St. Paul's (Md.) No. 1 in Mid-Atlantic Region Girls' Top 10

St. Paul’s (Md.) tops the Mid-Atlantic Region Girls’ Preseason Top 10, USA Lacrosse Magazine announced Wednesday. The early in-season results will be reflected in the first update to the Top 10, which will be published the week of March 27.

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 are unveiled the week of March 13, and watch for the Northeast and Midwest previews the week of March 20 — along with updated top 10 rankings from the South and West. USA Lacrosse Magazine will also release 25 players to watch for both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse that week.

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. St. Paul’s (Md.)

The Gators are two-time defending IAAM A Conference champions and are the top team until someone else proves otherwise. The 2022 Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year, Natalie Shurtleff, looks to build off her breakout season. The Gators still have a hefty arsenal that includes Frannie Hahn (Florida), Lauren Steer (Georgetown), Karina Herrera (Yale) and midfielder Anna Regan (USC), who will be big on the draw. Junior Kira Balis (Clemson) is a key returner for a young defense that also has Christina King (Georgetown) in front of goalie Susan Radabaugh (Florida). The seniors are a tight group that sets the tone with unselfish play. Another daunting conference schedule will give them constant challenges as they look for a third straight conference crown.

2. McDonogh (Md.)

The Eagles lost their most dynamic player, Kori Edmondson (Maryland), and have to also replace the scoring of Caroline Godine (UNC). McDonogh doesn’t have the same star power as some seasons, but a senior class of Caroline Lockyer (Davidson), Natalie Little (Hofstra), Makena London (Brown), Codi Johnson (Brown) and Mia Hoffman (Denison) lead a team that will rely on its younger talent — like junior midfielders Amanda Lawson (Stanford), Remi Schaller (Michigan) and Kate Levy (UNC).

3. Archbishop Carroll (Pa.)

Ten starters are back — eight of them seniors — for a team that went unbeaten and won a state title in 2022. The Patriots have to replace Kiley Mottice (UNC) and Emma Talago (Loyola) but are in good shape for another big season. U.S. U18 Select player Ava Bleckley (JMU) is a big talent along with her junior sister, Chloe Bleckley (JMU). Lainey Straub (Penn State), Machaela Henry (Xavier), Mary Matey (Delaware), Ella Wright (Ohio State), Megan Sheridan (Pitt) and goalie Bridget Robinson (Longwood) are seniors on which Carroll can depend. Carroll dominated its conference, and they’ll get outside it for some good competition with the likes of Notre Dame Prep (Md.), Garnet Valley (Pa.), Owen J. Roberts (Pa.), Georgetown Visitation (D.C.), Radnor (Pa.), and Penn Charter (Pa.). 

4. Episcopal (Pa.)

The Churchwomen graduated nine seniors, but buoyed by a strong group of younger players, they may be as good as ever. Episcopal won the indoor nationals title to serve notice of their ability. Lex Ventresca (Northwestern) is a superior threat in the crease and fellow attacker Sydney Richter (Georgetown) makes for a strong 1-2 punch. Juniors Grace McHugh (Syracuse) and Lainey McGonagle (Pitt) anchor a young midfield. Seniors Molly Delaney (William & Mary) and Franny Gallagher (Colby) team up with junior Jenna Morley (Colorado) and sophomore Avery Le for a capable defense.

5. Archbishop Spalding (Md.)

The Cavaliers continue to try to establish themselves as an IAAM contender. Last year, they handed Glenelg Country their only regular-season loss in a huge statement win. Spalding has plenty back to build off their success after starting a half-dozen sophomores, a freshman and two juniors last year. The reached the finals of the indoor nationals, too. Maeve Cavanaugh is a U.S. U16 Select player who took draws as a freshman. Clemson-bound junior Maddie Wrenn anchors the defense. Gabby Greene (Florida) is a top finisher on attack who led the team with 52 goals. Playing in the country’s toughest conference gives them the chance to raise eyebrows again.

6. Stone Ridge (Md.)

The Gators had a big 2021 and then played a lot of younger players in 2022. Those players are more seasoned in their return. Corey White (UVA) had 101 points last year and is among the top seniors in the country. Sophia Stoltz was the Gators top goal scorer with 64 as a freshman a year ago. Amanda Brille (Georgetown) is another scoring threat, but her biggest contributions come in draw controls and ground balls, of which she led the team in both in 2022. Kiri Weber (Denver) is a player on the rise who strengthens a midfield that already includes Maggie Myers (Denver) and Katherine Carr (Notre Dame). The Gators expect to be an improved team in 2023 with another strong national schedule.

7. Glenelg Country (Md.)

The Dragons graduated 10 seniors including Jaclyn Marszal (Notre Dame), Maggie Weisman (Maryland) and Stephanie Marszal (Delaware) from a team that was at the top of the IAAM in the regular season after a big win over St. Paul’s. Glenelg returns with a loaded midfield to build around with Blair Byrne (Clemson), U.S. U18 Select’s Lena Doreen (Duke), and Ava Keenan (Princeton). Regan Byrne (Clemson) is their top attacker now for an offense that will have to replace some significant scoring, and Ashley Dyer (Florida) is stalwart on the defensive end along with Cate O’Ferrall (Rutgers) and goalie Natalie Eastwood (South Florida).

8. Bryn Mawr (Md.)

Another team on the rise, the Mawrtians lost just two starters from a year ago. One was Hannah Johnson (Johns Hopkins), who took the draw, so replacing her there is an area of concern. The defense is the strength of the team. JJ Suriano (Maryland), who saved 52 percent last year and played for the U.S. U18 Select team, is one of two senior goalies back. Also in the back is Lexi Reber (Syracuse) and Madi Carroll (Florida), both talented juniors. Reese Woodworth (Duke) highlights the midfield and will be a key on the draw this year. Princeton-bound Merrill Watson is back for her senior year after scoring 61 points and winning 30 draw controls. Finding some more scoring will be the focus early, as the Mawrtians look to compete with some of the best in the country.

9. Georgetown Visitation (D.C.)

Rowan Clancy (Michigan) spearheads a defense that returns intact, including in goal with Maeve Obrist (Virginia Tech), for a Cubs team that improved steadily through last spring. Visi made a good impression as a semifinalist at indoor nationals. The midfield and attack are both expected to be stronger than a year ago with the return of their leading scorers. Madison Rassas (Notre Dame) and Alex Maloney (Villanova) are experienced juniors while sophomore Quinn Murray and freshman Kenzie Rassas are national caliber performers in their respective classes.

10. Conestoga (Pa.)

All but one of the Pioneers’ goals in their state championship win last year was scored by a returning player. The Conestoga offense starts with senior Kate Galica (UVA) who is part of the starting first middie line that all return. They also have junior Kiki Liebezeit (Notre Dame), junior Ellie Wisch (Penn State) and junior Chloe Brown (Navy). Add in players like Piper Kienzle (William & Mary), Brooke Braslow (Drexel), Keating Hopkins (Richmond), Emma Nikolic (Drexel), Eva Stagnaro (BU) and Cassidy Brown (Temple) and the Pioneers look deep and dangerous. They have to replace Alana Lepore (Campbell) in goal, but otherwise there aren’t many question marks.