The top four teams in the West all come into 2022 with unfinished business.
They each return strong cores and stronger motivation after coming up short last spring. No. 1 St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) was 4-0 against Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) before falling in their fifth meeting to drop the section championship. No. 2 Corona del Mar (Calif.) and No. 3 Mater Dei (Calif.) both lost in their respective section semifinals. No. 4 La Costa Canyon (Calif.) also suffered a heartbreaking loss in its division championship.
No. 5 Mountain Vista (Colo.) looks to repeat after claiming its first Colorado state crown, and No. 6 Torrey Pines (Calif.) is looking for more history as it goes for a division four-peat. Utah’s best, No. 7 Corner Canyon, is loaded for another championship shot, while Colorado runner-up Cherry Creek is No. 8 with a wealth of talent back. Sacred Heart Prep looks to build off its title finish last year, and Jesuit Portland (Ore.) has the depth to go one step further and win an Oregon state crown.
Continue on to see how the Top 10 breaks down, and check back every Tuesday beginning March 29 for National Top 25 updates.
1. ST. IGNATIUS PREP (CALIF.)
The Wildcats slipped in the CIF Central Coast Section championship against WCAL rival Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) after winning the first four matchups against the Gators. It was a stunning loss to spoil a perfect season, but now they come back hungry to finish what they started. Top returning players include Princeton commit Jackson Kane in the attack and Villanova recruit Luke Williams in the midfield.
2. CORONA DEL MAR (CALIF.)
The Sea Kings had won 10 straight games before falling to Loyola-Los Angeles (Calif.) in the CIF Southern Section semifinals last year, but they are expected to be contenders once again this year. CdM returns standouts like attackers Lucas Newton (Villanova) and Ty Caffarelli (Monmouth) and midfielder Logan Ip (Harvard).
3. MATER DEI (CALIF.)
The Monarchs lost to eventual CIF Southern Section runner up Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) in the semifinals last year but return a ton of firepower. The team has 20 seniors on a deep roster that features 10 college commits in the senior and junior classes with a handful of juniors still deciding on Division I opportunities. Junior faceoff specialist Lucas de la Paz posted an 80 percent win rate last year and remains a key piece, along with players like junior midfielder Triston Jewell, senior defender Andrew Crosby and senior goalie Nick Colignon. Mater Dei will be tested by one of the most challenging schedules in the West, including opponents from five states and games in Maryland during spring break.
4. LA COSTA CANYON (CALIF.)
The Mavericks suffered two of their losses last year to Torrey Pines (Calif.), including in the CIF San Diego Open Division final to finish as the runner up, but they could be the favorites to win in 2022. LCC returns a strong core of players, including senior attacker Luke Sillstrop, junior midfielder Ben Beacham and defender Flynn Hogan.
5. MOUNTAIN VISTA (COLO.)
The Golden Eagles made the most of their first state final appearance last year and beat Valor Christian (Colo.) to claim the CHSAA Class 5A title. Mountain Vista won three straight overtime games en route to claiming its trophy and now returns battle-tested players looking for a repeat. Senior midfielder Dillon Pless, who scored the game-winner in the championship, is the team’s top returning scorer and leads a loaded roster.