Darien (Conn.) No. 1 in Northeast Region Girls' Top 10

Darien (Conn.) tops the first Northeast Region Girls’ Top 10 of the 2023 spring season.

With each region beginning play in different weeks — the South and West start before the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Northeast get underway — our high school contributors will provide in-season updates in each active region prior to the first National Top 25 update.

The West and Mid-Atlantic previews were unveiled the week of March 13, and watch for the Midwest preview on Thursday, March 23. USA Lacrosse Magazine will also release 25 players to watch for both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse on March 23.

The first National Top 25 update comes March 28. From there, rankings will be updated each Tuesday throughout the spring.

USA Lacrosse Magazine contributors consult with high school coaches across the country to develop the Nike/USA Lacrosse National Top 25 and Regional Top 10 rankings for boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. These rankings do not include schools that admit post-graduate students.

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

1. Darien (Conn.)

Considering the wealth of returning talent, it appears Darien (Conn.) is ready to regain their spot as the best team in Connecticut, the Northeast and perhaps America. Back for a team that suffered just two defeats, both to New Canaan in the FCIAC and CIAC Class L championship games, is Chloe Humphrey, the top player in the Class of 2023 by Inside Lacrosse, as well as Ryan Hapgood (Dartmouth) and Kaci Benoit (Syracuse), each also named All-Americans. Will 2023 be the Blue Waves’ revenge tour?

2. New Canaan (Conn.)

It’s hard to one-up a banner 2022 season, which saw New Canaan (Conn.) capture both the FCIAC and CIAC Class L titles in the same season for the first time in program history. Kaleigh Harden (UNC), Dillyn Patten (Cornell) and goaltender Claire Mahoney (Brown) played leading roles, but have since graduated. Don’t think for a moment though the Rams are rebuilding, not with attacker Stella Nolan (Michigan) and defenders Ella Patterson and Devon Russell leading the returnees.

3. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

The Friars are going for a fourth consecutive CHSAA Class AA title and there’s no reason to believe they can’t achieve that goal. That’s because St. Anthony’s returns a slew of talented players who were instrumental in last year’s trophy lift, including goalie Shae Lembo (Stanford), defender Amanda Paci (Duke), midfielders Rose Christie (Villanova) and Tanner Scarola (Army) and attackers Tess Calabria (UNC) and Kacey McGorry among a slew of future Division I players.

4. Baldwinsville (N.Y.)

The Bees defeated juggernaut Northport (N.Y.) to win a second New York State Class A championship, and first since 2000, a year ago. And Baldwinsville (N.Y.) should again be a major player this spring thanks to the return of USA Lacrosse All-American Carlie DeSimone, a senior who had 69 goals and 46 assists as a junior. Also back are Mia Pozzi (Virginia Tech), Brianna Peters (Syracuse) and Sophia Ianno (Monmouth), a two-time all-conference selection who had 73 draw controls and 36 ground balls as a junior.

5. Manhasset (N.Y.)

The Indians were also state champions a year ago, beating Honeoye Falls-Lima in the Class C final, Manhasset’s fourth state title. Alexis Morton, who had 26 goals and 17 assists over six playoff games, is now at Richmond, but lockdown defender Alexandra Schneider, a Virginia commit who an All-American a year ago, is leading the returning group that also includes midfielder Caitlyn Barrett (Duke) and talented juniors Lauren Perfetto (Loyola), Shea Panzik (Vanderbilt) and Amelia LoPinto (USC) among others.

6. Ward Melville (N.Y.)

After coming agonizingly close last year, Ward Melville might be ready to become Suffolk County’s elite Class A squad in 2023. The Patriots went 17-2 a year ago, with both losses coming to Northport (N.Y.), including an 8-7 season-ending defeat in the county final. A big reason why Ward Melville (N.Y.) could be ready to make that next step is the return of a host of special juniors, including midfielder Emilia Retzlaff (Navy), who had 33 goals and 11 assist a year ago and attack Grace Balocca (Villanova), who netted 40 goals in 2022.

7.  Northport (N.Y.)

Here’s where we tell you to sleep on the Tigers at your own peril. Carol Rose’s squad will have to fill the offensive void left by the big three of Kaylie Mackiewicz (74 goals, 31 assists), now at Duke, Ella Cabrera (41 goals, 20 assists) now at North Carolina, and Bella Germani (58 goals, 15 assists), now at Stony Brook. Northport will look for the likes of Grace McCarthy (East Carolina), Emma McLam (Delaware) and goalie Megan Morris (Marist) to take a larger role this spring.

8. Wantagh (N.Y.)

There’s no replacing Madison Taylor, who had 72 goals and 44 assists on attack, 145 draw controls and 74 ground balls and 38 caused turnovers, and is currently at Northwestern. But there’s serious returning talent for the Warriors, highlighted by USA Lacrosse All-Americans Eva Ingrilli (UNC) and Virginia-bound Madison Alaimo, who should be one of the most feared attacking duos on Long Island in 2023. Senior Olivia Nicholson (Siena) will also be on attack, while Sienna Diglio should be a leader in midfield.

9. Bronxville (N.Y.)

Bronxville was also a New York State champion in 2022, capturing the Class D crown after three consecutive championship game losses. The Broncos, like others, leaned on elite seniors to get them to the promised land a year ago. And that will be the case again this year, with Catherine Berkery (Penn) who earned All-Section 1 honors, midfielder Anna Becker (Columbia) and goaltender Olivia Shinsato (Georgetown), leading the charge.

10. Wilton (Conn.)

Wilton (Conn.) is that team in Connecticut not named Darien or New Canaan to watch this spring. The Warriors were a solid 17-5 a year ago, with Merri Meyran’s squad losing to those in-state rivals twice and Northport by a goal. Three USA Lacrosse All-Americans (McKenzie Didio, Catherine Dineen and Amelia Hughes) graduated, but fellow All-American Molly Snow (Lehigh) highlights a returning cast that includes Michigan-bound Emerson Pattillo. The Warriors also have a talented junior class, including North Carolina-commit Addison Pattillo.

Also considered: Sacred Heart (Conn.), Suffern (N.Y.), Victor (N.Y.