Maryland teams dominate the top of the first Mid-Atlantic Girls’ Top 10 of the spring.
The first five teams all enjoyed great seasons in a return to play in 2021. St. Paul’s (Md.) finished at No. 1 last year after taking the ultra-competitive IAAM A Conference title. The Gators open this season in the top spot after reloading, but a veteran McDonogh (Md.) team sits ready to return to the top spot that it held for years.
No. 3 Stone Ridge (Md.), a breakout squad last year, has some serious graduation losses, but also has a lot of strong, young potential. Notre Dame (Md.) and Glenelg Country School (Md.) return talent and neither would be a surprise at the top of the IAAM A Conference.
Defending New Jersey state champion Oak Knoll and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) look to repeat as title-winning teams after replacing significant graduation losses. No. 8 Georgetown Visitation has a new coach and strong ambitions built around its defensive abilities and balance. Agnes Irwin (Pa.) looks to build on last year’s second-half momentum, and perennial power Moorestown (N.J.) rounds out the Top 10.
Continue on to see how the Top 10 unfolds, and check back every Tuesday beginning March 29 for National Top 25 updates.
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1. ST. PAUL’S (MD.)
The Gators are gearing up to prove they still have enough firepower to repeat as IAAM A Conference champions, even after losing 2021 Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year Christina Gagnon to USC. St. Paul’s gave a sneak peak of its remaining strength when it won indoor nationals in January. Another daunting conference schedule will give the Gators plenty more chances to establish themselves. The Gators have the depth and strength end to end for another big season.
2. MCDONOGH (MD.)
The Eagles have 20 returning players from a team that came on strong to reach the conference final. Among them are two of the very best in the country in Kori Edmondson (Maryland) and Caroline Godine (North Carolina) that make the offense as potent as anyone’s. McDonogh added a talented freshman class and several transfers that will raise the team’s competitive level.
3. STONE RIDGE (MD.)
Stone Ridge is prepared to build from last year’s breakthrough success. After losing six starters, early matchups with St. Paul’s (Md.) and McDonogh (Md.) as part of a loaded schedule will test the youth. Michaela O’Connor (Boston College) and Paige Kenny (New Hampshire) lead a defense that also features junior Amanda Brille (Georgetown). Virginia commit Corey White returns in the midfield.
4. NOTRE DAME PREP (MD.)
The lone team to beat St. Paul’s (Md.) last year, Notre Dame dipped into a strong core to replace seven graduated starters. The strength of the team lies in the defense with the Maryland-bound senior duo of Mae Marshall and Olivia Rockstroh and a midfield paced by Finley Barger (Virginia) and Ellie White (Duke). Peyton Howell (Louisville) and Peyton Oliver (Boston College) key the attack.
5. GLENELG COUNTRY (MD.)
Led by a senior group that includes defender Cydney Lisk (Loyola), attacker Jaclyn Marszal (Notre Dame), defender Neve O’Ferrall (Maryland), midfielder Josie Pell (JMU) and attacker Maggie Weisman (Maryland), and junior midfielder Lena Doreen (Duke), the Dragons have the potential to knock off anyone. They graduated just three seniors, and their veteran lineup will enable them to contend for a conference crown.
6. OAK KNOLL (N.J.)
The Royals lost seven starters from last year’s team that came on strong with 20 straight wins to capture the New Jersey Tournament of Champions. Oak Knoll’s defense, highlighted by Trinity Koetje (Georgetown), returns all but one starter. The midfield is led by Devon Gogerty (Virginia), and the offense will be geared around the team’s impressive speed. Though the low attack will be young, the new starters are skilled and will be growing together through the season.
7. ST. STEPHEN'S & ST. AGNES (VA.)
The Saints will build around the three starters back from their VISAA championship team. Seniors Nicole Cruthird (Virginia), Morgan Lewis (Navy) and Emma Pascal (Yale) will be the backbone of a team that still has talent. There is positive energy as new contributors seek increased opportunities in Kathy Jenkins’ program.
8. GEORGETOWN VISITATION (D.C.)
New head coach Bucky Morris inherits a Visi team that returns six starters. He is expecting strong defense from an experienced group that includes junior Rowan Clancy (Michigan) and returning sophomore goalie Maeve Obrist. Fast middies such as Megan Myers (Denver) and a balanced attack that can finish will enable the Cubs to control the tempo of games.
9. AGNES IRWIN (PA.)
The return from injury of Marissa White (North Carolina) will bolster Agnes Irwin, which recovered from a slow start to win its league title last year. Only three starters graduated, and with a dozen seniors back — 10 of whom are going to play collegiately — the team has experience to rely on. The Owls graduated two Division I goalies but are excited about the potential of their replacement, sophomore Maggie Mullen.
10. MOORESTOWN (N.J.)
The Quakers return top-end senior midfielder Katie Buck (Rutgers) to lead a team that reached the state final last year. Moorestown’s attack graduated plenty, but Emma Dengler (UMass) remains a formidable scoring threat. The team will be challenged during a schedule that includes Oak Knoll (N.J.), Agnes Irwin (Pa.), Darien (Conn.), Penn Charter (Pa.) and Ridgewood (N.J.).