Four Newcomers in Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Girls' National Top 25

With most every region starting their spring schedules, it allows the opportunity for the first update since the preseason to the Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ National Top 25. Teams have been crossing into other regions early to give some insights, and it’s clear that Florida is on the rise with American Heritage-Delray (Fla.) and Bartram Trail (Fla.) earning significant wins over Mid-Atlantic teams. Otherwise, many of the usual powers have established themselves — though there are new challengers popping up.

The Northeast looks the same as the preseason, if only because just one Top 10 team has played. Wantagh (N.Y.), won its opener to set the stage for another strong season. The region picks up its schedule this week with all eyes on Darien and the No. 1 player in the country, Chloe Humphrey. New Canaan (Conn.) is next in line with a host of New York teams ready to leapfrog them.

The Mid-Atlantic is mixed up from the preseason with one big exception. St. Paul’s (Md.) is sitting pretty at 6-0 at the top of the region. Archbishop Carroll (Pa.) slides up one spot after winning its season opener, and No. 3 Archbishop Spalding (Md.) is hungry to support its lofty ranking while No. 4 Glenelg Country Day (Md.) looks reloaded after a great run last year. Beyond them, things have been less certain. McDonogh (Md.) suffered an overtime loss to Georgetown Visitation (D.C.), which lost to an improved Maryvale (Md.) team and a St. Anne’s-Belfield (Va.) squad that was overlooked in the preseason but is junior-heavy. Both Maryvale and St. Anne’s played their way into the Top 10. So did Owen J. Roberts (Pa.), thanks to an impressive start. New Jersey teams begin play this week.

The South Region saw a return to the top for American Heritage-Delray (Fla.). Wins over Bishop Ireton (Va.), Good Counsel (Md.) and Stone Ridge (Md.) helped them vault to the top when former No. 1 Cardinal Gibbons slipped against Maryvale (Md.). No. 2 Milton (Ga.) will also face established traditional hotspot programs soon. A pair of Texas teams — Hockaday and Anderson — moved up thanks to unbeaten starts.

The Midwest looks much the same with just New Albany (Ohio) dropping but remaining in the Top 10. New Trier (Ill.) suffered its only loss when it crossed into the Mid-Atlantic Region, and No. 2 Loyola (Ill.) has an unblemished record through six games. Both Mason (Ohio) and Olentangy Liberty (Ohio) joined the ranks after unbeaten starts going into the second week.

The top three teams remain the same in the West Region with Colorado Academy (Colo.) and St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) still unbeaten ahead of Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.). Cherry Creek (Colo.) also made a move up to No. 4 as it remained unbeaten. Fairview (Colo.) earned a top five spot with a win over previously unbeaten Valor Christian (Colo.). Coronado (Calif.) and Grant (Ore.) moved into the Top 10 with perfect starts.

NIKE/USA LACROSSE HIGH SCHOOL
GIRLS’ NATIONAL TOP 25

Also considered (alphabetical order): Agnes Irwin (Pa.), Broadneck (Md.), Century (Md.), Episcopal (Pa.), Glenelg High (Md.), Good Counsel (Md.), Milton (Ga.), Oak Knoll (N.J.), Paul VI (Va.), Penn Charter (Pa.), Ridgewood (N.J.), Sacred Heart (Conn.), Severna Park (Md.), St. Steven's & St. Agnes (Va.), St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), Suffern (N.Y.), Summit (N.J.)