9. LOYOLA
2023 Record: 19-3 (9-0 Big Ten)
Last seen: The Greyhounds produced another season worthy of a top-10 national ranking, but it ended with a 16-6 loss to eventual champion Northwestern in the NCAA quarterfinals.
Initial forecast: The Greyhounds’ 2023 season started with plenty of question marks about who would replace Livy Rosenzweig, Sam Fiedler and goalie Kaitlyn Larsson. Those questions were quickly answered by Georgia Latch (45 G, 44 A), Sydni Black (55 G, 26 A, 40 DC), Jillian Wilson (61 G, 19 A, 198 DC) and Chase Boyle (56 G, 11 A, 39 DC) offensively. Lauren Spence (7.18 GAA, .520 SV%) was stellar in net.
There will be far fewer questions entering 2023, as all but Wilson will be back. Still, Wilson, a true athlete with size, speed and strength, will be challenging to replace, particularly in the circle, but Jen Adams & Co. always seem to find a way. Loyola was once again head and shoulders above the competition in the Patriot League. But Army and Navy return young talent with experience, so 2024 could present some added competition.
There’s no reason to think the Greyhounds won’t be the clear favorite. The real question: Can the returning talent, coupled with the need to rise to the occasion in a more competitive conference, help Loyola overcome the quarterfinal hurdle? It would be fun, but it’s a steep hill to climb, given some of the super teams forming due to the portal. (Stay tuned for Boston College’s outlook tomorrow.)
8. JAMES MADISON
2023 Record: 19-3 (6-0 AAC)
Last seen: Bowing out of the quarterfinals with a 13-7 loss at Syracuse.
Initial forecast: Like Stony Brook, James Madison employs a hard-nosed, chip-on-the-shoulder mentality that’s a blast to follow. The Dukes moved from the CAA to the AAC last season, giving Florida a true run for it and snagging the conference’s regular-season crown that the Gators have owned since joining the league in 2019. One of the biggest goals for next year will be grabbing the tournament crown and automatic bid that alluded the Dukes last season and bumped them down seeding-wise.
James Madison has the talent to do it. The Dukes return Tewaaraton finalist and leading scorer Isabella Peterson (91 G, 23 A). That’s not all, though. JMU’s top five scorers will be back on the field in Tai Jankowski (53 G, 23 A), Katelyn Morgan (21 G, 25 A), Maddie Epke (17 G, 28 A) and Taylor Marchetti (23 G, 6 A). There are roles to fill, though. Defensively, Rachel Matey (24 CT, 91 DC) will be missed, as will Mairead Durkin (37 GB, 47 CT), and they’ll name a new goalie with the graduation of Kat Buchanan (8.08 GAA, .473 SV%). But the graduations likely aren’t enough to knock the Dukes from their lofty perches in the conference or nationally. If anything, they’ll enter the year projected to finish first in the AAC and play deep into May.