New No. 1 in South Region Highlights High School Boys' Top 10 Updates

Every Tuesday during the high school lacrosse season, USA Lacrosse updates Regional Top 10 and National Top 25 rankings to reflect the results of the previous week. Below are the USA Lacrosse High School Boys’ Regional Top 10 updates through games played March 17.

St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) picked up a signature win when it held off Culver (Ind.) on Sunday. With the win, the Friars solidified their top ranking in the Northeast Region and made a case for being No. 1 nationally. The rest of the region ramps up this week.

The top six teams are off to unbeaten starts in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and they have been impressive with their wins. Lawrenceville (N.J.) keeps the top spot after handing Gilman (Md.) its first loss of the year.

The South Region has a new No. 1, as a matchup of the top two teams went to St. Andrew’s (Fla.). Culver sets the tone in the Midwest Region with an arduous schedule that tests them weekly. St. Ignatius (Calif.) picked up a huge win over St. Paul’s (Md.) to put itself higher on the national map, too.

Below are our updated Regional Top 10s.

NORTHEAST

1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 1-0

The Friars opened their season with a 9-8 win over Culver Academy (Ind.) at the Rutgers’ practice facility Sunday afternoon. Kyle Bilello (Brown) had three goals and one assist, five other Friars added one goal apiece and Sean Forde (Utah) made 12 saves. Next up is another national challenge when the Friars meet St. John’s College (D.C.) March 28 at Drexel University. Previous: 1

2. Brunswick School (Conn.), 0-0

The Bruins, who have a loaded senior class featuring ACC-bound midfielders Hudson Hausmann (Virginia) and Payton Anderson (Syracuse) and Luke Hublitz (Virginia) on close defense, will open their 2024 season against St. Sebastian’s School (Mass.) March 23 at Cosby Field. Previous: 2

3. Chaminade (N.Y.), 0-0

The Flyers are blessed with three Division I-bound starters on close defense, including senior Ben Fox (North Carolina), senior Brendan O’Brien (Lafayette) and junior Lou D’Agostino (Syracuse) and a returning faceoff specialist in Quinn Ball (Penn). That should mean a lot of possessions for junior Connor Kuttin (Johns Hopkins) to light up the scoreboard. Chaminade opens up against Ward Melville (N.Y.) on March 23. Previous: 3

4. Darien (Conn.), 0-0

Not sure if the Blue Wave were keeping receipts from last year, but they’re bound for a big bounce-back year with senior attack Brady Pokorny (Notre Dame), junior defenseman Mark McNamara (Penn State) and senior goaltender Carter Hagen (Loyola) all back for legendary coach Jeff Brameier. First order of business in 2024 is a meeting with Fairfield Prep (Conn.) on March 30. Previous: 4

5. Garden City (N.Y.), 0-0

With senior defenseman Matt Kephart (Princeton), senior goaltender Denis Fargione (Villanova), faceoff specialist Luke Cascadden (Navy) and senior Andrew Ottomanelli and junior Owen Wuchte among those on attack, expectations are again sky high. The Trojans take on Farmingdale (N.Y.) to open the season on March 20. Previous: 5

6. Staples (Conn.), 0-0

With Ben Burmeister (Notre Dame) anchoring the midfield and junior Josh Marcus (North Carolina) in the cage, the Wreckers will take aim at a third straight CIAC Class L championship. Staples opens their title defense April 4 against Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.). Previous: 6

7. Manhasset (N.Y.), 0-0

There’s no replacing Cal Girard, a generational faceoff specialist who is now at Duke, but there’s plenty of talent to suggest the Indians, who join rival Garden City in Class B this year, will again compete for championships. Junior Danny Kolin (Navy) leads the attack and Jack Mulholland (Dartmouth) and Jack Morrison (Amherst) will again anchor the close defense for Manhasset, which takes on Roslyn (N.Y.) on March 19. Previous: 3

8. St. John’s Prep (Mass.), 0-0

Can the Eagles make it four straight Massachusetts state titles? Senior midfielder Jacob Vana (Princeton) is back, as are juniors in defensemen Ryan DeLucia (Georgetown) and Jack Weissenburger (Harvard) and midfielder Luke Kelly (Michigan). St. John’s Prep kicks off their season March 30 at Acton Boxborough (Mass.). Previous: 8

9. Baldwinsville (N.Y.), 0-0

The Bees are another two-time defending champion who should again be one of the top teams in New York State in Class A with senior defenseman Anthony Nicolucci (Siena) and junior midfielders Brady Garcia (Army) and Iggy LoMedico (Marquette) leading the charge. Baldwinsville (N.Y.) starts their season on the road against Pleasantville (N.Y.). Previous: 9

10. Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.), 0-0

The Wildcats could take another step this year after losing to Manhasset in the Long Island Class C championship. There’s stud seniors Liam Kershis (Duke), Alex Kershis (Navy) and Liam Gregorek (Johns Hopkins) anchoring the attack while senior Jaden Galfano (Fairfield) returns in the cage. Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.) hosts Rocky Point (N.Y.) to open the 2024 season on March 25. Previous: 10

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

1. Lawrenceville (N.J.), 3-0

Last year's No. 1 ranked team opened the year with three straight wins. They cruised by Westtown (Pa.) 16-5 on March 12 thanks to a big third quarter. The Big Red had a 4-1 lead after one quarter, and held a 7-3 edge at halftime before a 4-0 third-quarter advantage sealed the victory. They were 14-12 winners over Calvert Hall (Md.) and pulled away from Gilman (Md.) in the second half for an 18-9 win March 16. After taking on St. Sebastian’s School (Mass.), they take on Boys’ Latin (Md.) in a regional 1-2 showdown on March 23. Previous: 1

2. Boys' Latin (Md.), 3-0

The Lakers took down a South Region power in St. Andrew’s (Fla.) on March 12 before taking a week off. Matthew Higgins scored six times and Spencer Ford had five goals in the 19-9 victory. Boys’ Latin will play at Gonzaga (D.C.) on March 19 before challenging Lawrenceville on March 23. Last year, the Lakers were the only team to beat Lawrenceville. Previous: 2

3. McDonogh (Md.), 2-0

The Eagles soared by St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) on March 12 by a 15-5 count. McDonogh jumped out to a 7-3 halftime lead. Eli Schaller had a hat trick by the time McDonogh held a 14-3 lead after three quarters. McDonogh will play at No. 5 Haverford (Pa.) on March 19 and host Hill Academy (Ont.) on March 22 in a week of tough out-of-conference games. Previous: 3

4. Malvern Prep (Pa.), 1-0

The Friars opened the season with a 10-5 win over Georgetown Prep in the IAC/Inter-AC Challenge on March 17. Heath Jones made eight saves, Ennis Udo and Hagen McTear had three points apiece, and Logan Turley joined them with a pair of goals. The Friars pulled away from a 5-4 tight halftime lead. Malvern continues with the strong out-of-conference schedule against a pair of IAAM teams this week in Loyola-Blakefield (Md.) and Calvert Hall (Md.). Previous: 5

5. Haverford (Pa.), 2-0

The Fords earned a tight 6-5 overtime win over Landon (Md.) on March 16 in the IAC/Inter-Ac Challenge. Aydan DiRocco scored the game-winner off Brady O’Kane’s assist. Will Burfiend had a hat trick for the victors, while Brody Murphy made 13 saves, and Ben McCarthy had six ground balls and shared in nine wins at the faceoff with Griff Meyer. Haverford has a huge week with McDonogh and Taft (Conn.) on the schedule. Previous: 4

6. Bullis (Md.), 4-0

The Bulldogs stayed unbeaten with a pair of close wins. They edged Archbishop Spalding (Md.) 10-9 on March 13 and then beat Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) 12-9 on March 16 as part of the IAC/Inter-Ac Challenge. Kieran Anzelone had a goal and assist against Spalding before a five-goal, three-assist effort against SCH. Bullis tries to stay perfect against Good Counsel (Md.) on March 19 and Loyola-Blakefield on March 22. Previous: 6

7. Calvert Hall (Md.), 2-1

After opening with easy wins over Westtown (Pa.) and Woodlands (Texas), the Cardinals gave Lawrenceville another good game this season before falling again in a close one. The 14-12 loss, though, showed as well as either of the opening wins that Calvert can still compete among the best in the region and the country. They face Hill Academy (Ont.) on March 19 and Malvern on March 22 in two more big challenges this week. Previous: NR

8. Gilman (Md.), 3-1

The Greyhounds rode Jay Wilkerson’s six points and Mike Maloney’s four goals to a 14-3 win at Norfolk Academy (Va.). Wilkerson came up big again with two goals and three assists and Zachary Parks made 12 saves in an 8-5 win at St. John’s College High (D.C.) on March 15. Jay Rodgers, Maloney, James Meyer and Wilkerson all scored two goals apiece in an 18-9 loss to Lawrenceville. Previous: 8

9. Georgetown Prep (Md.), 3-2

Prep split a pair of games in what’s been an interesting start with three overtime games already. The latest OT game went their way, 8-7, over Loyola-Blakefield (Md.). After an Alex Gutierrez save, Ciaran McCleary got out in transition with a burst of speed and the Johns Hopkins commit fired in the game-winner with 2:00 left in overtime. In their next game, Georgetown trailed by only one at halftime, but mustered only one second-half goal in a 10-5 loss Malvern Prep. Previous: 10

10. St. Mary’s (Md.), 3-1

The Crusaders have not lost since Georgetown caught them in overtime to start the season. Their latest win in a modest three-game win streak was a 9-6 triumph over Gonzaga (D.C.). They held Gonzaga to one second-half goal. Than Souza fired in four goals to pace the offense, James Brimhall had a goal and two assists, and Logan Earl made nine saves. They play at Landon (Md.) and at a La Salle (Pa.) team hungry to impress. Previous: NR

— Justin Feil

SOUTH

1. St. Andrew’s (Fla.), 12-1

In a battle between the two top teams in the region, the Scots defeated Lake Mary 10-9 thanks to a two-goal, five-assist effort by Nick Testa. Goalie Andrew Pozo had 13 saves. The victory helped get over a 19-9 loss to Boys Latin (Md.). St. Andrew’s finished last week with a 14-5 win over Lake Highland Prep (Fla.). Dylan Faison had five goals in the win. Previous: 2

2. Lake Mary (Fla.), 10-1

The Rams won their 10th game in a row by defeating Lake Nona (Fla.) 19-1. The week concluded with Lake Mary losing to St. Andrew’s (Fla.) 10-9. Previous: 1

3. Charlotte Catholic (N.C.), 9-0

The Cougars continue to dominate the opposition. Charlotte Catholic picked up wins last week over Weddington (N.C.) by a 19-9 margin, and Marvin Ridge (N.C.) 18-7. Previous: 7

4. Bolles (Fla.), 12-0

The Bulldogs got a week off after a 12-0 start to the season. Bolles has a busy week ahead with contests against Erie (Colo.), Bartram Trail (Fla.) and Lucy Beckham (S.C.). Previous: 4

5. Cannon School (N.C.), 3-1

The Cougars have been off since they had their first setback of the year, falling to Charlotte Catholic (N.C.) 14-11. Cannon School returns to action to face Charlotte Country Day School (N.C.). Previous: 7

6. Highland Park (Texas), 7-1

The Scots had a three-game road trip and picked up a trio of big wins against out-of-state competition. Highland Park started the week with a 6-1 victory over Tabor Academy (Mass.), followed by a 9-7 victory over IMG Academy (Fla.) and an 8-3 win over Phillips Exter Academy (N.H.). Previous: 10

7. Westlake (Texas), 9-1

The Chaparrals have won seven in a row since their early-season loss to Dallas Jesuit (Texas). Westlake last played on March 10, defeating IMG Academy (Fla.). Westlake returns to action to take on St. Mark’s (Texas) March 23. Previous: NR

6. Benjamin (Fla.), 9-1

The Buccaneers have five consecutive victories since falling to St. Andrew’s (Fla.). Benjamin defeated Oxbridge Academy (Fla.) 14-10 thanks to Alex Ponchock’s six-goal, three-assist performance. Benjamin then overwhelmed IMG Academy (Fla.) in a 20-6 victory. Ponchock also scored six times against IMG Academy. Previous: NR

8. Jupiter (Fla.), 9-2

After early-season losses to Benjamin (Fla.) and St. Andrew’s (Fla.), the Warriors have won eight in a row, including wins over St. Edward’s (Fla.) and Southlake Carroll (Texas). Last week, Jupiter toppled Dwyer (Fla.) 16-1 and St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) 9-7. Matthew Sofarelli leads Jupiter with 32 points this season. Dylan Furshman has won 86% of draws this season. Previous: NR

10. Green Level (N.C.), 7-0

The Gators are off to a 7-0 start, including pulling off a 10-9 overtime win over Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.). Green Level also picked up a 9-8 win over Holly Springs (N.C.). Junior Harrison Murray is leading the team with 20 goals while Josh Smith has a team-leading 65 ground balls. Previous: NR

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST

1. Culver Academy (Ind.), 4-1

The Eagles have already logged their share of frequent-flier miles, including trips to Texas (where they swept Highland Park and Jesuit Dallas) and New York (where they fell by a single goal to one of the nation's top teams in St. Anthony's). Culver's travels are far from over, including this week's trip to the nation's capital to face St. John's College (D.C.) and Gonzaga (D.C.). Previous: 1

2. Brother Rice (Mich.), 0-0

Lacrosse season in the Mitten State starts this week with the 2023 state champion Warriors opening up against a pair of Buckeye State teams in St. Francis DeSales and Mason. It won't be long (April 9) until Brother Rice faces Detroit Catholic Central in a state title game rematch with all three of their contests last year decided by three goals or fewer. Previous: 2

3. Dublin Jerome (Ohio), 1-0

The 2023 state champion Celtics were dominant in their 2024 opener, earning a running clock just minutes into the second half of their 18-8 win over Milford (Ohio). Xander Johnson (4 goals), Jackson Bates (2 goals, 3 assists), Kyle White (3 goals) and Ty Haqq (1 goal, 3 assists) were among the many standouts for Dublin Jerome. Previous: 3

4. Rockhurst Jesuit (Mo.), 3-2

Fresh off an undefeated 2023 season, the Hawklets challenged themselves with a grueling East Coast trip, highlighted by an 18-15 win over St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Va.). Luke McNamara scored a whopping eight goals while Jack Bichelmeyer (5 goals, 3 assists) and Colin Komenda (3 goals, 5 assists) also played leading roles. Moreover, Rockhurst Jesuit was plenty competitive in its loss to Good Counsel (Md.) and hung early with nationally-ranked Georgetown Prep (Md.). Previous: 5

5. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 1-0

The Golden Bears won their opener in dramatic fashion, scoring the last three goals to wipe out a 10-8 fourth-quarter deficit against St. Xavier (Ohio). UA has just one game this week, at Thomas Worthington (Ohio) before heading to Colorado next week for contests against Cherry Creek and Valor Christian. Previous: 5

6. Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.), 0-0

Michigan lacrosse starts this week and the Shamrocks begin with an immediate challenge as they host Detroit Country Day (Mich.), last year's Division II state runner-up with an impressive 19-3 record. Previous: 6

7. Hartland (Mich.), 0-0

The Eagles' 2024 season gets underway with a couple of solid in-state opponents: Romeo and Rockford. The Rams, in particular, should be a good test, coming off a 12-4 season last year. Previous: 8

8. Wheaton Academy (Ill.), 1-0

Last year's state champions extended their win streak to 20 games, dominating their opener, 19-2, against Lyons (Ill.). The schedule is about to get a lot harder for the Warriors as they take on St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Va.) followed by two straight games against teams named St. Xavier, first Ohio's and then Kentucky's. Previous: 9

9. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (Minn.), 0-0

With Gus Bell (51 goals, 20 assists) and Dylan Parker (36 goals, 20 assists) among those set to return from last year's state championship team, excitement is rightfully high for the Red Knights. Previous: 10

10. Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.), 3-0

The Royals had one of the more impressive wins of the week, edging St. Xavier (Ohio) by a goal. Sophomore Kyle Jenkins scored half of HSE's goals while Lukas Kress had the game-winner off an assist from David Gould. Previous: NR

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

1. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 5-0

The Wildcats come out on top again on the heels of two impressive victories against No. 3 Torrey Pines (Calif.) and previously ranked No. 9 in the Mid-Atlantic region St. Paul’s (Md.). St. Ignatius defeated Torrey Pines on the road 14-4 on March 15 followed by another incredible statement win against St. Paul’s, a strong East Coast team, which the Wildcats won 16-12 on March 16. The Wildcats take on De La Salle (Calif.) on March 19 then host Bellarmine Prep (Calif.) on March 21. Previous: 1

2. Valor Christian (Colo.), 1-0

Valor Christian’s match against Cherry Creek (Colo.) on March 15 was canceled due to inclement weather. This week the Eagles head east for two matches against Academy of the New Church (Pa.) on March 23 then Malvern Prep (Pa.) on March 25. Previous: 2

3. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 4-2

In an overtime thriller, Torrey Pines held its own against Maryland’s St. Paul’s who clinched the victory 11-10 on March 14; Falcons’ goalkeeper Andrew Cook (Johns Hopkins) put up 15 saves. The Falcons then fell 14-4 to No. 1 St. Ignatius (Calif.) on March 15. Up next for Torrey Pines is a two-game homestead against Corona Del Mar (Calif.) on March 20 followed by Bishop’s (Calif.) on March 22. Previous: 3

4. Mountain Vista (Colo.), 1-0

The Golden Eagles’ game against Air Academy (Colo.) was canceled and postponed to a later date TBD. On deck for Mountain Vista are two out-of-state contests against Bishop’s (Calif.) on March 20 and Coronado (Calif.) on March 22. Previous: 4

5. Loyola Los Angeles (Calif.), 6-1

The Cubs went 2-for-2 last week, defeating Mira Costa (Calif.) 16-2 on March 14 followed by a 19-3 victory over Sierra Canyon (Calif.) on March 16. Loyola Los Angeles aims to maintain its momentum against Regis Jesuit (Colo.) on March 21. Previous: 5

6. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 7-2

It was a split week for the Knights who edged Santa Margarita (Calif.) 7-6 in overtime on March 14 then came up short, 10-8, against previously-ranked South Region No. 9 Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas) on March 16. Foothill heads to the Valley of the Sun for a challenging contest against No. 10 Brophy (Ariz.) on March 18. Previous: 6

7. Redwood (Calif.), 5-0

Redwood added to its winning streak with a 10-2 victory over Marin Academy (Calif.) on March 12 then defeated previously-ranked No. 8 De La Salle (Calif.) 10-3 on March 15. The California public school has a testing week ahead, first against Legend (Colo.) on March 19, then two in-league opponents, Tamalpais (Calif.) on March 20 and Marin Catholic (Calif.) on March 22. Previous: 7

8. Jesuit Portland (Ore.), 2-0

Jesuit Portland opened its season with two victories, defeating Lake Oswego (Ore.) 22-3 on March 14 followed by an 18-5 win over Royal Bay Academy (Canada) on March 16. The Crusaders travel south for a pair of matches against previously-ranked South Region No. 9 Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas) on March 22 and Dallas Jesuit (Texas). Previous: NR

9. Brophy Prep (Ariz.), 11-2

The Broncos bounced back from two losses to take down previously-ranked South Region No. 9 Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas) 9-6 on March 14. Senior FOGO Deion James recorded 16 faceoff wins and goalie Ryan Peitzmeier had 12 saves. Up next for Brophy is No. 6 Foothill-Santa Ana on March 18 then in-state rival Notre Dame Prep (Ariz.) on March 22. Previous: NR

10. Sacred Heart Prep (Ariz.), 3-2

The Gators are back in the polls after securing two wins against in-state opponents. Sacred Heart dominated in-league opponent Bellarmine College Prep (Calif.) 14-1 on March 13 and continued its winning streak 11-6 over Marin Catholic (Calif.) on March 16. Senior middie Andrew Shen recorded a hat trick in each match. It was a satisfactory turnaround for Sacred Heart after two tough losses. Up next is Menlo School (Calif.) on March 20 followed by Marin Academy (Calif.) on March 22. Previous: NR

— Theresa Palmquist