SPARKS, Md. — Boston College, the defending national champion that ended a three-year run of disappointment in the national title game, is No. 1 in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division I Women’s Preseason Top 20, a ranking compiled by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff in consultation with college coaches.

The Eagles, led by transcendent Tewaaraton Award winner Charlotte North, return nearly all of their electric offense. While they must replace Cara Urbank (39 goals, 43 assists in 2021), the Eagles are well-equipped to do so with Jenn Medjid, Belle Smith and Caitlynn Mossman ready for expanded roles. Defensively, Rachel Hall anchors a defensive unit featuring standouts Hollie Schleicher and Courtney Taylor, a transfer from Temple.

Last week, Boston College placed five players on the USA Lacrosse Magazine Division I Women’s Preseason All-Americans list. North (first team) was joined by Schleicher (first team), Medjid (second team), Smith (second team) and Taylor (second team).

North Carolina, Syracuse, Northwestern and Stony Brook round out the top five.

USA Lacrosse Magazine will preview each of the top 20 teams throughout the month of January on USALaxMagazine.com, with additional features in the February print edition.

NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION I WOMEN’S PRESEASON TOP 20

​​1. Boston College 
2. North Carolina
3. Syracuse
4. Northwestern
5. Stony Brook
6. Maryland
7. Notre Dame
8. Duke
9. Loyola 
10. Florida
11. Virginia
12. James Madison
13. Princeton
14. Stanford
15. Denver
16. Rutgers
17. Drexel
18. Jacksonville
19. UConn
20. Penn

Also considered (alphabetical order): Johns Hopkins, Louisville, Michigan, Penn State, Richmond, Temple