Colorado, Pitt Crash into USA Lacrosse Division I Women's Top 20

It is just the end of week two, and Division I women’s lacrosse is already looking at one of the most substantial rankings shakeups in recent memory. 

Defending champion North Carolina extended its winning streak to 24 games and is still the no-doubt No. 1, but just about everybody else is moving around in the USA Lacrosse Division I Women’s Top 20 — highlighted by newcomers No. 6 Colorado, a surprise winner of Northwestern, and No. 20 Pitt, which has put together a fine 2-0 start including a win over Duke.

Many teams moving up the Top 20 did so on their own merits, not just because others lost and opened up the floor. Stanford, the new No. 2, beat Clemson. No. 3 Maryland handled a struggling, but still talented, Virginia team.

Young but lethal Notre Dame keeps dispatching all comers and is up to No. 5, while Michigan is also turning heads at No. 9.

Continue below to see the full Top 20 and keep reading for updates in Division II (with a new No. 1) and Division III.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION I
WOMEN’S TOP 20

1. North Carolina 
2. Stanford 
3. Maryland 
4. Princeton
5. Notre Dame
6. Colorado
7. Northwestern
8. Johns Hopkins 
9. Michigan 
10. Clemson 
11. Boston College
12. Navy 
13. Florida 
14. Penn
15. Syracuse
16. Yale
17. Stony Brook
18. Penn State
19. Denver
20. Pitt

Also considered (alphabetical order): Army, Georgetown, Harvard, James Madison, Loyola, Richmond, Virginia

There is a new No. 1 in Division II and quite a bit of shuffling thanks to UIndy’s win over two-time defending champion (and former No. 1) Tampa.

The end result sees Florida Southern jump from No. 3 to the top spot this week, followed by No. 2 Adelphi and No. 3 West Chester — neither of which has played a game thus far.

For its efforts, UIndy makes a modest climb to No. 5 but has officially put the rest of Division II on notice.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION II
WOMEN’S TOP 20

1. Florida Southern
2. Adelphi
3. West Chester
4. Maryville
5. UIndy
6. Flagler
7. Tampa
8. Embry-Riddle
9. Slippery Rock
10. Pace
11. East Stroudsburg
12. Lynn
13. Saint Leo
14. Wingate
15. Regis
16. Grand Valley State
17. Rollins
18. Anderson
19. Dominican (N.Y.)
20. Saint Anselm

Also considered (alphabetical order): Bentley, Kutztown, Newberry, Rockhurst

There weren’t many Division III teams in action this week, but there was one massive matchup as Franklin & Marshall topped Washington and Lee. The Diplomats didn’t lead until Alexandra Proefrock scored with 3:57 remaining in the fourth quarter. She had also scored the equalizer exactly two minutes prior.

Elsewhere, Salisbury won a pair of games, and Avery Dunbar combined for four goals and seven assists.

Christopher Newport moves into the Top 20  this week with a dominant performance on all ends of the field in a 23-2 victory over Berry. Its next game will be a challenging one against Roanoke, which also won its first game of the season behind a seven-goal performance from Maddie McDonald.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION III
WOMEN’S TOP 20

1. Middlebury 
2. Tufts 
3. Salisbury
4. Franklin & Marshall
5. Gettysburg
6. Colby
7. William Smith 
8. Wesleyan
9. Stevens
10. St. John Fisher
11. Washington and Lee 
12. Amherst 
13. York
14. MIT
15. Denison
16. Babson
17. Pomona-Pitzer 
18. TCNJ
19. Springfield
20. Christopher Newport

Also considered (alphabetical order): Colorado College, Ithaca, Roanoke, Rowan, Trinity