1. Weddington (N.C.), 16-1
After surviving a tight state semifinal contest against Marvin Ridge, Weddington dominated the Class 3A state title game, beating Chapel Hill (N.C.) 16-5 behind a huge performance (four goals, four assists) from James Shipley. That said, the Warriors were defined by their balance with five scorers at 20-plus goals: Anthony Todaro (50), James Shipley (49), Eamon Murphy (28), Ryan Goldstein (22) and Will Shipley (20). They also had eight players tally 35-plus groundballs, led by Colby Barsz’s 52, while Andrew Miller saved 67.9 percent of the shots headed his way.
2. Ponte Vedra (Fla.), 24-1
After an early loss to Lambert (Ga.), which coach Tom West said was critical to identifying and fixing the team’s weaknesses, Ponte Vedra won its final 17 games to claim the FHSAA state title with a 19-7 rout of St. Thomas Aquinas in the championship. The Sharks surrendered just 4.8 goals per game, and that was due in no small part to the fine play of Maximus Schalit (71 caused turnovers, 43 ground balls), along with Jimmy Burns (74.3 percent) and Andrew Ewalt (65 percent) dominating faceoffs. Offensively, Ponte Vedra was well-balanced, but Patrick Dotsikas and Dylan Hess led the way with 51 goals apiece.
3. Walton (Ga.), 21-2
The Raiders won their final seven games, capped by an 8-7 victory over Lambert in the state final.
They had three players finish above 60 points for the season, and six topped the 40-point mark. Defensively, Walton was even better, yielding just 18 goals over four playoff games, led by Atlanta Journal Constitution Player of the Year Drew Michalek as well as Miles Besson (31 caused turnovers, 38 ground balls) and Michael Cabral (43 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers).
4. Lambert (Ga.), 21-2
The only team to beat Ponte Vedra (Fla.) all season, state runner-up Lambert had an impressive run. That included big performances from Gerard Kane (63 goals, 19 assists) and Benny O’Rourk (36 goals) and star defender Patrick Deans (Johns Hopkins), who will miss the summer due to a broken collarbone. Deans should be back next year, looking to stage a repeat as the Longhorns allowed just 94 goals in 23 games this season (4.1 per game).
5. Episcopal Dallas (Texas), 19-5
The Eagles simply had the clutch gene in 2019. In the state semifinals against Dallas Jesuit, Jack Loftus found Reed Landin for the game-winner with 1:17 remaining. In the state title game against Highland Park, Loftus and Drew Wasserman (Utah) each had hat tricks as ESD surged late to break a fourth-quarter tie. Scott Bower, a Virginia commit, ended up earning All-American honors and a spot in the Under Armour All-America game.
6. Montgomery Bell (Tenn.), 12-2
It was quite the year for the Big Red, as they nipped Memphis University (Tenn.), 10-8, and Christian Brothers (Tenn.), 9-8, en route to a state title. Stephen Avery was phenomenal with four goals in both games, ending the year with 49 goals and 32 assists. Senior Garrett Murphy won 63 percent of his faceoffs and snagged 82 groundballs. Defenders Noah Mendoza, Peyton Brien (Rhodes College), Braden Myers (Wesleyan University) and goalie Chris Tarquinio (Rhodes) held opponents to six goals per game.
7. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 18-4
The Crusaders captured their first state championship since moving up to Class 4A, dominating their title game thanks to a strong performance from Nick Gorman, who won all 18 of his faceoffs. He finished at 74.9 percent for the year and was one of several standouts on the team. Freshman Caden Zadell averaged 5.2 points during the playoffs and led Cardinal Gibbons with 44 goals, so although Joe Torres (33 goals), Patrick King (25 goals, 16 assists), Will Stock (22 goals, 13 assists), Carson Zadell (22 goals) and Gorman graduate, the Crusaders still have a bright future. Sophomore Griffin Cooling (36 goals, 27 assists), freshman Trent Orr (14 goals) and sophomore Daniel Kelly (14 goals) join Caden Zadell as top players returning.
8. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), 18-4
A blowout loss to Ponte Vedra in the state final was hard to swallow, but the road there was one to remember. The Sharks collected one-goal wins over St. Andrew’s and Bishop Moore in the playoffs, and senior Brock Gonzalez capped a stellar career with a 110-point season (88 goals, 22 assists). Fellow seniors Kyle Engel (25 goals, 12 assists), Nick Yovino (39 goals, 19 assists), Grant Laman (32 goals, 34 assists) and Allen Stotler (33 groundballs) also went out in style.
9. Middle Creek (N.C.), 18-3
The Mustangs’ eight-game win streak came to an end in the state semifinals against eventual champion Cardinal Gibbons. All three of their losses came against top-notch opposition as they fell to Lambert, Weddington and Cardinal Gibbons by a combined five goals. All-American Jake Caputo capped his career with a remarkable senior season (72 goals, 35 assists). While Caputo, David Baird (36 goals) and record-setting faceoff man Graham Schwartz (80.9 percent) will be hard to replace, freshman Tate Jones (43 goals, 31 assists) and junior Nathan Greenberg (37 goals, 15 assists) are more than ready to lead the way.
10. Lassiter (Ga.), 20-2
The Trojans had a remarkable year, including a program-record 10 players receiving all-state or All-American recognition. Among them were first team all-state and All-American honoree Eli Ensor (Ohio State), who averaged roughly four goals a game for Lassiter, second team all-state honoree Murphy Mostellar, who had four goals in the state quarterfinals, and third team all-state honoree Andrew Atchison, who also had four goals in Lassiter’s playoff win over Mill Creek.
— Jonah Rosenblum
1. Culver Military Academy (Ind.), 20-1
The Eagles closed out the 2019 season on a 16-game winning streak, highlighted by a 9-5 win over Hill Academy (Ont.) in the finale to earn the National Prep Championships title. Alec Stathakis (Denver) was among the national leaders in faceoff percentage at 85 percent.
2. Brother Rice (Mich.), 23-0
The Warriors earned their 14th state title in 15 years, defeating Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) 14-13 to avenge last year’s championship loss. Justin Glod score the game-winner as he closed out his senior season with 86 goals and more than three dozen assists.
3. Dublin Coffman (Ohio), 24-1
The Shamrocks won their first ever state title by defeating perennial power Cincinnati St. Xavier 13-8 on June 1. Coffman also defeated highly-rated St. Ignatius (Ohio) and crosstown rival Dublin Scioto en route to the title. Besides Evan James’ 85 goals, the Shamrocks also were led by Ethan Tyack, who had 40 goals and 37 assists.
4. MICDS (Mo.), 18-1
Graham Bundy Jr. (Georgetown) became the first known player in Missouri history to have 400 career points, as he helped lead the Warriors to a 15-1 win over De Smet (Mo.) on May 24. Bundy also led Missouri in points, combining 72 goals and 65 assists for 137 points in 2019. MICDS has won six straight titles.
5. Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.), 20-4
Catholic Central lost to its rivals in the state title game on June 8 by a one-goal margin. Three of Detroit Catholic’s four losses were to Brother Rice. Joey Kamish (Loyola University commit) scored 77 goals this season, including six in the championship game against Brother Rice. Detroit Catholic’s season was highlighted by a win in April over New Trier (Ill.).
6. New Trier (Ill.), 20-5
The Trevians won the Illinois state title in dominating fashion, defeating Warren (Ill.) 16-4. Henry Scherb (Tufts) had a team-record 70 goals this season. New Trier also picked up a win over Loyola Academy (Ill.) in the sectional round and a notable win over St. Xavier (Ohio) in March.
7. St. Ignatius (Ohio), 18-5
The Wildcats lost in the state semifinals against eventual state champion Dublin Coffman (Ohio), 15-8. St. Ignatius’ season was highlighted by wins over MICDS (Mo.), Cathedral (Ind.) and St. Xavier (Ohio). Michael Boehm had an impressive season with 47 assists.
8. Cincinnati St. Xavier (Ohio), 17-7
After losing to Brother Rice (Mich.) on April 27, the Bombers turned their season around by winning nine in a row, culminating in an appearance in Ohio’s state title game. St. Xavier’s winning streak was snapped by Dublin Coffman, 13-8, but the run to the final included wins over Cincinnati Moeller (Ohio) and Upper Arlington (Ohio).
9. Forest Hills Central (Mich.), 22-1
The Rangers won Michigan’s Division II state title on June 8 after defeating Forest Hills Eastern (Mich.), 20-4. Forest Hills’ only loss was against Brother Rice (Mich.).
10. Cathedral (Ind.), 19-3
The Irish won Indiana’s state title by defeating Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.), 13-6, in the final on June 1. The win marked Cathedral’s third title in four years.
— Justin Boggs
1. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 20-2
The Falcons claimed their second straight CIF San Diego Open Division state title with a 12-4 win over La Costa Canyon (Calif.). After early-season losses to St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) and IMG National (Fla.), Torrey Pines finished on a 15-game unbeaten streak and ranked No. 16 nationally. Senior Marco Napolitano was the catalyst to a defense that allowed just 5.5 goals per game.
2. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 17-4
The Wildcats claimed the West Catholic Athletic League title May 10 with an 8-6 win over Sacred Heart. They bounced back from a 9-8 loss to San Ramon Valley to win their last five games. Senior midfielder Sam Parkinson led the team with 45 goals and nine assists.
3. Cherry Creek (Colo.), 18-2
The Bruins collected their seventh state title in memorable fashion, beating Kent Denver 12-7 in the Class 5A final May 20 during a snowstorm. Kent had beaten Cherry Creek in double overtime 17 days prior. Senior attackman Gabe Minisini was voted the Colorado High School Athletic Association Player of the Year after finishing with 37 goals, 28 assists, 55 groundballs and 16 caused turnovers.
4. St. Margaret’s Episcopal (Calif.), 18-3
In a rematch of last year’s Southern Section final, the Tartans came out on top this time, holding Loyola Los Angeles off the board until the fourth quarter for a 13-4 win and the program’s first title since 2015. Kevin Groeninger led the way for St. Margaret’s, posting 114 points on 60 goals and 54 assists this season to finish his high school career with 206 goals and 205 assists as the only player in California history to eclipse 400 career points.
5. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 18-4
The Gators got their chance to avenge a narrow regular-season finale loss to St. Ignatius when the two clashed in the WCAL championship, but they couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. The only other teams to beat them were Mid-Atlantic powers Gonzaga (D.C.) and St. Paul’s (Md.).
6. Kent Denver (Colo.), 15-4
The fifth-seeded Sun Devils couldn’t repeat their regular-season win over Cherry Creek when the two met for a rematch in the state final, but they knocked off top-seeded Valor Christian (Colo.) 12-11 in the semifinals. Kent’s three other losses were by two goals or less. Junior Maxwell Hewitt led the team with 41 goals and 30 assists, while sophomore Brandon Bergner added 42 goals and 21 assists.
7. De LaSalle (Calif.), 18-6
The Spartans peaked at the right time, ending the season on a 15-game winning streak to lift the CIF North Coast Section championship trophy as the eighth seed after a 3-6 start to the season. They avenged a March loss to San Valley Ramon in the final, overcoming third-seeded Marin Academy 11-10 in double overtime thanks to Justin Barton’s game-winner with 2:36 seconds left. All four of De LaSalle’s playoff wins were decided by one goal, including a notable victory over top-seeded San Ramon Valley, which was ranked third in the West at the time.
8. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 17-2
The Wolves couldn’t ride the momentum of a late April win over St. Ignatius Prep to accomplish their ultimate goal. They entered the CIF North Coast Section Division 1 playoffs as the top seed but opened the tournament with a 12-11 upset loss to No. 8-seeded De LaSalle in the quarterfinals.
9. Loyola Los Angeles (Calif.), 16-8
The Cubs avenged two of their losses during the second half of the season and bounced back from a three-game losing streak to reach the Southern Section final, where they were unable to defend their title against St. Margaret’s. That tough late-season losing streak included a pair of games in New Jersey and a defeat to Palos Verdes, who Loyola beat 12-6 in the Los Angeles final. Midfielder Owen Gaffney was named the Los Angeles Player of the Year after finishing with 50 goals and 26 assists.
10. Lake Oswego (Ore.), 16-4
The Lakers ended on a 10-game winning streak to claim the Oregon state title with a 14-7 win over West Linn. They had opened the season 6-4 but avenged two of those losses later in the year, including beating Lakeridge twice after dropping a 16-8 decision April 16. Jonas Hunter led with 73 goals, 47 assists and 30 groundballs, and Michael Shakerin finished with 25 goals and 12 assists.
— Laurel Pfahler