Week 0 has arrived.
With the college lacrosse season commencing Saturday, here's a team-by-team breakdown of our Division I Top 20s, plus All-Americans and Players of the Year, exclusively for members of USA Lacrosse.
Look out for our 2025 NCAA Preview print edition, coming soon to your mailbox.
Division I Men's Top 20
1. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish probably won’t be quite as deep as a year ago, but there is still plenty of talent in South Bend — perhaps enough to become the first team to threepeat since 1996-98 Princeton.
2. Syracuse
A trip back to Memorial Day weekend — the program’s first since 2013 — is the next logical step for a program that reached the quarterfinals behind a strong sophomore class. Joey Spallina, Billy Dwan and the Orange are on the right trajectory.
3. Princeton
Nate Kabiri and Colin Burns are now sophomores, and senior Coulter Mackesy is still around to play a prominent role alongside them on the Tigers’ attack. There won’t be many offenses that are more fun to watch this spring than Princeton’s.
4. Cornell
CJ Kirst and the Big Red had some memorable moments last season — a massive comeback against Syracuse, clinching the top seed in the Ivy League tournament — but crashed out of the conference tournament in the semifinals and didn’t land an NCAA nod. Expect a motivated bunch in Ithaca.
5. Virginia
The departure of Connor Shellenberger, Mr. May himself, leaves the Cavaliers without one of the decade’s most dynamic players. But in steps McCabe Millon, who led all Division I freshmen in goals (41) and points (66) last season, as the next big thing on a Virginia roster still boasting oodles of talent.
6. Maryland
The Terrapins lose arguably their two most important pieces in defenseman Ajax Zappitello and faceoff man Luke Wierman, but history suggests it’s best not to underestimate John Tillman’s program. Last spring’s run to the national title game — Maryland’s eighth since 2011 — was just the latest reminder.
7. Duke
The Blue Devils will be different without the likes of Kenny Brower and Brennan O’Neill, though it’s fair to wonder if their ceiling won’t be quite as high. But Duke was maddeningly inconsistent, and whether it can iron that out will be something to watch after last year’s quarterfinal exit.
8. Yale
Andy Shay doesn’t do down seasons, and fact is it’s remarkable the Bulldogs went 11-4 despite the spate of injuries throughout the roster (but especially the offense and faceoff game). Expect a return to the postseason in New Haven, though how long Yale sticks around could be dictated by how much its defense improves.
9. Johns Hopkins
The Blue Jays were this close to earning their first trip to the NCAA semifinals since 2015 last season, and it’s clear things are working under Peter Milliman after consecutive quarterfinal trips. Close defenseman Scott Smith will be back to anchor a steady unit well-constructed for the rigors of the Big Ten.
10. Denver
Coming off a trip to the semifinals in Matt Brown’s first season in charge, the Pioneers must replace much of an exceptional (and exceptionally old) defense. Jimmy Freehill and Casey Wilson are a good place to start, but Denver will need a bit more from its offense if it wants to reach Foxborough.
11. Towson
The Tigers swept through the CAA last season and put a scare into Syracuse for a half before fading in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Towson has a lot of answers back, including midfielder Mikey Weisshaar, and there might be enough to make the program’s second run to the final weekend under Shawn Nadelen.
12. Penn
The Quakers’ embrace of a stout nonconference schedule is a double-edged sword; they usually collect a high-end victory before Ivy League play, but they also often take multiple losses. There is strength on D, with defenseman Brendan Lavelle and goalie Emmet Carroll back for their final seasons.
13. Penn State
The end of last season, with a blowout loss to Michigan in the Big Ten final and then a first-round NCAA exit at Georgetown, couldn’t have sat well in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions still have enough to make a multi-round postseason push thanks in part to midfielder Matt Traynor (45 goals) and goalie Jack Fracyon.
14. Georgetown
The Hoyas have plenty to replace on offense — again. Three of their top four in points graduated, but Aidan Carroll (37 goals, 23 assists) is back and is poised to be the top scoring option on a team that has won six consecutive Big East tournaments. That sustained success alone is an argument against underselling Georgetown.
15. Army
The Black Knights will have one of the nation’s best midfielders (Evan Plunkett), one of its top defensemen (AJ Pilate) and an elite faceoff man (Will Coletti). And they’ll have the luxury of playing the hunter after missing out on the NCAA tournament. It sets up well for Army to make a run at a Patriot League title.
16. Michigan
If the Wolverines could be as good in February and March as they’ve been in late April and the first half of May the last couple years, they’d be a top-five team. There’s plenty to replace off a second consecutive Big Ten tournament title team, which means this season could follow a similar upward trajectory.
17. North Carolina
Can Owen Duffy, Dominic Pietramala and the Tar Heels surge back into postseason contention? That’s the magic question for North Carolina, which has missed three consecutive NCAA tournaments after making the semifinals in 2021.
18. Harvard
When the Crimson snagged an NCAA at-large berth in 2022, it seemed as though it might be the start of a run as an annual postseason threat. It hasn’t — yet. This Sam King-led bunch has had some fine moments the last couple years, but there’s a chance it puts it together this spring.
19. Ohio State
The Buckeyes didn’t have an eye-catching record last season (6-9), but they were clearly better and more competitive than the previous season. Cracking the top half of the Big Ten will be a challenge, but it’s a much more doable one for Ohio State than at this time last year.
20. Lehigh
The defending Patriot League champions bring back takeaway artist Richard Checo from a team that gave Johns Hopkins fits in the first round of last year’s NCAA tournament. The Mountain Hawks are tough and scrappy, and if they can find a potent replacement for the graduated Scott Cole they’ll be a threat to reach the postseason again.
Division I Women's Top 20
1. Boston College
In a year when most teams around the country are retooling after massive graduation hits, Boston College is essentially rolling out the same stars as a year ago when it won the national championship.
2. Northwestern
The era of Izzy Scane and Erin Coykendall is over, but the cupboard is never bare for Kelly Amonte Hiller. It’s nice to replace one Tewaaraton Award winner with someone who very well could win one herself. It’s Madison Taylor’s time in Evanston.
3. Michigan
The backbone of the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense returns with Erin O’Grady manning the pipes. Defensive stalwart Maddie Burns is gone, but Grace Callahan and Jordyn Harrison are more than capable.
4. North Carolina
Last year’s fall from the upper echelon will be short lived if all goes according to plan in Chapel Hill. Injuries were to blame, notably the delayed debut of Chloe Humphrey, and so with a healthy roster and an unbelievable freshman class, look out for UNC.
5. Virginia
Maybe a surprise team to close the top five, but how can you argue with Virginia’s 2024 resume and crop of underclassmen who gained valuable experience as freshmen? Without a sophomore slump in year two of Sonia LaMonica’s tenure, Virginia should be a threat.
6. Yale
The best season in program history included Yale’s first Ivy League championship and a quarterfinal berth – and just about everyone of consequence is back for another go in New Haven.
7. Johns Hopkins
The Blue Jays were rocky in April and May, but don’t let that stop you from appreciating the talent on Tim McCormack’s roster. This is a team bursting at the seams with midfield depth, which will be necessary to compete with the big dogs of the Big Ten.
8. Loyola
Chase Boyle’s 2024 season was ridiculous. She deposited 85 goals with 16 assists, shot 50.6 percent and won 208 draw controls. She’s an early Tewaaraton Award contender and the reason Loyola is the Patriot League favorite.
9. Florida
An NCAA semifinalist a year ago, Florida takes a slight dive in this initial Top 20 because of all the holes Amanda O’Leary needs to fill. Funny thing is, that was the same rationale last preseason, and all the Gators did was steamroll just about everyone.
10. Maryland
Count Maryland among the many teams that needs to retool. But should you ever doubt Cathy Reese? Kori Edmondson and Kennedy Major appear primed to take major steps forward, and the biggest key might be the performance of highly touted sophomore goalie JJ Suriano.
11. Syracuse
Offense should never be a problem up in Syracuse, with Emma Ward back and Olivia Adamson a prime candidate to explode to new heights. But how will Kayla Treanor replace Delaney Sweitzer in goal?
12. Penn
Want to jump on the bandwagon of a school with a bunch of unsung stars? Penn might be for you. Anna Brandt is quietly one of the top midfielders in the country, and ditto for Erika Chung as a feeder. Yale’s the Ivy favorite, but don’t count out the Quakers.
13. Notre Dame
Talk about graduation hits. Christine Halfpenny’s Irish lost 17 seniors and more than a handful of All-Americans. The future is here, though, as Madison Rassas had the type of fall that has Halfpenny excited to watch her in real games.
14. Stony Brook
Whenever you lose a Tewaaraton Award candidate, big shoes are left behind. Stony Brook might answer the loss of Ellie Masera by committee, and with UMass grad transfer Charlotte Wilmoth, Joe Spallina brought in a stabilizing veteran to lead the way.
15. Navy
The biggest NCAA tournament snub of 2024, Navy is plenty motivated. The Mids return more than just about anyone in the country, and if there ever was a year to take down Loyola, this might be the one.
16. Denver
Denver remains an interesting team to watch. With a zone defense like Liza Kelly is known for, the Pios could rocket up the Top 20 after a big win or two. But the graduations of Sam Thacker and Trinity McPherson leaves a couple spots to fill on that end of the field.
17. Princeton
Princeton could be a surprise mover up the Top 20 as the year progresses. The Tigers notched a notable win last year over Penn and came within five goals of Virginia, Yale, Florida, Maryland and Boston College. Turn a couple of those into wins, and your resume looks a lot different.
18. James Madison
The Dukes are now officially Maddie Epke’s team following the graduation of Isabella Peterson. Epke seems more than ready to take on the role, as she was less Robin and more co-Batman last year, anyway.
19. Penn State
With Kristin O’Neill and Gretchen Gilmore gone, Penn State could lean more heavily on a defense anchored by Ellie Hollin and sophomore netminder Sydney Manning, who impressed in spurts as a freshman.
20. USC
A new challenge awaits in the Big Ten, and while Lindsey Munday acknowledge the blank state the Women of Troy are working with, USC seemingly always boasts a stingy defense and an offense with a star or two.
Division I Men's Preseason All-Americans
First Team
A — Chris Kavanagh, Notre Dame
A — CJ Kirst, Cornell
A — Joey Spallina, Syracuse
M — Andrew McAdorey, Duke
M — Evan Plunkett, Army
M — Mikey Weisshaar, Towson
FO — Will Lynch, Notre Dame
SSDM — Ben Ramsey, Notre Dame
SSDM — Casey Wilson, Denver
LSM — Will Donovan, Notre Dame
D — Jimmy Freehill, Denver
D — Brendan Lavelle, Penn
D — Scott Smith, Johns Hopkins
G — Emmet Carroll, Pen
Second Team
A — Sam King, Harvard
A — Coulter Mackesy, Princeton
A — McCabe Millon, Virginia
M — Matt Traynor, Penn State
M — Griffin Schutz, Virginia
M — Michael Leo, Syracuse
FO — Will Coletti, Army
SSDM — Noah Chizmar, Virginia
SSDM — Aidan Maguire, Duke
LSM — Ben Wayer, Virginia
D — Billy Dwan, Syracuse
D — Shawn Lyght, Notre Dame
D — Ty Banks, Georgetown
G — Jack Fracyon, Penn State
Third Team
A — Ryan Bell, Providence
A — Owen Duffy, North Carolina
A — Michael Long, Cornell
M — Matt Collison, Johns Hopkins
M — Sam English, Syracuse
M — Devon McLane, Notre Dame
FO — James Ball, Georgetown
SSDM — Jack Gray, Duke
SSDM — Jack Monfort, Johns Hopkins
LSM — Max Yates, Colgate
D — Richard Checo, Lehigh
D — Colin Mulshine, Princeton
D — Levi Verch, Saint Joseph’s
G — Michael Gianforcaro, North Carolina
Honorable Mention
A — Aidan Carroll, Georgetown
A — Ryan Cohen, Michigan
A — Jackson Eicher, Army
A — Owen Hiltz, Syracuse
A — Leo Johnson, Yale
A — Nate Kabiri, Princeton
A — Chris Lyons, Yale
A — Aidan McLane, Brown
A — Silas Richmond, Albany
A — Eric Spanos, Maryland
A — Ryan Stines, Utah
A — Jake Taylor, Notre Dame
A — Tynan Walsh, Penn
M — Jack Aimone, Penn State
M — Jordan Faison, Notre Dame
M — Willem Firth, Cornell
M — Johnny Hackett, Virginia
M — Benn Johnston, Duke
M — Max Krevsky, Yale
M — Chad Palumbo, Princeton
M — Charlie Pope, Vermont
M — Cam Rubin, Penn
M — Finn Thompson, Syracuse
FO — Zach Hayashi, Navy
FO — Machado Rodriguez, Yale
FO — Brady Wambach, North Carolina
SSDM — Mike Grace, Syracuse
SSDM — Pace Billings, Michigan
LSM — Jack Combs, Vermont
LSM — Juliann Radossich, Fairfield
LSM — Jack Stuzin, Yale
D — Michael Bath, Princeton
D — Charlie Cave, Brown
D — Greg Campisi, Notre Dame
D — Ricky Figueiras, Syracuse
D — Patrick Pisano, Yale
D — Alex Ross, Penn State
D — John Shroter, Virginia
D — Jayson Singer, Cornell
D — Peter Thomann, North Carolina
D — Bobby Van Buren, Ohio State
G — Kevin Ellington, Delaware
G — Wyatt Knust, Cornell
G — Logan McNaney, Maryland
G — Anderson Moore, Georgetownn
G — Mason Oak, Quinnipiac
G — Zach Vigue, Richmond
Division I Women's Preseason All-Americans
First Team
A — Madison Taylor, Northwestern
A — Rachel Clark, Boston College
A — Emma LoPinto, Boston College
A — Jill Smith, Michigan
DS — Maddie Epke, James Madison
M — Chase Boyle, Loyola
M — Brigid Duffy, Army
M — Anna Brandt, Penn
M — Fallon Vaughn, Yale
D — Brooklyn Walker-Welch, North Carolina
D — Sammy White, Northwestern
D — Ellie Hollin, Penn State
D — Emmy Pascal, Yale
G — Erin O’Grady, Michigan
Second Team
A — Jenna Collignon, Yale
A — Georgia Latch, Loyola
A — Mckenna Davis, Boston College
A — Olivia Adamson, Syracuse
DS — Alyssa Daley, Navy
M — Emily Messinese, Navy
M — Ashley Mackin, Johns Hopkins
M — Annabel Frist, Stanford
M — Kori Edmondson, Maryland
D — Grace Callahan, Michigan
D — Paris Masaracchia, Clemson
D — Shea Baker, Boston College
D — Avery Hines, Stony Brook
G — Jenika Cuocco, Drexel
Third Team
A — Emma Ward, Syracuse
A — Kaylee Dyer, Michigan
A — Aliya Polisky, Stanford
A — Isabelle Vitale, USC
DS — Jordan Dean, UMass
M — Lauren Ottensmeyer, Cincinnati
M — Grace Muldoon, Richmond
M — Samantha Smith, Northwestern
M — Kate Galica, Virginia
D — Ava Bleckley, James Madison
D — Kennedy Major, Maryland
D — Lily Osborne, Loyola
D — Jordyn Harrison, Michigan
G — Shea Dolce, Boston College
Honorable Mention
A — Niki Miles, Northwestern
A — Ava Angello, Johns Hopkins
A — McKenzie Blake, Princeton
A — Mia Mascone, Boston College
A — Erika Chung, Penn
A — Madison Alaimo, Virginia
A — Jenna Dinardo, Virginia
A — Camryn Callaghan, Cincinnati
A — Marissa White, North Carolina
A — Caroline Godine, North Carolina
A — Charlotte Wilmoth, Stony Brook
A — Isabela Miller, Holy Cross
A — Tori DiCarlo, Navy
A — Ashley Humphrey, North Carolina
A — Lauren Black, Denver
A — Ryan Dineen, Denver
DS — MJ Santa Barbara, Elon
M — Madeline Pisani, Colorado
M — Ella Kittredge, Holy Cross
M — Ava Yovino, Navy
M — Sky Carrasquillo, Yale
M — Darcy Felter, North Carolina
M/D — Lydia Colasante, Boston College
D — Kaitlyn Davies, Florida
D — Theresa Bragg, Florida
D — Alexis Niblock, USC
D — Grace Weigand, Notre Dame
D — Megan Klingenberg, Denver
D — Reilly Traynor, Duke
G — Elyse Finnelle, Florida
G — Emily Lamparter, Clemson
G — Delaney Sweitzer, Northwestern
G — Lauren Spence, Loyola
G — Lucy Pearson, Stanford
Division I MEn'S Preseason Awards
Preseason Attackman/Player of the Year
CJ Kirst, Cornell
It was obvious even as he helped the Big Red reach the national title game in 2022 that Kirst would be one of the most charismatic attackmen in the game for the rest of his career. He’s just 26 goals off Mike French’s school record for career goals, one of many achievements he’s likely to add to his resume as a senior in Ithaca.
Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Mikey Weisshaar, Towson
There were many reasons the Tigers re-emerged as a postseason team last season, but Weisshaar was as important as any of them. He had a team-high 42 goals to go with 19 assists, and the junior should again be the major cog for a Towson team capable of winning a game (or more) in the NCAA tournament.
Preseason Defenseman of the Year
Brendan Lavelle, Penn
Lavelle justly earned rave reviews for his work on Duke’s Brennan O’Neill in an early-season upset of the Blue Devils, but he was one of the most reliable defensemen in the country all season — no easy feat given some of the offenses populating the Ivy League. He should again be one of the country’s most valuable players as a senior.
Preseason Specialist of the Year
Will Lynch, Notre Dame
It turns out Lynch’s 2023 postseason effort presaged a full-scale breakout last spring. He won 61.2 percent of his faceoffs as a junior, giving the Fighting Irish a major advantage in their successful national title defense. He’ll also be an asset for a team that has some obvious holes to fill, namely a Tewaaraton-winning attackman (Pat Kavanagh) and an All-American goalie (Liam Entenmann).
Preseason Goalie of the Year
Emmet Carroll, Penn
Last year’s national leader in save percentage at .594), Carroll is back for one last run in Philadelphia. He saw a lot of shots last season, and his ability to hold up to that bodes well for the Quakers as they look to get back to the NCAA tournament after a two-year absence.
Division I Women's Preseason Awards
Preseason Attacker/Player of the Year
Madison Taylor, Northwestern
With Izzy Scane and Erin Coykendall gone, the Wildcats will hand Madison Taylor the keys to the offense. You could argue that the 2024 Tewaaraton Award finalist has had her foot on the gas for quite some time. Taylor enters 2025 with a 23-game multi-point streak dating back to the national semifinals in 2023, the same year she nabbed Big Ten Rookie of the Year honors. For all the well-deserved accolades given to Scane, it was Taylor who led the Wildcats in points last year (118) on 83 goals and 33 assists, and she chipped in 74 draw controls. This summer, Taylor helped lead the U.S. U20 team to gold in Hong Kong, China.
Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Chase Boyle, Loyola
What doesn’t Chase Boyle do? The senior midfielder and 2024 Tewaaraton Award finalist was a factor all over the field for Patriot League champion Loyola. Her 9.9 draw controls per game (208 total) ranked fifth in Division I, and she ranked seventh with 4.05 goals per game. Boyle also added 16 assists, 19 caused turnovers and 21 ground balls — a true two-way middie in every sense of the word.
Preseason Defender of the Year
Sammy White, Northwestern
Northwestern’s offense gets plenty of flowers, but Sammy White has been a thorn in opposing attackers’ sides. White turned heads in the 2023 NCAA championship game when she set or tied career highs with seven draws and six ground balls. Despite missing five games midseason, White made an impact for the national runners-up with 19 caused turnovers, 24 ground balls and 38 draw controls. With high-profile defenders like Boston College’s Sydney Scales and Denver’s Sam Thacker gone, the door is open for White to cement herself as one of the game’s best in 2025.
Preseason Goalie of the Year
Erin O’Grady, Michigan
The starting netminder for the best defense (statistically) in 2024, Erin O’Grady anchored a unit that yielded a national-low 7.55 goals per game. O’Grady’s personal GAA was lower (7.34), and she was second nationally with a 54.9% save percentage.
