Darien-New Canaan Matchup Could Shake Up Northeast Top 10

Every Tuesday during the high school lacrosse season, USA Lacrosse updates Regional Top 10 and National Top 25 rankings to reflect the results of the previous week. Below are the Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ Regional Top 10 updates through games played April 23.

North Shore (N.Y.) and Rush-Henrietta (N.Y.) push into the Top 10 of the Northeast Region after strong starts to their seasons. No. 1 Darien (Conn.) and No. 2 New Canaan (Conn.) is the game of the week. Northport (N.Y.), Wilton (Conn.) and Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) are all also perfect in the loaded region. Ward Melville (N.Y.) remains in the middle of the rankings despite a pair of defeats.

McDonogh (Md.) and St. Paul’s (Md.) still pace the Mid-Atlantic Region, but Maryvale (Md.) moves to its highest ranking at No. 3 after getting by Glenelg Country (Md.). The Lions’ only losses have been by a goal apiece to the region’s top two teams. Summit (N.J.) vaults into the Top 10 after two dominant wins over good teams this week. Their only loss came at the hands of national No. 1 Darien (Conn.).

The South Region did not have a single change in the rankings after a perfect week for all 10 teams. The Top 10 dominated, not just coming up with shutout wins but not even allowing a shot on goal in several games. Anderson (Texas) tries to join Hockaday (Texas) this week in finishing with an unbeaten regular season, the only perfect squads in the South rankings.

A major upset in the Midwest Region jumped previously unranked New Albany (Ohio) into the No. 3 spot. The only other change was Benet Academy (Ill.) swapping spots with Carmel (Ind.), which lost for the first time. Elsewhere, Lakeville South (Minn.) finally got its season started with a lopsided win.

Unbeatens Colorado Academy (Colo.) and San Ramon Valley (Calif.) are the toast of the West Region, which had only one real change this week. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) won the rematch with St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) to earn the No. 4 ranking just ahead of the Wildcats. No. 8 Oak Ridge (Calif.) is as hot as any team in the region after running its winning streak to 11. San Ramon Valley and St. Ignatius Prep face off this week in a game with ranking implications.

Nike/USA 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. Darien (Conn.), 9-0

The nation’s No. 1 team continues to roll, beating Ridgefield (Conn.) 18-11 followed by a 12-5 win at Ward Melville (N.Y.) on Saturday. The highly anticipated first showdown with New Canaan (Conn.) is finally upon us April 26 at Dunning Stadium. Previous: 1

2. New Canaan (Conn.), 7-0

It was a 3-0 week for the defending FCIAC and CIAC Class L champions, who knocked off Somers (N.Y.), 12-2, Greenwich (Conn.), 14-6, and Longmeadow (Mass.) 18-5. After hosting rival Darien (Conn.), the Rams head to Long Island to meet Garden City (N.Y.) on April 29. Previous: 2

3. Northport (N.Y.), 8-0

Northport (N.Y.) celebrated a comfortable 21-6 win over Fox Lane (N.Y.) on Saturday to remain undefeated. Kate Atkinson had six goals and two assists, Kennedy Radziul had three goals and five assists, Julia Huxtable had four goals and two assists and Emma McLam had three goals and one assist for the Tigers. Previous: 4

4. Wilton (Conn.), 8-0

Molly Snow became Wilton’s all-time assist leader with her 145th helper as part of a four-goal, three-assist performance in a 13-3 win over Greenwich (Conn.). Addie Pattillo had four goals and one assist to go along with seven draw controls. An 18-1 win over Staples (Conn.) followed, with Snow scoring one goal and dishing out six assists, and Addie Pattillo and Emerson Pattillo added four goals apiece. Previous: 6

5. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 9-0

Julia Fusco scored a pair of goals, Ava Meyn, Mikaela Mooney and Haydin Eisfeld had one goal and one assist apiece and Felicia Giglio made four saves in a 6-4 win over Eastport-South Manor (N.Y.). Previous: 7

6. Ward Melville (N.Y.), 7-2

The Patriots dropped their first two games of the year, a stunning 5-3 loss at William Floyd (N.Y.) followed by a 12-5 defeat at home to No. 1 Darien (Conn.). No rest for the weary, a big showdown against Northport, a rematch of last year’s Suffolk Class A final and likely a preview of this year’s is coming up on April 26. Previous: 3

7. Manhasset (N.Y.), 5-1

The Indians picked up two more wins this week, including a 22-11 victory over South Side (N.Y.). Caitlin Barrett had seven goals and three assists, Katelyn Greeley scored three goals, Mia LoPinto and Holly Newman had two goals and three assists apiece and Catherine Leder added a pair of goals for Manhasset (N.Y.), who face North Shore (N.Y.) and Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.) this week. Previous: 8

8. Sacred Heart (Conn.), 9-1

Sacred Heart (Conn.) defeated Hill Academy (Ont.) 15-6, before defeating Sacred Heart (N.Y.), 16-4, on Saturday. Neighborhood rival Greenwich Academy (Conn.) comes to Sheehan Field on April 26 before a trip to Long Island to face Massapequa (N.Y.) as part of the Gains for Brains Showcase at Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.). Previous: 9

9. North Shore (N.Y.), 9-1

Kylee Colbert had four goals and one assist, Kaila Van Cott had four goals, Daniela Martini had two goals and three assists and Ava Bartoli added one goal and three assists in a 12-9 win over Long Beach (N.Y.). The Vikings meet Manhasset (N.Y.) and Massapequa (N.Y.) in a critical week. Previous: NR

10. Rush-Henrietta (N.Y.), 6-0

Following a 12-7 victory over previously undefeated Fairport (N.Y.), Rush-Henrietta (N.Y.) defeated Irondequoit, 9-6, on Friday. Catrina Rowe had three goals and two assists, Ashlyn Roberts had two goals and one assist and Avery Roberts added one goal and two assists to go along with four draw controls and two caused turnovers. Previous: NR

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC TOP 10

1. McDonogh (Md.), 14-1

The Eagles sent Glenelg Country (Md.) to its first loss of the season, 12-8. They led 6-3 and then held off Glenelg rallies to remain the lone unbeaten in IAAM play. Amanda Lawson and Sophia Trahan each had four goals. Lawson added an assist. Kate Levy scored twice and dished out an assist, and Payton Magday also had a pair of goals. Reagan O’Donovan made six saves. The Eagles trounced Mercy (Md.) 13-3 with Makena London scoring four goals and Lawson scoring twice and assisting on three other goals, and outscored Good Counsel (Md.) 21-10 behind five goals from Remi Schaller, four goals from Trahan who also had six draws, and Levy’s three goals and six draws. Previous: 1

2. St. Paul’s (Md.), 13-2

The Gators returned to winning with a perfect week. They blasted Garrison Forest (Md.) 15-4 with Frannie Hahn and Anna Regan scoring hat tricks and Lauren Steer and Natalie Shurtleff getting two goals apiece. They stormed by Notre Dame (Md.) 19-6. Hahn had a pair of goals and eight assists, and Shurtleff had five goals and two assists. Marleigh O’Day and Caroline Hoskins each scored a hat trick. St. Paul’s takes on Glenelg Country (Md.), the only team to beat them last year, on April 25. Previous: 2

3. Maryvale (Md.), 12-2

The Lions picked up their biggest win of the season, knocking off Glenelg Country (Md.) 9-8. Noel Cumberland scored four times, Cayden Reese had a pair of goals and an assist and Abby Francioli made five saves. Maryvale opened the week with an 18-7 win over Mount de Sales (Md.). Maryvale sits third in the IAAM A Conference, tied with Glenelg Country at 9-2. They next face Archbishop Spalding (Md.), which sits right behind them in fifth. Previous: 5

4. Glenelg Country (Md.), 11-2

After trailing 6-3 at halftime, the Dragons rallied to tie the score in the second half but could not pull ahead of McDonogh in a 12-8 loss. Blair Byrne scored four goals to pace the offense while Regan Byrne scored twice. Lilly Fortin had a goal and assist. Natalie Eastwood made four saves. After a 10-6 win over Bryn Mawr (Md.), the Dragons dropped their second game to Maryvale 9-8. Blair Byrne scored four goals and Maggie Flanagan had two goals. Eastwood stopped nine shots. Previous: 3

5. Archbishop Carroll (Pa.), 9-1

The Patriots crushed a pair of opponents this week. They topped Little Flower Catholic (Pa.) 19-1 with Lainey Straub and Gracie Kucia each scoring two goals and Chloe Bleckley winning four draw controls. They blew by Radnor (Pa.) 17-5. Previous: 6

6. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 10-3

The Cavaliers beat Gerstell (Md.) 15-4 in their lone game of the week. Spalding sits in fifth place in the IAAM A Conference, but could tighten the standings with a win over third-place Maryvale (Md.) on April 25. Previous: 7

7. Summit (N.J.), 6-1

The Hilltoppers blasted into the Top 10 on the strength of a pair of big wins highlighted by suffocating defense. Anya Wardle scored a goal and assisted on three goals and Jane Freeman scored twice in an 11-4 win over nationally ranked Oak Knoll (N.J.). Lily Spinner had a goal and two assists and Lauren Riley helped control possession with nine draw controls. Two days later, Summit pulled away from a 3-1 halftime lead for a 9-4 win over No. 10 Episcopal (Pa.). Spinner, Riley, and Abby Iacovelli all had two goals apiece, and Wardle had a goal and two assists. Charlotte Burke stopped eight shots in a half. Previous: NR

8. Owen J. Roberts (Pa.), 12-1

The Wildcats saw a record-setting performance in their latest win – a 21-2 trouncing of Boyertown (Pa.). Gabbi Koury had six draw controls and five ground balls, but it was her scoring that was the story. The senior scored seven goals and had an assist to set the all-time OJR career scoring record. In just three seasons, she has 224 goals and 143 assists for 367 points. The Wildcats also subdued Norristown Area (Pa.) 19-1. Previous: 8

9. Conestoga (Pa.), 11-1

Conestoga remained hot with three wins. In one of their few remaining regular-season challenges, the Pioneers held off Garnet Valley (Pa.) 9-7. Stoga trailed, 5-4, at halftime before rallying to win. Kate Galica scored a hat trick, Piper Kienzle had a pair of goals and Paige Lee made three saves. After a 15-7 win over Penncrest (Pa.), the Pioneers closed out Spring-Ford (Pa.) 14-2 with Kienzle scoring twice and assisting on two other goals. Ellie Wisch, Abbie Preston, Georgia Rios, Galica and Kiki Liebezeit all had two goals apiece. Previous: 9

10. Episcopal (Pa.), 11-3

Episcopal opened the week with a defensive battle in a 5-4 win over previously ranked and unbeaten Agnes Irwin (Pa.). Grace Holland made five stops in goal, and Quinn Whitaker caused four turnovers and Lainey McGonagle caused three turnovers. Alexis Ventresca scored twice and assisted on a late goal. Ventresca and Grace McHugh each scored four goals, and Kate Dente, Maura Irish and Whitaker all had hat tricks in a 20-7 win over Germantown Academy (Pa.). Ventresca added three assists and Irish and Whitaker had two assists apiece. Whitaker and Kate Dente scored two goals apiece in the 9-4 loss to Summit. Holland stopped five shots. Previous: 10

— Justin Feil

SOUTH TOP 10

1. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 18-1

The Stallions remains undefeated versus in-state competition after defeating Key West (Fla.) 22-4. Delray will face sister school American Heritage-Plantation (Fla.) on April 25 in the regional semifinal. The two programs have not faced each other since 2019. Previous: 1

2. Milton (Ga.), 18-2

The Eagles closed out the regular season with a pair of dominating wins. Milton got scoring from a variety of players in a 13-3 win over Buford (Ga.) and a 20-3 win over Forsyth Central (Fla.). Previous: 2

3. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 13-2

The Crusaders didn’t allow any shots on goal in an 18-0 win over Enloe (N.C.). Gracie Mullahy was a force scoring twice, picking up six grounds balls and causing four turnovers. Cardinal Gibbons then added a 19-5 win over Broughton (N.C.). Previous: 3

4. Hockaday (Texas), 16-0

The Daises closed out the regular season with an 18-2 win over Southlake Carroll (Texas). Hockaday now awaits its playoff matchups. Previous: 4

5. Steinbrenner (Fla.), 13-2

The Warriors kept Lakewood Ranch (Fla.) without any shots on goal in a 21-0 playoff victory. Taylor Lapointe and Katie Prentice each led Steinbrenner with four goals. Lapointe added four groundballs and a couple caused turnovers. Previous: 5

6. Blessed Trinity (Ga.), 16-2

Clark Hamilton’s hat trick helped the Titans defeat Hillgrove (Ga.) 8-4. Blessed Trinity followed that with a 19-0 victory over Centennial (Ga.). Hamilton also had a hat trick against Centennial. Previous: 6

7. Anderson (Texas), 12-0

The Trojans had an off week and will face St. Michaels Academy (Texas) for a chance to close out a perfect regular season. Previous: 7

8. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 17-3

The Highlanders had 13 different players score in a 24-4 win over the All Saints’ Academy (Fla.). Freshman Hali Horvath led all scorers with four tallies. Previous: 8

9. Vero Beach (Fla.), 16-4

Vero Beach is through to the regional semifinal after defeating Winter Park (Fla.) 14-2. Alexa Vega scored four times for Vero Beach. Previous: 9

10. Bartram Trail (Fla.), 15-4

Savannah Payne scored eight goals and added four groundballs in a 19-1 playoff win over Fletcher (Fla.). Bartram Trail allowed just two shots on goal in the win. Emily Barnette and Ryann Frechette also added four goals each. Previous: 10

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST TOP 10

1. New Trier (Ill.), 9-2

The Trevians picked up their fourth straight victory Saturday, rallying from a 4-1 deficit to top Thayer Academy (Mass.). Their win included a six-goal performance from senior Addie Shevitz (Arizona State), eight draws from senior Anna Seftenberg and four caused turnovers from senior Grace Mawicke (Lehigh). This week brings a great Land of Lincoln showdown as the Trevians travel to rival Loyola Academy on April 27. Previous: 1

2. Loyola Academy (Ill.), 10-4

The Ramblers topped a pair of quality Massachusetts teams this past week, edging Wellesley 10-8 Thursday and Thayer Academy 14-8 Saturday. Michigan commit Emma Burke and Grace Dwyer had seven draw controls apiece in the first game against the Raiders. Marquette commits Eileen Dooley and Riley Jenkins joined Dwyer in posting hat tricks against the Tigers. Now, it’s rivalry week for the Ramblers as they face off against longtime Land of Lincoln rivals Hinsdale Central and New Trier. Previous: 2

3. New Albany (Ohio), 7-2

The Eagles picked up one of the most impressive wins in the region Thursday, topping rival Upper Arlington (Ohio), 16-15, on an overtime game-winner by Maddy Paz. Paz, who also had the game-winner in last year’s state title match against the Golden Bears, finished with seven goals while fellow junior Ellie McClelland had six. New Albany has now won seven of eight following a season-opening loss to Mason. Previous: NR

4. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 10-1

While the Golden Bears suffered their first loss of the season, in a rematch of last year’s state title match, there were certainly things to like from that game for UA, including another five-goal performance from Kampbell Stone and hat tricks from Liz Schumacher and Lilly Stelzer. Better yet, the Golden Eagles responded with back-to-back wins over tough teams Saturday in Thomas Worthington (Ohio) and Carmel (Ind.). Previous: 3

5. Forest Hills Central (Mich.), 5-0

The Rangers have continued to dominate, including a pair of wins by double-digit margins over in-state foes Brighton and Mercy this past week. The tests will only get tougher with three of the Mitten State’s top programs coming up in Forest Hills Northern on April 24, Rockford on April 26 and East Grand Rapids the following week. Previous: 4

6. University School of Milwaukee (Wisc.), 5-0

The Wildcats came up with another dominant week against a pair of in-state foes, topping Mukwonago and Muskego by a combined margin of 40-6. USM senior Abby Sisson had another monstrous week, including an absurd 13 points against Muskego (8 goals, 5 assists) along with nine points against Mukwonago (7 goals, 2 assists). Freshman Darcy Doyle also totaled nine goals and four assists over the two Wildcats’ wins. Previous: 5

7. Benet Academy (Ill.), 9-4

The Redwings had another big week starting with an 11-9 win over one of the top teams in the Bluegrass State, Kentucky Country Day, with senior Jamie Weber and freshman Claire O’Brien recording hat tricks. Then, sophomore Gianna Kurelko, who had two goals and four assists against KCD, exploded for eight goals and three assists in an 18-7 win over St. Viator (Ill.). Previous: 7

8. Carmel (Ind.), 9-1

The Greyhounds absorbed their first loss of the season Saturday, falling to one of Ohio’s top teams, Upper Arlington, after beating Dublin Jerome (Ohio) in the first game of the Hannigan-Galipault Tournament. Carmel took over a tie ballgame with an 8-0 run as senior Tori Tomalia, who recorded her 100th career goal earlier in the week, notched six goals and seven draw controls. Tomalia also had a hat trick against the Golden Bears, as did sophomore Breckin Hare. Previous: 6

9. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 11-2

The Patriots have won seven straight since back-to-back close losses to IMG Academy (Fla.) and Upper Arlington (Ohio). In an impressive 16-4 win over a solid Thomas Worthington (Ohio) squad, Liberty got five goals apiece from midfielders Makena Harrington and Isabelle Pohmer. Previous: 8

10. Lakeville South (Minn.), 1-0

The 2022 state champion Cougars were dominant in their 2023 debut, topping Owatonna, 22-1. Five Lakeville South players recorded hat tricks: Emily Moes (6 goals, 3 assists), Gabby Bouman (3 goals, 3 assists), Katie Grubbs (3 goals, 3 assists), Sivanna O’Brien (4 goals, 1 assist) and Tori Tschida (3 goals, 1 assist). Charlotte Fannin added a team-leading four assists. Previous: 9

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST TOP 10

1. Colorado Academy (Colo.), 10-0

The Mustangs outscored Ralston Valley (Colo.) and Dakota Ridge (Colo.) 38-1 in their two games last week. Zoe Martin tallied three goals and one assist, and Addy Westerberg added a hat trick in the win over Dakota Ridge. Skylar May had a team-high three assists to go along with a goal. Martin also had four goals and one assist against Ralston, and Anna Colpack contributed four goals and Charlotte Corkins had two goals and three assists. The defense limited Ralston to two shots on goal. Previous: 1

2. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 17-0

The Wolves had a busy week but showed no fatigue in their three games, collecting a pair of 19-0 wins over Dublin (Calif.) and Granada (Calif.), sandwiching a 12-3 victory against Carondelet (Calif.). SRV has three games left on the regular-season schedule, including a big one to wrap it up April 29 against St. Ignatius. Previous: 2

3. Valor Christian (Colo.), 9-2

The Eagles added two more victories last week, beating Dakota Ridge and Kent Denver to extend their winning streak to seven games. Kaley Kakac led the attack in a 16-11 win over Kent Denver, scoring five goals and adding an assist, while Amanda Stevens added five goals. Valor hosts Colorado Academy in a marquee matchup April 25. Previous: 3

4. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 11-2

The Gators avenged one of their two losses last week, collecting a 10-9 win in the second meeting with a St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) squad that had been ranked No. 2 in the West for most of the season. Iris O’Connor led the attack with three goals and an assist, while Emily Leschin added two goals and an assist and Olivia Abbott and Skyler Schramm each had two goals. Previous: 8

5. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 13-2

The Wildcats have lost two of their last three games after dropping the 10-9 loss to Sacred Heart Prep. They had bounced back from another one-goal loss to Valor Christian a week earlier with a decisive 18-3 win at Menlo (Calif.), but could not keep the momentum going in a tough game against the Gators. Previous: 4

6. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 13-2

Mia Marchetti contributed directly to seven goals, scoring four and adding three assists, as the Knights beat Canyon (Calif.) 17-3 to extend their winning streak to seven games. Marchetti also was a perfect 7 of 7 on draw controls and added four caused turnovers, and Courtney Copeland had four goals and eight groundballs. Foothill also added a 15-2 win over JSerra Catholic (Calif.) last week. Previous: 5

7. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 10-5

The Falcons beat La Jolla (Calif.) 12-2 on April 18, then followed that with a 14-7 victory at San Marcos SD (Calif.). Ellie Davidson had three goals and two assists against La Jolla, and Laurel Gonzalez added two goals. Camille Samarasinghe made seven saves in goal. Torrey Pines won 10 of 16 draws. Previous: 6

8. Oak Ridge (Calif.), 17-1

The Trojans just keep chugging along since their March 18 loss to San Ramon Valley, as they’ve now won 11 straight, including a pair of 21-0 victories over Rocklin (Calif.) and Folsom (Calif.). They’ve outscored opponents 318-49 and have allowed just two goals over the last four games. Previous: 7

9. Cherry Creek (Colo.), 10-2

Ava Whitt scored a hat trick and Sawyer Billings and Izzy Assini each tallied four points to lead the Bruins to a notable 12-9 win over Fairview (Colo.) last week. Billings had two goals and two assists, and Assini added one goal and three assists. Fairview won 16 of 22 draws, but Cherry Creek goalkeeper Charlotte Morton came up big with 18 saves to get the ball back in the hands of the offense. Previous: 9

10. Grant (Ore.), 10-0

Kate Ratanaproeksa led with five goals and three assists, and Megan McDevitt (five goals and two assists) and Eric McDevitt (four goals, three assists) each added seven points in a 20-5 win over Hood River Valley (Ore.) on April 21. The two McDevitts combined for 12 draw controls as well. Previous: 10

— Laurel Pfahler