No surprise, the 2018 NCAA Division II women’s lacrosse season will begin the same way that it ended in 2017; with Adelphi on top. 

The defending NCAA champion Panthers are favored to repeat as national champions in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Women’s Preseason Top 20. And with just cause, as Adelphi has won three of the past four national titles and amassed an incredible record of 85-3 over the past four years.

But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Of note, the Panthers begin the 2018 campaign having lost six seniors from last year’s squad, including the program’s all-time leading scorer, Jacqueline Jahelka, and the NE10’s Defender of the Year, Ryley Weber. 

Fortunately, fourth-year coach Pat McCabe does have the luxury of three returning All-Americans in midfielder Michele Scannell, defender Shea Weber and attacker Alison Johnson to help lead the way.

Florida Southern, the 2016 champion and last year’s runner-up to Adelphi, is No. 2 in the rankings. Having joined the varsity ranks in 2012, the Mocs have made a meteoric rise to the top of the national scene. With the return of four All-Americans, including the Sunshine State Conference’s Player of the Year, Emily Santoli, FSC will be a strong title contender again in 2018.

Lindenwood, the last undefeated team in the nation in 2017, is No. 3. The Lions have made four straight NCAA semifinal appearances and are led by All-Americans Sophie Buelow, the team’s leading goal scorer, and goalie Rachel Ortell. 

Le Moyne, which welcomes back four of its top six scorers, is No.4, with Queens (N.C.) rounding out the top five.  

The rankings (below) were announced Wednesday. A more detailed preview will be appear as part of US Lacrosse Magazine’s NCAA preview edition that mails to US Lacrosse members Feb. 1.