Several New Teams Join Regional Top 10 Ranks With Late-Season Surges

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 May 5.

The Northeast Region still has unbeaten Brunswick (Conn.) at the top and St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) at No. 2, but there were some changes in the region. Belmont Hill (Mass.) and Chaminade (N.Y.) both kept up their winning ways to move up, benefitting from losses by St. John’s Prep (Mass.) and Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.). New Canaan (Conn.), which was just on the outside one week ago, slides into the No. 10 spot after getting defensive in a win over Staples (Conn.). St. Anthony’s and Chaminade face off this week with a title and rankings on the line.

Half the teams have found new spots in the Mid-Atlantic Region and Archbishop Spalding (Md.) has risen into the top 10. Haverford (Pa.) re-asserted its position ahead of Malvern Prep (Pa.), which picked up an important win over Salesianum (Del.) in a top-five head-to-head contest. Spalding made its move into the top 10 after knocking off Calvert Hall (Md.). The Cavaliers started the year slowly but are hitting their stride at the right time.

Four Florida teams claimed regional titles to highlight the South Region’s week. Bolles (Fla.) needed overtime, while St. Andrew’s and Lake Mary were more convincing winners. Benjamin knocked off another top 10 team, Lake Highland Prep, for its Sunshine State crown. One newcomer made waves, as Buford (Ga.) handed North Paulding (Ga.) their first loss to vault into the rankings before playing for the state title.

Culver Academy (Ind.) remains the class of the Midwest Region and many of the other rankings have been reinforced by head-to-head matchups in recent weeks. Upper Arlington (Ohio) survived a scare and topped No. 6 Brother Rice (Mich.) to remain at No. 2. Dublin Jerome (Ohio) jumped Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) after edging them in a good game. A win over previously unbeaten Bloomington Jefferson (Minn.) landed Prior Lake (Minn.) in the top 10 as the only newcomer in the Midwest.

St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) won a league title to remain atop the West Region as the playoffs are well underway for much of the region. Brophy Prep (Ariz.) also won their state title. Valor Christian (Colo.) picked up a top-five win over Cherry Creek (Colo.). Mountain Vista (Colo.) made a move into the rankings on the strength of handing Arapahoe (Colo.) their first loss of the season. Playoff action could further shift the rankings.

NORTHEAST

1. Brunswick School (Conn.), 13-0

Eight was the magic number for the Bruins last week, as in the number of goals conceded per game. Brunswick (Conn.) defeated Delbarton (N.J.), 14-8, Ridgefield (Conn.), 11-8, and Westminster School (Conn.), 16-8. Kyle Pagnani had a second-half hat trick in the Senior Day win over the Martlets. Previous: 1

2. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 11-2

Luke Breslin had six goals and one assist, Quinn Langton had two goals and two assists and Sean Forde made 17 saves in a 10-7 victory over Haverford (Pa.). It was the first loss of the season for Haverford. The Friars next face Chaminade (N.Y.) May 7 with a chance to win a 14th CHSAA title by beating the Flyers for an eighth consecutive time. Previous: 2

3. Belmont Hill (Mass.), 12-1

The Hillers were road warriors last week, beating host Noble & Greenough (Mass.), 13-12, before beating host St. Sebastian (Mass.), 14-12, to extend their winning streak to six following that one-goal loss to IMG Academy (Fla.). Previous: 5

4. Chaminade (N.Y.), 10-3

The Flyers are riding a seven-game winning streak heading into their second showdown with St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) following an 11-8 victory over Delbarton (N.J.). John Balsamo, Jack Tully, Gavin Lynch and James Gillis each had two goals and one assist and Sal Caputo made 10 saves for surging Chaminade (N.Y.). Previous: 6

5. Half Hollow Hills (N.Y.), 14-0

Anthony Raio had five goals and two assists, Luke Bradley had two goals and three assists, James Bruno had three goals, Zach Marco had three assists and Sal Santoro made 19 saves in a 12-11 win over Ward Melville (N.Y.) as Half Hollow Hills (N.Y.) inches closer to the top seed in the Suffolk Class A playoffs. Previous: 7

6. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 13-1

The Phantoms’ 12-game winning streak was snapped with an 8-7 loss to Comsewogue (N.Y.), but Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) bounced back to beat Harborfields (N.Y.), 11-8. Ryan Hannaford scored four goals, Maclin Keyser had three goals, Danny Aiello had two goals and Ben Morris had one goal and two assists in the bounce-back win. Previous: 4

7. Garden City (N.Y.), 13-2

Charlie Koester had five goals and one assist, Carson Kraus had three goals and one assist, Andrew Ottomanelli had two goals and two assists, Luke Cascadden won 13/15 faceoffs and Denis Fargione made seven saves in a 12-4 win over Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), the Trojans’ 10th straight win. Previous: 8

8. Fairfield Prep (Conn.), 10-1

Trailing by three goals twice in the fourth quarter, Fairfield Prep (Conn.) rallied to defeat Cheshire (Conn.), 14-13, in overtime with Luke Shannehan scoring the OT winner to cap a 10-point game (eight goals, two assists). Tim Shannehan added three goals and three assists for the Jesuits. Previous: 9

9. East Islip (N.Y.), 13-1

Ethan Benardos scored four goals, Matt McIntee had two goals and four assists, Matt Baldino had two goals and two assists and Sean Hannigan added a pair of goals for East Islip (N.Y.) in a 15-4 win over Eastport-South Manor (N.Y.). Previous: 10

10. New Canaan (Conn.), 11-2

JT O’Neill won eight of 10 faceoffs, Cameron Lyden made five first-half saves with just one goal against, while Jack Crowell made seven saves in a second-half shutout and the close defense of Dillon Stephens, Gray Tamasco and Bryce Lyden, LSM Will Hayes and defensive midfielder Thomas Garcia shut things down in a 5-1 win over Staples (Conn.). Previous: NR

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

1. Lawrenceville (N.J.), 15-1

Lawrenceville ran their winning streak to seven games with convincing wins over Deerfield Academy (Mass.) and Hill Academy (Ont.). The Big Red took it to Deerfield in an 18-8 victory to start the week. They knocked off Hill 14-9 in another good matchup. The nine goals were the most any team has scored on the Big Red defense during their win streak. Lawrenceville closes out its regular season with games at Academy of New Church (Pa.) and a game against visiting Hill School (Pa.) on May 11. Previous: 1

2. Haverford (Pa.), 16-1

The Fords finally fell. Haverford lost to St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) 10-7 on May 4 despite 12 saves from Brody Murphy. Finn Lawrence paced the offense with a hat trick and Brady O’Kane scored a goal and had an assist. Conor Morsell picked up six ground balls. Murphy was outstanding with 18 saves in a 10-9 win over Malvern Prep (Pa.). Jack Long scored his third goal with 12.7 seconds left for the game-winner. O’Kane had a pair of scores plus an assist and Evan Large scored twice. It was the Fords’ second win over a talented Malvern team and Haverford can wrap up a second straight Inter-Ac league championship with a win over Germantown Academy (Pa.) on May 7. Previous: 2

3. Malvern Prep (Pa.), 15-3

On a day in which they celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their unbeaten 2014 season, the Friars edged Salesianum (Del.) 9-8 behind five points from Ennis Udo (4 goals and an assist) and four points from Michael Ortlieb (two goals, two assists). Heath Jones made 11 saves and Nick Wehmeyer created possession going 15-for-20 at the faceoff X. The win avenged last year’s one-goal loss to Salesianum. The Friars lost a tight one to Haverford, 10-9, despite Wehmeyer going 11-for-19 on faceoffs, Udo putting up three points on two goals and an assist and Logan Turley scoring twice. Jones made five saves. They dominated Germantown Academy (Pa.) 18-4 with a balanced effort of 10 different goal scorers led by Chase Deves’ hat trick. They play Penn Charter (Pa.) and Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) before a top-10 matchup against La Salle (Pa.). Previous: 4

4. Salesianum (Del.), 11-2

The Sals split a pair of one-goal games. They outscored IMG National (Fla.)17-16 in overtime on Senior Night to start the week in what’s become a very good rivalry. They fell to Malvern, 9-8, for just their second one-goal loss of the season. Their only game this week brings in Ohio power Upper Arlington on May 11. Previous: 3

5. McDonogh (Md.), 11-3

The Eagles trounced John Carroll (Md.) 21-4 to remain in a second-place tie in the MIAA standings with one game left in the regular season. McDonogh, Archbishop Spalding (Md.) and Calvert Hall (Md.) are all tied at 7-2 in league play. McDonogh will host a Gilman (Md.) team that trails it by a game in the standings. Previous: 5

6. Boys' Latin (Md.), 12-2

The Lakers came out firing after suffering their first loss to an MIAA team. Boys’ Latin jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first quarter, stretched it to 9-2 by halftime and won comfortably, 13-6, over Gilman (Md.) on April 30. Spencer Ford had four goals and five assists and Matthew Higgins scored a hat trick and had three assists, Parker Hoffman was dominant in at the faceoff X and Will Ohnmacht made 11 saves. Boys’ Latin sits in first place in the MIAA at 8-1 after also disposing of Severn (Md.) 14-5 on May 4. They close the regular season at St. Paul’s (Md.) on May 7. Previous: 6

7. Landon (Md.), 15-2

The Bears are the top seed in the IAC tournament. They will host St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) in the semifinals on May 7. The winner will face the Bullis (Md.) vs. Georgetown Prep (D.C.) winner in the final May 10. Landon finished the regular season with a 20-6 win over Episcopal (Va.) on April 30 to conclude an unbeaten IAC season. Previous: 8

8. La Salle (Pa.), 16-0

It took overtime, but the Explorers defeated Radnor (Pa.) 10-9. Paul Van Bastelaar scored the game-winner, his second goal of the game to go with a pair of assists. Max Wickersham assisted on the goal, one of his three helpers to go with six goals. Stevie Davis went 19 for 20 on faceoffs and Christian Peterman was 5 for 5. Matt Nelson made six saves. La Salle had the lead until Radnor tied the game with three seconds left in regulation. La Salle had pounded Archbishop Wood (Pa.) 17-3 and Archbishop Ryan (Pa.) 18-3 earlier in the week. The Explorers finish their regular season with a pair of significant challenges with Christian Brothers (N.J.) and Malvern (Pa.) on the schedule this week. Previous: 10

9. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 12-4

The Cavaliers are one of the hottest teams in the MIAA with the playoffs right around the corner. Under new head coach Evan Hockel, Spalding was just 6-4 through the first 10 games of the year, but after a lopsided 11-4 loss to Gilman (Md.), they have been streaking with a huge win over McDonogh, and last week earned solid wins over St. Paul’s (Md.) and Calvert Hall (Md.). The Cavaliers were 16-9 winners over St. Paul’s, and then knocked off Calvert Hall, 13-8, to create a three-way tie for second in the conference with one game left. They’ll play at Mount St. Joseph (Md.) on May 7. Previous: 9

10. Calvert Hall (Md.), 10-5

After getting by Mount St. Joseph (Md.) 9-5, the Cardinals were tripped up by Archbishop Spalding (Md.) 13-8. The loss brought Calvert into a three-way tie for second place with Spalding and McDonogh with one game left in the regular season. The Cardinals will try to take care of business at Loyola Blakefield (Md.) on May 7. Previous: 7

— Justin Feil

SOUTH

1. St. Andrew’s (Fla.), 22-1

The Scots inched closer to another state title last week after toppling St. John Paul II Academy (Fla.) 25-6 for a regional title. Sophomore Dylan Faison had six goals and five assists in the winning effort. St. Andrew’s advanced to the regional final by defeating Oxbridge Academy (Fla.) 14-4. Faison had a team-leading five goals. Nick Testa had five assists. Previous: 1

2. Lake Mary (Fla.), 22-1

The Rams are off to the state semifinals after claiming a regional title. Lake Mary defeated Ponte Vedra  (Fla.) 12-3 for the regional crown. Mitchell Campbell had a hat trick in the win. Lake Mary got to the regional title game with a 22-1 win over Nease (Fla.). Previous: 2

3. Charlotte Catholic (N.C.), 21-0

After getting a first-round bye, the Cougar easily demolished Davie (N.C.) 26-5 in the second round of the state playoffs. Charlotte Catholic will next face Myers Park (N.C.) in the playoffs. Previous: 3

4. Highland Park (Texas), 16-3

The Fighting Scots picked up a 10-4 win over Southlake (Texas) in the super regional. Junior Paxton Smith scored four goals in the win. Highland Park next faces Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas) in the state semifinal. Previous: 4

5. Bolles (Fla.), 21-2

Thanks to Jack Cox’s overtime heroics, the Bulldogs claimed a regional title by edging Oak Hall (Fla.) 9-8. Bolles rallied from a late two-goal deficit to win. Bolles advanced to the regional final by toppling Episcopal School of Jacksonville (Fla.) 23-4. Senior Parker Kane scored seven goals in the big win. Previous: 5

6. Westlake (Texas), 18-1

With an 18-5 victory over Cy Woods (Texas), the Chaparrals are off to the state semifinals. Westlake will next face the Woodlands (Texas) for a spot in the state title game. Previous: 6

7. Benjamin (Fla.), 19-1

The Buccaneers earned a regional championship with an impressive 16-5 win over Lake Highland Prep (Fla.). Jack Kelleher had a three-goal, four-assist effort in the win. Benjamin got to the regional final after defeating St. Edward’s (Fla.) 18-6. Kelleher had five goals in the semifinal. Previous: 7

8. Roswell (Ga.), 20-2

The Hornets survived a tight regional quarterfinal by outlasting Allatoona (Ga.) 8-7. Ezra Moore had four goals in the win. Roswell then punched its ticket to the state championship after defeating Alpharetta (Ga.). Moore had a hat trick in the win. Roswell will go for a state title against Centennial (Ga.). Previous: 10

9. Buford (Ga.), 20-1

The Wolves will play for a state championship after defeating previously unbeaten North Paulding (Ga.) 15-12. Buford also defeated Milton (Ga.) 14-7 in the state quarterfinal. Kamden Clark had four goals in both games. Previous: NR

10. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 15-3

The Highlanders’ season came to a close in the regional final, falling to Benjamin (Fla.) 16-5. Lake Highland got to the regional final after defeating Holy Trinity Episcopal (Fla.) 21-9. Campbell Ewell and Jack Fiordalis had a hat trick in the win. Previous: 8

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST

1. Culver Academy (Ind.), 13-2

The Eagles won an enthralling Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Association championship game over host Western Reserve Academy on May 4. Culver’s 15-10 victory started with a huge first quarter (in which the Eagles jumped out to a 6-1 lead). The Eagles proved tricky to come back against thanks to outstanding faceoff work from the duo of Spencer Reagan and Tay Rodriguez and myriad highlight-reel saves from Patrick Biese. Previous: 1

2. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 14-2

The Golden Bears held off in-state foe Hilliard Davidson, 11-10, then topped 2023 Michigan state champion Brother Rice, 15-12. In the latter, Tommy Janowicz had five goals and an assist while Jack Caine notched two goals and four assists. Previous: 2

3. Rockhurst Jesuit (Mo.), 14-2

The Hawklets topped Olathe East (Kan.) in their regular season finale, thus locking up the one seed in the upcoming tournament. Three players scored at least five points for Rockhurst Jesuit: Jack Bichelmeyer (3 goals, 4 assists), Colin Komenda (3 goals, 3 assists) and Luke McNamara (4 goals, 1 assist). The defense continued to excel as well, led by Charlie Gormsen, Hayes Holmes and Mack Renko. Previous: 3

4. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 13-1

The Patriots had a big week, including Brian Savage setting a program record with his 10 goals in Saturday’s 26-4 victory over Jackson (Ohio). Broc Fitzpatrick dominated the X in that game and Liberty’s 19-5 win over Orange on May 1, going 21 of 28 in the two games. Tack on big weeks from Ohio State commit Jake Struck and Virginia Military Institute commit Luca Minitti and the Patriots are on a roll. Previous: 4

5. St. Xavier (Ohio), 13-2

The Bombers won the Battle of St. Xavier on May 1, topping Kentucky’s St. Xavier in overtime. Khalif Hocker led the way with a hat trick and an assist while Trent Yelton made 19 saves and Magnus Violet went 18 of 24 at the X. Previous: 5

6. Brother Rice (Mich.), 11-3

The Warriors battled hard against some of the best of the Buckeye State, edging Dublin Jerome by a goal and falling to Upper Arlington by three. Saint Joseph’s University commit Alec Gniatczyk delivered on the big stage, scoring an impressive five goals against the Golden Bears. Previous: 6

7. Dublin Jerome (Ohio), 10-2

The Celtics played a pair of highly entertaining games against the best of the Mitten State, topping Detroit Catholic Central in overtime and losing by a goal to Brother Rice. Seth Siddell went an impressive 23 of 36 from the X while senior middies Xander Johnson, Mason Rice and Kyle White handled tough games on back-to-back days beautifully. The tough games don’t stop for Dublin Jerome, which faces St. Xavier on May 8 in a rematch of last year’s state championship game. Previous: 8

8. Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.), 11-3

The Shamrocks had a 2-1 week, battling hard in a pair of one-goal games against top Ohio teams. DCC edged Mason by a goal, 11-10, and fell in overtime to Dublin Jerome by the same score. Previous: 7

9. Trinity Louisville (Ky.), 12-1

The Shamrocks had a quiet week, following the prior week’s impressive victory over Missouri power MICDS. Trinity now seeks to go on a deep tournament run and avenge last year’s loss in the state semifinals. Previous: 9

10. Prior Lake (Minn.), 5-0

The 2023 state runners-up are off to a hot start, including impressive back-to-back victories over Eden Prairie (8-6) on May 1 and at undefeated Bloomington Jefferson (5-4) on May 2. Beyond limiting opponents to five goals per game, the Lakers got a big night from Max Anderson against Bloomington Jefferson as he scored two of their five goals. Previous: NR

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

1. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 17-2

Newly crowned WCAL playoff champions, St. Ignatius dominated the tournament, allowing only seven goals against them and taking down No. 7 Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 14-4, in the finals. The Wildcats defeated Sacred Heart Cathedral (Calif.) in round one then Menlo (Calif.) in the semifinals. Central Coast Section playoffs are up next. Previous: 1

2. Valor Christian (Colo.), 13-2

The Eagles defeated previously-ranked No. 5 Cherry Creek (Colo.) 9-3 then dominated Rock Canyon (Colo.) 17-2. Senior middie Baden Brown (Tufts) recorded seven goals and two assists across both games. Valor Christian is No. 1 in the league heading into their first playoff match on May 1. Previous: 2

3. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 15-3

Torrey Pines won two games last week over league opponents Poway (Calif.) and Carlsbad (Calif.) to earn the Avocado League title. The Falcons are the No. 1 seed in the CIF Open Division playoffs which begin May 14. Previous: 3

4. Brophy Prep (Ariz.), 22-2

Under the leadership of head coach Pat Harbeson, the Broncos are crowned the Arizona Lacrosse League state champions for the third consecutive year after a 19-2 victory over Pinnacle (Ariz.). Erik Volfson (Lafayette) netted five goals and Joshua Buse added four. Previous: 6

5. Cherry Creek (Colo.), 12-3

Cherry Creek added two more wins and a loss after falling to No. 2 Valor Christian (Colo.) then defeating Cherokee Trail (Colo.) and Regis Jesuit (Colo.). After a first-round bye, the Bruins face the winner of Denver East (Colo.) and Mountain Range (Colo.). Previous: 5

6. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 14-5

Sacred Heart Prep is the WCAL championship runner-up after falling to No. 1 St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) in the finals. The Gators shut out Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) in the opening round then defeated Saint Francis (Calif.), 15-1 in the semis. Previous: 7

7. Marin Catholic (Calif.), 16-5

The Wildcats defeated Casa Grande (Calif.) 20-1 in the playoff quarterfinals after receiving a first-round bye. They face Monte Vista (Calif.) for a spot in the championship match. Previous: 8

8. St. Margaret’s Episcopal (Calif.), 18-2

After a first-round bye in the D1 CIF Southern Section Boys Lacrosse Championship, the Tartans defeated Corona del Mar (Calif.) in the quarterfinals. There’s a spot in the championship match on the line between St. Margaret’s and Mater Dei (Calif.). Previous: 10

9. Mountain Vista (Colo.), 10-5

The Golden Eagles closed out the regular season with a huge 10-7 upset over previously-ranked No. 4 Arapahoe, giving the Warriors their first loss of the season. Mountain Vista has a first-round bye and begin their run on May 11. Previous: NR

10. Arapahoe (Colo.), 14-1

In the final regular season game, Mountain Vista disrupted Arapahoe’s undefeated record after a 10-7 loss. Before the upset Arapahoe defeated Evergreen (Colo.) 17-3. They have a first-round bye before beginning their playoff run on May 11. Previous: 4

— Theresa Palmquist