Moves Made in South Girls' Top 10; West Region Gets First Update

The South Region saw some early movement in the rankings as teams enter the heart of their schedules. The West is just beginning to pick up, with four of its Top 10 opening last week and many of the rest debuting within the next two weeks.

In the South, American Heritage-Delray (Fla.) has been rolling over opponents to keep its No. 1 ranking. The Stallions face a stiffer week that will test how strong they are. Idle Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.) remains at No. 2 and Milton (Ga.) has ridden an unbeaten start to the No. 3 ranking.

The first four teams in the West have yet to begin, but No. 1 Colorado Academy (Colo.) leads a quartet with big expectations. Foothill-Santa Ana opened its year with a win to remain at No. 5, as did Torrey Pines, which is ranked sixth. Those two play each other this week to get a clearer picture of the rankings.

SOUTH TOP 10

1. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 5-0

The Stallions continue to blow away tough competition, toppling Lake Highland Prep (Fla.) 14-5 followed by a 15-1 win over Oxbridge Academy (Fla.). American Heritage-Delray has a challenging week ahead with undefeated St. Andrew’s (Fla.) and IMG Academy both on the schedule. Previous: 1

2. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 0-0

The Crusaders’ offseason is about to come to an end as they take on Durham Academy (N.C.) on March 5. The squad should be looking forward to a big season with so many top players returning, including Lexi Mullahy, Izzi Hammond and Charlotte Jackson. Previous: 2

3. Milton (Ga.), 6-0

For a team that prides itself on balanced scoring, the Eagles had a big week from junior midfielder Alyssa Monje. Monje had seven goals on seven-for-seven shooting last week in wins against Denmark (Ga.) and Mill Creek (Ga.). Previous: 3

4. Hockaday (Texas), 2-0

The Daisies started out the season with a dominating 20-0 victory over Greenhill School (Texas). Hockaday followed the hot start with a 13-7 win over Southlake (Texas), followed by an 8-0 win over Ursuline Academy (Texas). The game versus Southlake was broken open from a six-all tie in the third with three goals in a row by Mae Flanagan. Sunnie Wang had a team-leading 11 goals for the week. Previous: 5

5. Anderson (Texas), 3-0

The Trojans are in the midst of a 12-day break after defeating Southlake 13-8 on February 24. Anderson returns to action March 7 to face Lake Travis (Texas). Previous: 6

6. Plant (Fla.), 8-0

After surviving a pair of close contests, the Panthers earned a pair of blowouts last week by only allowing two goals in two games. Plant defeated Wharton (Fla.) 20-1 and then Bloomingdale (Fla.) 19-1. Fifteen different players scored a goal in the win over Wharton. After being held scoreless against Wharton, Mckenzey Craig scored five goals in the win against Bloomingdale. Previous: 9

7. Hagerty (Fla.), 5-1

The Huskies responded to their first loss of the season in a big way. Hagerty defeated Seminole 19-0 on February 26. The squad tacked on a 15-8 win over Vero Beach (Fla.) two nights later. Stacy Glover had a team-leading four goals versus Vero Beach. Previous: 10

8. Bartram Trail (Fla.), 3-1

For the second straight year, the Bears fell to Episcopal School of Jacksonville (Fla.). Bartram Trail responded three days later by overwhelming St. Augustine (Fla.) 18-3. Previous: 4

9. Blessed Trinity (Ga.), 6-1

The Titans had their first loss of the season, falling 14-13 to Cambridge (Ga.). The loss snapped a four-game winning streak Blessed Trinity had against Cambridge. Previous: 7

10. Westlake (Texas), 3-0

The Chapperals are off to a 3-0 start after a trio of dominating wins, including a 19-6 win over McKinney (Texas) last week. Previous: NR

SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Mae Flanagan, Hockaday (Texas), junior attacker

In Hockaday’s first three games, Flanagan has scored 10 goals, and the junior attacker has contributed on both ends of the field. She also has had nine caused turnovers, five ground balls and 12 draw controls. In Hockaday’s win over Southlake Carroll (Texas), she scored three goals in a row, helping turn a six-all tie to a 9-6 lead.

Also notable: Alyssa Monje, Milton (Ga.), junior midfielder; Ella Strong, Cardinal Newman (Fla.)

— Justin Boggs

WEST TOP 10

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

Sonorah Hunter is back for her second year as head coach, and has a loaded Mustangs team back to chase a ninth straight state title. Seniors Charlotte Corkins (UNC) and USC commits Skylar May and Alex May make the midfield one of the best in the country, and juniors Addy Smith (Cornell) and Addy Westerberg (Arizona) bolster the midfield corps that is key on the draw. The attack features Zoe Martin (Michigan) while a defense that can play multiple styles is backed by junior goalie Alexa Lang (South Florida). The Mustangs host No. 7 St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) on March 7 for their season opener. Previous: 1

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

Top scorer Leslie Iorio (Villanova) is back along with three of their next four leading scorers from last year's NCS champions. In all, the Wolves have 10 starters back after they went unbeaten in 2023. Senior goalie Lauren Poulson (Regis University-Denver) and senior defenders Hannah Russell (Washington and Lee) and Olivia Navone (UC-Davis) highlight a stout defense that limited opposing attacks effectively last year. The midfield unit could be dominant with Iorio, Kaitlyn Bray, and juniors Grace Kerr (UC-Berkeley) and Ava Horrocks (UC-Davis). Senior attacker Addie Brower (Colorado) returns along with junior Lia Wilgus (UC-Davis) and several dynamic underclassmen. If the attack and midfield come together like last year, SRV will be tough to top again. The Wolves open the season with Miramonte (Calif.), Tamalpais (Calif.) and Hockaday (Texas) this week. Previous: 2

3. Valor Christian (Colo.), 0-0

Top 2024 recruit Eliza Osburn (North Carolina) is one of 10 returning starters to soften the blow of the graduation of Reagan Digby (Duke). Junior Amanda Stevens (Stanford) is back after leading the team in goals, and Kennesaw State commits Courtney Kakac on attack and Jade Chi are key seniors. Allie Moskowitz is a strong sophomore in goal. If Valor can control the draw, they will be tough to stop. The Mustangs kick off their season with a pair of matches against Denver East (Colo.) on March 7 and No. 7 St. Ignatius Prep on March 9. Previous: 3

4. Regis Jesuit (Colo.), 0-0

The Raiders graduated two of their top four top scorers, but can build around junior attack Maddy Jokerst, who led the team with 56 goals and 19 assists, and sophomore Delaney Sitzmann, who was second on the team in points. The midfield revolves around seniors Phoebe Rogala (Colorado) and Katie Kiernan, who is strong defensively. Maeve O'Shaughnessy leads the defense in her final season before heading to Catholic University. Regis has nine starters returning, and if their young talent on offense gels to provide more scoring threats the Raiders hope to return to the state final and win it this year. Regis Jesuit opens its season on March 15 against Kent Denver (Colo.). Previous: 4

5. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 1-0

The Knights are 61-3 in the last three years, and their leading goal scorer Kayla Agarie is just a sophomore. She will help Foothill overcome the loss of three of their top five scorers from a year ago. The Knights have six starters back and will look for leadership from their trio of captains – senior goalie Jenna Cardeno (Towson), junior middie Brynn Perkins (Drexel) and junior defender Sophia Katnik. Defensive experience and a midfield that has skill and high lacrosse IQ will keep the team competitive with anyone. On deck for Foothill is El Dorado (Calif.) on March 5, Mater Dei (Calif.) on March 7 and No. 6 Torrey Pines (Calif.) on March 8. Previous: 5

6. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 1-0

Laurel Gonzalez (Johns Hopkins) is a calm, poised leader in the midfield. She's important in a midfield that graduated two key pieces from last year's team that won its first section title since 2018. Cal-bound attack Alina Hsu is back after scoring 51 goals. Goalie Camille Samarasinghe reinforces the defense that also features Villanova-commit Skye Davis. That experience could be enough for a repeat crown. The Falcons host Carlsbad (Calif.) on March 5 and No. 5 Foothill on March 8 in the first of many top 10 contests this season. Previous: 6

7. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 0-0

The two-time defending CIF Central Coast section champs are poised to keep it rolling behind Eleri Colon (Hopkins), Chloe DelNegro (Lehigh), MJ Magnano (Stanford) and Haley Terry (Army). The captains represent each level of the field and the seniors are an upper class-heavy squad that returns nine starters. New coach Mary McDonough is excited about the Wildcats potential. The Wildcats open their season with three consecutive top 10 contests: No. 1 Colorado Academy on March 7, No. 3 Valor Christian on March 9 and No. 9 Sacred Heart (Calif.) on March 13. Previous: 7

8. Oak Ridge (Calif.), 1-0

San Ramon Valley has handed them three of their four losses over the past two seasons. New coach Chris Gehrke comes back to the Trojans after a year helping guide Folsom (Calif.) to the playoffs. Oak Ridge graduated only four seniors from last year's squad. Ella Rutherford highlights the attack, Annika Tanner is just a junior who keys the midfield, and Alex Remily anchors the defense. The Trojans prepare for battle against Granite Bay (Calif.) on March 5 and No. 2 San Ramon Valley on March 7. Previous: 8

9. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 1-0

The Gators feature some good young talent, which they need after graduating five college-bound players. Sacred Heart will lean on the five returning starters. Lily Selcher and Olivia Abbot in midfield, Katie Pepper on defense and Skyler Schramm on attack are top players. Sacred Heart hosts Hockaday (Texas) on March 8 in search of their second win this season. Previous: 9

10. Lake Oswego (Ore.) 0-0

Both losses came last year to Jesuit Portland (Ore.), but the Lakers have a good enough core returning to unseat the three-time defending champions. Grant (Ore.) also stands as a strong challenger in-state. Mairin Kelly and Barret Doan spark the attack while the midfield is stacked with Lilah Turley, Parker Lemm and Millie Prager. Lake Oswego has 10 starters back with talent across the field. The midfield is particularly strong on the draw, and the attack has enough depth that it doesn't have to rely on any one player for scoring. The defense is aggressive, cohesive and vocal. Previous: 10

WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jenna Cardeno, Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.)

The senior was named Player of the Game in the Knights’ 14-9 victory over Marlborough (Calif.), in which Cardeno made nine saves out of 18 shots on goal. Cardeno’s goaltending assisted Foothill in its first victory of the season and gave the Mustangs their first loss so far this spring. She saved 56.2% as a sophomore and 55.2% as a junior when Foothill won is third straight CIF division crown.

Also notable: Abigail Chuen, Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.); Brynn Perkins, Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.); Sydney Stewart, Torrey Pines (Calif.)

— Theresa Palmquist