
5-2 |
16 |
4/6 at American International |
|
20 |
Seton Hill |
7-4 |
N/A |
4/9 at No. 4 Mercyhurst |
Also considered: Anderson, Belmont Abbey, Colorado Mesa, Frostburg, Lake Erie, Lewis, Maryville, Newberry, Mount Olive
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Lenoir-Rhyne (+3)
The Bears have rallied off five straight wins since falling to Limestone on March 12, averaging 16 goals per game. Lenoir-Rhyne is now tied for first at 6-1 in the ultra competitive South Atlantic Conference.
NOT
Saint Anselm (-4)
The Hawks ended a three-game losing streak with a one-goal victory over Bentley on Saturday, but the damage had been done. A two-goal loss to Le Moyne and a one-goal setback to Adelphi don’t look bad on a resume, but the three-goal defeat to Wilmington out of conference will sting a bit.
NEW
Rockhurst (No. 18)
Rockhurst is getting hot at the right time, winning a pair of GLVC matchups (and adding a blowout win over Adams State). The Hawks dropped 32 goals in victories over Lewis and Maryville — two teams that showed plenty of promise early in 2022. Alec Heflin scored nine times in two those victories, while Sam Lindahl had five goals and eight assists.
Seton Hill (No. 20)
A three-game win streak has allowed Seton Hill to re-enter the rankings this week. The Griffins, though, will have to prove their worth this weekend against rival Mercyhurst.
Wilmington (No. 16)
The Wildcats lost three out of four to start the season, but if you take a look at those losses — Mercy, Florida Tech and Pace — fans were wise to remain optimistic about this team’s chances. Wilmington got another chance against a ranked team, and Giovanni Marino made sure his team made it count. He scored his nine goals on 10 shots in one of the most impressive offensive performances in any division.
OUT
Belmont Abbey (was No. 18)
It seems like one step forward, one step back for Belmont Abbey. Despite showing promise with wins over Queens and Mount Olive, the Crusaders fell in overtime to Westminster despite holding a four-goal lead in the first half.
Newberry (was No. 19)
A loss to Saint Leo last week gave Newberry no margin for error when it came to the rankings heading into this week. The Wolves dropped back-to-back SAC games to Lenoir-Rhyne and Limestone by a combined 16 goals.
Lewis (was No. 20)
The Flyers lost a rankings play-in game to Rockhurst on Saturday, allowing 15 goals total and nine in the first half. Lewis has now dropped two straight GLVC games to UIndy and Rockhurst but faces Lindenwood this weekend with a chance to redeem itself.