The summer of lacrosse will soon give way to the fall ball, and the dawn of the next NCAA women’s lacrosse season is here.
As we at USA Lacrosse Magazine do every year, we’re trying to rank the top 25 programs in the country before the fall exhibition season begins. Check back every day this week as we break down another 5-team segment that finished 5-1 on Friday.
Other considerations (in alphabetical order): Arizona State, Army, Drexel, Navy, Temple
Rankings in early 2023
Division I Men
25-21
20 to 16
15-11
No. 10 to No. 6
5 to 1
Division I Women
25-21
20 to 16
15 to 11
No. 10 to No. 6
5 to 1
“Syracuse is the only team in the country to return as a finalist for the Tewa Alaton Awards in 2022.”
10. Denver
Records for 2022: 18-3 (5-0 Big East)
Last seen: Denver beat Vermont in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but lost to runners-up Boston College, 13-8.
Initial forecast: The Pioneers defense, who finished fifth nationally in goals allowed per game (8.38), will bring back Sam Sucker. Soccer led the nation in turnovers per game (3.05) and was his second on the team in draws he controlled (49). Midfielder Abby Jenkins, who paced the Pioneers with 109 draw controls, is also back. Even if football wasn’t the clear defensive leader for her last season, she definitely will be in 2023. But defensive midfielder Gracie DeRose (25 turnovers, 30 ground balls) will be back on the field for his fifth season. The Pioneers also add former Johns his Hopkins defender Trinity McPherson, who finished his year gapping. McPherson was named to the 2021 first-team All-Big Ten, with 38 ground goals to take him fourth in the conference. Goaltender Emelia Bohi said he posted an 8.42 GAA and a . 387 save percentage during his rookie campaign. Offensively, last year’s top scorer, Bear, his Balins (71 goals, 25 assists) were out of action, while Lauren, his Black (54 goals, 20 assists), was a stable in his freshman year. Came back after years. Julia Gilbert (47 goals, 15 assists) will be in his senior year, and Kayla DeRose (20 goals, 21 assists) will be in his fifth year.
9. James Madison
Records for 2022: 14-5 (6-0 CAA)
Last seen: After a CAA postseason suspension pending a conference switch, James Madison entered the NCAA Tournament as a general team. Dukes outscored UConn before losing him 19-8 to Loyola in the second round.
Initial forecast: A new era of James Madison lacrosse begins in 2023. CAA’s former class competes as an affiliate member of the American Athletic Conference. There, the annual matchup with perennial champions Florida could be a reserved viewing. Isabella Peterson (72 goals, 15 assists, 102 draws in her control) has established herself as JMU’s top offense her weapon. Her 72 goals for a rising redshirt junior was almost double that of Casey Knoblauch (38 goals, 22 assists) who is also set to return for the senior redshirt season. Goaltender Molly Dougherty, who led the Dukes to a national title as a freshman, has died. However, JMU has Mireed Durkin (52 caused turnovers, 45 ground balls), Rachel Matey (24 caused turnovers, 12 ground balls), Carolyn Thistlewaite (21 caused turnovers, 27 ground balls), Recall top defender Lizzie Priscino (16 cause turnovers). , 29 ground balls). Durkin finished fourth in Division I and recorded his number of turnovers per game (2.74). Doherty left a large cleat to fill. Redshirt senior Cat Buchanan (5.70 GAA, .524 save percentage) is likely to be the current in-house favorite. She saw action in her seven games totaling about 105 minutes.
8. Rutgers
Records for 2022: 16-5 (4-2 Big Ten)
Last seen: Rutgers beat Stoney Brook 11-7 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Initial forecast: The Scarlet Knights are nearing the end of a record season winning a program-record six games, including six against ranked opponents, to upset Northwestern University and advance to the Big Ten Championship. Rutgers stepped onto the field without Taralynn Naslonski, the all-time leading scorer in program history, with 66 goals, 90 assists and 24 assists for the Scarlet Knights. But Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and top goalscorers Cassidy Spiris (69 goals, 72 draw control) and Malin Hartshorn (35 goals, 22 assists, 53 draw control) are in his fifth season. rice field. All-American Megan Ball (54 turnovers, 64 ground balls, 114 draw control), Jessica Beneducci (25 lead turnovers, 43 ground balls) and Sofia Caldero (10.59 GAA, .444 save percentage) are poised to lead the defense. increase. Ball was sixth nationally in generated turnovers per game (2.57). The two top rookies include Ava Kane, a 5-10 attacker and draw specialist who played for Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, and a 5-7 draw specialist and midfielder from Moorestown High School, New Jersey. including Katie Buck. Buck also qualified for Team Israel at the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship.
