This off-season saw a lot of top players in the game graduate, and we might see a lot of opportunity for the top spots to be swept up by unexpected teams who are young and hungry. We have also seen a couple key transfers – some of which brought some great players to powerhouse squads looking to fill new roster vacancies. This will definitely be an exciting season and we can’t wait to tap in and see the results. Here’s how we see this 2023 season panning out:
1. UNC Tar Heels
This might be a square pick, being that UNC is coming off of a championship season and are looking to defend, but it’s also interesting because they lost two of their leading players in Jamie Ortega and Scottie Rose Growney. Howerver, they were able to bring back Wurzberger, and with another year of experience under her belt and an elite ability to facilitate on offense, filling that leadership role may not be an issue. In addition, UNC acquired 2 massive transfers in Lauren Figura and Sophie Student. Figura took an underrated St. Joseph’s squad to an impressive tournament berth, and she is expected to make an immediate impact. Student is an absolute grinder everywhere on the field, transferring to the defending champs after putting up an impressive 50 points, 80 draw controls, 19 caused turnovers and 32 groundballs at Virginia Tech. Led by the incredible Jenny Levy; we see this team as a favorite to repeat.
2. Maryland Terrapins
It just goes without saying – defense wins championships. Maryland may have already had the best defensive core in the game held down by Emily Sterling and Abby Bosco. In addition to them returning, Maryland went out and grabbed Marge Donovan from the Princeton Tigers. Donovan was the Ivy League Defender of the Year last year, and holds multiple records in Princeton’s books. On the other side of the ball, the loss of Aurora Cordingley is not ideal for anyone, and her 118 points will be difficult to replace, but we expect players like Libby May and Hannah Leubecker to step up and collectively provide an offensive efficiency that will carry this squad to a lot of Ws.
3. Florida Gators
This might be a surprise to some, but Florida ranked at 3 is our pre-season hot take. Not only are we poised to see the return of Danielle Pavinelli and Emma LoPinto, but they will now be joined – or more accurately put, led – by Tayler Warehime. Warehime transferred from the title defending Tar Heels and was immediately named a captain. She brings an elite finishing ability to an already high powered offense. Another acquisition that we think people may be overlooking is Madison Waters. A young player who gained another year of experience at USC is poised for a breakout season with elite-level potential. We can’t see many squads out there who will be able to defend this unit, and we’re excited to see what this Gator squad brings to the table.
4. Boston College Eagles
The biggest story here unfortunately is what Boston College lost in Charlotte North – arguably the best women’s lacrosse player to ever do it. 92 goals in the 2022 season will never be an easy task to replicate, but if anyone can do it, it is the likes of Jenn Medjid and Belle Smith. Two fierce competitors who were a high powered support system for North and will now have the opportunity to step up and have more of the spotlight for themselves. We’re excited for these two who are already at the top of the game and ready to take it to the next level. Don’t be surprised if we see this BC team in the Championship game again.
5. Syracuse Orange
Even 5 is probably too low for this Orange squad to be completely honest. They are returning a lot of fire after a successful season. They are bringing back 3 out of 4 of their top scorers, including Meaghan Tyrrell, who put up 111 points last season. Together, Meaghan Tyrrell, her sister Emma Tyrrell and Megan Carney combined for 199 points. They will miss Emily Hawryschuk, but they have plenty of talent to be equally, if not more efficient on the offensive side of the field than last year where they saw a quarter finals loss to Northwestern. They are going to come back this year with a hunger and competitive spirit that not many other teams will be ready for.
6. Duke Blue Devils
Another ACC powerhouse, we expect Duke to have a better season than most are probably expecting. Katie DeSimone is a scoring machine and is returning with another year of experience. DeSimone and Olivia Carner should lead this offense to another high powered season despite the loss of Barry Catriona. Cubby Biscardi will be returning on the defensive end after a season with 42 caused turnovers and 24 ground balls, and Sophia LeRose will be back to hold down the cage. This team might shock the world and make a deep run toward a championship.
7. Northwestern Wildcats
We have Northwestern falling a bit in the rankings compared to last season. This is mostly because they lose both Lauren Gilbert and Jill Girardi, who combined for 168 points. That is an insane amount of efficiency to have to replace coming into this season. Erin Coykendall will still be there to lead the way coming off a massive 82 point season, and Elle Hansen will have to step into a leadership role and be a next-level player, which she is more than capable of doing. One thing we can say for sure, this team will be well-coached and disciplined under Kelly Amonte Hiller.
8. Loyola Maryland Greyhounds
Another team that we see falling below last season’s performance. Livy Rosenzwig and Sam Fiedler won’t be seen on the field with this squad, which leaves a vacancy of 105 goals and 80 assists. Once again, that is a lot of efficiency to have to replicate on offense. Georgia Latch and Jillian Wilson should be able to lead this team to a successful season, but we are not convinced they will show up in the quarter finals again, and we can even see them possibly falling out of the top 10.
9. Stony Brook Seawolves
Ellie Masera, Kailyn Hart, Jaden Hampel. What a core 3 to have the luxury of bringing back coming off of a quarter finals loss to UNC. This Seawolves squad is poised to be an electrifying offense and really bring the heat this 2023 season. They are a true dark horse, and 9 might be too low of a ranking, but there is a lot of competition on this board. We would not be slightly surprised if they outperformed this ranking, and made legitimate strides at contention.
10. Virginia Cavaliers
This might be sort of a surprise to some people, being that the Lady Cavs entered the tournament unranked and suffered a devastating 24-2 loss to UNC in the second round. The difference we see in this squad coming into this year is how they went out and fortified their defense. Acquiring Annika Meyer from John’s Hopkins and Kacy Hogarth from Maryland should help take care of the defensive end of the field and take some pressure off of the offense to have to will this squad to victory. They have a long way to go to get to the chip, but it is not totally out of the question.
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