Good list IT. Since things are relatively quiet, here's how I see the Top 10. I feel like there is a drop off from Duke to Syracuse, and then a smaller drop off from SU to the next group of teams, which are all pretty evenly matched. Should make for a very interesting season. I didn't do a statistical analysis or real deep dive here, so there are plenty of holes one could poke in what is below.
1. Duke - obviously the front runner, whatever issues they had last year they seemed to address in the transfer market, and picked up the best player in the game in Sowers. Given how crazy these past nine months have been, and given teams haven't been able to scrimmage or have a normal offseason, I do wonder how easy it will be to integrate so many new faces, especially with so many old faces still on the team. This is one thing that might hurt Duke.
2. Syracuse - finished last year #1 and bring back a boatload of talent, including the best midfield in the country and All Americans at every other position. Questions remain - they have to replace two starting defenders and the attack needs to prove it can be consistent, but top to bottom hard to find any holes on this team. On the flip side of Duke, SU doesn't have to worry too much about chemistry and will really be helped by having such consistency from one year to the next.
3. Maryland - took advantage of the transfer portal so same Duke questions exist, but they should have a very good offense with Brown, Holden, Wisnauskus, Fairman, DiMillo and Maltz. If Bernhardt comes back then watch out. Their defense hasn't been as typically strong the past two years, so if there is a soft underbelly of this team, that is probably it.
4. UNC - Tar Heels put up a ton of points last year, and they have a fearsome offense with Gray and a midfield that could rival SU's. But they also didn't play anyone of note besides Denver (who they beat). No obvious holes in this team, but you wonder how they hold up against stiffer competition.
5. Denver - think teams at this point in the rankings have a few more question marks than the ones above them, but still very good teams. Denver gets a big boost with Morrill and Cotler coming over from Yale and also has some really good offensive talent. They do have some questions about defense though.
6. Notre Dame - really not sure what to make of this team - they probably took in the most transfers of all besides Duke and helped solidify the face-off x, close D and attack. But they lose their best player in Costabile and I don't think they have an easy replacement for him. Could see this team anywhere from top four to outside top 15.
7. Cornell - Most Ivy League teams are in a tough spot, they bring back what in any other season would be competitive teams but this year they are fighting with one hand behind their back, as other teams were allowed to build Super Teams, often on the backs of Ivy League rosters. Cornell is the best of the bunch to me because they bring back Teat and had a lot of young talent last year. But they lost their coach and replaced him with a very young guy in Buczek. This team was terrifying to watch last year though so I think they will be ranked pretty highly.
8. Penn State - brings back almost everyone from a very good team, but the one guy they don't bring back was their most important. Ament was the straw that stirred the proverbial drink for them, and even though they have talent all over the field, I think it will be hard to put up the video game like numbers they did the last two years. FWIW O'Keefe had 51 goals with Ament his freshmen year, then only 35 without him the following year. The next, 78 with. Think they'll be very good, but not the same without Ament.
9. Virginia - Seems like I am ranking them too low here, but I think they will suffer for the Aitkin loss. Also unclear how Bertrand will replace Krauss. Still, lots of very good talent with Moore, Laviano and Cormier. Also think their defense is underrated.
10. Georgetown - similar to UNC, they finished last year with some big blow out wins but didn't play anyone. I am the least familiar with the Hoyas, but still seems like they deserve some recognition with the numbers they put up.
