Inside Lacrosse released its 2017 Face-Off Yearbook Top 20, not to be confused with the preseason media poll.
Once again, all five ACC programs are ranked within the top 15. The reigning champion North Carolina Tar Heels sit at no. 2 with the Denver Pioneers taking the top spot. Although Carolina’s leading scorer Steve Pontrello has graduated, the Heels still return five of its top seven point scorers. Stud close defenseman Austin Pifani will also come back to lead the defense in front of Brian Balkam who should be the returning starter in net.