administrator

DURHAM, N.C. -- Nearly a year after its season was canceled amid rape allegations against three players, Duke's lacrosse team topped the national rankings for the first time in school history Monday.

The Blue Devils (3-0) received six of 10 first-place votes in the USILA coaches poll to move past Georgetown for the top spot, and also reached No. 1 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse media poll, earning 13 of 16 first-place votes.

"The polls and rankings are stuff for the fans and media to talk about," first-year coach John Danowski said. "For this team, we need to be focused on getting better each day and preparing for the next opponent."

This is Duke's first full season since a woman alleged she was raped by three men in a bathroom at a team party where she was hired to perform as a stripper last March.

Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty and David Evans were charged with rape, sexual offense and kidnapping. The rape charges against the three were dropped in December.

Attorneys for the three players have said their clients are innocent.