2 Regions Stagnant, Mid-Atlantic Shuffles in USA Lacrosse High School Girls Regional 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 April 21.

Wilton (Conn.) lost a game to two-loss Rye (N.Y.) to slip out of the Northeast Region Top 10. That opened a spot that unbeaten Sayville (N.Y.) snagged. Among the Golden Flashes’ 11 straight wins are four wins by one goal apiece, including a big one over Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.). Otherwise, the ranked teams have held form with St. Anthony’s asserting its top ranking with wins over No. 3 Darien (Conn.) and No. 4 Garden City (N.Y.).  

The Mid-Atlantic Region has reshuffled again after No. 1 Episcopal (Pa.) fell for the first time, losing a triple-overtime game to Agnes Irwin (Pa.). Winners of nine straight since its only loss of the year to Episcopal, McDonogh (Md.) ascends to the top. Unbeaten Good Counsel (Md.), which owns a win over Agnes Irwin, moves up to second. Maryvale (Md.) leads a triangle of tight teams after a two-goal win over St. Paul’s (Md.), which needed overtime to take out Archbishop Spalding (Md.), which won a one-goal game over Maryvale early in the year.

The South Region has no changes top to bottom with the teams holding form in the playoffs and regular season. Only Anderson (Texas) suffered a loss, and it was out of region in California. Playoff lacrosse makes the results all the more important as teams try to reach their lofty goals. Plant (Fla.) and Bishop England (S.C.) are trying to sustain perfect marks.

The Midwest Region rankings have one new team, but it’s a familiar one. New Trier (Ill.) enters the picture after some strong wins in a region that has seen myriad changes. New No. 1 Loyola Academy (Ill.) rises to the top on the strength of its latest top-10 wins. New Albany (Ohio) is just behind and still unbeaten, one of two region teams along with Minnesota power Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

The West Region also stays the same top to bottom this week. Colorado Academy (Colo.) is the lone unbeaten and continues to pick up wins that cement its spot. It’s the same for San Ramon Valley (Calif.) which upheld its No. 3 ranking with a win over No. 4 Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.). Colorado teams Fairview, ThunderRidge, Valor Christian and Kent Denver keep taking swings at each other in the back half of the rankings.

NORTHEAST

1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 9-0

Brooke Long scored the triple-overtime winner off a feed from Kat Rathjen, Tess Calabria had three goals and one assist, Molly Hiney had one goal and one assist and Lexi Zenk made nine saves in a 5-4 win over host Darien (Conn.). Previous: 1

2. New Canaan (Conn.), 5-1

Lexi Tully had four goals and one assist, Devon Russell had two goals, two assists and eight draw controls, Maddie Tully had three goals, two draw controls, two caused turnovers and two ground balls and Sydney Patten had two goals, two assists and two draw controls in a 13-8 win over Greenwich (Conn.). Previous: 2

3. Darien (Conn.), 4-2

Hope Schoudel made 10 saves and Kelly Holmes and Anna Von Kennel had one goal and one assist apiece to lead the Blue Wave in a 5-4 3OT loss to St Anthony’s. It was Darien’s (Conn.) third straight one-goal game. Previous: 3

4. Garden City (N.Y.), 8-1

The Trojans bounced back from a one-goal loss to Darien (Conn.) to beat Manhasset (N.Y.), 9-8, as Tori Ottomanelli scored three goals, including the overtime winner in the Woodstick Classic. Ashley Clark and Kyle Finnell added two goals apiece and Niamh Pfaff made six saves. Previous: 4

5. Hotchkiss School (Conn.), 6-0

After a 10-day break, Hotchkiss School (Conn.) got back to their winning ways, beating Loomis Chaffee (Conn.), 9-6, on April 20. Kent (Conn.) and Taft (Conn.) are up next. Previous: 6

6. Noble & Greenough (Mass.), 7-1

Maddie MacDonald had four goals, five draw controls and one ground ball, Emerson Midura struck for three goals, Tori Balser had five draw controls, three caused turnovers and one ground ball and Finch Sullivan had three caused turnovers in a 14-6 win over Phillips Exeter (N.H.) April 20. Previous: 7

7. Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), 8-1

Sacred Heart continued to roll along last week, beating Lawrenceville (N.J.), 11-9, before a 14-4 victory over Notre Dame Academy (Mass.). Previous: 8

8. Nyack (N.Y.), 8-0

Nyack put it into fifth gear after being tied with Horace Greeley (N.Y.) after the first quarter. The RedHawks rolled to a 17-8 victory to remain undefeated on the season. Nanuet (N.Y.) is up next on April 24. Previous: 9

9. Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.), 6-0

Mackenzie Prentice had three goals and two assists, Miabella Gates had three goals and one assist, Brooke Molchanoff and Gabrielle Putman had two goals and two assists apiece and Elizabeth Smith had two goals and six draw controls in a 20-7 win over Liverpool (N.Y.). Previous: 10

10. Sayville (N.Y.), 11-0

Olivia Desimone scored three goals, Abby Galaris had one goal and two assists, Dylan McNamara scored two goals and Sophia Buffardi had one goal and one assist in an 8-4 win over Harborfields (N.Y.). Previous: NR

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

1. McDonogh (Md.), 12-1

McDonogh won all four games it played this week to jump to the top spot in the rankings. The Eagles had to fight back from a slow start against a red-hot Maryvale (Md.) team for a 12-5 win to start the week. Lela Greene and Amanda Lawson scored four goals apiece. Kate Levy scored twice and assisted twice. Levy had a hat trick and two assists in an 11-3 win over Severn (Md.). Lawson also had three goals. Remi Schaller scored twice and had an assist. In a 13-6 win over Mercy (Md.), Levy put up six points, Reed Pinkin scored twice and had two assists, Schaller put in a goal and had three assists and Sophia Trahan had a pair of scores. Levy scored four goals and had an assist and Pinkin had two tallies in a 9-8 overtime win over John Carroll (Md.). Previous: 2

2. Good Counsel (Md.), 16-0

The Falcons hammered another pair of opponents. Good Counsel stomped Bishop O’Connell (Va.) 25-2 in their first game of the week. They beat Bishop Ireton (Va.) 23-7 to finish the week. Their only game this week is at St. John’s College High (D.C.) on April 26. Previous: 3

3. Episcopal (Pa.), 13-1

The Churchwomen lost for the first time this week. Agnes Irwin (Pa.) pulled out an 11-10 win in three overtimes. Lainey McGonagle scored a hat trick with an assist, Quinn Whitaker had two goals and an assist and Grace Holland made eight saves in the loss. Episcopal tries to bounce back against Penn Charter (Pa.) on April 23 and hosts IMG National (Fla.) on April 26. Previous: 1

4. St. Anne’s-Belfield (Va.), 15-1

The Saints picked up another pair of wins. They overwhelmed St. Gertrude (Va.) 24-5 with Stuart King notching a hat trick and Raleigh Foster scoring twice and assisting on another goal while Martha Oakey had a pair of assists and four draw controls. Oakey scored four goals, had an assist and 10 draws in a 17-9 win over Georgetown Visitation (D.C.). King had another hat trick and an assist, Mia Maurer scored three goals and had a pair of helpers, and Lellie King had a goal, two assists and five draw controls. Their final two regular-season games come against St. Catherine’s (Va.) and Collegiate School (Va.). Previous: 4

5. Stone Ridge (Md.), 11-3

The Gators won a trio of games this week against Holton-Arms (Md.) 17-3, Holy Child (Md.) 19-3 and Bryn Mawr (Md.) 8-7. The final game of the week was their first one-goal game of the season. Stone Ridge has outscored teams 179-98 this season. They play one game this week, hosting Georgetown Visitation (D.C.) on April 25. Previous: 6

6. Maryvale (Md.), 11-2

The Lions held a two-goal lead early on McDonogh before a scoring drought put them in a hole in a 12-5 loss to start the week. Maryvale edged Glenelg Country (Md.) 14-13 in overtime the next day. Maryvale plays three games this week, taking on Notre Dame (Md.), St. Mary’s Annapolis (Md.) and Mercy (Md.). The Lions are in fourth place in the IAAM, one game back of second in the win column. Previous: 7

7. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 9-3

The Cavaliers fell to St. Paul’s (Md.) 8-7 in overtime despite at hat trick from Gabby Greene. Greene scored five goals and had an assist in a 15-11 win over Garrison Forest (Md.). Spalding finished the week with a good win over Severna Park (Md.) 14-11 with Greene firing in eight goals. It was the first loss of the season for Severna Park. The Cavaliers host Bryn Mawr (Md.) and Glenelg Country (Md.) this week. Spalding is tied with St. Paul’s (Md.) for second in the IAAM. Previous: 5

8. St. Paul's (Md.), 11-4

The Gators rebounded from their losing streak with three straight wins. They topped Archbishop Spalding (Md.) 8-7 in overtime on April 15 for their biggest win of the year so far, then blew by St. Mary’s Annapolis (Md.) 15-6 before dispatching of Agnes Irwin (Pa.) 11-8. Ryleigh Vasile had a total of seven goals, four assists and 10 draws in the two wins. They play at Mount deSales (Md.) and host Severn (Md.) this week. St. Paul’s sits tied for second with Spalding in the IAAM standings. Previous: 9

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

Molly Davies and Lauren Riley scored three goals apiece and Anya Wardle assisted two goals in a 12-9 win over Ridgewood (N.J.). Nell Ducey and Lindsay Thomas each had two goals. Elizabeth Walsh made seven saves. Kate Riley scored four goals and added two assists in a 15-7 win over Mendham (N.J.). Mendham led 4-3 after the first quarter before a 5-1 second-quarter advantage put Summit in control. It’s a huge week for Summit with games against Mountain Lakes (N.J.), Oak Knoll (N.J.) and national No. 1 St. Anthony’s (N.Y.). Previous: 8

10. Manchester Valley (Md.), 10-0

The Mavericks handed Century (Md.) their first loss, 6-5, when Emma Penczek scored off a feed from Natalie Burmeister (two assists) in the closing seconds of regulation. It gave Penczek a hat trick. Josie Colender came up with eight saves at the other end. Manchester Valley rallied with a three-goal run in the final seven minutes for the win. The Mavericks also defeated Francis Scott Key (Md.) 20-2 and Mount Hebron (Md.) 16-6 to run their program-record win streak to 29 games. Penczek collected her 250th draw control, a new school record, bettering Lizzie Colson’s former mark. Previous: 10

— Justin Feil

SOUTH

1. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 17-1

Led by Brooke Goldstein’s four-goal, two-assist effort, the Stallions claimed a district title by defeating St. Andrew’s (Fla.) 18-3. Victoria Tomonto added a hat trick in the win. Previous: 1

2. Plant (Fla.), 19-0

The Panthers' perfect season continued with a pair of wins in the district playoffs. Plant won its district semifinal contest versus Palm Harbor University (Fla.) 19-2. The Panthers then claimed a district championship by defeating Newsome (Fla.) 17-5. Junior Ashlyn Bell had eight goals and two assists in last week’s title game, which followed a four-goal, two-assist effort in the semifinals. Previous: 2

3. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 13-4

Outscoring opponents 36-3, the Crusaders cruised to a pair of wins. Cardinal Gibbons had 12 goal scorers in their 18-3 win over Broughton (N.C.). Izzi Hammond then had a two-goal, six-assist performance in Cardinal Gibbons’ 18-0 blanking of Enloe (N.C.). Previous: 3

4. Milton (Ga.), 14-4

The Eagles’ regular season concluded with a 12-5 win over North Gwinnett (Ga.) as Milton had a perfect record against in-state competition. Milton now awaits the postseason bracket. Previous: 4

5. Bartram Trail (Fla.), 13-5

Scoring 13 goals in two days, Ryann Frachette led the Bears back-to-back district playoff wins by 20-1 margins. Bartram Trail’s first win came against Tocoi Creek (Fla.) followed by its victory over Forest (Fla.). She has 91 goals for the season. Previous: 5

6. Hockaday (Texas), 14-4

The Daisies concluded a perfect regular season by picking up three wins in three days. Hockaday notched an 18-2 win over Houston Christian (Texas), followed by a 20-9 victory of St. Andrew’s Episcopal (Texas) and a 20-10 defeat of St. John’s (Texas). Sunnie Wang had an impressive six-goal performance in the win over St. Andrew’s. Previous: 6

7. Anderson (Texas), 10-3

The Trojans closed out their regular season with a 15-8 loss in California against Torrey Pines. Anderson closed the regular season with Harper Jones scoring a team-leading 38 goals. She is closely followed by Chloe Page who scored 37. Previous: 7

8. IMG Academy (Fla.), 12-3

The Ascenders continued its 20-day break from action last week. IMG Academy returns to action April 26 to face Episcopal Academy (Pa.) as part of a six-game swing to the northeast to close out the year. Previous: 8

9. Bishop England (S.C.), 17-0

The Battling Bishops advanced to the state semifinals thanks to a pair of wins last week. Bishop England toppled Academic Magnet (S.C.) 19-1, and then defeated Philip Simmons (S.C.) 22-1. Bo Rosato had 13 assists for the week, while Henley Bredemann scored nine goals between two contests. Previous: 9

10. Blessed Trinity (Ga.), 14-1

The Cougars ended the regular season with a 19-8 win over Chattahoochee (Ga.). Hannah Daley scored four goals in the win while Caroline Gloria had a hat trick. Previous: 10

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST

1. Loyola Academy (Ill.), 10-3

The Ramblers' lone Midwest loss came by a goal at Upper Arlington (Ohio) with their other two losses coming on their D.C. trip. This week included wins over top in-state competition, New Trier (9-5) and Lake Forest (14-4), and 2023 Indiana state champion Guerin Catholic (11-6). Emma Burke was brilliant against the Trevians (3 goals, 2 assists, 2 caused turnovers) and the Golden Eagles (4 goals, 5 draws, 2 caused turnovers), while Chloe Mangel had seven-plus draw controls in all three games. Previous: 2

2. New Albany (Ohio), 9-0

The Eagles are on a tear. Already this month, New Albany has handed in-state foes Pickerington Central, Sycamore and Upper Arlington their first losses. (The Aviators and Tigers haven't lost since.) Freshman Logan Snyder dominated the draw, helping the Eagles corral 29 on the week, including 10 against the Golden Bears, while senior keeper Ryan Franklin had three fourth-quarter saves in that Buckeye State showdown. Previous: 4

3. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 9-2

The Golden Bears, who have wins over the best of Kentucky (Kentucky Country Day) and Illinois (Loyola Academy), suffered a pair of one-goal losses to in-state foes New Albany and Thomas Worthington this week. Lilly Boyle ensured two straight losses didn't turn into three by scoring three of her team's four second-half goals in an 8-7 win over Medina (Ohio) April 20. Remarkably, UA played four games this past week and all four were decided by a single goal. Previous: 1

4. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 7-3

The Patriots bounced back from an April 16 loss to Upper Arlington (Ohio) with a 15-10 win over one-loss Hudson (Ohio) April 20. Senior Isabelle Pohmer (6 goals, 2 assists) and junior Corinna Hilmas (3 goals, 4 assists) both impressed against the Explorers, with senior Brenna Hefferman and junior Madeline Pohmer adding four points apiece. Previous: 3

5. Benet Academy (Ill.), 11-1

The Redwings had another successful week, starting with their April 15th 10-9 win over a formidable in-state opponent in Lake Forest and ending with April 20th’s victories over East Grand Rapids and Rockford, two of Michigan’s top teams. Shannon Earley had a massive weekend, with six goals and six draw controls against the Rams and four goals, four assists, five draw controls and two caused turnovers against the Pioneers. Earley's April 20th included scoring the 300th goal of her high school career. Previous: 6

6. Benilde-St. Margaret's (Minn.), 3-0

The 2023 state champs are off to a strong start, topping solid Orono (19-7) and Blake (11-6) teams this past week. Julia Evens tallied eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) against the Bears, while Maddie Kaitsas (2 goals, 2 assists) was also highly productive. Meanwhile, Charlize Vang had a breakout performance earlier in the week with seven goals against the Spartans with Karsyn Elliott and Kaitsas adding hat tricks. Previous: 7

7. Kentucky Country Day (Ky.), 19-2

The Bearcats had a busy week, playing five games and winning four, including an 8-5 win over leading Bluegrass State rival Sacred Heart on April 21. That was one of many highlights this week, including a shutout of Eastern (Ky.) and six points apiece from Ellie Beam and Leighton Spears against Sayre (Ky.). KCD’s lone losses are to one of the Midwest’s best (Upper Arlington) and one of Tennessee’s best (Ensworth). Previous: 5

8. Hinsdale Central (Ill.), 10-2

The Red Devils should be ready to go for this week’s showdown against in-state rival New Trier after facing plenty of tough competition in Colorado. Hinsdale Central won its first game out west, topping Cherry Creek in overtime, before falling 5-4 to Mead. Previous: 9

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

The Trevians are tough to judge. They’re the only team on this list that’s hovering around .500. They’ve also competed well against some of the best teams across the country, including underclassmen accounting for four of their five goals in a 9-5 loss to top-ranked Loyola Academy (Ill.). Sophomore Meg Gallagher also continued to impress with 15 saves against the Ramblers, stopping 62.5 percent of the shots she faced. Previous: NR

T10. Carmel (Ind.), 12-1

The Greyhounds stayed perfect in Hoosier State play, topping Culver Academy (18-11) April 17 and Noblesville (15-11) April 18. Junior Breckin Hare led the way in a pair of high-scoring games, scoring six goals (and eclipsing 100 career goals) against the Eagles, then adding five against the Millers. Sophie Mock added four goals and multiple assists in both games. Previous: T10

T10. Guerin Catholic (Ind.), 10-2

The Golden Eagles dropped just their second game, falling to top-ranked Loyola Academy (Ill.), 11-6, despite strong play in net from Middlebury College commit Ruth Abdalla. Guerin Catholic, led by Abdalla, has been hard to score on all season, including holding Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.) to five goals earlier in the week. Previous: T10

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

1. Colorado Academy (Colo.), 11-0

The Mustangs are the only remaining undefeated team in the West Top 10. Colorado Academy added two more conference wins, defeating Ralston Valley (Colo.) 16-3 and No. 10 Kent Denver (Colo.) 9-5. Up next is No. 9 Valor Christian (Colo.) and Chatfield (Colo.). Previous: 1

2. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 12-4

St. Ignatius secured victories over Saint Francis (Calif.) 13-7 and Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) 16-5. Sophomore Sophie Ghosh reached her 100th career point milestone after adding 6 points across two games. They round out the regular season against Menlo-Atherton (Calif.), Menlo School (Calif.) and No. 5 Oak Ridge (Calif.). Previous: 2

3. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 15-1

San Ramon Valley took down No. 4 Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) in a tight 13-11 victory. They added two more league wins against Dublin (Calif.) and Granada (Calif.) to stay perfect in conference play. The Wolves look to defend this record against Foothill (Calif.) and Monte Vista (Calif.). Previous: 3

4. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 14-2

The Gators collected two wins and a loss last week, dominating league opponents Menlo School (Calif.) and Menlo-Atherton (Calif.) before being edged 13-11 by No. 3 San Ramon Valley (Calif.). They face Saint Francis (Calif.) and Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) to close out the regular season. Previous: 4

5. Oak Ridge (Calif.), 14-2

Oak Ridge went 3-0 against conference opponents last week, shutting out Whitney (Calif.) and defeating Del Oro (Calif.) twice. Senior attack Ella Rutherford (Alabama Huntsville) netted 12 goals and had six assists across the three games. The Trojans cap off the regular season against league opponents Rocklin (Calif.) and Folsom (Calif.) before a top 5 matchup against No. 2 St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.). Previous: 5

6. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 12-2

The Knights dominated Esperanza (Calif.) 18-3 to stay undefeated in league play. Next up is another conference match against El Modena (Calif.) followed by their last regular-season game versus La Jolla (Calif.). Previous: 6

7. Fairview (Colo.), 7-1

Fairview defeated Poudre School District (Calif.), 17-9, for its sixth consecutive win. A series of matchups is up next against No. 8 ThunderRidge (Colo.), Regis Jesuit (Colo.) and Northfield (Colo.). Previous: 7

8. ThunderRidge (Colo.), 9-1

On an eight-game win streak, ThunderRidge locked in its first two conference victories against Rock Canyon (Colo.) and Chaparral (Colo.). On deck is No. 7 Fairview (Colo.), Air Academy (Colo.) and Pine Creek (Colo.). Previous: 8

9. Valor Christian (Colo.), 6-4

The Eagles added another league win after defeating Dakota Ridge (Colo.) 21-2. They are 3-0 in conference play heading into No. 1 Colorado Academy (Colo.) and Ralston Valley (Colo.). Previous: 9

10. Kent Denver (Colo.), 6-4

Kent Denver split last week, defeating Chatfield (Colo.) 15-8 before falling, 9-5, to No. 1 Colorado Academy (Colo.). Senior middie Sarah Caulkins (Dartmouth) registered two goals, two ground balls, one caused turnover and six draw possessions against Colorado Academy. They take on Regis Jesuit (Colo.), Columbine (Colo.) and Chaparral (Colo.) this week. Previous: 10

— Theresa Palmquist