Darien (Conn.) edged St. Paul's (Md.) in a game between two of the top teams in the country.

Darien (Conn.) Beats St. Paul's (Md.), Cements Top Spot in Nike/USAL Girls' Top 25

April 18, 2023

Justin Feil

John Strohsacker

A thunderstorm threatened to postpone the marquee game of the week, but after a two-plus-hour weather delay at USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md., Darien (Conn.) edged St. Paul’s (Md.) to cement its spot atop the Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ National Top 25.

The Gators also looked strong in the loss and retain their spot in the top three behind the only other team to beat them — No. 2 McDonogh (Md.).

Most of the top 10 remained as is, but five new teams enter the Top 25. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) leads that pack of newcomers at No. 14 after an unblemished start through six games. Sacred Heart (Conn.) gave Darien (Conn.) a tough game earlier in the season and hasn’t lost since. Fairport (N.Y.), Ridgefield (Conn.) and Oak Knoll (N.J.) are a combined 16-1 as they slide into the rankings.

Darien (Conn.) faces another big threat in Ward Melville (N.Y.) this week. There are several other key matchups that will offer opportunities for movement.

Continue below to see the Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ National Top 25 for this week. All results are through Sunday, April 16.

NIKE/USA LACROSSE HIGH SCHOOL
GIRLS’ NATIONAL TOP 25

	April 18, 2023	W/L	Prev
1	Darien (Conn.)	7-0	1
2	McDonogh (Md.)	11-1	2
3	St. Paul's (Md.)	11-2	3
4	New Canaan (Conn.)	4-0	4
5	Glenelg Country (Md.)	10-0	6
6	Ward Melville (N.Y.)	7-0	7
7	Northport (N.Y.)	6-0	8
8	Agnes Irwin (Pa.)	7-0	9
9	Maryvale (Md.)	10-2	10
10	Wantagh (N.Y.)	7-0	11
11	Archbishop Carroll (Pa.)	7-1	13
12	Wilton (Conn.)	6-0	19
13	Archbishop Spalding (Md.)	9-3	14
14	Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.)	6-0	NR
15	Manhasset (N.Y.)	3-1	16
16	American Heritage-Delray (Fla.)	17-1	17
17	Sacred Heart (Conn.)	7-1	NR
18	Owen J. Roberts (Pa.)	10-1	18
19	Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.)	6-0	20
20	Conestoga (Pa.)	8-1	23
21	Colorado Academy (Colo.)	8-0	24
22	Episcopal (Pa.)	9-2	25
23	Fairport (N.Y.)	6-0	NR
24	Ridgefield (Conn.)	6-0	NR
25	Oak Knoll (N.J.)	4-1	NR

Also considered (alphabetical order): Baldwinsville (N.Y.), Broadneck (Md.), Bryn Mawr (Md.), Century (Md.), Glenelg High (Md.), Georgetown Visitation (D.C.), Good Counsel (Md.), Greenwich Academy (Conn.), Liberty (Md.), Manchester Valley (Md.), New Trier (Ill.), Notre Dame Prep (Md.), Paul VI (Va.), Severna Park (Md.), St. Anne's-Belfield (Va.), St. Anthony's (N.Y.), St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), St. John's College High (D.C.), Stone Ridge (Md.), Summit (N.J.), Westhampton Beach (N.Y.)

Written By

Justin Feil

Justin Feil grew up in Central PA before lacrosse arrived. He was introduced to the game while covering Bill Tierney and Chris Sailer’s Princeton teams. Feil enjoys writing for several publications, coaching and running and has completed 23 straight Boston Marathons. Feil has contributed to USA Lacrosse Magazine since 2009 and edits the national high school rankings.