1. Milton (Ga.), 5-0
The Eagles slammed South Forsyth (Ga.) 18-1 in their first game in almost two weeks, spreading the wealth with 12 different players scoring. They will be tested this week with games against nationally-ranked McDonogh (Md.) on Friday and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) on Saturday. They also play 8-1 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) on Saturday. Previous: 1
2. Vero Beach (Fla.), 10-0
The Fighting Indians beat Bishop Moore (Fla.) 16-12 to stay unbeaten. They had balanced scoring, as they have much of the season, with Gracie Martin leading the way with five goals. They play national No. 1 McDonogh (Md.) on Wednesday, The Hill Academy (Canada) on Thursday and Charlotte Country Day (N.C.) on Monday. Previous: 2
3. Hutchison (Tenn.), 6-0
The Sting picked up three impressive wins in California last week, beating Mater Dei, St. Margaret’s and Foothill-Santa Ana. Mater Dei, then ranked No. 3 in the West, was the California Southern Section champ in 2016. Elizabeth Farnsworth and Griffin Gearhardt led the way, combining for 37 of the team’s 51 goals. Previous: 4
4. North Gwinnett (Ga.), 8-0
The Bulldogs move up after picking up wins over Lambert (Ga.) and Creekview (Ga.). It was their first ever win against Creekview, thanks in part to Liz Blumthal’s four goals and three draw controls. The Bulldogs play Mill Creek (Ga.) in a big matchup on Tuesday. Previous: 5
5. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 10-0
The Stallions cruised to a 16-3 win over St.Andrew’s (Fla.). They have two big games this week against St. John Paul II (Fla.) and Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), who are 17-5 combined. Previous: 6
6. St. John’s (Texas), 5-2
The Mavericks picked up in-state wins over Lambert (Ga.) and Cy Fair (Texas), but suffered their first two losses against West-ranked Torrey Pines (Calif.) and Park City, the Utah Division I champ in 2016. They were scheduled to play a doubleheader Monday to wrap up their trip to California. Previous: 3
7. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 4-0
The Crusaders beat Terry Sanford (N.C.) easily on March 8 and then picked up a 14-6 win over St. Catherine’s (Va.) at the King of Spring Classic, where they also beat Cy Fair (Texas) 17-5. The Crusaders play unbeaten Chapel Hill (N.C.) on Thursday. Previous: 7
8. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 9-2
The Highlanders have won eight straight since a 1-2 start that included losses to Vero Beach and Milton. They picked up two big wins this week, beating Cypress Creek (Fla.) 21-0 and Colonial (Fla.) 22-3. They have a showdown at American Heritage-Delray on Friday. Previous: 10
9. Mill Creek (Ga.), 6-1
The Hawks beat Mountain View (Ga.) 20-3 last week and have a key match with No. 4 North Gwinnett on Tuesday. They also play previously-ranked Blessed Trinity (Ga.) this week. Previous: 9
10. Walton (Ga.), 5-1
The Raiders had almost two weeks to think about their first loss in a long time after losing to Mill Creek (Ga.) in overtime on March 2. They rebounded mightily with a 19-9 win over Pope (Ga.). Previous: 10
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Elizabeth Farnsworth, Hutchison (Tenn.)
The junior midfielder had a monster week for Hutchison (Tenn.), which impressively won three games in California, including one against powerhouse Mater Dei. Farnsworth had 17 goals, seven assists, 24 draw controls and 15 groundballs in the three wins.
Also notable: Gianna Arlotta, Sebastian River (Fla.); Liz Blumthal, North Gwinnett (Ga.); Kylie Kemp, Benjamin (Fla.); Chloe Hangartner, Wesleyan (Ga); Mary Catherine Hardy, Sacred Heart (Ky.); Mya Watson, Bartram Trail (Fla.)
— Aimee Ford Foster
1. Loyola Academy (Ill.)
Northwestern signee Brennan Dwyer is back for her senior year after another stellar season in which she amassed 96 goals, 80 assists and 236 draw controls to lead the Ramblers to their eighth consecutive state title. There’s no reason to believe that run will end this year, as Dwyer is one of eight seniors headed to Division I college programs next year.
2. Upper Arlington (Ohio)
The Golden Bears look to continue a 40-game win streak that began in early 2015 as they begin their quest for a third consecutive state title. They are led by players like senior midfielders Samantha Brown (Mercer) and Olivia Schildmeyer, the team’s lone All-American last year.
3. Rockford (Mich.)
The Rams have some young talent back to lead their bid for a fifth consecutive state title, including junior midfielders Brooklyn Neumen (North Carolina) and Mekenzie Vander Molen (Ohio State). Rockford plays Upper Arlington in a much-anticipated matchup March 25.
4. Eden Prairie (Minn.)
The Eagles are poised for a run at a third straight state title, coming off a season in which their lone loss was to Loyola. They are led by senior midfielder/defender Hannah Brink (Ohio State) and attacker/midfielder Sammie Morton (Denver).
5. New Albany (Ohio)
The Eagles’ impressive 2016 season ended in the state semifinals by one goal, but they look to remain in the hunt behind a young, but experienced squad. New Albany graduated just six players and now are led by senior attacker Addison Hamilton (Navy).
6. Noblesville (Ind.)
The Millers have never won a state title but could surprise after coming off a motivating finish last year when their perfect season came to an end in the state semifinals. They return their two All-Americans in senior midfielders Taylor Gysin (Cincinnati) and Hannah Potter (Central Michigan), among others.
7. New Trier (Ill.)
The Trevians once again finished second to Loyola last year, a common occurrence since their last title in 2008. They have a solid foundation coming back from 2016 to try to end that title drought, including senior midfielders/attackers Katherine Gjertsen (Stanford) and Isabelle Sennett (Amherst) and senior midfielder Kyra Lamotte (Furman).
8. Blake (Minn.)
The Bears seek to get back on the board as state champions after falling short the past two years. Blake, which lost twice to Eden Prairie in 2016, is led by senior attacker Emily Johnsnid (Army) and defender Nellie Ide.
9. East Grand Rapids (Mich.)
The Pioneers won the Division II state championship last year for their fifth-straight title and bring back several players from that team, which was junior-heavy. Among the top returning players is senior midfielder Auden Barger-Elliott (Brown), who was the team’s lone All-American last year.
10. Hinsdale Central (Ill.)
The Red Devils placed third in the state tournament last year after a runner-up finish in 2015, and they should once again be in the mix this season. Senior attacker Anna Santulli (Stanford) has big-game experience that will be important through another challenging schedule.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brennan Dwyer, Loyola (Ill.), midfielder, Northwestern
Sammie Morton, Eden Prairie (Minn.), midfielder, Denver
Hannah Potter, Noblesville (Ind.), midfielder, Central Michigan
Brooklyn Neumen, Rockford (Mich.), midfielder, North Carolina
Samantha Brown, Upper Arlington (Ohio), midfielder, Mercer
— Bryant Billing
1. Novato (Calif.), 0-0: The Hornets open Tuesday against Piedmont (Calif.), as they try to build off two straight North Coast Section Division I championship seasons. They play three games in the next week, including a March 20 tilt with No. 2-ranked Colorado Academy (Colo.). Previous: 1
2. Colorado Academy (Colo.), 1-0: The Mustangs opened with a 13-5 win over Regis Jesuit (Colo.) on Saturday. Sophomore Maggie Silliman led with four goals and two assists, while Lauren Russell (three goals, two assists) and Sydney Prokupek (four goals) also were tough to contain. Previous: 2
3. St. Ignatius (Calif.) 2-0: The Wildcats rolled to a 10-3 win over Carondelet (Calif.) in their season opener March 8, then held Granite Bay scoreless in the second half to break a 7-7 tie and collect a 17-7 win. Emma Knaus had 10 goals over the two games, while Catriona Barry added seven goals and three assists with both tallying nine points against Granite Bay. Previous: 4
4. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 4-0: The Falcons added three wins over out-of-state opponents last week, most notably beating South-ranked St. John’s (Texas), 15-8, as part of a doubleheader Saturday. They’ve scored 15 goals or more in every game so far. Previous: 5
5. Mater Dei (Calif.), 4-1: The Monarchs rolled to a 16-2 win over Tesoro on March 7 but then dropped a 14-10 decision against South-ranked Hutchison (Tenn.) two days later. They rebounded to beat Coppell (Texas) 21-7 on Friday. Grace Houser had 14 goals and four assists for the week, while Madeline Hooks added five goals and 13 assists and Lauren Gonzales had 15 goals and two assists. Previous: 3
6. Lake Oswego (Ore.), 0-0: The Lakers are gearing up for their fifth championship season in seven years. They begin play Tuesday against Oregon Episcopal. Previous: 6
7. California High (Calif.), 4-0: The Grizzlies added three wins last week, including a 20-0 victory over a struggling Dublin (Calif.) and handing Oak Ridge (Calif.) its first loss in four games, 7-5, on Saturday. Freshman Antonia McHugh had four goals and an assist to lead California to a 17-7 win over Piedmont to open the week. Previous: 7
8. Cherry Creek (Colo.), 2-0: The Bruins opened with an 11-7 win over ThunderRidge (Colo.) and followed that with a 14-8 victory over Denver East (Colo.) on Saturday. Hope Adams recorded a hat trick against ThunderRidge, and Eliza Radochonski had four goals and two assists in the Denver East win. Previous: 8
9. Eastside Catholic (Wash.), 0-0: The Crusaders were scheduled to open Monday against Eastlake (Wash.), as they begin their quest to defend their first state title since 2010. A key matchup at Lake Oswego looms March 18. Previous: 9
10. Mullen (Colo.), 1-0: The Mustangs cruised to a 20-0 win over Fruita Monument (Colo.) in their opener Friday. Emme Johnson and Whitney Jacobs each tallied three goals and three assists. They face Air Academy on Tuesday. Previous: NR
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Catriona Barry, St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.)
The senior midfielder came up big for the Wildcats, as they turned a 7-7 halftime score into a 17-7 win over Granite Bay (Calif.) last week. Barry netted six goals and assisted on three others but her eight draw controls were crucial in St. Ignatius dominating possession in the second half. The Duke signee also had five groundballs in that game, and she added one goal and three draw controls in a season-opening win over Carondelet (Calif.).
Also notable: Emma Knaus, St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.); Lauren Gonzales, Mater Dei (Calif.); Eliza Radochonski, Cherry Creek (Colo.); Maggie Silliman, Colorado Academy (Colo.)
— Laurel Pfahler