'Cuse Defense Lifts Orange in USA Lacrosse Division I Women's Top 20

After stringing together consecutive 6-5 victories — one against Yale and another against Virginia — Syracuse is up to No. 5 in the USA Lacrosse Division I Women's Top 20, presented by CWENCH Hydration.

The Orange have won seven straight games after starting 0-3 — against the current Nos. 1-3 in the Top 20, by the way — and they've allowed double-digit goals just once in that span (a 13-10 win over Louisville).

On the season, Syracuse is surrendering a paltry 6.9 goals per game.

There's not much else to discuss in this week's Top 20, as changes are minimal after a week of relative calm across the NCAA landscape.

USA LACROSSE DIVISION I
WOMEN’S TOP 20

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

Also considered (alphabetical order): Boston College, Georgetown, Ohio State, Pitt, Penn State, Richmond, Rutgers

USA LACROSSE DIVISION II
WOMEN’S TOP 20

By doubling up former No. 2 Maryville, Florida Southern jumped two places to assume the No. 2 spot itself in this week's Top 20 update.

The 20-10 win was decisive. Kolby Cohen and Grace Curtain each scored four goals, and the Mocs won 22 of 32 draws. Charlie Laye anchored the defense with four caused turnovers and three ground balls. Outside of a Feb. 26 stumble against No. 1 Flagler, Florida Southern has been dominant. It's clear, then, that the Mocs belong at No. 2 this week. 

A pair of undefeated PSAC squads - Slippery Rock and East Stroudsburg - are positioned at third and fourth this week, with UIndy rounding out the top five.

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

Also considered (alphabetical order): Florida Tech, McKendree, Northern Michigan

USA LACROSSE DIVISION III 
WOMEN’S TOP 20

Salisbury had a massive week to prove why it sits toward the top of the table among several NESCAC schools. The Sea Gulls took care of business by beating two teams inside the top 11 — William Smith and Franklin & Marshall.

Washington and Lee continued to climb with two wins last week, including a huge 11-10 victory over Gettysburg. TCNJ also climbed with its win over Babson.

Rowan enters the Top 20 after two decisive victories.

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

Also considered (alphabetical order): Colorado College, Ithaca, Scranton, St. John Fisher, Williams