HOT
Lenoir-Rhyne (no change)
If the three teams ahead of the Bears in the rankings hadn’t also beaten ranked teams, Lenoir-Rhyne would be moving even higher up the top 20. Eric Dickinson was strong again in a 12-7 win over Queens (N.C.), dropping eight points (four goals, four assists) en route to the victory.
Belmont Abbey (no change)
After dropping its first two games to Catawba and Lenoir-Rhyne, Belmont Abbey has rallied off five straight. The Crusaders have allowed just over seven goals per game during that stretch, including wins over Barton and Lander this past week.
NOT
Queens (N.C.) (-6)
To give Queens credit, the early season schedule has been the most difficult one in Division II. The Royals have now faced four ranked opponents this season and have gone 1-3. The big victory over Wingate last weekend was stunted by an eight-goal loss to Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday. In Queens’ wins, the Royals are averaging just under 12 goals per game — in losses, the number drops to 6.3 goals per game.
Seton Hill (-3)
Seton Hill had the nation’s leading offense heading into a matchup with Mercyhurst on Saturday, scoring 79 goals in its first three games. The Lakers were a different challenge, and Seton Hill struggled en route to the 17-12 loss in which the Griffins had to score five goals in the fourth quarter to get to that number.