The South and West Regions have taken off over the last three weeks, jumping right into the spring season.
While the West Region Top 10 remains intact from the preseason, the South Region has already undergone changes. The top two teams in the South faced each other, with Dallas Jesuit (Texas) retaining its top billing against St. Andrew’s (Fla.). Episcopal School of Dallas has vaulted into the top three on the strength of a 7-0 start, highlighted by wins over IMG Academy (Fla.) and Highland Park (Texas).
In the West, all but No. 10-ranked Jesuit Portland (Ore.) have begun play, and the top nine teams are a combined 25-0 with early results not enough to create any changes just yet. Top-ranked St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) plays a highly anticipated matchup with No. 9 Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) this week in a rematch of the CIF Central Coast Section championship, which SHP won after four earlier losses to the Wildcats last year.
Next week will include the first updated rankings from the Mid-Atlantic Region, and the Northeast and Midwest Top 10s will start March 29 — along with the first full update to the National Top 25.
Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Rankings
National Boys' Top 25 | National Girls' Top 25
Northeast Boys' Top 10 | Northeast Girls' Top 10
Mid-Atlantic Boys' Top 10 | Mid-Atlantic Girls' Top 10
South Boys' Top 10 | South Girls' Top 10
Midwest Boys' Top 10 | Midwest Girls' Top 10
West Boys' Top 10 | West Girls' Top 10
SOUTH TOP 10
1. Dallas Jesuit (Texas), 4-1
In a battle between two of the top teams in the region, the Rangers defeated St. Andrew’s (Fla.) 12-8 on March 12. The Rangers were led by senior McAllister Hobbs, a Penn State commit, who scored six goals. Sophomore Beckett Foley contributed a hat trick. Dallas Jesuit also picked up a 14-4 win over Coppell (Texas) last week. Foley had four goals, while Hobbs added three. Their lone loss came by one goal against IMG National. Previous: 3
2. St. Andrew’s (Fla.), 10-1
The Scots had their 26-game program winning streak snapped by Dallas Jesuit (Texas). St. Andrew’s picked up in-state wins last week over Pine Crest (10-5) and Oxbridge Academy (9-7). Jack Schulte, an Air Force verbal commit, continues his impressive play with 34 goals and 24 assists this season. St. Andrew’s faces another challenge this week when it takes on Boys’ Latin (Md.). Previous: 1
3. Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas), 7-0
The Eagles are off to an impressive start, opening the season with a highlight victory over IMG Academy. Episcopal School of Dallas is coming off a 6-5 overtime win over Highland Park (Texas) on March 10. Cooper Raney fired the game-winner in overtime from the right wing. Through seven games, the defense has given up just 25 goals. Previous: NR
4. Westlake (Texas), 4-2
The Chaparrals are in the midst of a nearly three-week break after winning four straight games. Westlake defeated Flower Mound (Texas) 15-1 on March 6. The lone losses came at the hands of IMG National and IMG Academy in February. Westlake returns to action March 25 against Keller (Texas). Previous: 2
5. Blessed Trinity (Ga.) 9-0
The Titans started the season 9-0 by outscoring opponents 118-37. Blessed Trinity defeated Mount Pisgah Christian (Ga.) 15-2 and Cambridge (Ga.) 15-7 last week. Previous: 4
6. Holly Springs (N.C.), 4-1
The Golden Hawks have defeated arguably the two top programs in the state early in the season. Holly Springs opened with a 14-13 win over Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.). Holly Springs followed with a 14-13 win over Middle Creek (N.C.). Jarrett Huff, a Lenoir Rhyne recruit, and Wade Watson are the scoring leaders for Holly Springs, each contributing 14 goals. Previous: NR
7. Lake Mary Prep (Fla.), 9-0
The Rams are averaging nearly 15 goals a game to start the year. Lake Mary Prep is coming off an impressive 12-3 win over Lake Highland Prep (Fla.) on March 11. Lake Mary Prep has a tough matchup this week against Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas). Previous: NR
8. St. Edward’s (Fla.), 7-0
The Pirates, last year’s runners up in the state championship game, are 7-0 to begin 2022 against good competition. St. Edward’s picked up quality wins earlier against Pine Crest (Fla.) and Vero Beach (Fla.). Ricky Savage, a Loyola commit, leads St. Edward’s in scoring with 30 goals, while Oscar Lindenthal leads with 18 assists. Previous: NR
9. Highland Park (Texas), 4-1
The Scots dropped their first game of the season, falling to Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas) on March 10. Senior attacker Charlie Fielder scored for Highland Park in the closing minutes of regulation to force overtime but was unable to find the game-winner in the extra period. Highland Park has a 12-day break and returns March 23 against Rockwall (Texas). Previous: 6
10. Middle Creek (N.C.), 4-1
After being upset by Holly Spring 14-13 on March 4, Middle Creek strung together three victories in a row, with recent wins over Northwest Guilford (N.C.), Green Level (N.C.) and Green Hope (N.C.). Middle Creek senior attacker Tate Jones, an Ohio State commit, already has 21 goals. Previous: 9
— Justin Boggs
WEST TOP 10
1. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 4-0
The defending WCAL champion Wildcats won three games in five days this past week, most notably topping 2021 CIF Southern Section runner-up Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) 9-5 on Saturday. They began the week with a 19-5 win over Monte Vista Danville (Calif.) on March 7, as Jack Porter tallied six goals and two assists and freshman Matt Higgins added four goals and one assist to pace the offense. That was followed by a 20-2 rout of Bellarmine Prep (Calif.) on March 9. Will Miller had five goals and Higgins added five points on three goals and two assists. Previous: 1
2. Corona del Mar (Calif.), 4-0
The Sea Kings are off to a strong start, allowing just nine goals through four games and averaging 19.3 goals scored. In their most recent game Saturday, they beat Palos Verdes (Calif.) 15-3. Among the statistical leaders were Ty Caffarelli (eight goals), Logan Ip (three goals, one assist), Lucas Newton (one goal, three assists) and Grant Guiliano (seven saves). CdM hosts Colorado power Regis Jesuit on March 16 for its first big test. Previous: 2
3. Mater Dei (Calif.), 5-0
The Monarchs opened their season with a narrow victory over 2021 Arizona Division I runner-up Brophy Prep and followed with two more relatively close games before opening the floodgates last week. They beat Los Alamitos (Calif.) 14-5 and stunned defending CIF Southern Section champion Loyola Los Angeles 17-0 on Saturday to avenge an overtime loss from last year. Andrew Crosby, Tej Gadhavi, Nick Colignon and Sean Bocan anchored the defense in the shutout. Against Los Alamitos, Lucas de la Paz won 19 of 20 faceoffs, while Griffin Dwyer, Triston Jewell and Cole Crisostomo each tallied three goals. Previous: 3
4. La Costa Canyon (Calif.), 3-0
After a pair of blowout wins to open the season, the Mavericks had to fight off Cathedral Catholic (Calif.) to remain unbeaten, edging the Dons 15-14. The 2021 CIF San Diego Open Division runners up host No. 5-ranked Mountain Vista (Colo.) in a much-anticipated contest March 15. Previous: 4
5. Mountain Vista (Colo.), 1-0
The defending CHSAA Class 5A champion Golden Eagles opened with a dominant performance Saturday, beating Mullen (Colo.) 18-1. They’ll swing into California this week for matchups against La Costa Canyon and La Jolla (Calif.). Previous: 5
6. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 3-0
The Falcons reloaded after losing 11 players to graduation last year, and they opened with three wins against in-state opponents this past week. Torrey Pines outscored Canyon Crest, La Jolla and Coronado 62-6, led by Tayden Bultman’s 10 goals and eight assists and Blake Washburn’s eight goals and 10 assists and a suffocating defense. Previous: 6
7. Corner Canyon (Utah), 1-0
The defending state champion Chargers kept their win streak alive, stretching it to 26 games with a 20-3 win over Davis (Utah) to open the season Friday. Their last loss was in the 2019 playoffs, though the 2020 campaign was canceled after just three games. Corner Canyon took a 14-1 lead into halftime against Davis. Previous: 7
8. Cherry Creek (Colo.), 1-0
Thomas Power scored four goals and assisted on two others to lead the Bruins to a 13-5 win over Ralston Valley (Colo.) in their opener Saturday. Harry Maloney added two goals and one assist, and Zander Diecidue also had two goals. Logan Lee paced the defense with five ground balls and three takeaways. Previous: 8
9. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 3-0
After opening with a pair of lopsided wins, the defending CIF Central Coast Section champion Gators were tested in a 14-12 victory against Redwood (Calif.) on Saturday. SHP led 10-5 at halftime and had to fight off Redwood’s rally. Max Sloat led with six goals, and Ian Dykes added three goals and one assist. Mitchell Taylor (three goals), Kai Lockton (two goals, one assist) and Eric Bollar (three assists) all registered three points, and Henry Rydberg made 12 saves while James Dakin won 17 of 29 faceoffs. The Gators meet WCAL rival St. Ignatius Prep next in a much-anticipated matchup after SHP avenged four earlier losses to the Wildcats last year in the Central Coast Section final. Previous: 9
10. Jesuit Portland (Ore.), 0-0
The Crusaders open March 16 against Central Catholic (Ore.). They were stunned by Lakeridge (Ore.) in the state final last year but seek to bounce back with a standout roster this year. Top returning players include attacker Benton Wimmer (Albany), defender Michael Rincon (Holy Cross) and midfielders Tatum Lewis (Vermont) and Matthew Rincon (Binghamton). Previous: 10
— Laurel Pfahler