Preseason Top 20

[Dr. Tact]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

[Laxfan500]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

5,6,7??? Huh?

[laxer12]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

Stony Brook as #5 makes sense because of how they finished last season. Everyone else after that... not so much.

[Bart]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

Stony Brook as #5 makes sense because of how they finished last season. Everyone else after that... not so much.

Why? I think after 1-4 is is pretty evenly nebulous. One could even question #3 with the loss of their best player and #4 with their total rebuild of the defense and untested players recovering (I hope) from injury.

I would agree with the good Dr.....1-4 then all others receiving votes.

[laxer12]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

Stony Brook as #5 makes sense because of how they finished last season. Everyone else after that... not so much.

Why? I think after 1-4 is is pretty evenly nebulous. One could even question #3 with the loss of their best player and #4 with their total rebuild of the defense and untested players recovering (I hope) from injury.

I would agree with the good Dr.....1-4 then all others receiving votes.

I'm sorry, are you really questioning Syracuse being placed at #3? Insinuating that anyone else could or should be placed there in lieu of Cuse? What other teams, besides UNC and BC, have a valid case for being better than SU?

The almost entire replacement of their starting defensive unit is definitely cause for question and possible concern. However, they have a first team All-American defender returning, as well as all of their starting midfielders and 2nd line middies. I'm sure some of the middies could move to defense full time if that becomes necessary ( although I don't think it will be).

As far as the offense goes, they already proved how potent they were -- even without Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney. However, I expect both of them to have made full recoveries by the beginning of the season and that they'll be better than ever. Meaghan Tyrrell is one of the most polished, high lax IQ, complete attackers I have ever seen. Both Emmas had breakout years in their first full seasons respectively as college lax players. I expect them both to be very dominant this upcoming season. I've also heard that a certain incoming freshman attacker from Florida is quite good.

Needless to say, I think Syracuse is going to be just fine.

[Bart]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

Stony Brook as #5 makes sense because of how they finished last season. Everyone else after that... not so much.

Why? I think after 1-4 is is pretty evenly nebulous. One could even question #3 with the loss of their best player and #4 with their total rebuild of the defense and untested players recovering (I hope) from injury.

I would agree with the good Dr.....1-4 then all others receiving votes.

I'm sorry, are you really questioning Syracuse being placed at #3? Insinuating that anyone else could or should be placed there in lieu of Cuse? What other teams, besides UNC and BC, have a valid case for being better than SU?

The almost entire replacement of their starting defensive unit is definitely cause for question and possible concern. However, they have a first team All-American defender returning, as well as all of their starting midfielders and 2nd line middies. I'm sure some of the middies could move to defense full time if that becomes necessary ( although I don't think it will be).

As far as the offense goes, they already proved how potent they were -- even without Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney. However, I expect both of them to have made full recoveries by the beginning of the season and that they'll be better than ever. Meaghan Tyrrell is one of the most polished, high lax IQ, complete attackers I have ever seen. Both Emmas had breakout years in their first full seasons respectively as college lax players. I expect them both to be very dominant this upcoming season. I've also heard that a certain incoming freshman attacker from Florida is quite good.

Needless to say, I think Syracuse is going to be just fine.

First, I had NW as #3 in my. mind so that is on me But yet...even with those back they could face much uncertainty. Whom would I put in #3 instead of them? No one. Same with NW at #4.

You have faith in your team. That is great. You will probably be right in the end. But I can see early season issues with the defense and that could muddy the waters. They lost most of the starting d people including most of your caused turnovers. You lost a goalie that started how many games? Not to mention one of your defensive players lead the team in DC's on a unit that was just under 54%. There could be some growing pains early. But yes, I would not have anyone else at #3.

I did say that I agreed with the good Dr. that 1-4 were solid good and that after that it is all others receiving votes.

[Kleizaster]

I think the poll is pretty spot on. SU and NW can swap being #3 and #4 either way all pretty close. Do we think that BC will actually be better this year than last? on paper, yes..but there was something magical about that run last year and the hunger they had. What key players did they lose from last year?

[8meterPA]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

Agreed - however with Izzy not playing this year, I think odds are that someone else will replace NW as the #4 team...or is it just the top 3 and then everyone else?

Also, I bleed blue & white and it's amazing just how far and how quickly PSU has fallen in the last couple of years. They are literally an afterthought in the BIG. They also didn't garner 1 kid in the preseason all-americans either, not even an honorable mention. And this on the heals of the "#1" recruiting class a few years ago.

[laxer12]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

Stony Brook as #5 makes sense because of how they finished last season. Everyone else after that... not so much.

Why? I think after 1-4 is is pretty evenly nebulous. One could even question #3 with the loss of their best player and #4 with their total rebuild of the defense and untested players recovering (I hope) from injury.

I would agree with the good Dr.....1-4 then all others receiving votes.

I'm sorry, are you really questioning Syracuse being placed at #3? Insinuating that anyone else could or should be placed there in lieu of Cuse? What other teams, besides UNC and BC, have a valid case for being better than SU?

The almost entire replacement of their starting defensive unit is definitely cause for question and possible concern. However, they have a first team All-American defender returning, as well as all of their starting midfielders and 2nd line middies. I'm sure some of the middies could move to defense full time if that becomes necessary ( although I don't think it will be).

As far as the offense goes, they already proved how potent they were -- even without Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney. However, I expect both of them to have made full recoveries by the beginning of the season and that they'll be better than ever. Meaghan Tyrrell is one of the most polished, high lax IQ, complete attackers I have ever seen. Both Emmas had breakout years in their first full seasons respectively as college lax players. I expect them both to be very dominant this upcoming season. I've also heard that a certain incoming freshman attacker from Florida is quite good.

Needless to say, I think Syracuse is going to be just fine.

First, I had NW as #3 in my. mind so that is on me But yet...even with those back they could face much uncertainty. Whom would I put in #3 instead of them? No one. Same with NW at #4.

You have faith in your team. That is great. You will probably be right in the end. But I can see early season issues with the defense and that could muddy the waters. They lost most of the starting d people including most of your caused turnovers. You lost a goalie that started how many games? Not to mention one of your defensive players lead the team in DC's on a unit that was just under 54%. There could be some growing pains early. But yes, I would not have anyone else at #3.

I did say that I agreed with the good Dr. that 1-4 were solid good and that after that it is all others receiving votes.

I really don't know how you could put Northwestern over Syracuse -- especially now that it's known Izzy Scane will unfortunately miss the '22 season. She is absolutely phenomenal and probably more important to her team than any other player for their respective team.

Syracuse definitely could've been a little bit better on draws last season, but by no means were they mediocre. Losing Simkins is a big loss there. However, Emma Tyrrell really came on strong on the draw circle as the season went on. I absolutely love how scrappy, skilled, and fast she is when competing for 50/50 balls. Also, Katelyn Mashewske proved at times to be quite the dominant draw specialist. And then of course Hawryschuk will be back as well; I can still remember when she snagged 13 draw controls back in 2019 against BC.

Hannah Van Middelem was the top incoming goalkeeper of her class back in 2017. She had a pretty good freshman season in 2018 but was then injured in 2019 and obviously 2020 was a wash. She should've gotten more playing time in 2021, especially as Goldstock struggled in a number of games as the year went on. Middelem is quite good and I would be very surprised if she is not the starting goalkeeper come February.

[Bart]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

Stony Brook as #5 makes sense because of how they finished last season. Everyone else after that... not so much.

Why? I think after 1-4 is is pretty evenly nebulous. One could even question #3 with the loss of their best player and #4 with their total rebuild of the defense and untested players recovering (I hope) from injury.

I would agree with the good Dr.....1-4 then all others receiving votes.

I'm sorry, are you really questioning Syracuse being placed at #3? Insinuating that anyone else could or should be placed there in lieu of Cuse? What other teams, besides UNC and BC, have a valid case for being better than SU?

The almost entire replacement of their starting defensive unit is definitely cause for question and possible concern. However, they have a first team All-American defender returning, as well as all of their starting midfielders and 2nd line middies. I'm sure some of the middies could move to defense full time if that becomes necessary ( although I don't think it will be).

As far as the offense goes, they already proved how potent they were -- even without Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney. However, I expect both of them to have made full recoveries by the beginning of the season and that they'll be better than ever. Meaghan Tyrrell is one of the most polished, high lax IQ, complete attackers I have ever seen. Both Emmas had breakout years in their first full seasons respectively as college lax players. I expect them both to be very dominant this upcoming season. I've also heard that a certain incoming freshman attacker from Florida is quite good.

Needless to say, I think Syracuse is going to be just fine.

First, I had NW as #3 in my. mind so that is on me But yet...even with those back they could face much uncertainty. Whom would I put in #3 instead of them? No one. Same with NW at #4.

You have faith in your team. That is great. You will probably be right in the end. But I can see early season issues with the defense and that could muddy the waters. They lost most of the starting d people including most of your caused turnovers. You lost a goalie that started how many games? Not to mention one of your defensive players lead the team in DC's on a unit that was just under 54%. There could be some growing pains early. But yes, I would not have anyone else at #3.

I did say that I agreed with the good Dr. that 1-4 were solid good and that after that it is all others receiving votes.

I really don't know how you could put Northwestern over Syracuse -- especially now that it's known Izzy Scane will unfortunately miss the '22 season. She is absolutely phenomenal and probably more important to her team than any other player for their respective team.

Syracuse definitely could've been a little bit better on draws last season, but by no means were they mediocre. Losing Simkins is a big loss there. However, Emma Tyrrell really came on strong on the draw circle as the season went on. I absolutely love how scrappy, skilled, and fast she is when competing for 50/50 balls. Also, Katelyn Mashewske proved at times to be quite the dominant draw specialist. And then of course Hawryschuk will be back as well; I can still remember when she snagged 13 draw controls back in 2019 against BC.

Hannah Van Middelem was the top incoming goalkeeper of her class back in 2017. She had a pretty good freshman season in 2018 but was then injured in 2019 and obviously 2020 was a wash. She should've gotten more playing time in 2021, especially as Goldstock struggled in a number of games as the year went on. Middelem is quite good and I would be very surprised if she is not the starting goalkeeper come February.

Hey, they are your team. Good on ya. Stick with it. I see potential holes and you see opportunities. That is just fine. I do think Syr will be back in the mix by the end and will be very, very good.

[seacoaster]

I don't see SBU as a top five team this year.

[8meterPA]

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... son-top-20

The habitual love for the 5-10 teams surprises me every year.

They should just do top 4 and everyone else getting votes

Stony Brook as #5 makes sense because of how they finished last season. Everyone else after that... not so much.

Why? I think after 1-4 is is pretty evenly nebulous. One could even question #3 with the loss of their best player and #4 with their total rebuild of the defense and untested players recovering (I hope) from injury.

I would agree with the good Dr.....1-4 then all others receiving votes.

I'm sorry, are you really questioning Syracuse being placed at #3? Insinuating that anyone else could or should be placed there in lieu of Cuse? What other teams, besides UNC and BC, have a valid case for being better than SU?

The almost entire replacement of their starting defensive unit is definitely cause for question and possible concern. However, they have a first team All-American defender returning, as well as all of their starting midfielders and 2nd line middies. I'm sure some of the middies could move to defense full time if that becomes necessary ( although I don't think it will be).

As far as the offense goes, they already proved how potent they were -- even without Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney. However, I expect both of them to have made full recoveries by the beginning of the season and that they'll be better than ever. Meaghan Tyrrell is one of the most polished, high lax IQ, complete attackers I have ever seen. Both Emmas had breakout years in their first full seasons respectively as college lax players. I expect them both to be very dominant this upcoming season. I've also heard that a certain incoming freshman attacker from Florida is quite good.

Needless to say, I think Syracuse is going to be just fine.

First, I had NW as #3 in my. mind so that is on me But yet...even with those back they could face much uncertainty. Whom would I put in #3 instead of them? No one. Same with NW at #4.

You have faith in your team. That is great. You will probably be right in the end. But I can see early season issues with the defense and that could muddy the waters. They lost most of the starting d people including most of your caused turnovers. You lost a goalie that started how many games? Not to mention one of your defensive players lead the team in DC's on a unit that was just under 54%. There could be some growing pains early. But yes, I would not have anyone else at #3.

I did say that I agreed with the good Dr. that 1-4 were solid good and that after that it is all others receiving votes.

I really don't know how you could put Northwestern over Syracuse -- especially now that it's known Izzy Scane will unfortunately miss the '22 season. She is absolutely phenomenal and probably more important to her team than any other player for their respective team.

Syracuse definitely could've been a little bit better on draws last season, but by no means were they mediocre. Losing Simkins is a big loss there. However, Emma Tyrrell really came on strong on the draw circle as the season went on. I absolutely love how scrappy, skilled, and fast she is when competing for 50/50 balls. Also, Katelyn Mashewske proved at times to be quite the dominant draw specialist. And then of course Hawryschuk will be back as well; I can still remember when she snagged 13 draw controls back in 2019 against BC.

Hannah Van Middelem was the top incoming goalkeeper of her class back in 2017. She had a pretty good freshman season in 2018 but was then injured in 2019 and obviously 2020 was a wash. She should've gotten more playing time in 2021, especially as Goldstock struggled in a number of games as the year went on. Middelem is quite good and I would be very surprised if she is not the starting goalkeeper come February.

Hey, they are your team. Good on ya. Stick with it. I see potential holes and you see opportunities. That is just fine. I do think Syr will be back in the mix by the end and will be very, very good.

If EH is close to where she was pre-injury, I think it's a toss up between BC, UNC and SYR. No one else is in the discussion, imo.

[Lax101]

I think there is about a 90 percent chance that one of those 3 teams wins it all. It takes 3 tough games in a row to be the best of the best.

[seacoaster]

I think Northwestern will be better than a lot of folks think. And it pains me to say it.

[Dr. Tact]

I think Northwestern will be better than a lot of folks think. And it pains me to say it.

I think there is about a 90 percent chance that one of those 3 teams wins it all. It takes 3 tough games in a row to be the best of the best.

I agree, there are 3/4 teams that are far and away the favorites. Their only losses should come amongst themselves.

[Fischer]

How on earth does Stony Brook get the number five spot? Of their 16 wins last season there was absolutely nobody that was a challenging game. Like they did not beat anybody that warrants a number five spot?

[Lax101]

SB lost a few very key players. They have to take a step back this year. Lost their QB and their best overall player. Think they fall out of the top 10. Have they released their 2022 schedule?

[seacoaster]

I think Northwestern will be better than a lot of folks think. And it pains me to say it.

I think there is about a 90 percent chance that one of those 3 teams wins it all. It takes 3 tough games in a row to be the best of the best.

I agree, there are 3/4 teams that are far and away the favorites. Their only losses should come amongst themselves.

The only teams back with everyone back in the top tier are UNC, BC and Loyola, as far as I can tell. BC doesn't lose anyone except Urbank, who gave them the grit they needed over the last season to mature, toughen up, and learn to win. They'll miss her, but not for long.

UNC will feel the loss to graduation of Hoeg less than another team losing a key player, because...UNC. They will still have a terrific defense and arguably the best goalie in the college game.

I cannot, off the top of my limited head, think of anyone Loyola lost to graduation (Doc?). Fiedler should be back from her injury at the end of last season (Doc?) and if this team can find some mojo and play better defense than last year (Doc?), they should be a last weekend in May kind of team (Doc?).

Syracuse has to rebuild their defense and acclimatize to a new coaching regime. Northwestern lost not only Scane, but McKone, who was more important to them than maybe anyone really understood. Both SU and NU nonetheless have enormous firepower and will still score 16 to 18 a game. Dwyer is back for NU, right? If so, that provides them with...the ball a lot.

I think Penn will be a better team than the 20th slot that these gurus suggest.

My top five, FWIW, would be this:

BC
UNC
NU
SU
Loyola

[DMac]

Here's a top twenty question.
Surely some here have torn ACL experience whether with special/precious/inestimable daughter, or personally.
I get that the healing and rehab will vary but in general how long is it before you're confident in that leg 100%
and not playing with it in your head? Rob Pannell was well into his final year's season (he was kind of like a red shirt senior..
seeking 1313 ) when he said he wasn't playing with his foot in his head after breaking it the year before.

[TNLAX]

Since Duke is a preseason Top 10 team, figured this was as good place as any to post this question: Has anyone heard what the girls (players) will be doing about going back to school? I just heard on NBC nightly news that Duke is starting the semester with "virtual" learning, students not returning to campus at the normal time. No time table was discussed on the newscast, but I know teams start practice real soon after returning in January.

Please don't inquire why I was watching NBC news.