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Top 20 breakdown
1. Middlebury
The Panthers’ Division III dominance was on full display in 2023, as they finished the season 23-0-0 and were crowned national champions once again. Hope Shue sets a program record for goals in a single season and returns to lead the Panthers’ offense along with Susan Lowry, Kylie Wilson and Chloe Newman become defensive anchors, and Middlebury returns in 2024. This will be the winning team.
2. Gettysburg
Gettysburg went 18-2 in its final 20 games in 2023 to advance to the national championship game. The Bullets have a balanced core, led by three stars in 120-point scorer Jordan Basso, Caroline Sullivan and Lily McAtee.
3. William Smith
William Smith had a strong postseason run last season and is poised to do the same in 2024. Senior Maddie Montgomery is nearing program records for career goals and points, and the Herons also have experienced goaltender Maura Smieder and shutdown defender Kate Risley. on the other side of the field.
4. Washington and Lee
Washington and Lee performed well throughout the 2023 season, but lost to Gettysburg in the NCAA Tournament. Hannah Bishop is one of the best scorers in program history and anchors the Generals’ offense. Eugenie Rovegno will likely do the same at defensive end and in the draw circle.
5. Tufts
The Jumbos have had a tough 2023 with 13 of their 21 games against higher ranked opponents. They weathered the storm, losing only five games, including two against Middlebury. Maggie Carden will lead Tufts into 2024 after scoring 69 goals in each of his first two seasons.
6. Franklin & Marshall
Franklin & Marshall is the reigning Centennial Conference champion and qualified for the NCAA Tournament semifinals last season, losing to Middlebury. They are preparing a strong lineup for 2024, with senior attacker Gillian Brennan expected to make an impact after an injury affected the start of the 2023 season.
7.TCNJ
TCNJ graduated a lot of talent after the 2023 NCAA Tournament, but this season will be anchored by senior goaltender Julia Charest. Allie Tobler will be the offensive quarterback following an 80-point campaign.
8. Salisbury
The Seagulls’ tournament ended earlier than expected in 2023, but this year they return a strong defense led by junior Natalie Held. Attacker Erin Scannell and goaltender Caitlin Hunsinger return as graduate students and will lead Salisbury into 2024.
9. York
York put together a strong season, thanks in large part to 2023 IWLCA Division III Goalie of the Year Isabella Galabo. Galabo is back with the Spartans for a fifth year and hopes to repeat the game that culminated in a run to the NCAA quarterfinals.
10. Colby
Colby advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals, but lost to Middlebury. For the Mules, who finished 4th in the NESCAC, Franz is sure to continue to have a strong impact offensively.
11. Wesleyan
The Cardinals graduated some of their top defensive players for the 2023 season, but attacker Olivia Lai returns for a fifth year to help strengthen the offensive line. Attacker Laura Bain and midfielder Chiara Tangney are also expected to be impact players.
12. Messiah
Messiah has young defenders, with junior defender Emma Hagg leading the team into the season. The Falcons advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but lost to TCNJ.
13. St. John Fisher
In 2023, St. John Fisher boasted overwhelming strength, at one point winning 12 straight games. They were also the only team to hold William Smith to single-digit goals in the NCAA Tournament, appearing to go 6-5. The Cardinals have the majority of their team back and are poised for another run in the postseason.
14. Pomona Pitzer
Pomona Pitzer advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals last year with a powerful offense that scored over 20 goals in 16 games. Sage Hens is looking for a similar result.
15. Trinity
The Bantams made the NCAA Tournament in 2023, but like the other teams, they ended up at the hands of Middlebury. Still, Trinity is 6-4 against the NESCAC in the regular season and returns many players from the same team.
16. Roanoke
Roanoke returns nearly its entire tournament team. Grace Kutuzis is expected to be a key cog on offense, while Natalie Mason and Addison Schmidt will anchor the defense.
17. Chicago
Chicago returns six all-conference players from its 2023 NCAA Tournament team. That includes goaltender Rachel Keefe and attacker Lulu Hardy, who were named CCIW Offensive Player and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.
18. Denison
Dennison played a grueling non-conference schedule, but caught fire at the right time and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. This year, the team will be led by two defenders, senior Kate Coward and junior Mary Daniel.
19. Stevens
Although the Ducks are a young team, they hope to repeat their successful season from a year ago, when they won the conference championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to York.
20. Capital
Capital got a lot of help from the returning Grace Osborne, who went 111 games to 16 in the NCAA Tournament and led all Division III players in goals as a sophomore.
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