Virginia Cavaliers
You can’t start the list without the team who has yet to be de-throned. The Cavaliers are back to back champions, and have returned a lot of players. We have UNLTD athlete Matt Moore in his grad year, and Connor Shellenberger returning this year looking to dismantle opposing defenses. Shellenberger showcased his ability to take over games last year, and will help Matt Moore get his hands free to fire away. Petey LaSalla is another key player returning, as he gives the Cavs the confidence to know that they will be able to dominate possession by winning faceoffs, elevating their chances to beat anyone.
Duke Blue Devils
Duke is going to be scary this year, plain and simple. They do lose J.T. Giles Harris, Michael Sowers, and some other key players, but we don’t think they are going to miss a step. The Blue Devils are also returning a lot of their roster from last year. UNLTD athlete Joe Robertson, Nakeie Montgomery, Brennan O’Neill, Dyson Williams, and Aidan Danenza are all coming back with an extra year of experience, which is going to be dangerous for opposing defenses. To add to that, they have Andrew Macadorey and Jack Gray as well; two of the best midfielders in their class joining an already stacked offense is going to be exciting. Max Adler coming back is huge for their defense as well. Starting almost every game last year, Adler will be able to take control of the defense even more this year while serving as the last man standing between the ball and the net.
Maryland Terrapins
I think it goes without saying that the Terps were going to be on this list, they are the Alabama of college lacrosse. Each and every year you can make the argument that they are the best team in the nation. Coach Tillman always has his players fine-tuned and ready to play like superstars at all times. Wisnauskas and Bubba Fairman returning for their fifth years is huge for the Terps offensively. The Terps are bringing back a lot of their defenders, with their only big loss being the former B1G Ten Defensive Player of the Year Nick Grill. With the amount of vets returning, we think Maryland is going to get back to Memorial Day weekend and may even hold up that championship trophy.
North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels are a team on a mission this year. They did graduate a bunch of players this year, but they are going to still be a problem for teams. With UNLTD athlete Chris Gray quarterbacking this offense, anything can happen. They are also returning a lot of young players with endless talent. Nicky Solomon, who was 3rd in points last year, returns for his senior year, as well as Henry Schertzinger to give their midfield a veteran presence. The Tar Heels also just had two players selected to the USA U-21 team in Cole Herbert and Lance Tillman. Joining them will be Dewey Egan, the 14th ranked recruit in this class, to help energize this offense. Defensively, they aren’t missing much of a beat returning their stud goalie Collin Krieg. Keep an eye on the Heels as a sort of big-name-sleeper to make a run.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
We can all agree that the Irish were slept on going into the beginning of last year, but no one is sleeping on them this year (and if you are you shouldn’t be). Returning on offense is their star Pat Kavanagh, and on defense, Liam Entenmann. Getting Kavanagh and Entenmann back as just juniors is massive for Notre Dame, as they both earned All-America selections as just sophomores. Losing both faceoff men in Kyle Gallagher and Charles Leonard, as well as their enforcer on defense Jack Kielty will be tough losses to battle against, but Notre Dame has proven that they are able to create defensive monsters on the field and will be looking to do that again this year.
Georgetown Hoyas
The defending Big East champs are absolutely a team to look out for, just as they were last year. The Hoyas are a team that are willing to battle and do anything to get that W. The addition of Alex Trippi is going to be a nice for the Hoya offense, as well as Will Bowen on the defensive end. The midfield is certainly going to be the strength of the offense. Some key returners for the Hoyas are captain Declan McDermott, Graham Bundy Jr., Dylan Hess, and TJ Haley. Haley was able to feed his weapons and rack up assists all year, so it will be interesting to see the balance now that Carraway is out of the conversation.
Lehigh Mountain Hawks
Lehigh is going to be a dark horse team for many college lacrosse fans this year. Going 10-2 last year, the hawks have a very solid squad, and who they are returning can only get better with the experience they’ve gained. Lehigh has arguably one of the best faceoff men going into the 2022 season with Mike Sisselberger. Offensively, returning 6 out of their top 8 point scorers is huge. Already being comfortable playing with each other and building off of the chemistry that already exists is going to be a huge advantage for Lehigh. They do lose a lot on defense, but Anthony Tangredi coming back and being the anchor will help remedy that issue as they come into a new season.
Syracuse Orange
‘Cuse has probably been the most talked about team in the country this off-season. With Gary Gait taking over with Dave Pietramala and Pat March on the coaching staff, this year is going to be exciting. UNLTD athtlete Brendan Curry will be back this Spring for the Orange, and looking to be their go to guy. Another exciting player that is returning is Owen Hiltz, who many would say was the X-factor for the Orange last season. He is a versatile player who can excel off and on ball in order to create plays. Watch out for Tucker Dordevic too, he has deadly footwork that will make his defender look silly if they aren’t ready. This coaching staff leading the way for the Orange is going to be exciting to watch and see how well this Orange team can bounce back from 2021
