The Mid-Atlantic Region joins the South and West this week with its first rankings update since the preseason. While New Jersey teams are still waiting to begin, Pennsylvania and many Maryland and Delaware programs have opened.
There was widespread movement in each region’s rankings this week and plenty of interstate games to begin to compare multiple regions’ strengths. St. John’s College High (D.C.) remains the No. 1 team in the Mid-Atlantic with a perfect start through five games, including wins over three other top-10 programs.
Behind the Cadets, however, things are looking a little different from preseason expectations. Gonzaga (D.C.), under new coach Jeffrey King, burst out to a 4-0 start with wins over three preseason National Top 25 teams. St. Mary’s (Md.) also has been perfect through five games with a win over perennial power Georgetown (Md.) to bolster its resume. Georgetown, along with McDonogh (Md.) and Archbishop Spalding (Md.), is still in the Top 10.
One of the things we love to see is the return of crossover events like last weekend’s IAC vs. Inter-Ac Challenge that didn’t happen with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, but gave us such thrillers as Georgetown’s 10-9 overtime win over Malvern Prep (Pa.). The top two teams in the South Region remain the same with Dallas Jesuit (Texas) and St. Andrew’s (Fla.) staying put based on strong efforts. Dallas Jesuit will go outside the region to take on St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) for a national test. St. Edward’s (Fla.) made the biggest jump up from eighth to fourth in the South after handing Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas) its first loss. Lambert (Ga.) moved into the Top 10 when it remained unbeaten by taking a showdown against Blessed Trinity (Ga.) in overtime.
Teams in the West Region continue to jockey for top spots with Corona del Mar (Calif.) the new No. 1 after St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) lost twice. Corona del Mar needed overtime to avoid dropping its first game of the season, and No. 2 Mater Dei needed three overtimes to stay unblemished. Colorado’s early pick as the team to beat, Mountain Vista (Colo.), won a pair of games in California. Torrey Pines (Calif.) moved up on the strength of its win over St. Ignatius. No. 5 Cherry Creek (Colo.) faces its most challenging week thus far, one that could push it higher after jumping three spots. They’ll have to fend off No. 6 Corner Canyon (Utah) when the two meet this week. Regis Jesuit (Colo.) moved into the Top 10 after showing its mettle even in a loss, while St. Ignatius and Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) waged another terrific Top 10 battle.
With most teams around the country set to begin by April 1, next week will have the first update of the National Top 25 as the Northeast and Midwest Top 10s join the breakdown of regions.
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
MID-ATLANTIC TOP 10
1. St. John’s College High (D.C.), 5-0
The Cadets remained perfect with lopsided wins over DeMatha and St. Mary’s Ryken (Md.) last week. St. John’s has outscored opponents 78-28. Mac Haley had 15 goals and six assists to lead the team’s scoring through four games. Luke Rhoa scored 10 goals and had three assists. Five of his goals came in a win over Boys’ Latin. They’ve also stopped Calvert Hall and Georgetown Prep. Previous: 1
2. Gonzaga (D.C.), 4-0
The Purple Eagles improved to 4-0 with wins over Landon (Md.) and Bishop O’Connell (Va.). Gonzaga won comfortably over Landon 12-5 and handily over O’Connell 21-2. Gonzaga has a 53-18 scoring edge through four games. The Purple Eagles play at Paul VI (Va.) in a Top 10 showdown March 25 before taking on Culver (Ind.) on March 27. Previous: NR
3. Calvert Hall (Md.), 5-1
Following their first loss of the season — to St. John’s (Md.) — the Cardinals rebounded with an easy win over Hereford (Md.) and a tight 10-9 triumph over Lawrenceville (N.J.). Calvert only surrendered double-digit goals in its loss to St. John’s. Calvert will face Hill Academy (Ont.) and Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) this week. Previous: 4
4. Boys’ Latin (Md.), 3-1
Dom Pietramala scored five goals with two assists in a 14-8 win over Lawrenceville (N.J.) on Sunday. The Lakers also defeated St. Andrew’s (Fla.) on March 14. Boys’ Latin faces a big week with Culver (Ind). on March 23 and McDonogh on March 29. Previous: 5
5. St. Mary’s (Md.) 5-0
The Saints have gotten off to a quick start to climb into the Top 10. Wins over Georgetown Prep (Md.) and Landon (Va.) to open the season were followed by dominant victories against North Carolina programs Hough (21-4) and RJ Reynolds (20-2) on consecutive days. St. Mary’s has outscored opponents 95-17 so far. Previous: NR
6. McDonogh (Md.), 2-1
The Eagles won a pair of games on their trip to Florida. McDonogh dominated Jupiter (Fla.) 19-5 on March 14 and beat Montverde Academy (Fla.) 17-8 on March 16. McCabe Millon tallied five goals and seven assists in the two games, while Luke Miller added four goals and seven assists. Their only loss came at the hands of Gonzaga (D.C.). McDonogh was scheduled to play Culver (Ind.) on March 21. Previous: 3
7. Georgetown Prep (Md.), 3-2
The Hoyas have rattled off three straight wins following consecutive season-opening losses. Georgetown won a pair of games in overtime last week. They edged Loyola-Blakefield (Md.) 4-3 on March 16 and then got by Malvern Prep (Pa.) 10-9. They face Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) on March 23. Previous: 6
8. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 2-2
The Cavaliers split a pair of games. Michael Weisshaar fired in six goals and added two assists in a 14-10 win over Bullis. He had four goals and an assist in a 12-11 loss to Hill Academy (Ont.). Race Ripley delivered two goals and three assists against Bullis and four goals and three assists against Hill. Previous: 2
9. Don Bosco (N.J.), 0-0
The Ironmen don’t open their season until March 30 at Ridgewood (N.J.). They will turn around for an interstate matchup against Gilman (Md.). Don Bosco comes off a perfect season in which it won the state Tournament of Champions. Previous: 8
10. Paul VI (Va.), 4-0
Paul VI opened last week with a 14-7 win over St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Md.) and toppled Heights (Md.) 10-7 on March 18. They have some challenging games ahead with Gonzaga (D.C.) on March 25 and St. John’s (Md.) on March 29. Previous: 10
— Justin Feil
SOUTH TOP 10
1. Dallas Jesuit (Texas), 7-1
The Rangers continued their impressive start to the 2022 season, defeating Western (Fla.) 16-5 and St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) 15-6 last week. Senior McAllister Hobbs, a Penn State recruit, led Jesuit in scoring with four tallies versus Western and five against St. Thomas Aquinas. Dallas Jesuit has a tough challenge this week against St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.). Previous: 1
2. St. Andrew’s (Fla.), 10-2
Coach Tony Seaman was hopeful that the Scots had the caliber of team to get by vaunted Boys’ Latin (Md.). St. Andrew’s had a two-goal deficit late in the third but fell to Boys’ Latin 13-8. Junior Jack Schulte, an Air Force recruit, was the only multi-goal scorer for St. Andrew’s, contributing four tallies. St. Andrew’s is in the midst of a 16-day layoff, returning to action March 30 versus North Broward Prep (Fla.). Previous: 2
3. Westlake (Texas), 4-2
The Chapparals had the week off and return to action March 25 versus Keller. Previous: 4
4. St. Edward’s (Fla.), 8-1
The Pirates continued their impressive start to the season by defeating Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas) 13-9. St. Edward’s dropped its first of the season in a 10-9 loss to IMG Academy (Fla.). St. Edward’s next faces Jupiter (Fla.) March 26. Previous: 8
5. Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas), 9-1
The Eagles had their unbeaten start interrupted March 16 against St. Edward’s (Fla.). ESD finished its Florida road trip with a pair of wins. ESD defeated Lake Mary (Fla.) 8-5 then finished the trip with an 8-5 win over Oxbridge Academy (Fla.). Previous: 3
6. Holly Springs (N.C.), 6-1
The Hawks had a pair of dominant wins last week, first defeating Green Level (N.C.) 21-10 before overwhelming Green Hope (N.C.) 19-2. Senior Jarrett Huff had a three-goal, five-assist effort against Green Level. Senior Nick Calleri posted a four-goal, four-assist effort against Green Hope. Previous: 6
7. Lambert (Ga.) 10-0
In a battle between Georgia’s top two teams, the Longhorns defeated Blessed Trinity 10-9 in overtime on March 19. Danny Kesserling scored the final goal in regulation and the overtime game-winner. Lambert also defeated Johns Creek 14-3 last week. Previous: NR
8. Blessed Trinity (Ga.), 10-1
The Titans’ undefeated start was upended in an overtime thriller against Lambert (Ga.) last week, falling 10-9. Blessed Trinity also picked up a 17-12 win over King’s Ridge Christian Academy (Ga.). Previous: 5
9. Highland Park (Texas), 4-1
The Scots last played March 10 in a 6-5 loss to Episcopal School Dallas. Highland Park returns to action March 23 versus Rockwall (Texas). Previous: 9
10. Middle Creek (N.C.), 6-1
The Mustangs had a pair of dominant wins last week, defeating Panther Creek (N.C) 16-1 and Apex (N.C.) 16-5. James Cardillo was Middle Creek’s leading scorer against Panther Creek with four tallies. Ohio State recruit Tate Jones had a six-goal effort against Apex. Previous: 10
— Justin Boggs
WEST TOP 10
1. Corona del Mar (Calif.), 5-0
The Sea Kings rise to the top spot with St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) dropping a pair of tough games last week and CdM surviving an overtime battle against Colorado powerhouse Regis Jesuit. Logan Ip collected a hat trick, including the game-winner for the 10-9 victory, and Ty Caffarelli and Lucas Newton each tallied two goals. The next big test is Torrey Pines on March 23. Previous: 2
2. Mater Dei (Calif.), 6-0
The Monarchs remain perfect, but it took three overtimes to shake St. Margaret’s (Calif.) on Saturday. Nate Chu scored the deciding goal early in the third overtime on an assist from Conner Dettloff to give Mater Dei a 9-8 win. The Mater Dei defense — led by Andrew Crosby’s six ground balls and some clutch saves by goalie Nick Colignon — held a potent Tartans offense scoreless for the final 23-plus minutes. Griffin Dwyer and Triston Jewell each scored twice. Previous: 3
3. Mountain Vista (Colo.), 3-0
The Golden Eagles’ trip to California proved fruitful. They earned a hard-fought 14-12 win against former No. 4 La Costa Canyon and followed with a much easier 18-2 victory against La Jolla. Mountain Vista is back in action at home March 22 against Denver East. Previous: 5
4. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 5-1
The Falcons went 2-1 last week, with the lone loss coming against Maryland power St. Paul’s 12-6 on Friday. They bounced back by pulling out a 14-13 win over former No. 1 St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) on Saturday and shot up the rankings as a result. Torrey Pines was down 6-0 and stormed back for the win on Blake Washburn’s strike with 12 seconds left. Jacob Mendez had four goals, Tayden Bultman added three and Chandler Caster won 23 faceoffs. Previous: 6
5. Cherry Creek (Colo.), 2-0
The Bruins have a big week ahead with games against Columbine (Colo.), Corner Canyon (Utah) and Valor Christian (Colo.), but in their lone competition last week, they added a 9-5 win at Monarch (Colo.). Thomas Power scored four goals and assisted two others, and Jack Kiefer had eight ground balls and two takeaways to lead the defense. Previous: 8
6. Corner Canyon (Utah), 3-0
The Chargers have won 28 straight games, adding victories against Cherokee Trail (Colo.), 15-8, and Park City (Utah), 16-8. Up next is a big matchup with No. 5 Cherry Creek (Colo.) on March 26. Previous: 7
7. La Costa Canyon (Calif.), 5-1
The Mavericks dropped their first loss of the season to third-ranked Mountain Vista (Colo.), falling 14-12 on March 15, but bounced back to collect a pair of wins against Texas visitors Kincaid and Memorial. Another test looms this week against Arapahoe (Colo.). Previous: 4
8. Regis Jesuit (Colo.), 1-1
The Raiders jumped into the rankings after beating Loyola-Los Angeles (Calif.) 8-2 on March 14, as Logan White led the offense with two goals and an assist and Spencer Day finished with nine saves. Regis Jesuit played Corona del Mar (Calif.) to an overtime loss two days later, and the competitive effort with the new No. 1 team shows the Raiders remain among the top teams. Previous: NR
9. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 5-2
The Wildcats opened the week in strong fashion, fending off WCAL rival Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) 12-10 on Wednesday before dropping back-to-back heartbreakers. They lost in overtime against Loyola-Los Angeles (Calif.) and by a 14-13 score against Torrey Pines (Calif.). Previous: 1
10. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 5-1
The Gators rebounded from their narrow loss to St. Ignatius Prep, beating Los Gatos (Calif.) 18-7 and former No. 10 Jesuit Portland (Ore.) 8-7 in double overtime. Against Jesuit, Ian Dykes led with three goals, and Kai Lockton had one goal and two assists. James Dakin won 10 of 19 faceoffs, and Henry Rydberg had 12 saves. Rydberg gave SHP a great chance against the Wildcats, recording 14 saves in the 12-10 loss. Previous: 9
— Laurel Pfahler