University campuses are coming to life and students are registering for the 2024–25 academic year.
But forget the 2024 part. We’re already looking at 2025.
With the start of the new college year comes the start of the fall season, which means it’s almost time to start counting down the days until the next college lacrosse season begins.
Here is our first attempt at compiling a Division I women’s top 25 in 2025.
Next up: Nos. 20-16.
Previous: Nos. 25–21.
20. USC
Record 2024: 12-5 (6-1 Pac-12)
Last seen: The last Pac-12 match was lost 12-9 to Colorado in the semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament.
Notable departures: Ella Heaney, A, Shelby Tinton, A, Maggie Brown, A, Claudia Shevitz, A, Danielle Carson, D
Notable additions: Charlotte Morton, G; Alexis May, M
First forecast: The Troy women enter the Big Ten, a tougher conference from top to bottom than the former Pac-12, with significant offensive gaps to fill. Three forwards – Ella Heaney (43 T, 30 A), Shelby Tinton (42 T, 5 A), Maggie Brown (36 T, 7 A) – and an offensive-minded midfielder – Claudia Shevitz (29 T, 4 A) – have graduated. Isabelle Vitale (23 T, 41 A) returns as a scorer and setter, but she will need weapons to pass near the crease.
The prognosis is murky for USC, as it is for its other Pac-12 peers heading to new homes. How will the women of Troy fare in a conference that features perennial top-10 teams like Northwestern and Maryland, and two other teams (Michigan and Johns Hopkins) trying to establish themselves as consistent top-10 teams?
That’s definitely a challenge. But like the other Big Ten teams, USC can play some defense, and that will help. Lindsey Munday’s team is losing Danielle Carson (21 ground balls, 18 caused turnovers) but only allowed single-digit (9.53) goals per game in 2024.
