Nov. 2, 2007

It was pretty clear, at least to me anyway, that the NCAA Division III women's selection committee was hell-bent on introducing new blood onto the largest stage. The D-3 final four has certainly featured many of the same suspects on a yearly basis, and by using some creative use of the '07 brackets the committee made sure this did not happen again.

To wit: a Roanoke team already closed up for the summer was tabbed over a deserving Colby team; The College of New Jersey received the most ridiculous draw in the history of tournament bracketing; perennial heavyweights Salisbury, Middlebury, Cortland and TCNJ were all somehow put on the same side of the bracket.

The committee got their wish as a first-time champion was crowned for just the second time in the last decade (although, to be fair, Franklin & Marshall was going to win it all no matter the seeding machinations).

Alas, despite the artificial assistance imbedded in last year's tournament, it has not impacted the Autumnal D-3 Women's Power Rankings. Rather, it's a familiar face selected as my pre-preseason pick to win it all in '08.

Before we get to the Top 20, there were a couple of teams who didn't make the cut. Regulars such as Dickinson, Nazareth and Colorado College lost far too much off last spring's roster to break through again and up-and-comers such as St. John Fisher, McDaniel and Montclair State couldn't sustain, either.

So without further ado, the Autumnal D-3 Women's Power Rankings:

20. Mary Washington (16-7) - NCAA Quarterfinals
The last team to make the cut was the hardest to select, as it should be, but the Eagles managed to sneak in. What almost kept them out was the graduation of five starters, including Meaghan O'Leary (109 points) and Kaitlyn Barker (91). Combine that with the 21-1 shellacking taken at the hands of F&M in the tourney and Mary Wash wasn't making me feel very good about their inclusion. Alas, I was swayed by the return of senior Caitlyn Erickson (72g, 25a) and an experienced defensive unit led by senior goalie Meredith Deitrick (10.16 GAA). I also dished out points because the Eagles typically play a decent schedule, including games Gettysburg, W&L and TCNJ last year.

19. Roanoke (15-4) - NCAA Second Round
The Maroons shouldn't have been included in the tournament last year, but I was impressed with how they handled themselves in the tourney and the coaching acumen of Mary Schwartz. I also like the fact `Noke scheduled the way a tournament-caliber team should, lining up Mary Washington, Salisbury and Gettysburg for the '08 season when they could have just rolled out patsies. Three starters graduate from last spring, including Chelsea Rankin's team-leading 55 points, but sophomore Brooks Laufman (46 points) and senior Amanda Hutchins (45) should help fill the void. Roanoke just may have enough to scare W&L atop the ODAC charts and earn an automatic bid.

18. Williams (6-8)
After flirting with national titles in 1998 and 2000, when the Ephs were runner-ups, Williams hasn't earned an NCAA tourney berth since '03 and has recorded two-straight sub-.500 marks in NESCAC play. While there are some holes to fill on offense, the Ephs need a better effort on the defensive end, especially in goal. Opponents scored on 55 percent of their shots and converted 22-of-29 free position shots - numbers that just won't hold up in a power conference. Whoever takes over in net will be protected by a relatively experienced backline that includes seniors Antonia Clark and Lauren Kennedy. If the defense can hold, Williams should return to prominence.

17. Wesleyan (8-6)
The Cardinals get lost in the NESCAC jungle every year, having never finished with fewer than six losses in the last 20 years. Yet Holly Wheeler might have the most experienced squad in the conference this spring with only three starters graduating. The entire defense, anchored by senior Beck Dorey-Stein and junior goalie Rachel Stemerman (8.72 GAA), returns along with most of the offense. The Cardinals will have to find a replacement for the playmaking ability of Cortney Tetrault (31a), but plenty of goals return. Wesleyan finished 5-4 in the conference, one of its better performances, including wins over Bowdoin, Tufts, and Colby along with a one-goal loss to Middlebury, which is something to build on.

16. Amherst (9-7)
You know there is a New World Order when the Lady Jeffs aren't even in the top 15. Chris Paradis' franchise is not only coming off a middling campaign, they lose seven starters, including senior assist machine Alyssa Briody (19g, 47a) and a slew of defenders. Junior Amy Craig (53g) brings enough punch to keep the Jeffs afloat at the beginning of the season and senior goalie Linda McEvoy (8.41 GAA) will provide a modicum of experience at the back. The NESCAC is not conducive to rebuilding so Amherst may have a rocky road returning to postseason play.

15. Union (10-5)
The Dutchwomen stumbled to start the season but finished strong - momentum that should carry over into '08. Union's attack should be just as balanced as last spring with senior Kerri Messa (35 points), junior Liz Zamore (33) and sophomore Allie Cuozzo (32) leading the way. Allie's older sister, senior Caitlin Cuozzo - the Dutchwomen's leading scorer in '06 - returns to anchor the midfield. Sophomore Melissa McDonald (7.42 GAA) proved worthy during her limited stints in goal and should give coach Jessica Critchlow a seamless transition. The Liberty League with three teams in the Top 15? Who'd have thunk it?

14. Washington & Lee (15-4) - NCAA Second Round
After nearly two decades the Jan Hathorn era has ended for the Generals women's lacrosse program with her promotion to the corner office as athletic director. It's now time for the Brooke Diamond era, and the rookie coach should have enough returners to stay among the nation's elite. Juniors Kelsi Robinson (67 points) and Colleen Evans (51) were the top two scorers for the Generals and senior goalie Sarah Tilbor brings her astounding 5.67 GAA back in '08. The ODAC, which W&L has won five-straight seasons, should again go through Lexington so expect Diamond's maiden voyage to be an enjoyable one.

13. Colby (12-5)
Any experience the White Mule players missed by their exclusion from last year's tourney will be compensated by the coaching acumen of Karen MacCrate Henning. Henning guided D-2 C.W. Post to the national championship last year and she'll try to adapt her teaching to the D-3 level. At her disposal will be junior Kate Sheridan (59 points) and senior Lauren Barrett (39) on the offensive end. Defensively, Colby will have to rebuild with the loss of starting goalie Catherine O'Brien (10.09 GAA) and stalwart backliner Liz Morbeck. Henning's influence may not be evident for a couple of seasons, but there is enough talent to battle with the conference's best.

12. Cortland (15-4) - NCAA Second Round
The trio that has kept the Red Dragons near the top of the heap for the past four years have finally moved on. Ali Bourgal (82 points), Jennifer Willis (78) and Andrea Venditti (76) graduate 61 percent of Cortland's offensive output, and that's just on the offensive end. Sophomore Deanne Abell will have lead this team from her goalie position and hope she can match her 4.76 GAA from '07. And while the Red Dragons rebuild, the rest of the SUNYAC takes another step closer. Don't be surprised if Cortland stumbles early, but they should be back in the dance come May.

11. Bowdoin (9-6)
Considering what they had returning, last year would have to be considered a disappointment for the Polar Bears. This year, however, the expectations may be lower after the graduation of some key cogs, but this edition may have more success. Senior midfielders Bobbi Dennison (33 points) and Lyndsey Colburn (30) should again pace the offense while junior Stephanie Collins-Finn returns an 8.51 GAA. If the NCAA committee again caps the number of bids for the NESCAC at two, it might be the Polar Bears who are squeezed out in the end.

10. Tufts (7-7)
This might be a stretch considering the Jumbos' success rate in conference play, but with just two starters and three seniors missing from last year's campaign Tufts should be ready to make the leap. Junior scorer Courtney Thomas (35g) and senior playmaker Sarah Williams (22a) will make the attack tick while the entire defense returns. Junior Gillian Kline (10.33 GAA) should benefit from another year of experience while the unit in front of her remains intact. The last year the Jumbos were relevant in the conference was 1995, so this it's about time for Carol Rappoli's squad to earn its first-ever NCAA bid.

9. William Smith (10-6)
This season could be a perfect storm for the Herons. William Smith is not only returning a stingy backline nearly intact but it has scheduled an unusually soft schedule with very few opponents that can outscore them. In addition, of the three toughest games on the slate, only the Hamilton game is on the road. Sophomore Molly Fitzgerald (31g, 11a) and senior Rachel Stahl (23, 11) will drive the offense, yet they will receive plenty of back-up from senior goalie Morgan Baird and her defensive cohorts. The conference had a pretty strong argument for a second team in '07. They'll get it this year spring.

8. Babson (15-3) - NCAA Second Round
There were two surprising stories from 2007 and the emergence of the Beavers as a legitimate power was one of them. Kully Reardon has nearly the entire line-up ready to go again this spring, with the only glaring hole coming between the pipes. Jennie Williams played every minute for the Beavers in goal, recording a 9.61 GAA, so this will be priority number one. This weakness could be offset by a quartet of 40+ goal-scorers, paced by Lindsay Bucci's 58 markers. Babson will also have a beefy schedule, making it unlikely the record will be as glossy, yet they'll be there in May.

7. Trinity (12-5) - NCAA Second Round
The second surprising storyline came from Hartford where Kate Livesay (née Perine) resurrected a Trinity program dormant for the past decade. The sledding will be considerably tougher this year with the bulls-eye planted on the Bantams' collective back, although there is still plenty of talent. Leading scorer C.J. Yanofsky (38g, 30a) returns for her senior campaign along with goalie Michelle Smith, who played every minute in goal. Sophomore coaching slumps in the NESCAC are common occurrences, but if Livesay can take care of business out of conference a repeat of last season's run is likely for the Bantams.

6. Middlebury (16-2) - NCAA Semifinals
Yes, much like Chip Rogers' weekly spring poll, theses power rankings are littered with NESCAC schools - eight of the 10 conference teams are represented - but none are able to crack the Top 5. Middlebury, as usually, is the standard bearer for the conference yet this was as high they could go. Considering the gaps left in Missy Foote's line-up, this might perch might even be too lofty. Five starters are gone, including conference player of the year Kim Walker and Claire Edelen (each 54-point scorers) along with a pair of key defenders in Natalie Shettle and Kate Perry. If ever there was a year the Panthers were finally going to finish other than first in the NESCAC, this is it.

5. Hamilton (16-3) - NCAA Quarterfinals
It's just my perception but I've always viewed the Continentals as a card-carrying member of the second tier. That should change for me, and the rest of D-3, this spring. If - and it's a big if - Kate Fowler or a freshman goalie can fill just one of the Kalley Greer's graduated shoes, Hamilton will be a legit semifinal squad. The scoring is not a problem with playmaking junior Kaillie Briscoe (45g, 41a) and gunning junior Nicole Tetreault (59g, 19a) back in the fold, and the midfield is chalk full of talented transition players like senior Jen McGowan (26 points) and junior Kate Marek (24 points, 19 CTs). Patty Kloidt usually schedules the best, so Hamilton will be battle-tested, as well.

4. Gettysburg (17-4) - NCAA Semifinals
After methodical improvement over the last six years, the Bullets finally made it to the finals in '06 and the semifinals in '07. And now they have to play second fiddle in their own conference. The Centennial is going to be brutal again with F&M and Gettysburg leading the way, and the Bullets will be nipping at the Dips heels again. Carol Cantele's entire defense, including sophomore keeper Kristen Kramer (7.66 GAA), returns this year and will be the basis of any Bullet success. Seniors Katie Ceglarski (35g, 38a) and Meghan Moore (39g, 19a) will guide the offense from the midfield. G'burg won't overtake F&M in the Centennial, but they should get another chance in the tourney.

3. Salisbury (21-2) - NCAA Finals
The Sea Gulls shouldn't have been anywhere near the final four last year considering the amount of talent they lost off the '06 roster, but there they were in the end. Jim Nestor was masterful manipulating his line-up, especially in goal, to get optimum results and now he'll have a more experienced team. Yes, a bunch of points graduate, but senior Sue Ackermann (51g, 68a) makes any attack unit better with her passing. A deep defensive unit led by sophomore Natalie Pappas (13-1, 6.51 GAA) is back and along with a gaggle of speedy midfielders including senior Jessica Liston (13 points) and junior Jessica Chmielewski (33). If the Sea Gulls reprise their role in the finals this year, it definitely will not be a surprise.

2. Franklin & Marshall (21-0) - National Champions
Sophomore Lidia Sanza (19-0, 5.37 GAA, .583 Sv%) certainly proved she was worthy of assuming the Dips' starting goalie spot as a freshman, but she'll have to be even better at the start of '08 season as the team searches for replacements for defender Em Gill and middies Sloan Giampa and Kelly Cassells. Once those new faces earn some experience, F&M should be just as powerful as they were during their unblemished title run. All of the other pieces are in place, such as a prolific offense led junior Jen Pritchard (95 points), sophomore Blake Hargest (84) and junior Shannon Summers (81 points). In a normal year the Dips would be an easy pick as the top squad.

1. TCNJ (12-3) - NCAA Quarterfinals
Alas, this is not a normal year for TCNJ. Not only are the Lions losing just one starter - veteran defender Jessica Lacontora - but they will also be playing with a chip on their shoulder. One can argue that, considering its success, TCNJ deserved their treatment last year in the tournament. Unfortunately for the rest of the division, I have a feeling Sharon Pfluger and her team will quietly embrace last year's situation and use it as a catalyst for another title. And they'll have the players to do it, too. Seniors Karen Doane (49g, 13a) and Toni-Anne Cavallo (32g, 15a) control the offense through the midfield while the defense has more than enough to compensate for the loss of Lacontora. Some have postulated that TCNJ's time has passed, but you never want to pull a sleeping Lion's tail.

Contact Jac Coyne at jcoyne@uslacrosse.org.