Small Western Shakeup in USA Lacrosse High School Girls' Regional Top 10 Ranks

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 USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ Regional Top 10 updates through games played May 19.

The Northeast Region was forced to make one change in the ranking after Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.) handed Hotchkiss School (Conn.) its first loss of the season. That dropped Hotchkiss to No. 10 just below Sacred Heart. The remainder of the region kept plugging along, and that’s an important thing for the New York teams that are into the playoff crunch. Sayville (N.Y.) and Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) is one must-see matchup ahead. Connecticut powers New Canaan, Wilton and Darien are all lined up to test each other in the FCIAC playoffs for results that surely will have ranking implications as well.

Good Counsel closed out a dominant, unbeaten season to remain atop the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Falcons soared through the season and finished with a third straight WCAC title with contributions from a number of program record setters. The biggest shakeup came with Agnes Irwin (Pa.) handing Episcopal (Pa.) its second one-goal loss of the year. The Owls have come on strong in the second half of the season to vault to No. 6. New to the region is Severna Park, which has just one loss all year — to Archbishop Spalding (Md.) — as it marches toward a second state title. The Falcons earlier in the year beat Glenelg High (Md.), a one-loss team that ended former No. 10 Manchester Valley’s (Md.) 36-game win streak in Maryland’s public school playoffs.

The South Region wrapped up its action last week. That allowed time to reflect on some remarkable seasons in the region. There is a strong mix in the region with three Florida teams, three Georgia teams, a pair of teams from Texas and one each from North Carolina and South Carolina. Except where they went at each other head-to-head for state titles, most of them saw their seasons end with a state title.

The Midwest Region is just beginning playoff tournaments, except for one ranked team. Kentucky County Day (Ky.) has wrapped up its state crown to conclude another memorable year. The rest of the ranked teams are hoping to follow suit. For New Albany (Ohio) and Catholic Central (Mich.), a playoff run could also conclude an unbeaten season. Lakeville South (Minn.) is also perfect through its first 11 games with playoffs still a few weeks away.

The West Region is winding down its playoff tournaments. Paced by Colorado Academy (Colo.), many of the ranked teams are now champions of their sections. Oak Ridge (Calif.) made program history with its title, while St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) had to get through No. 5 Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) for another crown. It was the Colorado playoffs that caused the only change in the rankings with Fairview (Colo.) jumping ahead of ThunderRidge (Colo.) after a semifinal win to reach their first state title game.

NORTHEAST

1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 17-0

Tess Calabria had five goals and six assists, Meg Kenny had three goals and two assists, Kat Rathjen had three goals and one assist and Jena Binkis and Brooke Long had two goals apiece for the Friars in a 17-7 win over Sacred Heart (N.Y.). Previous: 1

2. New Canaan (Conn.), 15-1-1

The Rams are squarely focused now on the FCIAC tournament, which may be more wide open than in previous years. New Canaan (Conn.) knocked off Norwalk, 18-1, in the quarterfinals, with Sloane Griffiths scoring three goals and adding an assist, Devon Russell had two goals and two assists and Maddie Tully had two goals and one assist. Previous: 2

3. Garden City (N.Y.), 16-1

Molly Nicholas had three goals and two assists, Maureen Arendt had three goals and one assist and Grace Brantuk netted three goals in a 20-0 win over Herricks (N.Y.) in the Nassau Class B quarterfinals. The Trojans face Calhoun (N.Y.) in the semifinals May 22. Previous: 3

4. Wilton (Conn.), 13-2

Wilton (Conn.) knocked off Ludlowe (Conn.), 17-4, in the FCIAC quarterfinals to set up a rematch with Darien (Conn.) in the semifinals May 20. The Warriors defeated the Blue Wave, 9-8, on May 2. Previous: 4

5. Darien (Conn.), 13-3-1

Darien (Conn.) defeated Staples (Conn.), 23-2, in the FCIAC quarterfinals and will look to avenge a regular season loss to Wilton in the semifinals in hopes of booking another trip to the championship game. Darien and New Canaan have combined to win each of the last 11 FCIAC titles. Previous: 5

6. Noble & Greenough (Mass.), 18-1

Noble & Greenough (Mass.) defeated Governor’s Academy (Mass.), 13-2, to win the Independent School League title for the third consecutive year and fifth time in seven years. Emerson Midura struck for four goals to lead the way, one of eight different scorers. Previous: 7

7. Sayville (N.Y.), 17-0

Sophia Buffardi scored three goals, McKenna Farrell, Jenna Messina and Dylan McNamara had two goals apiece and Olivia Desimone had one goal and one assist in an 11-4 win over Westhampton (N.Y.) in the Suffolk Class C semifinal. Sayville (N.Y.) advances to meet Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) May 24. Previous: 8

8. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 16-2

The Phantoms edged Rocky Point (N.Y.), 7-6, in the Suffolk Class C semifinals and now face Sayville in the county championship May 24. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) is looking to avenge one of two losses on the season after falling to their neighboring rivals 9-8 on April 4. Previous: 9

9. Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), 15-3

The Tigers ended the regular season with a roar, defeating Hotchkiss School (Conn.), 12-5, during the week before knocking off Holderness (N.H), Andover (Mass.) and Exeter (N.H.) to win the Prep Cup. Previous: 10

10. Hotchkiss School (Conn.), 13-1

Hotchkiss (Conn.) had a 12-game winning streak snapped on May 15, falling to Sacred Heart Greenwich 12-5. They bounced back to defeat Choate (Conn.) 19-5 in the semifinals of the Founders Cup. Previous: 6

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

1. Good Counsel (Md.), 21-0

The Falcons completed first unbeaten season in school history with their third straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title on May 13 at Georgetown University with a 16-6 win over St. John’s College High (D.C.). Annabelle Walsh led the team with five goals, Hannah Rudolph scored four goals and had three assists, and Dani Serrano added to her program-record assist total that finished at 107 for the season. Hailey Huebner also added to her program-record caused turnovers to finish with 62 for the season. Good Counsel outscored opposition, 388-116, this season. Previous: 1

2. St. Paul's (Md.), 16-5

The third-seeded Gators finished their season with their third IAAM championship in four years. They avenged two regular-season losses in the final two games of the season, culminating with a 7-6 win over McDonogh (Md.), in which Susan Radebaugh made 10 saves. Their defense allowed just 5.25 goals per game this season, the lowest of an IAAM team in the last 15 years. Previous: 2

3. McDonogh (Md.), 17-2

The Eagles put together a strong year under new head coach Megan Nicotra. McDonogh was unbeaten in the IAAM regular season to earn the top seed for the playoffs. The defending champions reached the championship game before falling to St. Paul’s. Their only other loss was a one-goal defeat by Episcopal (Pa.). Previous: 4

4. St. Anne’s-Belfield (Va.), 22-1

The Saints captured their second Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state championship in three years with an 8-6 win over St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.). Lee Kestner scored three goals and had four draw controls, Lellie King scored twice, Martha Oakey scored a goal and had an assist along with three draw controls and Stuart King had two assists. Sophie Gangemi and Ashton Kilfoil came up big on defense. After opening with an 18-7 win over St. Catherine’s (Va.) in the quarterfinals, they semifinals was a heart-racing 7-6 win over Potomac School (Va.). They took the title with another strong defensive showing against SSSA. Previous: 5

5. Stone Ridge (Md.), 16-4

The Gators capped their season with a second straight Independent School League AA tournament championship. Sophia Stoltz led the offense with four goals, including the game-winner. The Gators’ win avenged one of their regular-season losses. Good Counsel, St. Anne’s-Belfield and Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.) were the only other teams to top them. Previous: 6

6. Agnes Irwin (Pa.), 14-4

The Owls remained hot with a huge 9-8 win over Episcopal (Pa.). It’s their second win of the season over Episcopal, who has not lost to any other team this year. Agnes Irwin used a 4-0 third quarter to erase a 5-3 halftime deficit then kept the lead through the fourth quarter, answering every time Episcopal scored. Blair Fox had seven draw controls, Maggie Mullen made six saves, and Ella Springer and Caroline Chisholm each had three goals apiece. Chisholm also had three draw controls. Mairyn Dwyer had a pair of goals and an assist along with four draw controls. The Owls continued their winning ways with an 11-9 win over Springside Chestnut Hill and a 16-11 win over Hill School (Pa.) in the Independent Schools state championship tournament. They face Penn Charter (Pa.) on May 21. Previous: 10

7. Episcopal (Pa.), 19-2

The Churchwomen has lost just two games all year. Both have come at the hands of Agnes Irwin (Pa.) For the second time this season, Episcopal lost by a single goal. Agnes Irwin won, 9-8, despite three goals and an assist by Kate Dente, two goals and an assist from Maura Irish and a goal and two assists by Syd Richter. Grace Holland made five saves. Episcopal bounced back with an 18-3 win over Germantown Friends (Pa.) in the Independent Schools state championship tournament opener. Previous: 3

8. Maryvale (Md.), 16-3

The Lions’ six-game winning streak was snapped by St. Paul’s in the IAAM semifinals. A 13-4 loss ended the season for Maryvale, which improved impressively start to finish to the season after graduating 15 seniors a year ago. Their only losses were to Archbishop Spalding (Md.) early in the year, McDonogh and eventual IAAM champion St. Paul’s. Previous: 7

9. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 12-5

The Cavaliers’ season ended in the IAAM semifinals with a 10-7 loss to top-seeded McDonogh. Spalding had won five of their last six games before falling to McDonogh for the second time this season, albeit by a closer score in the rematch. Spalding’s top win this year was over Maryvale. Previous: 8

10. Severna Park (Md.), 17-1

The Falcons are aiming for a second straight Class 3A state championship. The Falcons advanced to the final with a 17-4 win over Northern (Md.) in the semifinals. Erin Hussey scored four times and dished out a pair of assists. Maria Bragg had a hat trick and two assists. In all, nine Severna Park players scored in the onslaught while Kate Evans had five assists. Previous: NR

— Justin Feil

SOUTH

1. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 22-1

The Stallions polished off a nearly perfect season with a 5-4 win over Lake Highland Prep (Fla.) to defend their state championship. American Heritage-Delray’s only loss was to national powerhouse Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.). AHD picked up major interstate wins over Bryn Mawr (Md.) and Penn Charter (Pa.). Senior Brooke Goldstein, who is bound for Clemson, had 64 goals, and Victoria Tomonto, a Penn State signee, had 55 goals. Previous: 1

2. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 20-4

With the help of Charlotte Jackson’s six goals and five assists, the Crusaders easily downed 19-7 Charlotte Catholic (N.C.) for their third consecutive state championship. Mary Catherine Farley and Kate Daniels also had hat tricks in the win. Cardinal Gibbons earned a title game berth with a 16-8 win over Chapel Hill (N.C.). Jackson had a hat trick while Ella Grimes had four goals. Previous: 2

3. Milton (Ga.), 18-4

The Eagles won their seventh straight state crown with a 17-3 blowout of West Forsyth (Ga.) on May 10. Milton picked up a major win over Cambridge (Ga.) and also a regular-season victory over West Forsyth (Ga.). Milton returns much of its core next year, including Ella Pauley and Anna Mellinger. Previous: 3

4. Bartram Trail (Fla.), 18-5

The Bears defended their state championship defeating previously undefeated Plant (Fla.) 10-8, winning their third title in a row. Florida signee Ryann Frechette had 114 goals giving her an impressive 464 tallies across four seasons. Emily Barnette will be Bartram Trail’s top returning scorer after finding the net 69 times. Previous: 4

5. Hockaday (Texas), 16-4

The Daisies won a fourth straight state championship by defeating Frisco (Texas) 13-11. Hockaday had one-goal losses against Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) and San Ramon Valley (Calif.). Hockaday will return its top offensive spark in Mae Flanagan. Previous: 5

6. Plant (Fla.), 23-1

For the second straight year, the Panthers lost to Bartram Trail (Fla.) in the state playoffs. Plant’s top interstate win came against Olentangy Liberty (Ohio). Juniors Mckenzey Craig, Ashlyn Bell and Katie Fisher all had over 60-goal seasons. Previous: 6

7. Anderson (Texas), 12-4

The Trojans fell to eventual champion Hockaday (Texas) 13-10, marking its second loss to the Daisies of 2024. Anderson is losing a significant amount of talent to the collegiate ranks, including Chloe Page (Cincinnati), Katie Rich (Monmouth), Audrey Thompson (Oregon) and Harper Jones (High Point). Jones had a team-leading 54 goals while Thompson led with 73 points. Previous: 7

8. Bishop England (S.C.), 19-0

The Battling Bishop won a state championship by easily defeating Riverside (S.C.) 22-2. Henley Bredemann had a team-leading 112 points while Bo Rosato had 111 points. Bishop England outscored opponents 327-39 in 2024 and had its most notable win of the year against Medina (Ohio). Previous: 8

9. Cambridge (Ga.), 18-4

The Bears roared to a state championship with a 11-7 victory over Blessed Trinity (Ga.), marking their second win this year over Blessed Trinity. The win stopped Blessed Trinity from winning its fourth state title in a row. Cambridge picked up a major win against Texas power Hockaday during the 2024 campaign. Cambridge will graduate Sadie Orefice who heads to Wagner. Previous: 9

10. Blessed Trinity (Ga.), 17-2

The Trojans only had two losses in 2024, but both came against Cambridge, including in the Georgia 6A-5A state championship game. This year marked the first time since 2019 Blessed Trinity did not come away with a title. Blessed Trinity had wins over West Forsyth (Ga.) and Charlotte Catholic (N.C.). Clark Hamilton’s high school tenure comes to an end before heading to Florida. Previous: 10

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST

1. Loyola Academy (Ill.), 16-3

The Ramblers finished the regular season with yet another impressive result, topping a solid Hersey team (Ill.) (that is the one seed in its sectional), 18-3. That included Emma Burke exploding for six goals, five draw controls and two assists, while Molly Dwyer added a hat trick for Loyola Academy, which begins tournament play May 20. Previous: 1

2. New Albany (Ohio), 19-0

The Eagles capped their undefeated regular season with a 20-8 win over Dublin Jerome (Ohio), behind dominant performances from Ellie McClelland (eight goals, seven draw controls, one assist) and Maddy Paz (six goals, five draw controls, two assists). New Albany was no less impressive in its tournament opener, shutting out Newark (Ohio), 20-0, as 13 players found the back of the net and the team totaled 11 assists. Previous: 2

3. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 17-2

The Golden Bears finished the regular season with a 14-4 win over St. Francis DeSales (Ohio), as senior Lilly Boyle erupted for five goals and eight draw controls while junior Brogan Wiles added four assists and sophomore Ellie King had two goals and two assists. Top-seeded UA was no less dominant to start the postseason, beating No. 12 Gahanna Lincoln (Ohio), 20-4, with No. 4 Dublin Coffman (Ohio), which gave the Golden Bears a good battle during the regular season, and No. 6 Dublin Jerome (Ohio) potentially lurking in a Region 3 semifinal May 28. Previous: 3

4. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 15-4

After starting 2-2, the Patriots finished the regular season winning 12 of their last 14, including their May 13 21-9 win over Thomas Worthington (Ohio). Senior Isabelle Pohmer (seven goals, one assist) and juniors Corinna Hilmas (six goals, two assists) and Madeline Pohmer (five goals, two assists) combined to score 18 of Liberty’s 21 goals while senior Brenna Hefferman tallied a whopping 10 assists. Isabelle Pohmer then added six more goals in the Patriots’ tournament-opening win over Findlay (Ohio). Previous: 4

5. Kentucky Country Day (Ky.), 25-2

The Bearcats dominated their state title game with Eastern (Ky.), winning 13-4 behind five goals and three assists from sophomore Ellie Beam. KCD was in control the entire way through, taking a 10-0 lead into the half, with Ceci Flowers also stepping up with a hat trick as the Bearcats captured their third state championship in the last four years. Previous: 5

6. New Trier (Ill.), 15-5

The Trevians prevailed in their final major test of the regular season, topping one of the state’s top teams, Lake Forest (Ill.), on the road. Five players scored multiple goals for the Trevians (seniors Hana Asghari and Courtney Laden; juniors Ellie Bornhoeft and Sonja Keneally; and sophomore Avery Anderson) in their 12-7 victory over the Scouts. Previous: 6

7. Benet Academy (Ill.), 18-2

Following tough clashes with a pair of high-caliber in-state foes in Hinsdale Central and Marist, the Redwings are off to the postseason. Senior Shannon Earley is already well over the 100-point mark with 81 goals and 29 assists, while junior Gigi Kurelko is closing in on the milestone herself with 66 goals and 27 assists. Dagny Tombaugh has taken care of a lot of the dirty work, leading the team in ground balls (54) and caused turnovers (31). Previous: 7

8. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (Mich.), 18-0

The Cougars closed the regular season in impressive fashion, doubling up on one of the Mitten State’s historic powers: East Grand Rapids. Claire Marosi neared the dozen-goal mark in the win for GRCC while Cate Marshall also tallied a hat trick. Previous: 8

9. Lakeville South (Minn.), 11-0

The undefeated Cougars capped a 3-0 week with a 14-3 win at Edina on May 18. Charlotte Fannin and Tori Tschida delivered five points apiece in the victory with Tschida totaling 17 across the three games (including seven at Shakopee). Sivanna O’Brien had her own dominant game (five goals and four assists) to start the week May 21 at Rosemount. Previous: 9

10. Carmel (Ind.), 17-3

The Greyhounds started their postseason on the right note, beating a very solid Cathedral (Ind.) team by double digits. Carmel has just three losses on the season, falling to Bluegrass State champ Kentucky Country Day along with one-goal defeats to Detroit Country Day (Mich.) and Hinsdale Central (Ill.). Previous: 10

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

1. Colorado Academy (Colo.), 17-0

The Mustangs rolled through Cheyenne Mountain (Colo.) and Cherry Creek (Colo.) to advance to the Class 5A CHSAA semifinals against No. 7 Valor Christian (Colo.). Previous: 1

2. Oak Ridge (Calif.), 20-2

Oak Ridge claimed the first-ever CIF Sac-Joaquin state championship crown in an 8-6 victory over St. Francis (Calif.). It’s the Trojans’ second consecutive season finishing with at least 20 wins and their third straight season with only two losses. Previous: 2

3. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 15-5

The Wildcats cruised past Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) in the opening round of the Central Coast Section WBAL Foothill division playoffs. They face Saint Francis (Calif.) next for a slot in the finals. Previous: 3

4. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 20-1

For the first time since 2018, the Wolves are crowned the Division 1 CIF North Coast Section champions after dominating Redwood (Calif.), 14-8. Senior Leslie Iorio (Villanova) paced San Ramon with nine draw controls while adding three goals. Previous: 4

5. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 17-2

The Gators fight for a spot in the CCS WBAL Foothill division championship match after a dominant 19-1 win over Los Gatos (Calif.). Previous: 5

6. ThunderRidge (Colo.), 16-1

With a spot in the Class 5A CHSAA championship on the line, ThunderRidge takes on No. 9 Fairview in the semifinals on May 14 after defeating Ralston Valley (Colo.) and Poudre School District (Colo.). Previous: 6

7. Valor Christian (Colo.), 12-5

Valor Christian danced to the semifinals of the Class 5A CHSAA semifinals after defeating Denver East (Colo.) and No. 10 Kent Denver (Colo.). They face No. Colorado Academy on May 14. Previous: 7

8. Fairview (Colo.), 13-3

No. 3-seeded Fairview dominated Rock Canyon (Colo.) and Regis Jesuit (Colo.) to secure a spot in the Class 5A CHSAA semifinals against No. 7 and second-seeded ThunderRidge (Colo.). Previous: 8

9. Marlborough (Calif.), 18-1

Marlborough clinched the Division 1 CIF Southern Section championship with an impressive 14-8 victory over previously ranked No. 6 Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.). The Mustangs sought and found revenge after losing the title to the Knights last season. Previous: 9

10. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 14-2

Foothill’s season came to an end in the Division 1 CIF Southern Section championship round after falling 14-8 to Marlborough (Calif.). They defeated Redondo Union (Calif.) in the semis. The Knights finished at the top of their conference, going undefeated in league play. Previous: 10

— Theresa Palmquist