Oct. 25, 2006

A couple of months ago, I put together my DIII men's power rankings, and it's now time for the fairer gender to receive its list. It's no longer "mid-summer," so we'll have to use "autumnal" as a prefix. Or something.

As could be expected, there are plenty of viable teams left out of the mix in these rankings. Nazareth has the biggest beef, but the Golden Flyers lost far too much to stay in the discussion. Colorado College and Virginia Wesleyan also came up in conversation (with myself), but aren't returning enough for consideration. Geneseo, Ursinus, Messiah, Western New England and Springfield all must show more consistency for inclusion.

It's early -- oh, about four months or so -- and the issue will be settled on the field, but judging by returners, graduates and conference strength, here are your Autumnal Women's Division III power rankings.

20. Montclair State (15-3)
The Red Hawks were likely in the discussion for the last Pool B berth in the '06 field, along with Colorado College, but the weaker schedule doomed them. Assuming the schedule stiffens up a tad, Montclair State should be a serious contender for one of three Pool B slots, as it graduates no seniors off last year's roster. Rising seniors Brianna Gillin and Shauna Brocklebank combined for 92 goals and 52 assists, while classmate Kristin Kuhmann returns her 7.58 goals against average. With another sterling class from up-and-coming coach Nicol Parcelluzzi, the Red Hawks might even make some noise in the tourney.

19. William Smith (10-6)
It's debatable just how strong the Liberty League was in '06, but it did have three contenders for the automatic qualifier (although none for an at-large), including the Herons. William Smith beat Union and Hamilton during the regular season, earning the top seed in the conference tourney, but lost in overtime to Hamilton in the Liberty semis. Just three seniors are gone from the team, but seniors Sarah Dillon (38-7-45) and Jesse McKenna (8-20-28) return to bolster the offense. The defense returns nearly intact, and junior keeper Morgan Baird should improve on her 8.70 GAA. The same three teams will be battling atop the Liberty again in '07, and the Herons might just have enough.

18. Dickinson (13-5, NCAA 2nd Round)
Scoring goals was not a problem for the Red Devils last spring, and it shouldn't be an issue in 2007, as Dickinson returns five players with at least 39 points, including sophomore Amy Jennings (42-13-55), who led the team in points as a freshman. The defense will be a bit more of a concern with two starters gone, but senior goalie Gabby Joffie will be back. The biggest peril for the Red Devils is residing in the Centennial Conference, where they will likely be the third-best team again -- a perilous spot come selection Sunday. Dickinson might do well to strengthen its non-conference slate a tad.

17. Tufts (10-5)
When five of your conference's opponents are ranked in the Top 9, it's like opening a jack-in-the-box with a boxing glove inside. But the Jumbos have a young team with the potential to sneak up on a couple of heavyweights. The leading scorer and one of the top defenders are gone, but senior playmaker Lauren Murphy (19-16-35) and speedy junior Alyssa Corbett (26-7-33) provide a nice attack. Tufts struggled on the defensive end last year, but junior defender Katie Frisina and sophomore goalie Gillian Kline could remedy that problem. This year sets up nicely for the Jumbos as Williams, Bowdoin, Middlebury and Amherst all have to travel to Medford.

16. Washington and Lee (16-4, NCAA 2nd Round)
The Generals have owned the ODAC for quite some time, but they might get a challenge this year with the kind of losses Jan Hathorn's squad took through graduation. Amanda Strickler and classmate Kate Lester take with them 65 goals and 44 assists from last year alone. Three other starters have moved on, leaving plenty of holes to fill. Junior Sarah Tilbor provides strength in goal after holding opponents to 6.85 goals per outing, and she'll have juniors Kat Michaels and Allison Gockley in front of her. A couple of ODACs will take a step closer to the Generals, but not enough to threaten W&L's accustomed AQ.

15. Mary Washington (14-5, NCAA 1st Round)
The Eagles returned to NCAA tourney form in '06, but couldn't break through to the next level, as all five of their losses came against tournament qualifiers. As MWU eyes next spring, it will have no shortage of offense. Four of the top five scorers return, including senior sniper Kaitlyn Barker (65-16-81) and her playmaking classmate Meaghan O'Leary (22-40-62). Coach Dana Hall will have to retool the backline with All-American Caitlin O'Leary graduating along with three other defensive starters. Junior Meredith Deitrick managed to put up solid numbers in goal (6.86 GAA), but she won't have the luxury of a veteran defense. The Eagles will be in the hunt for another at-large bid to the NCAAs, but they might be third in their conference.

14. St. Mary's (13-4)
The Seahwaks keep a very tight roster, but the efficient use of personnel has worked well. What needs to be taken care of is the schedule, as last year's slate left no wiggle room for an at-large bid after losing both match-ups with Mary Washington. The players are there to make some noise, including leading scorer Lauren Carrier (43-9-52) and Melissa Puzak (8.65 GAA), who played every minute in net. This team will still be young, with only five seniors on the roster, but if they can take care of Mary Washington they'll be in good shape.

13. Hamilton (12-5)
The Continentals were three goals away from an automatic NCAA berth, but depending on the strength of their schedule, they could be in the hunt for an at-large bid out of the wide open Liberty League. Just one senior, starting defender Dee Forshay, is missing from the '06 edition, while 70- and 69-point scorers return in the form of senior Liz Longley and sophomore Kaillie Briscoe, respectively. If Hamilton can take care of William Smith and Union during the regular season, it will likely earn the top spot in the conference tourney and home field advantage. Hamilton was 5-1 at home last spring.

12. Rowan (12-4, NCAA 2nd Round)
From 2002 through 2005, the Rowan program posted a .500 record, but 18th-year head coach Mary Marino turned things around in '06 with an impressive campaign, which included a late-season win over No. 8 F&M. The Profs should continue to climb the charts with just two seniors gone from that squad. Senior Katie Kline (52-11-63) is one of six players with at least 15 goals and 20 points returning, which is good news for a team that relied on outscoring its opponents. Two platooning goalies and the entire defense will reprise their roles, but the Profs allowed 10.81 goals per outing, so any improvement will be bonus. Regardless of the defense, a Pool B bid is pretty much in the bag for Rowan in '07.

11. Union (13-5, NCAA 2nd Round)
The Dutchwomen will always be a threat as long as junior Caitlin Cuozzo remains an integral part of the team. The versatile midfielder is the key to Union's dangerous transition game, but last year's final game showed coach Jessica Critchlow that she needs to add another playermaker to the roster. Stifled by the vaunted Middlebury defense, Cuozzo was held without a point after leading the team during the season, and the Dutchwomen were skunked, 19-6 in the NCAAs. Keri Messa, a junior midfielder, could fill the role of distributor to Alexandra Toney (46-9-55). If Messa, or another player, can step up, Union has the weapons to threaten the upper echelon come May.

10. Salisbury (17-2, NCAA Quarters)
The Sea Gulls have been a power player in the division for several years now ,despite the lack of a national title. Because of that, there are always players ready to fill holes. With that said, Salisbury has massive gaps to fill heading into '07. Kate Scott, Amanda Tack and Erin McCarthy graduate 216 of the Gulls 450 points. Three key defensive players are gone, as is goalie Ali Goetz (4.96 GAA). Of the 24 teams qualifying for the 2006 NCAA tourney, the Gulls have by far the most rebuilding to do. Most programs would be lucky to be in the Top 20 with that kind of attrition -- but Salisbury is a reloader, not rebuilder, so the Gulls stay in the Top 10.

9. Williams (9-6)
A team that finished sixth in its own conference and didn't qualify for the postseason makes the Top 10? Yeah, it sounds dubious, especially for a team forced to replace its leading scorer and starting goalie. But the Ephs return 10 of the 11 players who registered a point in '06 and enough defense to protect a brand new keeper. Recently, there are typically two teams in the NESCAC who finish near the Top 10 and don't qualify for the NCAAs, and this again appears to be the case this spring. However, with Williams', and Pat Manning's, track record, it's tough to see them missing another dance.

8. Franklin and Marshall (15-5, NCAA Quarters)
The success of the '06 Diplomats was predicated on defense (13th in the nation), but there will be a couple of serious holes to fill for F&M to reach the same level. Standout goalie Kamissa Mort is gone, along with defender Holly Rutherford. Coach Anne Phillips will also have to energize the Dips attack, which was exposed in the tournament loss to Cortland (6-4). While five big-time starters will have to be replaced, there is still plenty left on the roster, including senior Kelly Cassels and sophomore Jen Pritchard, who formed a potent duo on attack. F&M will again be looking up at Gettysburg in the Centennial standings, but the Diplomats will still be primed for the tourney.

7. Middlebury (16-2, NCAA Semis)
Placing the Panthers out of the Top 5 seems like a silly proposition, never mind having them fourth in the NESCAC, but Middlebury will be a vastly different team in '07. Missy Foote joked last spring that it seems like she always has a veteran team whenever she has a rookie goalie, but the script will be flipped slightly this spring. The defense, anchored by sophomore goalie Blair Bowie, returns almost intact, but five of the top seven scorers graduate. The Middlebury zone defense will continue to cause fits for opponents, but unless a bunch of offensive players step up, it may not be enough in this conference.

6. TCNJ (15-2, National Champions)
I thought the Lyons were done when they were sitting at 2-2 early in each of the last two years, and look how that turned out. And now I have TCNJ at No. 6 to start the season? You'd think I would have learned my lesson. My defense? Lauren Dougher, Bridget Bigley, Meredith Spangler and Megan Marquardt -- all of them studs, and all of them gone. You don't lose a player like Dougher, the best player in the nation the last two years, and not have a dropoff. Alas, with 11 national championship trophies on her mantel, it's a good bet Sharon Pfluger is going to make me look stupid.

5. Bowdoin (15-4, NCAA Quarters)
The Polar Bears played with heavy hearts last spring after the untimely passing of Taryn King, a solid starter for Liz Grote, but Bowdoin still posted one of the best seasons in school history. While the departed will certainly still be in the back of their minds, the members of the team returning in '07 have a chance to set the benchmark. Three linchpins, including NCAA Defensive Player of the Year Betsy Rose, depart, but sophomore goalie Stephanie Collins-Finn (8.74 GAA) returns in goal, as well as the top two scorers. The Polar Bears, like the rest of the conference, will try to at least get Middlebury off their backs, if nothing else. 

4. Gettysburg (21-1, NCAA Semis)
It will take a lot of heart to replace a goalie like Heather Kelley and her 6.04 goals against average, but Carole Cantele just might have the answer. The two players she has trying to fill Kelley's role, senior Susan Meyers (Immaculate Heart Academy) and sophomore Ariana Horaitis (Convent of the Sacred Heart), already have the pulmonary necessities from their high school days built in. Regardless, juniors Katie Ceglarski, Krissy Browning and Megan Moore provide numerous veins to the goal to make up for any arterial deficiencies on the backline.

3. Cortland (19-1, NCAA Semis)
The Red Dragons are ranked pretty high for a team losing two starting defenders and a goalie, Regina Grosso, who ranked fifth in the nation in goals against average. But, at the beginning of the season at least, Cortland will be able to compensate for an inexperienced defense with an overwhelming attack. The top three scorers -- seniors Ali Bourgal (84 points), Jennifer Willis (82) and Andrea Venditti (77) -- all return, carrying with them 56 percent of the points from '06. The Dragons will be back in the tournament because no one in the SUNYAC will threaten them, but it will be the maturation of the 'D' that will determine how far they go.

2. Amherst (14-4, NCAA Quarters)
Every team wishes its rebuilding years were as 'down' as the Lady Jeffs. Amherst, accustomed to finishing on Middlebury's heels in the NESCAC, dipped to third in '06 (due to two one-goal losses to Bowdoin). But now the Jeffs are stacked and look to resume business as usual. Amherst loses a couple of midfielders, a defender and a role-playing attacker -- a pittance in relation to the high-powered recruiting classes of Chris Paradis (rookies finished second and third on the team in scoring last spring). Senior Alyssa Briody returns her team-leading 76 points and playmaking ability, while junior goalie Linda McEvoy has another year of experience.

1. Colby (14-4, NCAA 2nd Round)
With the strength of the conference and other high caliber teams in the Top 10, I don't put the White Mules atop this list lightly. There would have to be something special about this team, and it looks like Heidi Godomsky has everything she needs to put Colby among the elite. With Colby's run-and-gun style, a premium is put on a resilient goalie, an opportunistic defense and finishers on the offensive end. The White Mules have all three components returning. Senior Catharine O'Brien is primed for a break-out season in goal with the protection offered by three experienced back-liners. Allie Libby (87 points), a player-of-the-year candidate, anchors the attack, complemented by Kate Sheridan and Lauren Barrett. A brutal schedule awaits the White Mules, with only five of 15 games in Waterville, but at this point, Division III women's lacrosse goes through Maine.