Conference races are starting to heat up in Division II men’s lacrosse, and the South Atlantic Conference just got a lot more interesting.
Wingate got six goals from Bobby Padden to lead 16-10 entering the final quarter — when Lenoir-Rhyne dropped five straight goals, including three in the final two minutes, to make a comfortable game seem much less so. Either way, the Bulldogs pulled into a tie for first in the SAC at 8-1.
Also in the SAC, Limestone has now won three straight games, including an 11-5 effort against Queens. The Saints now sit at 7-3 in conference, just a half-game behind the team they just took down.
This week, the SAC was the conference to highlight, but next week could be very different. The GLVC and Sunshine State Conference may have exciting stretch runs.
Nike / US Lacrosse
Division II Men’s Top 20
April 12, 2021 |
W/L |
Prev |
Next |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa | 6-0 | 1 | 4/14 vs. Saint Leo |
| 2 | Le Moyne | 6-0 | 2 | 4/14 vs. No. 6 Adelphi |
| 3 | Mercyhurst | 7-0 | 3 | 4/13 vs. No. 4 Mercy |
| 4 | Mercy | 5-0 | 5 | 4/13 at No. 3 Mercyhurst |
| 5 | Seton Hill | 5-1 | 6 | 4/17 at Lake Erie |
| 6 | Adelphi | 4-1 | 7 | 4/14 at No. 2 Le Moyne |
| 7 | Wingate | 10-1 | 11 | 4/20 at SAC Tournament |
| 8 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 10-1 | 4 | 4/17 vs. Mars Hill |
| 9 | Belmont Abbey | 8-2 | 8 | 4/14 vs. No. 12 Mount Olive |
| 10 | Lindenwood | 7-1 | 9 | 4/17 at Lewis |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 7-1 | 10 | 4/17 vs. No. 19 Rockhurst |
| 12 | Mount Olive | 8-1 | 12 | 4/14 at No. 9 Belmont Abbey |
| 13 | Saint Anselm | 6-0 | 13 | 4/14 at Saint Michael's |
| 14 | Colorado Mesa | 6-1 | 16 | 4/16 vs. Colorado College |
| 15 | Frostburg | 5-1 | 19 | 4/17 at No. 4 Mercy |
| 16 | Limestone | 8-3 | N/A | 4/17 vs. No. 9 Belmont Abbey |
| 17 | Lynn | 3-1 | 17 | 4/114 vs. Florida Southern |
| 18 | Maryville | 6-3 | 14 | 4/17 at Davenport |
| 19 | Rockhurst | 6-3 | 20 | 4/17 vs. No. 11 Indianapolis |
| 20 | Queens (N.C.) | 7-4 | 15 | 4/17 at Catawba |
Also considered: Bentley, Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Newberry, Pace, Rollins, Saint Leo
Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Wingate (+4)
The Bulldogs picked up their biggest win in quite some time, dropping 16 goals on Lenoir-Rhyne last Wednesday. The trio of Willie Grieco, Adam Vodovnik and Bobby Padden have combined for 187 points so far in 2021.
NOT
Lenoir-Rhyne (-4)
The Bears dropped their first game of the season in thrilling fashion — scoring four goals in the final three minutes to pull within one of Wingate. Lenoir-Rhyne had possession twice in the final minute, but Myles Moffat’s shot was saved by KC Carlson with two seconds left. The loss to a team of Wingate’s caliber is not shocking but creates a logjam at the top of the SAC standings.
Maryville (-4)
What was once a promising start turned sideways for Maryville, which has lost three out of four games and now sits third in the GLVC standings. Maryville scored 22 combined goals in the three straight losses (two to Indy and one to Lindenwood).
IN
Limestone (No. 15)
A familiar name has jumped back into the rankings this week after topping Queens in convincing fashion. The Saints aren’t the team they once were, but with three straight victories, they could be rounding into form as the SAC tournament approaches. A big matchup with Belmont Abbey awaits on April 17.
OUT
Pace (was No. 18)
The Setters are still a quality team, but the results have not been there so far this season. Pace has four losses (two each to Le Moyne and Adelphi) by an average of under three goals per game. At 2-4, Pace slips out of the rankings, but a tough slate approaches that could see it jump right back in.