What an electrifying season it has been so far in Division 1 Lacrosse. It feels like the top spot in the country has been a hot potato, changing hands just about every week, and frankly, this is exactly the kind of season I love. Gone are the days when we could predict the top five teams early on and just cruise into Memorial Day weekend. While there’s still plenty of lacrosse left to play, the parity we’re seeing among the top 10 to 15 teams is thrilling. On any given day, anyone can clinch a win, creating an atmosphere of excitement for fans and, likely, a fair bit of stress for the coaches. But from a fan’s perspective, the unpredictable nature of this Division 1 Lacrosse season is what makes every game a must-watch. Let’s look at the revolving door of top teams in the country and where they currently stand.
Army
Let’s start with Army, currently the number one team, which is a position I doubt many had anticipated before the season started. It’s hard to predict if Army will maintain this spot by season’s end. Their competition in the Patriot League doesn’t quite stack up to the weekly battles faced by teams in the Big Ten, Ivy League, and especially the ACC. It might not come down to Army losing games; it’s just that a surging team from the ACC or Ivy League could overtake them, even if Army remains undefeated. Nonetheless, after their win against Syracuse, Army has made it clear they’re capable of beating any team in the country, affirming their status as America’s Team.
Notre Dame
The unexpected Notre Dame loss to Georgetown in overtime was a shocker. It seemed like Notre Dame was on a smooth path to enter ACC play undefeated. However, they’ve shown resilience by following up that loss with a dominant win over Maryland and a solid victory against Ohio State. It’s a reminder that Notre Dame, last year’s national champions, can’t be counted out based on a single loss. ACC play will indeed be intriguing moving forward.
Virginia
Virginia’s only loss came against a Johns Hopkins team that has stepped up to elite status. With dominant wins against Michigan, Richmond, and Ohio State, Virginia looked poised for greatness. However, a closer-than-expected game against Towson has raised some eyebrows. The upcoming game against Maryland will be a critical test. When Virginia is on their game, they look unbeatable, but that could be said for any team in the current top 10.
Duke
Duke has faced decent opponents, but their loss to Penn was unexpected. This loss highlighted the Ivy League’s competitive return. Duke’s upcoming ACC schedule will be a gauntlet, but they have every opportunity to prove themselves. How they fare in upcoming matches against Denver and Boston University will be telling of their true caliber this year.
Maryland
Maryland remains an enigma. Their season has featured close wins but recent performances against Notre Dame and Brown have left many questioning their consistency. Their upcoming clash with Virginia will be pivotal. Coach John Tillman is known for peaking at the right time, but this year’s Maryland team still has much to prove.
Syracuse
I’ve always had a complicated relationship with Syracuse, but their performance this season, including a win over Johns Hopkins, has started to shift my perspective. Their overtime loss to Army doesn’t look so bad now, and they’ve shown they can compete at the highest level. The real test for Syracuse will be sustaining this level of play through the ACC gauntlet.
Johns Hopkins
I’m betting on Johns Hopkins to finish in the top three nationally. Their season hasn’t been perfect, but with wins against Georgetown and Virginia, they’ve shown they belong. The Big Ten might be wide open this year, but Hopkins has a real shot at coming out on top, without any late surprises from Maryland.
Denver
Denver is a team that’s always fun to watch, and their close wins against Johns Hopkins and Cornell have solidified their place among the elite. However, a loss to Yale has many questioning the overall strength of Denver and how strong the Ivy League is this year. Denver’s upcoming games will be crucial in proving their worth.
Yale
Speaking of surprises, Yale’s win over Denver was a statement that the Ivy League is as competitive as ever. However, with a brutal schedule ahead, Yale’s place in the rankings is anything but secure. How they handle upcoming games, starting with Harvard, will be fascinating to watch.
This season of Division 1 Lacrosse is a testament to the sport’s unpredictability and the tight competition among the top teams. The excitement of not knowing who will come out on top each week is what makes this season one of the most captivating in recent memory.
