The Nike/US Lacrosse High School National Top 25s and Regional Top 10s for boys' and girls' lacrosse were released last week. Over the next few weeks, we will roll out in-depth previews for each of the five regions.

(Teams in the South region, including Florida and Texas, have already begun play. These rankings and capsules were written before the season started. Check back to uslaxmagazine.com for in-season updates each week.)

1. Novato (Calif.)
2017 Record: 25-1

The Hornets beat five West-ranked teams en route to their third straight North Coast Section Division I championship, and they return all but one starter from that squad. Charlie Rudy (Colorado) had 160 goals and 62 assists for the season and returns as the reigning US Lacrosse Magazine West Region Player of the Year. She anchors a strong senior class that is 71-4 over the last three years, including midfielders Jamie Level (Oregon), Annie Dalton (UC-Davis) and DJ Wilmott, attacker Brooke Long (UC-Davis) and goalie Katie McGrath (Butler).

2. Torrey Pines (Calif.)
2017 Record: 23-0

The Falcons look to pick up where they left off after capping their first perfect season with the CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship. They return their top scorer in senior midfielder/San Diego State recruit Kelli McKinnon (91 goals and 39 assists) and two other senior All-Americans in midfielder Bailee Monjazeb (Cal) and goalie Sophia LeRose (Duke).

3. California High (Calif.)
2017 Record: 18-4

The Grizzlies are coming off a runner-up finish in the North Coast Section Division I and lost just four senior contributors from that squad. Isabella McHugh led the team with 78 goals and 14 assists and is back as a senior leader this season, and sophomore Rachel Leonardi (45 goals, 13 assists) should step up to replace some of the production lost by graduates Ashley Ward and Marissa Leonardi, who combined for 120 goals.

4. Colorado Academy (Colo.)
2017 Record: 17-2

The Mustangs lost two of their top three scorers, their draw specialist and starting goalie from a team that went unbeaten against in-state competition and collected a third straight state title, but plenty of talent returns. Leading scorer Lauren Russell (67 goals) is back for her senior year and is joined by junior Sloane Murphy (45 goals) and several other underclassmen who gained valuable experience last year.

5. Cherry Creek (Colo.)
2017 Record: 15-4

The Bruins ended their 2017 run with a loss to Colorado Academy in the state championship game for a third year in a row but they seek another chance at their 11^th overall title this season. This year’s team will be lead once again by senior midfielder/Colorado commit Pearl Schwartz (56 goals, 13 assists and 136 draw wins) and George Washington-bound goalie Megan Patrick (5.9 goals against average, as well as senior midfielders Hali Sibilia (American) and Isabel Anema. The team should be especially strong on defense with just one starter gone from that group, and with multiple threats on the draw, Cherry Creek will be tough to slow.

6. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.)
2017 Record: 10-6

The Wildcats look to bounce back from a tough season but they’ll have to do so with a new coach, as Rob Salmon replaces Amy Harms, who stepped down during the offseason. Three All-Americans graduated but the closet is never bare at St. Ignatius. Rory Callahan (Marquette) leads the new group of seniors.

7. Lake Oswego (Ore.)
2017 Record: 20-2

It will be hard to top last season when the Lakers’ only losses came against Novato and Florida state champion Bishop Moore, by one. Lake Oswego cruised to their second straight OGLA title and expect to reload for a three-peat despite the loss of goalie Riley Hertford (USC) and standout center Lauren Gilbert (Northwestern). Senior midfielder Carlie Leach (Oregon) and sophomore midfielder/attacker Katie Freeman are among the top returners and newcomer Zoe Ziegler, a transfer from St. Mary’s Academy, should add to the attack.

8. Arapahoe (Colo.)
2017 Record: 11-7

Arapahoe lost just two starters from last year’s Final Four squad and will be led by a strong senior class of 13, including attacker Meg Hanson, midfielder Lizzie Pierpont (Tampa), goalies Rachel Searle (Catholic University) and Molly Galloway and defender Kelly Burke. The Warriors also are helped by the return of senior midfielder Liria Capdevilia, who missed last season with an ACL tear, and expectations are high for Brianna Huynh’s second season as head coach, fourth overall with the team.

9. Eastside Catholic (Wash.)
2017 Record: 15-3

The Crusaders avenged their two in-state losses in the Final Four to repeat as state champions, and they are poised for another run at the title. They are led by senior midfielder Maddie McMaster (Florida) and goalie Sarah Williams (Wofford).

10. Mater Dei (Calif.)
2017 Record: 16-5

The Monarchs hope to three-peat as CIF Southern Section champions this season but will have to replace an outstanding senior class that included Jackie Pitts Award winner Grace Houser and fellow All-American Madeline Hooks. Still, a strong core returns behind seniors like midfielder Sydney Payne (ASU), defender Heilee Andry (Kent State) and goalie Bailey Burden (Emory Riddle). Junior midfielders Tess Keiser (ASU), Gianna Danese and Jamie Ko and junior attacker Peyton Smith (ASU) also are expected to step up as Mater Dei looks to replace key players with several supporting cast members from a year ago.

Players to Watch