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© 2024 USA Lacrosse. All Rights Reserved.
© 2024 USA Lacrosse. All Rights Reserved.
Colorado Academy (Colo.) tops the first West Region Girls’ Top 10 of the 2023 spring season.
With each region beginning play in different weeks — the South and West start before the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Northeast get underway — our high school contributors will provide in-season updates in each active region prior to the first National Top 25 update.
The West and Mid-Atlantic previews are unveiled the week of March 13, and watch for the Northeast and Midwest previews the week of March 20 — along with updated top 10 rankings from the South and West. USA Lacrosse Magazine will also release 25 players to watch for both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse that week.
The first National Top 25 update comes March 28. From there, rankings will be updated each Tuesday throughout the spring.
USA Lacrosse Magazine contributors consult with high school coaches across the country to develop the Nike/USA Lacrosse National Top 25 and Regional Top 10 rankings for boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. These rankings do not include schools that admit post-graduate students.
1. Colorado Academy (Colo.)
The Mustangs won their seventh consecutive state title last year, and there doesn’t seem to be an end to their reign in sight, despite long-time coach Laura Sandbloom stepping down to be closer to family. Colorado Academy brings back six of seven players that scored 20-plus goals, including leading scorers Zoe Martin and Anna Colpack, who combined for 93 goals. Martin represented Israel at the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship in Towson, Md.
2. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.)
The defending CIF Central Coast champion Wildcats boast another loaded roster this year, especially in its junior class with at least seven players committed to play in college. Highlighting that group are midfielders Dakota Cristo (Penn State) and Eleri Colon (Johns Hopkins) and defender MJ Magnano (Stanford). Also leading the team is senior Olivia Ripple, who is headed to Denver.
3. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.)
The Knights graduated their top two scorers, including West Region Player of the Year Elena Torres, but Zoey Stephens is capable of stepping up and carrying more of a load her senior season. She chipped in 45 goals and 18 assists last year while helping Foothill repeat as CIF Southern Section champions. The Knights will be looking to continue a 17-game winning streak they finished on last season.
4. Valor Christian (Colo.)
The Eagles finished as state runner-up for a second straight season and look to be competitive again in 2023. Junior Eliza Osburn, who led the attack with 68 goals and 13 assists last season, returns, along with senior Reagan Digby, who had 49 goals and 47 assists. With that kind of firepower, Valor Christian will be tough to stop.
5. Jesuit Portland (Ore.)
Jesuit claimed a third consecutive championship last year, and this team is even deeper and highlighted by versatility. The Crusaders are led by senior attacker Piper Daskalos (Johns Hopkins), who totaled 62 goals and 21 assists as a junior, defender/midfielder Sydney Kim (Tufts) and goalie Sydney Partovi (Cal). A total of 13 players from the Class of 2023 return after contributing last season.
6. La Jolla (Calif.)
The Vikings avenged their 2021 CIF San Diego Open final loss to Scripps Ranch to claim the 2022 championship, but in order to defend their title, they will need a lot of young players to step up and fill holes left by graduation. Six starters return, and La Jolla boasts strong senior leadership from players like Delaney Walsh, Cate Alexander, Ella Stephens, Hayden Gawell, Ashlyn Brunette and Olivia Austin.
7. Torrey Pines (Calif.)
The Falcons return a strong core from last year’s 13-5 squad, which pulled from members of each class and started a number of sophomores and freshmen that will be even better prepared for a bigger role in 2023. Junior attacker Tatum Bryant, junior midfielder Laurel Gonzalez and junior defender Skye Davis were big contributors last year that will be counted on to step up this season, and the team also returns both goalies in junior Camille Samarasinghe and senior Trinity Phillips.
8. Cherry Creek (Colo.)
The Bruins lost in the state semifinals against Colorado Academy last year but return eight starters, and the team is especially deep on defense. The midfield looks a little different after losing some players to graduation, but the new starters are strong, fast and experienced, which will allow Cherry Creek some new options on the draw circle, which has been an area of weakness. Top players to watch include senior midfielders Sawyer Billings (Stanford) and Greer Simonton (Xavier), junior goalie Charlotte Morton (USC), senior attackers Anna Gawthrop, Grace Ayers (Rollins) and Izzy Assini and junior defender Lily Sheldon.
9. Fairview (Colo.)
The Knights are undergoing a bit of a transition, as their district team split after a new school was added in the area, so the roster will look a bit different. Still, the talent is there. Cami Johnson (UC Davis) paced the team with 64 goals, 22 assists last season as a junior.
10. Santa Margarita (Calif.)
The Eagles lost two of their top four scorers from their CIF Southern Section runner-up squad that featured a ton of offensive firepower. Sophomore Paige Peters (68 goals, 11 assists) and Catie Maroutsos (51 goals, 20 assists) can be counted on to pick up where they left off last season.
