Two-time defending MIAA-A Conference champion Calvert Hall (Md.) has raced to an 8-1 start — its lone loss coming against the Canadian powerhouse Hill Academy (Ontario) — and has retained its No. 1 ranking in the Nike/US Lacrosse High School Boys’ National Top 25.
Right behind the Cardinals are unbeaten Ward Melville (N.Y.) and St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), looking again like the teams to beat out of Long Island, with Culver Academy (Ind.) and Garden City (N.Y.) rounding out the Top 5.
This is the first of four monthly updates to the rankings, including Regional Top 10 lists for teams representing the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West. The second update will be May 7.
Six teams that were not ranked in the Preseason Top 25 — St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes (Va.), Seton Hall Prep (N.J.), Smithtown West (N.Y.), Gilman (Md.), St. Paul’s (Md.) and Lambert (Ga.) — are nationally ranked after impressive showings through March.
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National Top 25
Editor's Note
The second of four monthly in-season updates to the Nike/US Lacrosse national and regional high school rankings will be posted Tuesday, May 7.
April 9, 2019 |
W/L |
Prev |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calvert Hall (Md.) | 8-1 | 1 |
| 2 | Ward Melville (N.Y.) | 6-0 | 2 |
| 3 | St. Anthony's (N.Y.) | 6-0 | 8 |
| 4 | Culver Academy (Ind.) | 8-1 | 7 |
| 5 | Garden City (N.Y.) | 6-0 | 10 |
| 6 | Darien (Conn.) | 3-0 | 11 |
| 7 | Brunswick (Conn.) | 5-0 | 12 |
| 8 | Haverford School (Pa.) | 7-3 | 16 |
| 9 | Gonzaga (D.C.) | 8-3 | 4 |
| 10 | St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Va.) | 9-1 | NR |
| 11 | Victor (N.Y.) | 4-1 | 3 |
| 12 | Chaminade (N.Y.) | 3-0 | 20 |
| 13 | St. Mary's (Md.) | 6-3 | 25 |
| 14 | Loyola Blakefield (Md.) | 5-3 | 23 |
| 15 | Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) | 5-0 | NR |
| 16 | McDonogh (Md.) | 6-3 | 14 |
| 17 | Bullis (Md.) | 10-2 | 6 |
| 18 | Massapequa (N.Y.) | 3-2 | 18 |
| 19 | Smithtown West (N.Y.) | 7-1 | NR |
| 20 | Gilman (Md.) | 6-2 | NR |
| 21 | Ridgefield (Conn.) | 1-1 | 17 |
| 22 | Delbarton (N.J.) | 3-1 | 5 |
| 23 | Boys' Latin (Md.) | 5-4 | 9 |
| 24 | St. Paul's (Md.) | 6-2 | NR |
| 25 | Lambert (Ga.) | 12-0 | NR |
Also Considered (alphabetical order): Islip (N.Y.), Manhasset (N.Y.), Paul VI (Va.), St. Ignatius (Calif.), West Genesee (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.), 6-0
The Patriots are going to be tough to beat. They’ve yet to allow more than five goals in a game and are utilizing a stout defense to excel. Dylan Pallonetti (Maryland) leads the team with 16 goals and four assists so far, while Collin Krieg (North Carolina) has been great in goal. Pallonetti netted eight goals with one assist in a 14-3 win over Whitman (N.Y.). Previous: 1
2. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 6-0
The Friars are off to arguably one of the best starts in the country, as they already own wins over Bronxville (N.Y.), Delbarton (N.J.), and Manhasset (N.Y.). St. Anthony’s has another tough test when it plays at rival Chaminade (N.Y.) on April 10. Junior attackman Brennan O’Neill (Duke) leads the team with 20 goals and seven assists. Previous: 3
3. Garden City (N.Y.), 6-0
Garden City’s winning streak now stands at 16 games as it has opened the season with six straight wins after closing the 2018 campaign with a Class B state championship. The Trojans already boast impressive wins over Massapequa (N.Y.), Smithtown West (N.Y.), Salesianum (De.) and LaSalle (Ill.). Gavin Pappas leads the team with 15 goals and six assists. Previous: 4
4. Darien (Conn.), 3-0
Darien saw its amazing 76-game winning streak snapped in last season’s Class L state title game against Ridgefield (Conn.), but the Blue Wave calmly disposed of Ridgefield, 14-6, on April 5. Darien has also topped Yorktown (N.Y.) and Westhill (Conn.). Seniors Hudson Pokorny and Henri Pfeifle each scored three goals in the Ridgefield win. Previous: 5
5. Brunswick (Conn.), 5-0
The Bruins are off to a strong start in 2019. Their resumé already includes wins over Boys’ Latin (Md.) and Deerfield (Mass.). Seven different players scored during a seven-goal spurt to propel Brunswick to an 11-6 win over Loomis Chaffee (Conn.). Christian Ronda finished the game with three goals and two assists. Previous: 6
6. Victor (N.Y.), 4-1
The Blue Devils suffered their lone loss on April 2, as Fairport (N.Y.) got a goal from Colin Peers with eight seconds left secure a 10-9 win after Victor squandered an 8-4 lead. Victor opened the season with a 7-6 win over rival Pittsford (N.Y.). Joey Pezzimenti (Ohio State) leads the team with 15 goals and 10 assists. Previous: 2
7. Chaminade (N.Y.), 3-0
The Flyers’ early-season schedule features wins over Salesianum (De.), St. John the Baptist (N.Y.) and Massapequa (N.Y.). Tom Rogan tallied three goals and two assists in the 13-8 win over Massapequa. Kevin Pimentel leads the Flyers with six goals and three assists through three games. Previous: 10
8. Massapequa (N.Y.), 3-2
The Chiefs have dropped two games in the early season – both decisions to teams ranked above them (Garden City and Chaminade). They also have an impressive win over St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.). Colin Gleason leads Massapequa with 14 goals and 10 assists in five games. Previous: 8
9. Smithtown West (N.Y.), 7-1
Since dropping a 10-9 decision against Garden City to open the season, the Bulls have won seven straight. In each of those wins, they have allowed less than nine goals. West now has victories over Wantagh (N.Y.), Half Hollow Hills West (N.Y.) and Commack (N.Y.). Danny Caddigan has 34 goals and nine assists, and John Hoffman has 21 goals and 18 assists. Previous: NR
10. Ridgefield (Conn.), 1-1
A year after winning the Class L state championship, the Tigers already have to prove themselves again. Ridgefield opened the season with a 21-1 win over Norwalk (Conn.) and followed with a 14-6 loss to Darien (Conn.) in a rematch of the 2018 state final. John Mathes and Ryan Colsey each finished with five goals and an assist in the Norwalk win. Mathes added a goal and an assist in the Darien loss. Previous: 7
— Will Cleveland
Mid-Atlantic Top 10
1. Calvert Hall (Md.), 8-1
The defending MIAA-A Conference champions are off to a great start, as an early March loss to Hill Academy (Ontario) is their only blemish. Bryan Kelly’s team is loaded with talent. Senior Jack Sawyer leads the attack with 20 goals and 12 assists, Jake Snyder has been a force on defense, and goalie Jackson Marshall has been a brick wall so far. Calvert Hall is 3-0 in conference play with the latest victory being a 15-11 win over McDonogh (Md.) on April 5. Previous: 1
2. Haverford (Pa.), 7-3
The Fords fared well during a tough opening part of the schedule, going 6-1 before dropping two of their last three games. Still, they have notable wins over three MIAA-A teams with a lone loss to McDonogh in that stretch, and their other defeats were to national power Culver Academy (Ind.) and unbeaten Salisbury (Conn.). Haverford is looking to dominant in the PA IAC and capture a championship in head coach John Nostrant’s final season. Previous: 9
3. Gonzaga (D.C.), 8-3
The Eagles opened with a pair of losses to McDonogh and Boys’ Latin but have turned things around since then. They are currently on a three-game winning streak, including a big victory over Bullis, which followed an 11-10 overtime loss to Culver. Gonzaga steps out of WCAL play later this month to face Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.). Previous: 2
4. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.), 9-1
The only blemish so far for the Saints has been an overtime loss to No. 2 Haverford. SSSA has done well in other out-of-conference games, including a victory over St. Mary’s (Md.). The upcoming game against Bullis should be another good test. Previous: NR
5. St. Mary’s (Md.), 6-3
The Saints are out to prove that they belong in the conversation as one of the top teams in the MIAA-A Conference, where they are currently 3-0. Senior attackman Ian Krampf (Johns Hopkins) is off to a hot start. St. Mary’s has losses to Georgetown Prep (D.C.), St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) and Episcopal Academy (Pa.). Previous: NR
6. Loyola Blakefield (Md.), 5-3
Loyola-Blakefield has started out well under new head coach Gene Ubriaco. The Dons had a big win over McDonogh but followed up with a tough loss against St. Mary’s. Loyola looks to get back on track before the schedule gets tough again down the stretch with games against St. Paul’s (Md.) and Calvert Hall (Md.) still ahead. Previous: NR
7. Seton Hall Prep (N.J.), 5-0
The Pirates opened their season with a couple of solid wins over Philly-area schools, Malvern Prep and LaSalle. Coach Dave Giarusso’s team has a date with area-rival Delbarton coming up on April 11 that should be a great game. Previous: NR
8. McDonogh (Md.), 6-3
The Eagles are in the midst of a three-game losing streak but this McDonogh team is not to be taken lightly. Coach Andy Hilgartner’s squad already has solid wins over No. 2 Haverford, No. 10 Bullis and Culver Academy this season. Look for McDonogh to overcome adversity and make a push for a deep run into the MIAA-A conference postseason. Previous: 7
9. Bullis (D.C.), 10-2
The Bulldogs are coming off an overtime win against D.C. are rival Landon, but they still have something to prove after narrow losses to Gonzaga and McDonogh. An IAC conference game against St. Stephen/St. Agnes on April 12 could be that opportunity. Bullis senior Bryson Shaw has been dominant on attack. Shaw is committed to play football for Ohio State. Previous: 4
10. Gilman (Md.), 6-2
The Greyhounds suffered early-season losses to Hill Academy (Ont.) and No. 9 Bullis, but they rebounded with five straight wins. Now they are getting into the meat of their MIAA-A schedule, though, so it doesn’t get any easier going forward. Previous: NR
— Tom Peace
South Top 10
1. Lambert (Ga.), 12-0
The defending state champion Longhorns picked up right where they left off last year. Lambert has been suffocating on defense, surrendering less than four goals per match, and no one has scored more than six against it. Other than a 9-6 win over Johns Creek (Ga.), an 11-6 victory over Ponte Vedra (Fla.) and a 6-5 win over Middle Creek (N.C.), Lambert has won every game by at least seven goals. Previous: 1
2. Weddington (N.C.), 9-1
To the victors go the spoils, and so the Warriors pass the Mustangs for the top spot out of The Tar Heel State. Weddington knocked off Middle Creek, 10-8, on April 6. The Warriors also managed a 9-8 victory over McCallie (Tenn.). To this point, their only setback has been against Dublin Coffman (Ohio), one of the best teams out of the Midwest. Previous: 5
3. Ponte Vedra (Fla.), 14-1
The Sharks can’t be punished too heavily for a lone loss to top-ranked Lambert (Ga.). Ponte Vedra has put up some big wins so far, including victories over Memphis University School (Tenn.), 10-2, Episcopal School Dallas (Texas), 10-6, and Bishop Moore (Fla.), 10-8. Previous: NR
4. Middle Creek (N.C.), 10-2
The Mustangs have to recover from a heartbreaker. Middle Creek led Weddington, 4-0, after a quarter, before the Warriors fired back with a 6-0 second quarter to gain control. Otherwise, the Mustangs have impressive with their defense. After giving up 23 goals in its first two games, Middle Creek held Lambert (Ga.) to six and has yielded an average of 3.6 goals over its last 10 games. Previous: 4
5. Oxbridge Academy (Fla.), 14-2
The ThunderWolves have made some waves. Oxbridge Academy has picked up wins over many of Florida’s best, including Bishop Moore, Saint Andrew’s, Jupiter and St. Thomas Aquinas, while its only two losses have come against Maryland schools Boys’ Latin and Bullis. Previous: NR
6. Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas), 11-3
The Eagles got off to a shaky start with a 7-3 loss to defending state champion The Woodlands. They’ve been doing a lot better since, including an impressive spring break trip to Florida, which saw Episcopal beat Benjamin (Fla.), 13-5, and fall just short against Jupiter (Fla.), 11-10, and Ponte Vedra, 10-6. Previous: 8
7. Lassiter (Ga.), 11-0
The Trojans managed to escape Atlanta with a flawless record still intact, edging Lovett (Ga.) 8-6. Perfection didn’t come easy two days earlier, either, when Lassiter got past Centennial, 14-11. Another big test will come April 20, as Lassiter plays host to a Walton team that’s among the state’s best. Previous: NR
8. Saint Andrew’s (Fla.), 9-4
After losing two of their first three, the Scots appear to be back on track. Their only losses since came to a pair of top-notch programs out of Maryland. Saint Andrew’s recently pulled off a double-overtime victory at Benjamin, weeks after edging St. John Paul II Academy (Fla.) on the road. Previous: 7
9. Lake Norman (N.C.), 10-2
The Wildcats have put up good results against an unforgiving schedule. Lake Norman opened the season on the road against traditionally strong Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.) and Charlotte Catholic (N.C.) and came away with wins. Their only two losses have been against Weddington and Dublin Coffman (Ohio). Previous: 3
10. Westlake (Texas), 12-1
The Chaparrals had to fight through four straight road games against St. Mark’s, Episcopal Dallas, The Woodlands and Kingwood as February turned to March. Westlake went 3-1 during that stretch with an 8-7 win over Kingwood and its only loss coming against Episcopal Dallas. That’s still the Chaparrals’ lone loss. They have won eight straight since, yielding four goals per game over that stretch. Previous: NR
— Jonah Rosenblum
Midwest Top 10
1. Culver Academy (Ind.), 8-1
The Eagles have handled a challenging schedule nicely to open the season with wins over nationally ranked Gonzaga (D.C.), Haverford School (Pa.) and Boys’ Latin (Md.). Culver’s only loss was on March 25 against then national No. 14-ranked McDonogh (Md.) by a 12-11 margin. Owen Hiltz notched hat tricks against Haverford School and Boys’ Latin. Previous: 1
2. Brother Rice (Mich.), 5-0
After a sour start to 2018, the Warriors are flying high with a 5-0 start, including an impressive 13-7 win over New Trier (Ill.) on April 6. Brother Rice also defeated rivals and defending state champs Detroit Catholic Central 16-5 last month. Patrick O’Hara (Air Force) has played well lately, including a two-goal effort against New Trier and four goals versus Detroit Catholic Central. Justin Glod (Harvard) scored six times in the win over Detroit Catholic Central. Previous: 3
3. Dublin Coffman (Ohio), 7-0
The Shamrocks are off to a strong start with six of their first seven wins coming in dominating fashion. Coffman midfielder Evan James (Loyola) has scored over 20 goals to start the season. Previous: 5
4. St. Ignatius (Ohio), 4-2
The Wildcats have faced a tough schedule to open the season, losing to both Culver and Brother Rice. St. Ignatius posted an impressive 14-8 win over MICDS (Mo.) on March 30 and an 11-8 victory over Cathedral (Ind.) on March 31. Previous: 7
5. MICDS (Mo.), 7-1
After losing to St. Ignatius on March 30, the Rams have responded with a 10-6 win over Upper Arlington (Ohio) and an 18-11 victory over St. Xavier (Ohio). Reigning Midwest Player of the Year Graham Bundy Jr. (Georgetown) and teammate Thomas Niedringhaus (Boston University) both have scored 43 points in eight games this season. Previous: 2
6. Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.), 5-1
After losing to rival Brother Rice 16-5 on March 26, the Shamrocks regained some confidence with a huge early-season victory over New Trier (Ill.) on April 6. Joey Kamish scored a hat trick in the win over New Trier. Catholic Central also picked up a 12-3 victory over East Grand Rapids (Mich.) on March 27. Previous: 8
7. Loyola Academy (Ill.), 4-3
The Ramblers went empty-handed during their tough three-game East Coast trip, which included losses to Bullis (D.C.), Georgetown Prep (D.C.) and Calvert Hall (Md.). Loyola most recently picked up a win over St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.) on April 6. Previous: 4
8. New Trier (Ill.), 4-3
The Trevians are coming off a tough weekend, falling to Michigan powerhouses Brother Rice and Detroit Catholic Central, but they picked up a marquee win over St. Xavier (Ohio) on March 27. Previous: 6
9. St. Xavier (Ohio), 5-2
The Bombers scored a big 16-8 win over rival Moeller (Ohio) on April 5, but fell to Missouri power MICDS, 18-11, on April 6. St. Xavier also lost to New Trier on March 27. Previous: 7
10. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 8-1
The Golden Bears’ only loss thus far was a 10-6 defeat to MICDS (Mo.) on March 31. Since then Upper Arlington has defeated Mount Lebanon (Pa.) and North Allegheny (Pa.). Upper Arlington managed a 9-8 win over Cathedral (Ind.) on March 30. Previous: NR
— Justin Boggs
West Top 10
1. St. Ignatius (Calif.), 10-0
The Wildcats are back to prominence after a rough 2018 season. They’ve already beaten three top 5 teams from the West region preseason rankings and have outscored opponents 140-40. A 12-7 win over three-time defending Southern Section champion Loyola-Los Angeles on March 14 put the rest of the state on notice, and they followed that with an 8-6 win over previous No. 2 Torrey Pines (Calif.). The most recent feat was a 12-10 victory over then-No. 5 St. Margaret’s Episcopal (Calif.). Previous: 4
2. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 11-2
The defending CIF San Diego Open Division champs own wins over three teams that were ranked in the West top 10 this preseason, including No. 3 Loyola-Los Angeles, Kent Denver (Colo.) and defending Colorado Class 5A champion Regis Jesuit, which opened the season at No. 1. The Falcons’ only other loss besides the one to St. Ignatius came against IMG National’s all-star squad, and that was just a 10-7 decision. Torrey Pines also three wins over Texas powers The Woodlands, Dallas Jesuit and Highland Park. Previous: 2
3. Cherry Creek (Colo.), 7-0
The Bruins passed their first big test with a 10-9 overtime win over Faith Lutheran (Nev.) on March 22 and continued the momentum into April. They added a notable 15-10 victory at Mountain Vista (Colo.) on April 1. Aidan Burke leads the team with 22 goals, Luke Rios has won 72.7 percent of his faceoff attempts and Chandler Nayman has a 3.9 goals against average. Previous: 10
4. St. Margaret’s Episcopal (Calif.), 8-1
The Tartans beat defending Texas state champion The Woodlands, Loyola-Los Angeles and Arapahoe (Colo.) early in the season as part of a 7-0 start, but the streak came to an end with a 12-10 loss to St. Ignatius on April 4. St. Margaret’s bounced back two days later with an 18-5 win over Bellarmine Prep (Calif.). Stuart Pollard won 14 of 17 faceoff attempts, Koa Todd had five goals and two assists, and Kevin Groeninger tallied four goals and four assists. Previous: 5
5. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 12-0
The unbeaten Gators are newcomers to the rankings after an impressive start to the season, which included wins over 11-win Granite Bay (Calif.) and one-loss San Ramon Valley (Calif.). Tommy Barnds scored four goals in a recent 18-6 win over Bishop’s School (Calif.). Sacred Heart has outscored opponents 168-71. Previous: NR
6. Kent Denver (Colo.), 5-1
The Sun Devils can’t be punished too heavily for a 13-11 loss to Torrey Pines. They’ve been solid otherwise, including two other close games in California they managed to win against San Marcos-San Diego and Westview. The big in-state tests come later in the season. Previous: 6
7. Palos Verdes (Calif.), 11-1
The Sea Kings’ only loss came against IMG National on March 25, and they moved into the rankings with the help of a 6-5 win over former No. 7 La Costa Canyon (Calif.). The next big tests come April 16 against Loyola-Los Angeles and April 20 against St. Margaret’s, which are both home games. Previous: NR
8. Arapahoe (Colo.), 4-2
The Warriors own solid wins over Columbine (Colo.) and Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), but they couldn’t pull off what would have been a marquee victory at St. Margaret’s Episcopal and instead fell 14-8. Another blip came at the hands of Grandview (Colo.), 12-10, on April 6. Bobby Baltzer (13 goals, four assists), Jake Hall (11 goals, four assists) and Josh Carlson (12 goals, seven assists) lead Arapahoe’s attack. Previous: 8
9. Oregon Episcopal (Ore.), 3-0
The Aardvarks needed overtime to beat West Linn (Ore.), 10-9, in the opener March 12, but they had a nearly three-week break to recover and correct mistakes. They bounced back with wins over Liberty (Ore.) and Lakeridge (Ore.) and remain ranked for now despite the seemingly slow start. Previous: 9
10. Regis Jesuit (Colo.), 3-3
The Raiders are off to a bit of a rough start against a challenging schedule, but two of their three losses came against ranked opponents La Costa Canyon and Torrey Pines. A 10-9 loss to Valor Christian (Colo.) was the surprise, but immediately followed the other two. Regis has a chance to get back on track this week against Cherry Creek. Senior Jake Taylor tallied 12 goals and 4 assists through the first five games. Previous: 1
— Laurel Pfahler