New No. 1, Changes at Top of Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Men's Top 20
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - March 21, 2022 || Matt Hamilton || USA Lacrosse Magazine
A changing of the guard at No. 1 was consistent between Division I and Division II men's lacrosse. While Maryland dominated Virginia to take over at No. 1 in D-I, Le Moyne lost a mid-week game to Florida Southern to lose its position as the top-ranked team in Division II. However, the Dolphins don't sit too far from Tampa — with wins over top 10 teams in Mercy, Mercyhurst, Saint Anselm and Wingate.
Le Moyne wasn't the only team in the top five to fall last week. UIndy dropped a battle with Lindenwood in which it held a three-goal second-half lead, and Wingate fell to a spirited Anderson team.
Finally, we have chaos in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Magazine Division II rankings.
Nike/USA Lacrosse Rankings
Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women
HOT
Florida Southern (+5)
The Mocs did what seemed almost impossible heading into March — down the defending champion Le Moyne Dolphins. Florida Southern used a six-goal third quarter and clung on for the biggest upset of the young season. It followed that win with another impressive effort in a victory against Lynn.
Lindenwood (+4)
The Lions have responded well since falling to Limestone and Tampa in late February and early March. Lindenwood trailed 3-0 early but rallied to set up a thrilling last few minutes, where Indy's Drew Billing scored with 22 seconds to send the game to overtime, where Patrick Kaschalk scored the game-winner.
NOT
UIndy (-6)
The other side of that matchup, looks a little bleaker, with the Greyhounds failing to hold onto the lead against a GLVC rival. The seven goals scored is a season-low, but UIndy must respond quickly with Lewis coming to town Wednesday.
Saint Anselm (-4)
The Hawks had to play the role of taking on Le Moyne following a loss — one of the toughest tasks any team could face. Despite holding the Dolphins to just seven goals, Saint Anselm couldn't get its offense going and fell 7-5.
NEW
Maryville (No. 20)
It's about time Maryville made its way into the top 20. The Saints' early-season schedule was not loaded with ranked opponents, but a 7-1 record with a victory over Lake Erie is hard to ignore. The two-goal loss to Lewis last month also looks better given the Flyers' recent string of results.
OUT
Mount Olive (was No. 19)
The Trojans snapped a three-game losing streak by blowing out Emmanuel over the weekend, but the damage had been done. Back-to-back one-goal losses to Newberry and Seton Hill will sting, but Mount Olive has a chance to get back on track against Belmont Abbey this weekend.
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