Way too early 2025 top 5

[Laxitup21]

1. Maryland: they return a ton. Almost everyone. Ajax is a big loss but they have hauled in some MIAA five stars on D over the years who are ready. Return the entire O and FO.

2. Princeton: return the entire O and have recruited really well. Goalie play will be a question mark.

3. Cornell: return almost all

4. Notre Dame: unless proven otherwise, they’re here for the long haul. C Kav, Lyght, lynch, riccardelli, etc. pretty solid nucleus coming back.

5. Syracuse: they lose two LSM, goalie, Stevens, some middle depth etc. great core with two attackmen and Two d men but lacking depth compared to other programs. Should be a contender next year.

[HopFan16]

Don't disagree that Maryland should be top 5 — Tillman has earned the benefit of the doubt — but they lose a lot more than just Ajax. Wierman, Koras, Maltz, Sharkey, Siracusa, Alviti, and a few others are gone too. Losing Wierman alone will probably force them to change the way they play unless the next FOGO up is just as dominant (unlikely).

It is going to be wide open next year. So many teams lose key pieces.

[BigTurn]

I like Cornells odds a lot. Think UNC will also make a resurgence.

Still not sold on cuse, especially if English does not return. Him and Stevens made that offense go, and Mark covered up a lot. This years team went as Mark went. McCool is highly touted but also got lit up by Duke when Mark got pulled.

[JerrysWorld]

1. Maryland: they return a ton. Almost everyone. Ajax is a big loss but they have hauled in some MIAA five stars on D over the years who are ready. Return the entire O and FO.

2. Princeton: return the entire O and have recruited really well. Goalie play will be a question mark.

3. Cornell: return almost all

4. Notre Dame: unless proven otherwise, they’re here for the long haul. C Kav, Lyght, lynch, riccardelli, etc. pretty solid nucleus coming back.

5. Syracuse: they lose two LSM, goalie, Stevens, some middle depth etc. great core with two attackmen and Two d men but lacking depth compared to other programs. Should be a contender next year.

I am a Maryland fan, and even I think preseason #1 will be a stretch. We lose Wierman, Ajax, and 3 of the top 6 on offense. That is pretty significant. Although they do have Spanos, Erksa, Malever plus some rumors of some good upgrades from the portal.

[Wheels]

I'd be shocked if Syracuse doesn't start in the poll position (that is, unless the customary "last year's winner starts atop the board regardless of losses" occurs).

1) 2024 Natty Winner
2) Cuse
3) Princeton
4) Cornell
5) 2024 Natty Runner-Up

The reinforcement UNC brings in through the portal probably make them a Top 10 preseason pick. Despite the graduation losses, UVA and Duke will be fringe Top 5 teams. Hopkins will be preseason top 10.

I'm sure we could all name the 10 teams right now who will be in the preseason top 10. I've named 9 in this post. Denver is probably the 10th.

[Laxitup21]

I’d actually swap UVA and Cuse or UNC and Cuse. Agreed the Princeton middies made them go.

I think people will really sleep on ND.

Duke is solid but attack is a major issue.

[Farfromgeneva]

For non easy to toss around names Pton and my sleeper Albany look interesting

[NeOhLaxFan]

I’d actually swap UVA and Cuse or UNC and Cuse. Agreed the Princeton middies made them go.

I think people will really sleep on ND.

Duke is solid but attack is a major issue.

I think a lot of folks also don’t realize that Jake Taylor will be back for ND next season along with the younger Kav. Defense and FO will be strong. Breaking in a new goalie will be tough to replace Liam. Definitely a top 5 preseason

[DocBarrister]

Lots of teams losing their “franchise players,” so it will be a new world next season.

In general, the teams that make significant adjustments to their markedly different rosters will be the ones that succeed.

The teams that try to fit round pegs into square holes … they are going to struggle a bit more as they try to “replace” their departed square pegs.

Next season will be a great opportunity for some mid-majors to make some noise.

DocBarrister

[The Orfling]

I’d actually swap UVA and Cuse or UNC and Cuse. Agreed the Princeton middies made them go.

I think people will really sleep on ND.

Duke is solid but attack is a major issue.

I would include ND in the top 5 to start, and then it will remain to be seen how things will shake out. (I've edited to reflect Jake Taylor returning -- I guess he is getting an injury redshirt for 2021?)

They are losing a LOT with 5 high impact graduate students departing (P. Kavanaugh, Entenmann, Conlin, Gray, McLane) and 3 high impact seniors (Dobson, Burgmaster, Parlette); collectively that represents 3 of their top 6 scorers; a starting attackman who is a double Tewaaraton finalist; 3 of the top offensive midfielders; 2 starting poles; one of their top 2 ssdms; most of the participants on the best EMO unit in memory; and arguably the best goalie in the nation on any given day. (And by the way, having this many 4 and 5 year guys in their line-up helps explain the two year dominant run by the Irish).

ND still has tons of talent, including some stars/superstars (I'd include Chris Kavanaugh and Jake Taylor on attack; Will Lynch at FOGO; Ben Ramsey at ssdm; and Sean Lyght at pole -- and maybe Jordan Faison if his football career allows it). They are such a desirable destination right now that they can probably bolster a few key position groups (goalie, attack, close D) with transfers (not just the grad transfers which are getting thinner on the ground, but underclassmen coming over from mid-majors -- like Will Mark going to Syracuse or Russell Melendez going to Hop).

If a few key questions get answered (like goalie), ND could be back to Memorial Day. But it might be a Maryland 2024-like journey where they are learning over the course of the season to pull it all together.

[Farfromgeneva]

I’d actually swap UVA and Cuse or UNC and Cuse. Agreed the Princeton middies made them go.

I think people will really sleep on ND.

Duke is solid but attack is a major issue.

I would include ND in the top 5 to start, and then it will remain to be seen how things will shake out.

They are losing a LOT with 6 high impact graduate students departing (P. Kavanaugh, Entenmann, Conlin,Taylor, Gray, McLane) and 3 high impact seniors (Dobson, Burgmaster, Parlette); collectively that represents 3 of their top 5 scorers; 2 out of 3 starting attackmen (one of whom is a double Tewaaraton finalist); 3 of the top offensive midfielders; 2 starting poles; one of their top 2 ssdms; most of the participants on the best EMO unit in memory; and arguably the best goalie in the nation on any given day. (And by the way, having this many 4 and 5 year guys in their line-up helps explain the two year dominant run by the Irish).

ND still has tons of talent, including some stars/superstars (I'd include Chris Kavanaugh on attack; Will Lynch at FOGO; Ben Ramsey at ssdm; and Sean Lyght at pole -- and maybe Jordan Faison if his football career allows it). They are such a desirable destination right now that they can probably bolster a few key position groups (goalie, attack, close D) with transfers (not just the grad transfers which are getting thinner on the ground, but underclassmen coming over from mid-majors -- like Will Mark going to Syracuse or Russell Melendez going to Hop).

If a few key questions get answered (like goalie), ND could be back to Memorial Day. But it might be a Maryland 2024-like journey where they are learning over the course of the season to pull it all together.

And keep in mind mark left when his coach bounced.

[Dip&Dunk]

1. MD. See no one preseason better positioned. Gotta include the coach in this ranking.
2. Princeton. No fan of the ivies but best returning group of a good ‘24 team.
3. JHU. As a USNA Grad, pisses me off but trend is undeniable. Yes they have losses but that may not be bad.
4. ND. This will be the team that may start slow, re-establish chemistry and then dominate but show me first.
5. UVA. Lars may have to coach and create an identity other than throw Uber talented players on the field. Maybe he may rethink the basketball team on defense approach too as his long pole bench is non existent with talent. Also weak at single point of failure positions (FO/G)

Others:
Army: welcome back to reality post COVID
DU: is the lightning still in the bottle or did it just graduate?
CU: speaking of graduation…..
Utah: see above
Duke: say didn’t you used to be Duke?
Mich: well you had ‘24
UNC: closer to club team than top 5
Sleeper: GU losses but consistent strong play indicating strong coaching/culture

[jhu06]

This syracuse core hasn't shown anything. Next.

[DocBarrister]

1. MD. See no one preseason better positioned. Gotta include the coach in this ranking.
2. Princeton. No fan of the ivies but best returning group of a good ‘24 team.
3. JHU. As a USNA Grad, pisses me off but trend is undeniable. Yes they have losses but that may not be bad.
4. ND. This will be the team that may start slow, re-establish chemistry and then dominate but show me first.
5. UVA. Lars may have to coach and create an identity other than throw Uber talented players on the field. Maybe he may rethink the basketball team on defense approach too as his long pole bench is non existent with talent. Also weak at single point of failure positions (FO/G)

Others:
Army: welcome back to reality post COVID
DU: is the lightning still in the bottle or did it just graduate?
CU: speaking of graduation…..
Utah: see above
Duke: say didn’t you used to be Duke?
Mich: well you had ‘24
UNC: closer to club team than top 5
Sleeper: GU losses but consistent strong play indicating strong coaching/culture

Blue Jays lose key contributors all over the field, including their top two offensive players, top FO specialist, starting close defender, best SSDM, starting goalie, etc. ….

Hopkins will still have lots of talent. Very good recruiting class coming in with at least a couple of players likely to contribute right away. Some much needed transfers to bolster, maybe even lead the SSDM crew.

But it will be a rebuilding year. Certain players, like Collison, will need to play a much bigger role if this team is going to win.

A return to the quarterfinals will be a challenge, but certainly in the realm of possibility. I do not see Hopkins as top five, or even top ten, at the beginning of the season.

DocBarrister

[Laxter]

I’d actually swap UVA and Cuse or UNC and Cuse. Agreed the Princeton middies made them go.

Hate to say it, but the Hoos are borderline top 15 next year and will struggle to make the tourney IMO. Poor coaching and midfield recruiting were exposed, and the roster will be gutted from graduation. This program is likely going into a mini rebuild and some major changes may be needed.

[The Orfling]

I also think Yale has top 10 upside for next year -- they should have a very good offense (Leo Johnson and Chris Lyons returning from injury along with a lot of strong, fast midfielders); they have the potential for strong FOGO play if Rodriguez is 100% after a late-season injury); and they have some good players at LSM (led by Jack Stuzin) and close defense (led by Patrick Pisano).

BUT question marks abound on the other side of the ball: in goal (sub 50% this past season); at ssdm (3 out of top 4 shorties graduated); and in a scheme/approach that has led to a confoundingly weak team defense for three straight years. This means Yale may come into the season seen more as a team in the #15 - #20 range battling it out for #3-#4 in the Ivy League.

[Typical Lax Dad]

I also think Yale has top 10 upside for next year -- they should have a very good offense (Leo Johnson and Chris Lyons returning from injury along with a lot of strong, fast midfielders); they have the potential for strong FOGO play if Rodriguez is 100% after a late-season injury); and they have some good players at LSM (led by Jack Stuzin) and close defense (led by Patrick Pisano).

BUT question marks abound on the other side of the ball: in goal (sub 50% this past season); at ssdm (3 out of top 4 shorties graduated); and in a scheme/approach that has led to a confoundingly weak team defense for three straight years. This means Yale may come into the season seen more as a team in the #15 - #20 range battling it out for #3-#4 in the Ivy League.

Princeton and Yale should be at the top of the league next Spring.

[coda]

I also think Yale has top 10 upside for next year -- they should have a very good offense (Leo Johnson and Chris Lyons returning from injury along with a lot of strong, fast midfielders); they have the potential for strong FOGO play if Rodriguez is 100% after a late-season injury); and they have some good players at LSM (led by Jack Stuzin) and close defense (led by Patrick Pisano).

BUT question marks abound on the other side of the ball: in goal (sub 50% this past season); at ssdm (3 out of top 4 shorties graduated); and in a scheme/approach that has led to a confoundingly weak team defense for three straight years. This means Yale may come into the season seen more as a team in the #15 - #20 range battling it out for #3-#4 in the Ivy League.

I have Yale on ignore, until they improve that defense. Offense will be good, but can they stop anyone?

[jrn19]

I'm not sure one can really have confidence in any order going into next year

Notre Dame will likely be Top 5 based off the last couple years and they still do have a good amount of talent.

Maryland will be in there because they'll get the benefit of the doubt after this past year and Tillman's history

Princeton, Cuse, Cornell, UNC have the most returning but most/all of Princeton's guys from the 2022 Final Four team are gone, Cuse hasn't yet broken through to a Final Four, Cornell has to figure out that defense, and UNC has to prove it before they get that ranking

I'll guess ND, Maryland, Princeton, Cuse, and UVA; who with 4 Final Fours in the last 5 years has also earned a good amount of benefit of doubt

[HopFan16]

UNC doesn't belong anywhere near the top 5. They have a lot returning, yes, but they're returning from a team that hasn't been any good in three years. Their rising junior and senior classes have been complete duds. Not seeing a ton of experienced, proven veteran leadership on that team so while their rising soph class is quite talented, that's still a lot of weight on their shoulders. And it's not like they're losing nothing either — McGovern, Tyerar, Geppert, etc. are nontrivial losses. No one is going to be surprised if they're better next year and perhaps back in the playoff mix, but they shouldn't sniff the top 5 or frankly the top 10 just because they have a few promising freshmen returning from a team that stunk. I'm good with them around 12-15.