With Massachusetts wrapping up its state tournaments last week — Boston College High (Mass.) solidified its national ranking with a convincing win over Acton Boxborough (Mass.) in the Division 1 final — the season’s final update of the Nike/US Lacrosse High School Boys’ National Top 25 includes just a subtle switch. Bishop Shanahan (Pa.), the PIAA-2A state champion in Pennsylvania previously receiving Top 25 consideration, nudges Niskayuna (N.Y.) for the No. 25 spot. Manheim Township (Pa.), the first PIAA-3A state champion from outside of the Philadelphia area, also is receiving consideration.
Culver Academy (Ind.), which was No. 2 in the preseason rankings released 14 weeks ago, finishes the season in the top spot after a 24-2 campaign that included several high-profile wins — its only losses coming to The Hill Academy (Ontario), a Canadian powerhouse.
Calvert Hall (Md.), Ward Melville (N.Y.), Boys’ Latin (Md.) and Brunswick (Conn.) round out the final top five.
Check back to uslaxmagazine.com next week (July 2-6) as we recap the seasons in each of the five regions (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West), including the Warrior Players of the Year.
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National Top 25
Final |
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| 1 | Culver Academy (Ind.) | 24-2 | 1 | Season complete |
| 2 | Calvert Hall (Md.) | 16-3 | 2 | Season complete (MIAA-A champ) |
| 3 | Ward Melville (N.Y.) | 21-1 | 3 | Season complete (NYPHSAA-A champ) |
| 4 | Boys' Latin (Md.) | 14-4 | 4 | Season complete (MIAA-A runner-up) |
| 5 | Brunswick (Conn.) | 16-1 | 5 | Season complete (NE West co-champ) |
| 6 | Chaminade (N.Y.) | 17-3 | 6 | Season complete (CHSAA champ) |
| 7 | McDonogh (Md.) | 13-5 | 7 | Season complete |
| 8 | Garden City (N.Y.) | 18-3 | 8 | Season complete (NYPHSAA-B champ) |
| 9 | Victor (N.Y.) | 20-2 | 9 | Season complete (NYPHSAA-B runner-up) |
| 10 | Loyola Blakefield (Md.) | 14-6 | 10 | Season complete |
| 11 | Gonzaga (D.C.) | 17-3 | 11 | Season complete (WCAL champ) |
| 12 | Delbarton (N.J.) | 19-1 | 12 | Season complete (TOC champ) |
| 13 | Ridgefield (Conn.) | 16-5 | 13 | Season complete (CIAC-L champ) |
| 14 | Darien (Conn.) | 22-1 | 14 | Season complete (CIAC-L runner-up) |
| 15 | Torrey Pines (Calif.) | 19-1 | 15 | Season complete (CIF-SD champ) |
| 16 | Paul VI (Va.) | 19-4 | 16 | Season complete (VISAA champ) |
| 17 | St. Anthony's (N.Y.) | 16-5 | 17 | Season complete |
| 18 | Bullis (Md.) | 16-4 | 18 | Season complete (IAC champ) |
| 19 | Islip (N.Y) | 19-2 | 19 | Season complete (NYPHSAA-C champ) |
| 20 | Malvern Prep (Pa.) | 15-5 | 20 | Season complete (Inter-Ac champ) |
| 21 | Haverford School (Pa.) | 16-4 | 21 | Season complete |
| 22 | Boston College High (Mass.) | 20-3 | 22 | Season complete (MIAA-1 champ) |
| 23 | West Genesee (N.Y.) | 18-3 | 23 | Season complete (NYPHSAA-A runner-up) |
| 24 | Massapequa (N.Y.) | 17-2 | 24 | Season complete |
| 25 | Bishop Shanahan (Pa.) | 22-1 | NR | Season complete (PIAA-2A champ) |
Also considered (alphabetical order): Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), Lambert (Ga.), Manheim Township (Pa.), Niskayuna (N.Y.), Regis Jesuit (Colo.), Smithtown West (N.Y.), Summit (N.Y.)
Nike/US 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
Northeast Top 10
1. Ward Melville (N.Y.), 21-1
The Patriots claimed the Class A state title for a second straight year, this time with a 15-2 win over West Genesee (N.Y.). Matt Grillo led the team with 70 goals and 16 assists this season. Previous: 1
2. Brunswick (Conn.), 16-1
The Bruins split the New England West 1 title with Salisbury (Conn.) to complete their season. Salisbury was the lone team to beat Brunswick. Among the highlights of the season were wins over Landon (Md.) and Canadian powerhouse Hill Academy (Ontario). Previous: 2
3. Chaminade (N.Y.), 17-3
The Flyers earned the state CHSAA title with a 17-4 win over St. Joseph’s (N.Y.) on May 29. Aidan Byrnes led Chaminade this season with 41 goals and 10 assists. Previous: 3
4. Garden City (N.Y.), 18-3
The Trojans closed the season with 10 straight wins and knocked off three-time defending state champion Victor (N.Y.), 7-6, in the Class B state final. Liam Muldoon led the Trojans with 39 goals and 24 assists this season. Previous: 4
5. Ridgefield (Conn.), 16-5
The Tigers pulled off one of the most stunning upsets of the season to claim the Class L state championship, upending four-time defending champion Darien (Conn.), 9-8, in the final. The title was Ridgefield’s first since 2011. Previous: 5
6. Darien (Conn.), 22-1
The Blue Wave’s 76-game winning streak come to a close with a 9-8 loss to Ridgefield (Conn.) in the Class L state championship game. The loss stopped Darien’s run of four straight state titles. Senior attackmen Logan McGovern and Brian Minicus powered Darien. Previous: 6
7. Victor (N.Y.), 20-2
The Blue Devils saw their run of three straight state titles halted in a last-second 7-6 loss to Garden City in the Class B final. Previous: 7
8. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 16-5
The Friars lost to rival Chaminade (N.Y.) in the CHSAA regional final on May 25. Brennan O’Neill led the Friars with 64 goals and 34 assists this season. Previous: 8
9. Islip (N.Y.), 19-2
The Buccaneers beat Pelham (N.Y.) 14-4 in the Class C state semifinals, then topped Westhill (N.Y.) 9-3 to claim their first state title. Mike Bienkowski finished the season with 49 goals and 26 assists. Previous: 9
10. Boston College High (Mass.), 20-3
After falling in the state championship game each of the last two years, the Eagles broke through with a 16-3 win over Acton Boxborough (Mass.) in the Division 1 state final. Maverick Woods and Aidan Carroll each scored four goals to help the Eagles claim their first state title. Previous: 10
— Will Cleveland
Mid-Atlantic Top 10 (Final)
1. Calvert Hall (Md.), 16-3
The Cardinals claimed their second straight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title with an 8-6 win over Boys’ Latin to cap an emotional season that started with the passing of assistant coach Dave Huntley and then included the loss of senior captain Peter Ilardo’s father before the semifinals. They are the first A Conference team to win back-to-back titles since 2007-08 when Loyola-Blakefield won two straight. Previous: 1
2. Boys’ Latin (Md.), 14-4
Entering the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, the Lakers reached the conference final by defeating St. Mary’s (Md.) and McDonogh (Md.), but had to settle for being runner-up to Calvert Hall. Brendan Grimes and Brenden Crouse each scored two goals in the championship game. Previous: 2
3. McDonogh (Md.), 13-5
The Eagles entered the MIAA-A Conference playoffs as the No. 1 seed but dropped their semifinal meeting with Boys’ Latin, 8-5, to snap a nine-game winning streak. McDonogh posted wins over Calvert Hall, Boys’ Latin, Loyola-Blakefield and Oxbridge Academy (Fla.) this season. Previous: 3
4. Loyola Blakefield (Md.), 14-6
The Dons defeated Severn (Md.) in the first round of the MIAA-A playoffs but fell to eventual champ Calvert Hall, 15-9, in the semifinals. Head coach Ben Rubeor led Loyola Blakefield to the conference semifinals in each of his three seasons. Previous: 4
5. Gonzaga (D.C.), 17-3
The Purple Eagles got their chance to avenge their only conference loss of the year when they defeated Paul VI (Va.) in the WCAC championship 10-7. Kyle Borda led the Purple Eagles with four goals and one assist in the championship victory. Previous: 5
6. Delbarton (N.J.), 19-1
The Green Wave won their third straight Tournament of Champions title with a 12-6 victory over Summit (N.J.). Delbarton jumped out to a six-goal lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Matt Campbell scored six points on four goals and two assists, and Nick Ramsey won 18 of 21 faceoffs. Previous: 6
7. Paul VI (Va.), 19-4
The Panthers won the first Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I championship in history with a 10-4 win over St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.). Goalie Luke Caracciolo anchored a defense that held the Saints to just two goals in the second half. Previous: 7
8. Bullis (Md.), 16-4
The Bulldogs won the IAC championship with a 9-8 victory over Landon (Md.) on May 11 before finishing up with an appearance at the Geico Nationals. Landon had accounted for one of Bullis’ three regular-season losses. Other highlights included wins over St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) and Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas). Previous: NR
9. Malvern Prep (Pa.), 15-5
Jack Traynor scored four goals and Quinn McCahon scored three as the Friars defeated Haverford School (Pa.) 17-13 to win the inaugural Inter-Ac tournament championship. Malvern finished the season with a four-game winning streak en-route to the title. Previous: 8
10. Haverford School (Pa.), 16-4
Chris Tsetsekos won 21 of 31 faceoffs and Scott Deck scored four goals in the championship loss to Malvern Prep. The Fords won two of three games against their conference rival this season. Previous: 9
— Mike Loveday
South Top 10 (Final)
1. Lambert (Ga.), 22-0
Lambert capped a perfect season with a 12-6 win over Lassiter in the Georgia High School Association Class 6A-7A state championship game. Gerard Kane led all scorers with five goals, and John Michael McCormick and Andrew Atchison each finished with two goals. The Longhorns advanced to the title game after edging Centennial 15-14 in overtime in the semifinals. They scored with seven seconds left in regulation to tie the game, then Benny O’Rourk got the game-winner with 3:17 left in overtime. Previous: 1
2. Jupiter (Fla.), 21-2
The Warriors beat St. Andrew’s 12-5 in the semifinals of the Florida High School Athletic Association state tournament and then knocked off Bishop Moore 11-8 to become the first public school to win the Florida boys championship. Previous: 3
3. Lake Norman (N.C.), 22-2
The Wildcats scored four goals in the final four minutes to rally past previously-unbeaten Middle Creek 13-11 for their second North Carolina High School Athletic Association lacrosse championship on Saturday. They last won six years ago. Drew Elder won 19 of 25 faceoffs and also had 17 ground balls and three goals to lead Lake Norman, which beat Northwest Guilford 14-9 in the semifinals. Previous: NR
4. Middle Creek (N.C.), 21-1
The Mustangs were denied a second consecutive state championship, losing 13-11 to Lake Norman in the NCHSAA final to snap a 43-game winning streak. J.J. Tolentino led the Mustangs with four goals, while senior Jimmy Slaight added three goals and senior Owen Caputo, the state’s all-time leading scorer, finished with two goals. The Mustangs beat Cardinals Gibbons 6-4 in the semifinals to advance to the title game. Caputo had three goals and an assist, Jake Caputo had two goals and an assist, and Lance Skelton had five saves and a .555 save percentage. Previous: 2
5. The Woodlands (Texas), 22-1
The Highlanders beat St. Mark’s (Texas) 10-6 to claim their first Texas High School Lacrosse League state championship. No Houston-area team had won a state title since St. John’s in 2006, and it had been 23 years since a public school from the city won a championship. Previous: 4
6. St. Andrew’s (Fla.), 17-3
The Scots lost to eventual state champ Jupiter 12-5 in the FHSAA state semifinals to end their season. They were playing without midfielder Michael Lizzio, who broke a collarbone in the regional final win over Belen Jesuit. Previous: 5
7. Lassiter (Ga.), 17-4
Lassiter lost 12-6 to No. 1 Lambert in the GHSA 6A-7A championship game. The Trojans, who beat Lambert a year ago in the title game, were down 6-2 at the half and never rallied. In the semifinals, they held off North Gwinnett 10-9 in overtime. North Gwinnett had tied the game with three seconds left in regulation. Braden Erksa got the game-winner two minutes into overtime. Previous: 6
8. Centennial (Ga.), 19-3
The Knights’ season ended with a 15-14 overtime loss to No. 1 Lambert in the GHSA state semifinals. Centennial led late, but Lambert tied it with seven seconds left in regulation. Nicky Solomon paced the Knights with five goals and three assists, finishing the season with 181 points. Colin Hall also had five goals. Ryan Siracusa had two goals and one assist. Previous: 7
9. Weddington (N.C.), 19-2
The Warriors rejoin the rankings after winning the NCHSAA 1A-3A state title for the second consecutive year. Anthony Todaro led with eight goals and three assists in the 20-6 win over East Chapel Hill, and he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Eamon Murphy added four goals. The Warriors beat Mount Tabor 11-7 in the semifinals. Their two losses this year were to Lake Norman and Middle Creek. Previous: NR
10. Bishop Moore (Fla.), 19-3
The Hornets advanced to their first final four after beating Ponte Vedra 8-6 in the state semifinals, but they lost to Jupiter in the final, 11-8. Previous: 10
— Aimee Ford Foster
Midwest Top 10 (Final)
1. Culver Military Academy, 24-2
The Eagles’ season came to a close on May 28 with a loss to Canadian powerhouse Hill Academy (Ontario) in the Geico Nationals. Austin Madronic powered the squad with 72 goals, while Owen Hiltz led in points with 112. Previous: 1
2. MICDS (Mo.), 20-2
The Rams wrapped up a fourth straight state title on May 26, defeating St. Louis University High. Graham Bundy Jr. led the entire state in points with 146. The Rams’ season was highlighted by wins over Loyola Academy (Ill.) and Episcopal Dallas (Texas). Previous: 2
3. Loyola Academy (Ill.), 22-3
The Ramblers breezed through the Illinois state playoffs, toppling New Trier (Ill.) 7-2 in the final June 2. Loyola’s season was highlighted by an April 20 win at nationally-ranked Victor (N.Y.). Previous: 3
4. Cincinnati St. Xavier (Ohio), 19-3
The Bombers won Ohio’s Division I state title on June 2 by defeating Cleveland St. Ignatius (Ohio) 10-9. St. Xavier had significant wins over Columbus DeSales (Ohio) and New Trier (Ill.). Previous: 4
5. Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.), 20-2
The Shamrocks capped off a mighty sweep of rival Brother Rice (Mich.) with an 11-10 victory in the state championship. The contest ended Brother Rice’s 13-year run as state champs. Joey Kamish and Peter Thompson ended with identical stat lines of 80 goals and 39 assists. Previous: 5
6. New Trier (Ill.), 21-4
The Trevians were unable to defend their 2017 title, as they dropped a 7-2 loss to Loyola in the state final June 2. New Trier had beaten Loyola 5-3 earlier in the season. The Trevians split games with St. Xavier (Ohio) and fell twice to Culver Military Academy to account of their other losses. Henry Scherb led New Trier in points after tallying 49 goals and 30 assists, while teammate Henry Freedman was a close second with 48 goals and 30 assists. Previous: 6
7. Dublin Coffman (Ohio), 21-2
The Shamrocks fell short in the state semifinals, losing to Cleveland St. Ignaitus (Ohio) 16-15 in overtime on May 30. Sophomore Luke Holland led the squad with 84 goals, while teammate Cam Bowdy had a team-leading 114 points. Previous: 7
8. Columbus DeSales (Ohio), 19-3
The Stallions captured an Ohio Division II state title on June 2 after defeating Ottawa Hills 13-5. DeSales’ season was highlighted by a win over Dublin Coffman (Ohio). Previous: 8
9. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 19-3
The Golden Bears’ season came to an end on May 25 in a regional final loss to Worthington Kilbourne. They had opened the season with 14 straight wins, including one over St. Xavier, but UA lost some momentum down the stretching while dropping two of its next three -- falling to Coffman and splitting back-to-back games against Cincinnati Moeller (Ohio). Previous: 9
10. East Grand Rapids (Mich.), 19-4
The Pioneers beat previously-ranked Forest Hills Central (Mich.) 11-10 in double overtime Saturday to avenge a regular-season loss and claim their second straight Division II state title. Chris Owens scored the game-winner on a rip from 10 yards out, and Eric Solberg finished with six goals. Previous: 10
— Justin Boggs
West Top 10 (Final)
1. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 19-1
The Falcons rallied from a three-goal deficit to claim the CIF San Diego Open Division championship with a 7-5 win over Coronado (Calif.). Torrey Pines, which lost to Coronado 6-4 in the semifinals last year, rolled into the final with a 16-7 win over Poway. Previous: 1
2. Regis Jesuit (Colo.), 18-1
The Raiders used a four-goal run in the second half to open a gap and claimed their fourth state title in eight years with a 10-4 win over Kent Denver in the Class 5A final. Regis Jesuit was playing in its fifth straight state final and has won three titles since 2014 but lost to Cherry Creek last year. Previous: 2
3. Loyola-Los Angeles (Calif.), 21-4
The Cubs claimed their third straight Southern Section title with a 10-9 decision over St. Margaret’s Episcopal, thanks to freshman Owen Gaffney’s game-winner in overtime. Loyola, which lost to St. Margaret’s on March 17, ended the season on a nine-game winning streak, including a 9-5 victory over Palos Verdes in the Los Angeles championship. Previous: 3
4. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 22-2
The Wolves finished as the North Coast Section champions after beating De La Salle (Calif.) 15-7 in the final. Last year, SRV lost in the semifinals, but the Wolves escaped Granite Bay (Calif.) 9-6 to advance to the title game this time. Previous: 4
5. Coronado (Calif.), 15-5
The third-seeded Islanders beat No. 2-seeded La Costa Canyon (Calif.) 11-10 in the San Diego Open Division tournament semifinals to avenge a regular-season loss and advance to the final for a second straight year. The Islanders had lost to LCC in the final last year and once again finished as the runners up after falling to Torrey Pines, 7-5, in the championship game. Previous: 5
6. La Costa Canyon (Calif.), 15-3
The Mavericks didn’t get a chance to defend their 2017 state title after falling to Coronado, 11-10, in the semifinals of the San Diego Open Division tournament. Isaac Smith won 18 of 24 faceoffs, and J.J. Sillstrop poured in five goals, including the final score with seven seconds left, but LCC ran out of time after winning the ensuing faceoff. The Mavs graduate just three seniors. Previous: 6
7. Bellevue (Wash.), 17-2
The Wolverines claimed their third straight state title with an 8-6 win over 2017 runner-up Mercer Island (Wash.) in the Washington High School Boys Lacrosse Association Class 3A state final Saturday. Bellevue, which hasn’t lost to an in-state opponent since last April, breezed into the championship with a 14-2 win over Stanwood in the semifinals. Previous: 8
8. St. Margaret’s Episcopal (Calif.), 19-3
The Tartans overcame a five-goal deficit to beat Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) 12-11 in double overtime in the Orange County championship but couldn’t survive another close battle in the Southern Section final against Loyola. They had beaten Loyola 8-4 during the regular season. St. Margaret’s other losses were to Torrey Pines and Palos Verdes (Calif.). Previous: 7
9. Kent Denver (Colo.), 15-4
The Sun Devils avenged a regular-season loss to Arapahoe (Colo.) to advance to the Class 5A state final, but couldn’t keep up with the only other Colorado team to beat them this season as they fell 10-4 to Regis Jesuit in the championship game. It was Kent’s first trip to the final since 2011, an 11-10 loss to Regis. Previous: 9
10. Palos Verdes (Calif.), 19-4
The Sea Kings led 5-3 midway through the third quarter but gave up six unanswered goals and lost to Loyola-Los Angeles for a third year in a row in the Southern Section Los Angeles championships. Palos Verdes was making its eighth consecutive appearance in the L.A. championship game under coach Jimmy Borell. Previous: 10
— Laurel Pfahler