Feb. 14, 2023 — NCAA Division II preview

The Fearless 5ive:

ADELPHI
EAST STROUDSBURG
INDIANAPOLIS
LEMOYNE
WEST CHESTER

It’s going to be fascinating to see what the College of Indianapolis goes to do for an encore after profitable a nationwide championship final spring. After being on the sting of greatness for a while, the Greyhounds broke via to win the nationwide closing in an exciting sport.

Peyton Romig, who was missed by so many Division I applications, was an absolute monster in her final three years at Indy. She received attracts, completed, and took care of the ball. She was even tapped to play in knowledgeable league, By The Professionals. However not solely is Romig gone via commencement, head coach James Delaney was let go by the varsity in August and was not rehired by any collegiate lacrosse program.

East Stroudsburg, the runner-up workforce from final yr’s title sport, is keen to return to the Closing 4 this fall. The Warriors’ devastating tandem of junior Emily Mitarotonda (89 objectives) and redshirt senior Kiki Fitzpatrick (49 assists) returns. In purpose, there’s going to be an fascinating scenario. Graduate switch Riley DiFiore (York School) might be trying to get time in purpose alongside returning participant Bella Gismondi, who had 4 begins a yr in the past.

Throughout the always-competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Convention, West Chester is a possible rival for convention honors. The Rams return main scorers Lindsay Monigle (63 assists), Keri Barnett (78 objectives), and Hannah Stanislawczyk (81 objectives), all of whom might rating at any time inside the possession clock. An enormous a part of the West Chester technique is the play of defensive midfielder Grace Frasso. She had 87 draw controls, second solely to Barnett.

LeMoyne is a workforce which might make some main strikes if everyone seems to be wholesome. Main scorer Jessica Mennelly (63 objectives) returns, and he or she together with teammate Taylor Reich mixed for practically 100 draw controls a yr in the past. Reich and Lilly Locastro will lead the shut protection in entrance of Paige Crandall.

But when there’s a very, actually hungry workforce within the Division II hedgerow. it’s Adelphi. The Panthers, one season in the past, obtained again to the Closing 4 for the primary time since profitable the 2019 nationwide championship. However Adelphi ran right into a decided Indianapolis aspect within the nationwide semifinals and had been eradicated simply wanting their purpose. On paper, this appears to be a pleasant workforce. Kerrin Heiser and Izzy Grant had been within the prime three in scoring a yr in the past, and Alexandra Beebe (26 ground-ball pickups and 34 triggered turnovers) will lead the protection.