McDonogh (Md.) maintains a grip on the top spot in the Nike / US Lacrosse High School Girls’ National Top 25, but Stone Ridge (Md.) threatened that Monday by taking the Eagles to overtime before eventually falling.
Stone Ridge won’t be one to overlook this season, and that close opening game pushed them up two more spots to No. 15 ahead of still-idle Bayport Blue Point (N.Y.) and Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.).
Otherwise, there wasn’t much to change in the rankings from last week. Penn Charter (Pa.) climbed two spots to No. 23 with a 4-0 start, and Good Counsel (Md.) sneaks in while still awaiting its opener.
Skip to: National | Northeast | Mid-Atlantic | South | Midwest | West
National Top 25
April 12, 2021 |
W/L |
Prev |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McDonogh (Md.) | 8-0 | 1 |
| 2 | St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Va.) | 0-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Manhasset (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 3 |
| 4 | Garden City (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 4 |
| 5 | Oak Knoll (N.J.) | 0-0 | 5 |
| 6 | Darien (Conn.) | 0-0 | 6 |
| 7 | Northport (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 7 |
| 8 | Eastport-South Manor (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 8 |
| 9 | Conestoga (Pa.) | 4-0 | 9 |
| 10 | St. Anthony's (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 10 |
| 11 | Mount Sinai (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 11 |
| 12 | St. Paul's (Md.) | 3-0 | 12 |
| 13 | Moorestown (N.J.) | 0-0 | 13 |
| 14 | Georgetown Visitation (D.C.) | 0-0 | 14 |
| 15 | Stone Ridge (Md.) | 0-1 | 17 |
| 16 | Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 15 |
| 17 | Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 16 |
| 18 | Severna Park (Md.) | 0-0 | 18 |
| 19 | Notre Dame Prep (Md.) | 3-0 | 19 |
| 20 | Milton (Ga.) | 11-0 | 20 |
| 21 | Bishop Ireton (Va.) | 0-0 | 21 |
| 22 | Sacred Heart (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 22 |
| 23 | Penn Charter (Pa.) | 4-0 | 25 |
| 24 | Smithtown East (N.Y.) | 0-0 | 24 |
| 25 | Good Counsel (Md.) | 0-0 | NR |
Also considered (alphabetical order): Baldwinsville (N.Y.), Bryn Mawr (Md.), Colorado Academy, Fayetteville-Manlius (N.Y.), Garnet Valley (Pa.), Glenelg Country (Md.), Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), New Canaan (Conn.), Pittsford (N.Y.), Radnor (Pa.), Ridgewood (N.J.), Wantagh (N.Y.), West Babylon (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
Note: While this is the first in-season update to the Top 25, many teams in the Northeast have yet to begin play. The below breakdowns are based off preseason projections.
1. Manhasset (N.Y.)
The Indians are loaded and should again contend for a Long Island championship (if the game is played this spring). The perennial powerhouse is guided by one of the region’s best attacking tandems in seniors Emma LoPinto (Florida) and Grace Gately, a Villanova commit who had 40 goals and 25 assists as a sophomore.
2. Garden City (N.Y.)
Dave Ettinger has the unenviable task of replacing a legend in Diane Chapman as head coach, but Ettinger, who also heads the Garden City football team, has plenty of high-end talent to help him ease into the position. That includes senior Yale-bound midfielder/attacker Alex Hopkins and senior attacker Sydney Pappas (Villanova), who had 30 goals as a sophomore.
3. Darien (Conn.)
Senior captains Kate Bellissimo (Stanford), Shannon Dahlquist (Yale) and Nelle Kniffin (Colgate), along with junior goaltender Shea Dolce, provide a solid base for another loaded Blue Wave team. Darien’s roster also returns juniors Molly McGuckin and Ceci Stein (Michigan) from the 2019 Class L state title team, their sixth in the last seven years. Sophomore attack Chloe Humphrey is another to watch for Lisa Lindley’s squad.
4. Northport (N.Y.)
The 2019 season was memorable as Northport captured the New York State Class A title for the first time since 2011, and longtime coach Carol Rainson-Rose was named the 2018-19 Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year by the NFHS. While the Tigers graduated several key cogs from that team, they have one of the region’s most lethal scorers in junior attacker Kaylie Mackiewicz (Duke) to lead the charge.
5. Eastport-South Manor (N.Y.)
Eastport-South Manor is another defending New York State champion, capturing the Class B title in 2019. Back from that 19-1 squad is senior goalie Katie Vahle (Arizona State) and two-way senior midfielder Celeste Forte, who committed to Florida.
6. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)
The Friars’ lone loss two years ago came to Cold Spring Harbor by one goal, but St. Anthony’s capped its “Redemption Tour” by winning the CHSAA Class AA title. Michigan-bound senior Erin O’Grady is one of Long Island’s top goalies.
7. Mt. Sinai (N.Y.)
Maryland-bound senior Emily Lamparter is arguably the best goalie on Long Island. She’s joined by Molly Laforge, a senior midfielder who committed to Stony Brook, and seniors Amanda Dowler (LIU) and Christina Mastrorocco (Binghamton) as the veteran core of Al Bertolone’s stacked squad. Mt. Sinai also features future Division I defenders in juniors Alexa Carranante (Pitt), Delilah Mile (Albany) and Jordan DeBlasio (Syracuse).
8. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.)
The Miller last name at BBP is synonymous with girls’ lacrosse greatness, with alum Kerrigan Miller tearing it up at North Carolina after sister MacKenzie Miller was a standout at Belmont Abbey. The next in line is Maddigan Miller, a Stanford-bound senior who had 26 goals and six assists as a sophomore. The Phantoms finished 15-3 in 2019.
9. Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.)
Although several players graduated from the team that won back-to-back New York State Class C titles, Cold Spring Harbor just reloads. Junior defender Grace Kiernan, a Fairfield commit with a high lacrosse IQ, and Ava Tighe, a 5-foot-10 junior attacker who is also strong at the draw, will lead the way for Danielle Castellane’s juggernaut.
10. Sacred Heart (N.Y.)
Sacred Heart will be anchored by James Madison-bound goalie Caitlin Boden, one of the top players at her position in the Class of 2022, as well as senior attack Emily Weigand, a Hofstra commit who is a four-year starter and captain. Others expected to make an impact include midfielder Kyra Browne, a junior three-year starting midfielder, Delaware-bound junior midfielder Julia Reagan, senior defender Julia Lawless (Vassar) and senior midfielder Elizabeth McDermott, a four-year starter.
— Dylan Butler
Mid-Atlantic Top 10
1. McDonogh (Md.), 8-0
The Eagles beat Archbishop Spalding (Md.) 16-8 on Wednesday behind a total team effort. McDonogh pulled away with five unanswered goals over the final 10 minutes. Remi Schaller delivered a highlight assist to Kemper Robinson midway through the second half. The Eagles then beat St. Mary’s (Md.) 14-9 on Friday, as Marin Wilhelm had 14 saves. Sydney Smith had two caused turnovers and was great on the clear, and Caroline Godine delivered two goals, two assists and two caused turnovers. McDonogh needed overtime to beat Stone Ridge (Md.) on Monday but still remained perfect. Previous: 1
2. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Va.), 0-0
A scrimmage Friday against Sidwell Friends (Va.) allowed the Saints to play 27 girls against an outside opponent. Coach Kathy Jenkins was pleased with the effort of the entire team. Rita Peterson and Cate Bradley led in the stats, but all the seniors and juniors played well, Jenkins said. Bradley had five assists, and Peterson had four goals and three draw controls. The Saints will open their season April 16 against Potomac High (Va.). Previous: 2
3. Oak Knoll (N.J.), 0-0
Oak Knoll coach Gianna Spinelli felt encouraged by her players’ performances in an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday. Seniors Colleen Quinn, Annika Spoor and Lily Ramsey were dominant. Juniors Devon Gogerty and Lily Murphy pushed the pace and created scoring opportunities. Defense held solid as a unit with junior Trinity Koetje and freshman Tatum Kocaj standing out. Spinelli said she feels good about the depth to create strong teams at the varsity and JV levels this spring, but Oak Knoll won’t see it in an official game before April 19. Previous: 3
4. Conestoga (Pa.), 4-0
The Pioneers defeated Marple Newtown (Pa.) 15-1 Thursday. Piper Kienzle led with three goals and an assist, Keating Hopkins had three goals, Rachel Clark added a pair of goals, Gabby Ridder and Grace Shackleford each chipped in a goal and an assist and Alex Lepore had two saves. Conestoga then beat Great Valley (Pa.) 16-8 behind strong performances from Melissa Hewitt (five goals and three ground balls), Kate Galica (four goals, six draw controls and two caused turnovers) and Alana Lepore (five saves). Clark also had nine draw controls to go with four goals. Gabby Ridder added one goal. Previous: 4
5. St. Paul's School for Girls (Md.), 3-0
St. Paul’s has been idle since March 26 but returns to action with a busy week. The Gators were scheduled to take on winless Roland Park Country (Md.) on Monday and 2-4 Archbishop Spalding (Md.) on Wednesday before then facing 4-2 St. Mary’s on Friday. Previous: 5
6. Moorestown (N.J.), 0-0
Moorestown got good news that it could move up its practice start date. The Quakers will open play April 19 after barely one week of preseason practices. Captains Margaret Lawler, Dylan Silar and Ava Drangula will lead the team. Katie Buck is also a key player to watch for Moorestown when it takes on Hunterdon Central in the opener. Previous: 6
7. Georgetown Visitation (D.C.), 0-0
Georgetown Visitation was expected to begin Monday, but its schedule has not been made public yet. Previous: 7
8. Stone Ridge (Md.), 0-1
Stone Ridge took McDonogh to overtime but couldn’t complete the upset. The Gators were up 8-3 at one point and had a 12-10 advantage before the Eagles rallied to send the game to overtime. Stone Ridge played the final 10 minutes of regulation down two players. Previous: 8
9. Severna Park (Md.), 0-0
Severna Park is set to open the season Saturday. The Falcons will play this spring without Reagan Clark while she continues to recover from an injury. Kaila Stasulli and Hailey Betch have led the team through the preseason. Previous: 9
10. Notre Dame Prep (Md.), 3-0
Notre Dame was scheduled to return to action Monday against Gerstell (Md.). The Blazers have had strong play through three games by attacker Nancy Halleron both offensively and on draw controls, as well as by midfielders Annie Marshall and Kailey Pelkey, who have been instrumental at both ends of the field. The defense has been Notre Dame’s strength while allowing an average of 4.0 goals a game. Brynn Hepting and Olivia Rockstroh have anchored an outstanding team effort at that end. Previous: 10
— Justin Feil
South Top 10
1. Milton (Ga.), 11-0
After playing three games in three days the previous week, the Eagles got a break from action last week. Milton returns to play on April 13 against Johns Creek (Ga.). Previous: 1
2. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 15-0
The Highlanders enter tournament play unbeaten after wins last week against the First Academy (Fla.) and Newsome (Fla.). Lake Highland Prep is the defending state champion from 2019. Previous: 2
3. American Heritage Delray (Fla.), 10-1
The Stallions had three games canceled last week. American Heritage will begin tournament play on Tuesday. They were state semifinalists in 2019 but lost to the eventual champion. Previous: 3
4. East Chapel Hill (N.C.), 16-2
The Wildcats won a state championship after they pulled off a pair of stunning upsets, first defeating Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.) 19-12 on March 22 in the state quarterfinals, then defeating Weddington (N.C.) 14-8 on March 27. Talia Zuco scored five times in the championship game. Sophie Halus and Molly Reed tied as the team’s scoring leaders with 56 goals each. Previous: 4
5. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 13-1
Following a perfect regular season, the Crusaders were upset in the state quarterfinals on March 22 against East Chapel Hill. Harvard recruit Caroline Mullahy racked up 40 goals and 77 assists in just 14 games. Sophomore Gracie Mullahy tallied 36 goals and 28 assists. Previous: 5
6. Weddington (N.C.), 17-2
The Warriors came one game short of winning a state title, losing 14-8 to East Chapel Hill on March 27. Senior Jordyn Case (Stanford) scored 82 goals and added 53 assists to close out her stellar high school career. Virginia Tech recruit Kendal Williams added 70 goals to complete her senior season. Previous: 6
7. Vero Beach (Fla.), 11-1
Vero Beach finished the regular season with wins last week over IMG Academy (Fla.) and Pine Crest (Fla.). A team that once claimed 10 straight state titles from 2006-15, VBHS enters playoff action on Wednesday. Previous: 8
8. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), 7-1
The Raiders had another off week and haven’t played since March 27. St. Thomas Aquinas, whose lone loss was to Lake Highland Prep, will start playoff action on April 12 against Coral Springs (Fla.). Previous: 9
9. Roswell (Ga.), 12-1
The Hornets were off last week after defeating North Atlanta (Ga.) on April 1. Roswell returns to play on April 13 against Riverwood (Ga.). Previous: 10
10. Franklin (Tenn.), 12-0
Franklin remains unbeaten after adding three wins last week. Aliya Polisky’s six-goal performance led the Admirals to a 13-12 win over Ravenwood (Tenn.) on April 5, and Polisky added seven goals in Franklin’s 21-7 victory over Assumption (Ky.) on Sunday. Eleven Admirals scored in Franklin’s 19-1 victory over Mercy (Ky.). Previous: NR
— Justin Boggs
Midwest Top 10
1. New Trier (Ill.), 0-0
The Trevians are loaded with top prospects like Macy Zaban (Florida), who had 49 goals and 24 draw controls as a sophomore, and Isabel King (Cal), who had 59 goals and 16 caused turnovers in 2019. After opening up this week with in-state foes Highland Park and Deerfield, New Trier has a highly anticipated game against Loyola Academy (Ill.) on Saturday. Previous: 1.
2. Loyola Academy (Ill.), 0-0
Senior Ellie Lazzaretto (Duke), the Ramblers’ top scorer as a sophomore, will guide another talented group in 2021, along with draw specialist Maley Starr (Georgetown). Loyola opens against Benet Academy (Ill.) on Thursday. The Ramblers then have a big test at New Trier, which caused its unusually early postseason exit in 2019. Previous: 2
3. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 7-0
The Golden Bears didn’t face much adversity on the scoreboard this past week with a pair of 18-0 wins over in-state foes Olentangy Orange and Wooster, but they suffered a devastating setback with star Annie Hargraves (Ohio State) out for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, per ThisWeek’s Dave Purpura. Fortunately, even with Hargraves out, Upper Arlington has plenty of scoring options, including Clara Gallapoo (17 goals), Camryn Callaghan (16), Ava Walters (15) and Rian Adkins (11). Previous: 3
4. Rockford (Mich.), 1-0
After a break of longer than two weeks, the Rams are finally back in action, hosting Forest Hills Central (Mich.) on Wednesday. The Rangers were dominant in their first game of the year, beating West Ottawa Holland 21-1 so the Rams could be in for a challenge, though Rockford swept the season series back in 2019. Previous: 4
5. Prior Lake (Minn.), 0-0
With five starters returning from a 2019 state championship squad, the Lakers are a team to keep an eye on this season. The fun begins right away with an opening matchup against Edina (Minn.) on Saturday, with the Lakers edging the Hornets by a tight 12-10 margin back in the 2019 postseason. Previous: 5
6. East Grand Rapids (Mich.), 3-0
After winning their first three games by a combined margin of 52-8, including a 10-goal win over Okemos, the Pioneers return from spring break with a home game against Grand Rapids Catholic Central (Mich.). Previous: 6
7. Eden Prairie (Minn.), 0-0
With a lights-out shooter in Josie Lillquist, a shutdown defender in Ellie Pearson and a superb athlete in Taylor Kotschevar-Call, the Eagles could contend for a state title in 2021. Expect interesting tests in early May when Edina visits Eden Prairie and the Eagles head to Chanhassen (Minn.) days later. Previous: 7
8. Carmel (Ind.), 5-0
The Greyhounds, who recently saw Hannah Kim and Maddie McGarty both surpass the 150-point mark in a win over Brebeuf Jesuit Prep (Minn.), next square off with Westfield. The Westfield Shamrocks’ 3-4 record is a tad deceptive, as they lost to Brebeuf Jesuit Prep by a single goal and at Zionsville by three. Previous: 8
9. Hinsdale Central (Ill.), 0-0
The 2019 state runner-up Red Devils begin play against York on April 21. They are led by an incredibly intelligent player in Charlotte Callahan (Yale), a versatile force in Annette Ciupek (Cal) and an aggressive speedster in Sophia Buzelis (Furman). Also watch for Avery Secola, a returning starter who brings a ton of upside and sizzling speed, and defensive specialist Elizabeth Farah. Previous: 9
10. Noblesville (Ind.), 5-0
The Millers near their big April 20 matchup against Carmel with some momentum, bursting out of spring break to claim an 18-8 victory over Evansville North (Ind.). Led to that win by six goals apiece from Rheagan Haney and Emma Potter, Noblesville can’t look ahead to Carmel while a trip to Cathedral first awaits on Wednesday. Previous: 10
— Jonah Rosenblum
West Top 10
1. Colorado Academy (Colo.), 0-0
The Mustangs didn’t get on the field in 2020 after completing their second straight unbeaten season and wrapping up a fifth consecutive state in 2019, but they graduated just two players who would have started last year and most of the nine returners played big roles in the past. Thus, it doesn’t appear their reign in Colorado will end any time soon. When the Mustangs get on the field at the end of April, they’ll seek to build on a 48-game win streak behind players like senior midfielders Katharine Merrifield (Michigan) and Jessie Bakes (Brown), senior defenders Maya Rutherford (Michigan), Marin Bomgaars, Julia Hall and Rebecca Kerr (Denison), senior attackers Ella Freimuth and Kendall Smart and junior midfielder Maya Kendall (Darmouth). Previous: 1
2. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 6-0
The Wolves were idle last week, but they return to play Tuesday with a key matchup against St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.). SRV has outscored opponents 111-34 this season. Alannah Scott has a team-leading 22 goals with two assists, while Lauren Ilorio adds 17 goals and 10 assists and CoCo Wong 15 goals and 14 assists. Previous: 2
3. Scripps Ranch (Calif.), 4-0
The Falcons play their fourth game in 10 days Tuesday when they meet Mater Dei (Calif.), but they’ve maintained their focus through the busy schedule. Scripps Ranch added wins against Del Norte and Poway last week, beating them by a combined score of 33-6. Previous: 3
4. Cherry Creek (Colo.), 0-0
Despite their youth, the Bruins hope to make a run at a 23rd straight state final appearance this season as they chase their first state title since 2014. Cherry Creek only has a few seniors, but experience in the midfield, good team speed and an athletic new goalkeeper in freshman Charlotte Morton should help carry the team early on while young players adjust. Top returning players include junior midfielders Lily Assini (Colorado) and Emily Collins and senior attacker Sophia Hashimoto. The state begins practices April 26. Previous: 4
5. La Jolla (Calif.), 2-0
The Vikings played a pair of games at the end of March but have been idle ever since then. When they return to the field against Patrick Henry (Calif.) on Thursday, they end a 19-day break from games. Previous: 5
6. Mercer Island (Wash.), 0-0
The Islanders won their 2019 state championship with several sophomores contributing, and now as seniors, they are hungry to defend that title two years later. Mercer Island didn’t get a chance to play any games before the 2020 season was canceled, and they anxiously await their opener May 4. Senior midfielders Annabelle Gersch and Hannah Tiscornia and senior attacker Emma Brodsky and junior attacker Molly Brodsky highlight the strength of the team. The Islanders welcome a new goalie and have gaps to fill in replacing two low defenders. Previous: 6
7. Regis Jesuit (Colo.), 0-0
The Raiders would have returned eight starters from their 2019 state semifinalist squad last year, but that group played just one game before the season shut down. Now they have some holes to fill as they prepare for a return to the field next month. Regis Jesuit will be led by a dominant mid-line featuring four-year starters Cate Lord and Grace Weigand. Previous: 7
8. Amador Valley (Calif.), 2-0
The Dons opened with a pair of wins against Carondelet (Calif.) and California High (Calif.), but they will have gone 13 days between games when they return Friday against Granada (Calif.). The 2019 North Coast Section Division I runners up are playing an eight-game schedule this season and already are 25 percent of the way through it. Previous: 8
9. Coronado (Calif.), 5-0
The Islanders added victories against Poway (Calif.) and Del Norte (Calif.) last week, as they continue to close out tight games. After a one-goal win against La Costa Canyon (Calif.) on April 2, they topped Poway 12-10 on April 6 with Allie White scoring four goals and Ella Ackerly three. White led the way with six goals in a 13-7 win Thursday against Del Norte. Previous: 9
10. Jesuit (Ore.), 0-0
The Crusaders remain the team to beat in Oregon after upsetting three-time defending champion Lake Oswego in the 2019 state final. Several key players from that championship roster return now as seniors, including two of the top three scorers in Sydney Landauer and Elizabeth Daigle, as well as defender Ziggy Berkoff. Jesuit is set to begin play this week. Previous: 10
— Laurel Pfahler