Teams in the Mid-Atlantic Region have started their seasons, joining those in the South and West that have been playing for weeks. The Mid-Atlantic already has seen significant movement in the middle of its preseason Top 10, while the South saw minimal changes in a week in which most Top 10 teams won or did not play.
A week after the West Region’s preseason rankings held form, the region saw the biggest shakeup with previously unranked St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) vaulting to second and Colorado Academy (Colo.) taking over the top spot.
The Mid-Atlantic Region witnessed top-ranked St. Paul’s (Md.) pull away late from an emerging national power in American Heritage-Delray (Fla.). The McDonogh Invitational gave a valuable early season look at many teams. The host Eagles edged Stone Ridge (Md.), the former No. 3 team which also then lost to Bryn Mawr (Md.), who in turn lost to Archbishop Carroll (Pa.), which enters the rankings at No. 10. Just like their counterparts on the boys side, the Archbishop Spalding (Md.) girls are gaining respect, particularly after opening wins over previous No. 4 Notre Dame Prep (Md.) and St. Mary’s Annapolis (Md.), the latter of which beat St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) to push them out of the Top 10.
Almost all Pennsylvania teams will be started by the end of this week, but New Jersey teams are still one week away from official games.
The South retained its first five in the same order, led by No. 1 Milton (Ga.) and No. 2 American Heritage-Delray. There was only minor movement at the back half of the Top 10, with Lake Highland Prep (Fla.) moving in based on the strength of a solid win over St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.). Top Florida teams will continue to challenge each other as they look to rise to the top, and spring break visitors are giving them more exposure against national competition.
The West went a little wild once St. Ignatius topped former No. 1 Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.). St. Ignatius is one of four formerly unranked teams that moved into the West Top 10 along with Redondo Union (Calif.), Palos Verdes (Calif.) and Jesuit Portland (Ore.). Foothill remains the only team in the West’s top six with a loss, but the schedule is heating up as the rest of the Regions gain steam.
Next week will include the first updated rankings from the Northeast and Midwest Top 10s to make possible the first full update to the National Top 25.
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
MID-ATLANTIC TOP 10
1. St. Paul’s (Md.), 2-0
The Gators opened the season with a 20-8 win over Roland Park (Md.), then won at American Heritage-Delray (Fla.) on March 16 over their spring break trip. Natalie Shurtleff had four goals, Lauren Steer tallied six points on three goals and three assists and Kendall Steer pumped in three goals. Frannie Hahn led the way with five goals and four assists in the win over Roland Park. They return home to host a dangerous Stone Ridge (Md.) squad on March 21 and will play March 25 at Notre Dame (Md.), the only team to beat them last year. Previous: 1
2. McDonogh (Md.), 2-0
The Eagles swept Stone Ridge (Md.) and Bishop Ireton (Va.) in the McDonogh Invitational on March 19. McDonogh edged Stone Ridge 11-10 in its first game of the day, then followed it with a 19-9 win over Bishop Ireton. Previous: 2
3. Glenelg Country (Md.), 3-0
The Dragons kicked off their season with a perfect week, all in convincing fashion. They opened with a 26-2 win over Norfolk Academy (Va.), followed it with an impressive 17-10 win over an improved St. Mary’s Annapolis (Md.) squad and polished off John Carroll (Md.) 16-5. Maggie Weisman posted 10 goals, one assist and 12 draw controls in the week, Regan Byrne scored 11 goals and Jaclyn Marszal contributed six goals and 12 assists. They host an Archbishop Spalding (Md.) in a key matchup March 23. Previous: 5
4. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 2-0
The Cavaliers are trying to show they can win the sort of close games that didn’t go their way last year. Their opener helped their confidence, as they held off Notre Dame (Md.) 11-10, then stopped St. Mary’s Annapolis 13-10 for a promising start. They play at Glenelg Country (Md.) on March 23 in another big opportunity. Previous: NR
5. Oak Knoll (N.J.), 0-0
Oak Knoll won’t open their season until March 31. They have been working through the preseason to replace seven graduated seniors. Fortunately, the Royals return all but one player from their first two lines of defense, and they can rely on that experience until the attack and midfield solidifies. Previous: 6
6. Notre Dame (Md.), 2-1
Sandwiched between wins over Good Counsel (Md.) and Mount de Sales (Md.) was a narrow 11-10 loss to upstart Archbishop Spalding (Md.). Notre Dame opened the season with a 12-8 win over Good Counsel on March 14 before falling two days later to Spalding. They bounced back with a 19-12 victory at Mount de Sales. They face a strong Glenelg High (Md.) squad on March 21 as they look to gain momentum back. Previous: 4
7. Georgetown Visitation (D.C.), 1-0
The Tigers opened their season with an 11-5 win over Hill Academy (Ont.) for new coach Bucky Morris. Freshman Quinn Murray debuted with six goals and Ella O had a pair of goals and three assists. Madison Rassas also fired in two goals and had an assist. Visi will face a good Paul VI (Va.) on March 23 before heading to Florida for out-of-area competition. Previous: 8
8. Agnes Irwin (Pa.), 0-0
After coming on strong to win the Inter-Ac tournament last year, the Owls open the new season March 22 against Springside Chestnut Hill. The game features two of the region’s five preseason players to watch in Agnes Irwin midfielder Marissa White and Springside goalie Lucy Pearson. Agnes Irwin will follow the lead of a White, who is one of a dozen seniors. Previous: 9
9. Moorestown (N.J.), 0-0
The Quakers will feature Rutgers commit Katie Buck when they open the season March 30 with Hunterdon Central. Moorestown reached the state final last year but is replacing most of its starting attack from that team. Moorestown’s toughest challenges in the schedule will come closer to the middle of April when it sees Rumson-Fair Haven (N.J.), Shawnee (N.J.), Ridgewood (N.J.) and Oak Knoll (N.J.) in a row. Previous: 10
10. Archbishop Carroll (Pa.), 0-0
The Patriots won both games — albeit, both were considered scrimmages — in their trip to the McDonogh Invitational on March 19. Carroll cruised by Bishop Ireton (Va.) 14-2 in its first game and then stopped Bryn Mawr (Md.) 12-4. North Carolina-bound Kiley Mottice had five goals against Bishop Ireton and four goals and one assist against Bryn Mawr. Emma Talago, a Loyola commitment, finished with six points against Ireton and four points in the second game. JMU commit Ava Talago won six of seven draw controls against Bryn Mawr, while Machaela Henry had eight draw controls against Ireton. Longwood-committed goalie Bridget Robinson made 11 saves combined in the two games. Previous: NR
— Justin Feil
SOUTH TOP 10
1. Milton (Ga.), 7-0
The Eagles won their only game of the week, defeating Cambridge (Ga.) 15-5 on March 18. Ohio State commit Maeve Simonds led the way with six goals, while Rutgers recruit Sophie Waters and Caroline Nickel each added a pair of tallies. Milton enters its toughest stretch of the season, including interstate matchups against IMG Academy (Fla.) and Lake Oswego (Fla.). Previous: 1
2. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 8-1
After easily defeating upstart Bartram Trail (Fla.) 17-8, the Stallions took their first loss of the season, falling to national No. 1 St. Paul’s (Md.) 15-10. The score was tied at seven at halftime, and American Heritage-Delray trailed 12-10 with four minutes to go. The Stallions return to action March 25, facing Bayport-Blue Point, ranked No. 5 nationally. Previous: 2
3. Blessed Trinity (Ga.), 12-0
The Titans continue to dominate opponents, outsourcing competition 201-65 to start the season. Blessed Trinity picked up wins last week over Kell (Ga.) and King’s Ridge Christian (Ga.). Sophomore Clark Hamilton scored a combined eight goals last week, leading all Titans in scoring. She has 31 goals so far this season. Previous: 3
4. Hockaday (Texas), 7-0
The Daisies had last week off and return to play March 24 versus McKinney (Texas). Previous: 4
5. Steinbrenner (Fla.), 7-1
The Warriors also had the week off and await Alonso (Fla.) March 22. Taylor LaPointe enters the week as the team’s leading goal scorer and assist producer. Previous: 5
6. East Chapel Hill (N.C.), 5-0
The Wildcats overwhelmed Jordan (N.C.) by a 22-2 margin March 14. Colorado recruit Molly Reed scored six times, while sophomore Riley Ellis and freshmen Anna Ellis and Hannah Johnson contributed hat tricks. In six contests, Reed is averaging over six goals per game. Previous: 7
7. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), 6-2
After a 13-day layoff, the Raiders narrowly defeated Bartram Trail 8-7 on March 16. St. Thomas Aquinas lost to Lake Highland Prep (Fla.) 11-5 two days later. St. Thomas Aquinas next faces Benjamin (Fla.) March 23. Previous: 6
8. Bartram Trail (Fla.), 9-2
The Bears posted an impressive 16-8 victory over Pine Crest (Fla.) on March 15. Ryann Frechette led the way with five goals and two assists. The following day, Bartram Trail fell 8-7 to St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.). The coming week includes a challenge against nationally ranked St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.). Previous: 8
9. Vero Beach (Fla.), 6-1
Vero Beach had its only scheduled contest of the week, against Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), postponed March 16. Vero Beach next faces nationally ranked St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) on March 22. Previous: 9
10. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 7-2
The Highlanders have played arguably one of the toughest schedules in Florida, and after losses to American Heritage-Delray (Fla.) and Steinbrenner (Fla.) earlier in the year, Lake Highland Prep defeated St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) 11-5 last week. Previous: NR
— Justin Boggs
WEST TOP 10
1. Colorado Academy (Colo.), 2-0
Sophomore Zoe Martin scored four goals as the Mustangs beat Fairview (Colo.) 8-6. Classmate Vivian Leuthold added a goal and two assists, and Olivia Aguirre had seven saves in goal. Colorado plays its first out-of-state opponent this week at Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.). Previous: 2
2. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 6-0
The Wildcats rocketed into the No. 2 spot after beating former No. 1 Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) 13-12 on Thursday and following with a 16-4 win over La Jolla (Calif.). They also had a notable win over San Ramon Valley (Calif.) earlier in the season. Previous: NR
3. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 5-1
The Knights suffered their first loss against a rising St. Ignatius Prep squad, falling 13-12 before bouncing back with a solid 11-9 win over San Ramon Valley (Calif.). Foothill has victories over Newbury Park and Torrey Pines. Previous: 1
4. Scripps Ranch (Calif.), 6-0
The Falcons added two more wins, including a 15-5 win over La Costa Canyon (Calif.) on Friday. They have outscored opponents 91-21 this season and haven’t lost a game since April 2019. Previous: 3
5. Redondo Union (Calif.), 11-0
The Sea Hawks are off to an impressive start, outscoring opponents 179-58, including a most recent 18-6 win over Peninsula (Calif.). Redondo lost to Foothill in the Southern Section semifinals last year and will get a chance to test improvement in 2022 when the teams meet again Saturday. The Sea Hawks feature two Division I college-bound seniors in Asjia Roberson (USC) and Morgan Wlaschin (UC Davis). Previous: NR
6. Palos Verdes (Calif.), 12-0
The Sea Kings also join the rankings this week ahead of a highly anticipated matchup against rival Redondo Union on Wednesday. In a 21-7 win over Peninsula last week, Palos Verdes got six goals and three assists from Harper Skeie (Long Island University), five goals and two assists from Riley Padian and four goals from Naomi Gan. Skeie has 42 goals, 25 assists and 79 draw controls through 11 games, and Padian has 44 goals, 13 assists and 41 draw controls. Previous: NR
7. Valor Christian (Colo.), 1-2
The Eagles dropped both their games in Florida, falling 15-11 to Vero Beach and 15-8 to Lake Highland Prep. Both opponents were Final Four teams in the Sunshine State last year. Sophomore Eliza Osburn had five goals in the loss to Vero Beach, and senior Tess Osburn had three goals and one assist. Previous: 4
8. Park City (Utah), 2-0
The Miners opened with a pair of in-state wins over Skyridge and Corner Canyon. Samantha Riely led the attack with five goals and four assists in a 21-2 win over Corner Canyon on Thursday, while Lilly Hunt added four goals and two assists. Previous: 8
9. Newbury Park (Calif.), 3-1
The Panthers edged Agoura (Calif.) 14-13 with another strong performance from goalie Daniella Guyette, who had 15 saves on a 54-percent save rate. Six players scored goals for Newbury Park, led by sophomore Reagan Laubner’s five goals and two assists and senior Cassie Huber’s four goals. Previous: 7
10. Jesuit Portland (Ore.), 1-0
The Crusaders opened with a 17-3 win over Lakeridge (Ore.) and join the rankings as a team expected to contend for a title this season. Tests loom against Lake Oswego (Ore.) and West Linn (Ore.) in two of the next three games between now and April 5. Previous: NR
— Laurel Pfahler