Annapolis, MD - 

1.      Cincinnati (3-0)

By outscoring their first three opponents by a combined 59-4, the Bearcats have established their inside position to the National Tournament as the team to beat from the Midwest. While other challenges remain, Cincinnati has kicked it into another gear altogether in 2012. With both #6 Slippery Rock and DI Top Ten Ohio State still remaining, UC will need to have all cylinders running to remain on top.

 

2.      St. Joseph’s (6-0)

With just over 16 GPG, the Hawks were held to single digits for the first time this season in a 9-5 win over #20 LaSalle. With three of their last five games against DI opponents and undefeated Monmouth, St. Joseph’s will find out where its destiny awaits after convincing early season wins. With a stoudt 8 GAA his season, the Hawks defense will be eagerly awaiting potent offenses to see how far they have come.

 

3.    George Washington (4-2)

The Colonials were able to benefit from playing DI #1 Navy and #2 Maryland as Chesapeake Conference play awaits. With four remaining conference games, GW is eyeing another run at the National Tournament but must be careful of a tough remaining schedule and the Chesapeake Conference Championships. If they can weather the storm, the Colonials will be in a good position to not only duplicate their run to May, but also play for higher stakes.

    

4.     Binghamton (6-1)

After losing to DI #11 Cortland, Binghamton has quietly gone on an impressive four game win streak with key victories over LeMoyne, RPI, DI #19 Syracuse, and DI #13 Albany. Considering that the Bearcats have more wins this year than any other year since 2006, Binghamton is seeking to dethrone Empire East #8 Ithaca as the team to beat. If history is any indication, the next three games against Clarkson, #8  Ithaca, and DI #14 Cornell will be telling as the Bearcats will continue to be a very dangerous team once playoffs begin.

     5.  VT-Blacksburg (4-2)

With a historic win against then #2 ranked Lynchburg, VT- Blacksburg changed the pecking order in the competitive Blue Ridge Conference. Aiming to make the playoffs in only its’ 2^nd year of existence, VT-Blacksburg’s only losses have come against both Division I schools in #5 JMU and #12 UVA, both of which saw double digit goals against. If the defense can step up as they have in DII competitions, VT-Blacksburg could make its first trip out of state and represent Hokie Nation at the National Tournament.

 

6.  Slippery Rock (7-1)

After handing #11 IUP its’ first loss this past weekend, the Pride was almost pushed to its’ limit by a ranked team. With Robert Morris, DI #10 Ohio State, and #1 Cincinnati remaining, look for the Rock to keep up its’ quality of play and  try to lock down a coveted Keystone Conference Playoff position. As one of the most successful and consistent teams over the past five years, expect Slippery Rock to keep rising to meet its’ challengers head on.

 

7.      Connecticut College (4-0)

Beginning its’ first year as a team on campus and within the NCLL, Connecticut College has played with a vengeance in coming out the gate undefeated and winning each game by a goal each. With over half its’ season left to play, the Camels are in prime position to keep surprising opponents with their resiliency and knack for keeping their strategy efficient to win games.

 

8.      Ithaca (3-2)

With one of the toughest SOS in all the Empire Conference, the Blue Bombers find themselves in a familiar spot in the Top Ten. Except for their most recent loss to DI #14 Cornell 9-7, the last three games have been decided by a goal apiece. With both Clarkson and #4 Binghamton left on the slate for April 14, Ithaca will be at full strength as it’s defends it Empire Title.

9.      Monmouth (7-0)

Climbing into the Top Ten, Monmouth has scored double digit goals in their first five games before being held to single digits in their last two games. In their last game out, Monmouth showed that it can win close games with a 6-5 victory over a tenacious and battle tested Temple squad. With both Temple and #2 St. Joseph’s remaining at home, the Hawks would like nothing more than to secure an undefeated season before entering the NCLL playoffs on a roll.

    

10.  St. Mary’s College of MD (8-0)

What difference a year makes. With their Beltway Bash Trophy safely secure back in St. Mary’s City, the Seahawks will be a team to watch as it enters the end of the season one win away from an undefeated season. With their .500 in the history books from 2011, all that stands in their way is #3 George Washington, one of the few teams SMCM beat last season. With both squads having phenomenal years, anything goes on April 14 when they meet head on.

 

11. IUP (6-1)

The Hawks are off to their best start in school history and jump into the Warrior Division II Top 25 at a solid #11 ranking. With all of their wins against sub .500 teams, IUP will need to use the #6 Slippery Rock 8-6 loss as a lesson learned as DI #6 Penn State (5-1) and #13 Moravian (5-2) awaits. Throw in a dangerous Bloomsburg contingent and newcomer PSU-Altoona, and it’s easy to see why the Hawks will have to be prepared to fight tooth and nail to keep their playoff hopes alive. For the Hawks, this is what they have been waiting for all season.

 

12. Lynchburg (1-6)

After opening their season with a win over now winless Roanoke (0-5), the Revolution has lost six in a row as defending Division II National Champions. Regardless of the fact that five of these losses have come against top notch Division I talent, Lynchburg also fell 9-7 to #5 VT-Blacksburg on March 24. With their backs against the wall, Lynchburg’s fate comes down to the Radford Round Robin on April 14 when they face both #23 Radford and undefeated #16 VMI. Whatever team comes away 2-0 on the day will likely secure the #2 seed for the Blue Ridge Conference, the last playoff position available. From al l perspectives, expect a Battle of Battles for all teams involved.

 

13. Moravian (5-2)

As exciting as the first half of the season began for the Greyhounds, Moravian will have a tough SOS remaining with DI West Chester, #11 IUP, DI #5 Penn State, and #19 Millersville to name a few. With seven teams vying for four playoff spots in the Keystone Conference, Moravian will need to keep playing smart lacrosse in order to repeat their magical National Tournament run from a year ago. With both of their losses by a goal, Moravian has the talent, drive, and lacrosse IQ to make a deep playoff run. If they can get out of the Keystone Conference Championships intact, anything goes.

 

14.    Niagara (4-2)

The Purple Eagles were flying high after scoring 33 goals in their first two games. However, then #16 Millersville put the clamps down on their offensive flow and Niagara’s defense tried but couldn’t make a stop before falling 10-3.  Over the next ten hours, Niagara was on a mission with wins over then #19 Columbia, #17 NYU, and #12 UMBC before succumbing to #13 St. Mary’s in the Beltway Bash Championship with a tired but confident squad. While raising their record to a respectable 3-2 record over those two days, the Purple Eagles will be no worse for the wear as they played lights out against tough out of conference foes before returning to Empire West action where they will be battle tested against Fredonia, RIT, and Buffalo State.

 

15.  UT-Chattanooga (5-2)

After beginning the season 1-1, the Mocs have been on an offensive tear over the last five games with an 18.4 GPG. With their run and gun strategy paying dividends, it will be up to Deep South Conference foes to piece the puzzle together and see if UTC has any weaknesses. If not, Chattanooga could represent the DSC at the National Tournament and put all other conferences on notice that these Mocs play for keeps and will keep running and gunning all day everyday.

 

16. VMI (4-0)

The Keydets have already doubled their wins from a year ago and have their sights set on the Conference Championships and National Tournament. To get there, VMI will have to earn their place by taking down traditiona l powerhouse #12 Lynchburg at the end of the season. With all of their conference wins in February, VMI will have ample time to prepare for this Blue Ridge Battle as April 14 rolls around. If all goes according to plan, the team with possession at the end of the game will hold its fate in its hands for playoff possibilities.

 

17.  Columbia (5-5)

The Lions were on a four game mid-season win streak before #14 Niagara put a damper on their Bash hopes with a narrow 9-8 loss. With the NY Metro Conference still up for grabs, important games remain with NYU and New Paltz, both in the power rankings as Others Considered. With two OT wins in their last five outings, expect Columbia to take nothing for granted and exert their proficiency on their conference foes. With much lacrosse still to be played, expect all teams to buckle up and play from endline to endline to keep their playoff bids alive.

 

18. UMBC (3-3)  

Until their Bash hopes were dashed by #14 Niagara, UMBC was the hottest team around with a three game win streak. With a schedule that includes no remaining teams above .500, the Retrievers could secure the last seed in the Chesapeake Conference Championships by winning out.  For a team that currently sits at .500, that would be a big accomplishment, even when considering that UMBC has not played up to its’ ful l potential. When that happens, the Chesapeake Conference will know is bite.

 

19. Millersville (7-4)

The ‘Ville lost its first home game in over four years and heard it from alumni and fans this past March. Regardless that Millersville lost to a Division I team, such is the expectations when putting on the Marauder uniform. Since then, they have been on a four game Keystone win streak and propelled themselves back into a possible top seed in the Conference Playoffs with a heady 6-0 mark. While they have lost out of conference games to top ranked teams in #3 GW, #10 St. Mary's, and #17 Columbia, Millersville is savvy enough to know that anything can happen the second time around.

 

20. LaSalle (7-2)

With an almost 10.0 GPG, LaSalle’s only losses have come when they have scored 5 goals per game. When the Explorer’s offense gets going, good things happen and that has put them smack dab in the middle of the Liberty Conference race. With both #2 St. Joseph’s and #9 Monmouth in their conference and their only losses, expect Coach Freeman to have his troops ready for the rubber match and watch the 10.0 GAA. With a rematch almost certain, La Salle in the Liberty could hang a W in the left column and not an L in the right.

 

21. Williamson Trade (4-3)

With three straight losses, two of which were to JuCo teams and the most recent to #20 LaSalle, the Mechanics will need to regroup for the end of the regular season and secure a potentia l playoff position in the upcoming Conference Championships. If Williamson can keep opponents from scoring double digits, they wil l put themselves in a great position late in the game to pull off the victory. If not, Williamson will be in jeopardy of going one and done, as in all three of their losses they have given up 18, 21 and 13.

 

22. East Stroudsburg (5-1)

With a dramatic 7-6 win over then #5 Moravian, ESU then struggled to score in a 4-0 loss to unranked Lock Haven. With three straight wins, the Warriors crack the Top 25 and will have five regular season games to figure out which team is the true ESU squad. With Keystone Division II games against #19 Millersville, Kutztown, and York, ESU will have to do work as they hold down the #3 or #4 Keystone Seed. While the offense had an uncharacteristic day in its’ one loss, the defense has been holding down the fort on its’ side of the field. For the record, ESU makes its goals count as they have a 6.0 GPG and 4.2 GAA. For the Warriors, it’s the success to a National Ranking and a potentia l playoff bid.

 

23. Radford (2-2)

With four teams of the Blue Ridge in the Warrior Top 25, Radford’s season will come down to it’s home games versus #12 Lynchburg and #16 VMI. For Radford and its contingent, the Highlanders have been playing quality lacrosse and just need to few more groundballs and possessions to go their way. With the tenacity and heart of the squad preparing for their end of season matches at full strength, look for Radford to pull out all the stops and try to take down their higher ranked rivals.

 

24. Clarkson (0-2)

For newcomer Clarkson, the schedule doesn’t get any easier after losing to Division I Empire foes #11 Cortland and #14 Cornell. With both in conference rivals #4 Binghamton and #8 Ithaca still on the board, expect the Golden Knights only to get better as they get used to NCLL play. While their opponents have a combined 21-4 overall record, it’s no surprise that Clarkson is expected to be the underdog in every game during their first year. With the Empire Conference, that label changes from year to year. If Clarkson play the dark horse role and upset a playoff bound team, they will have exceeded expectations for a first year team in a ultra-competitive conference.

 

t25.  Fredonia (2-0)

With a one goal victory over PSU-Behrend and a shut out win against St. Bonaventure, Fredonia sets up a Battle for the Empire West with their dates versus Buffalo State and #14 Niagara. With the top two seeds representing the West in the Empire Championships, expect the Blue Devils to try to avenge their 2011 losses to the same two teams. For Fredonia’s graduating class, they would like nothing more than to bookend wins against Buffalo State and Niagara and take away one of their playoff positions, something that hasn’t happened since their freshman campaign when they won both meetings.

 

t25. Wayne State (5-0)

              The only Midwest North team in the Warrior Top 25, the Warriors break into the rankings based upon their undefeated season at the halfway mark and offensive prowess. With a 12 GPG and 3 GAA, Wayne State will only get better as the season progresses. With an undefeated season within reach, it will be up to the Midwest teams to catch them on the bounce back as Saginaw Valley, Lawrence Tech, and Findlay wil l play them again. If Wayne State can secure the #1 North seed, they will likely face Eastern Kentucky in the Midwest Conference Championships with the winners facing the winner of #1 Cincinnati vs. North #2 Seed.

 

             

Others Considered: EKU, Marshall, Stevens, Drexel, Temple, Penn College, Lock Haven, ODU, VCU, NYU, New Paltz, TCNJ, Georgetown, Robert Morris, Franklin & Marshall, Saginaw Valley, Shippensburg, Buffalo State, Middle Tennessee State