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Public high schools consistently produce highly competitive teams and standout lacrosse players across the nation.
Unlike private schools, which can draw talent from a broader region, public schools focus on local athletes, exceptional coaching and strong community backing to develop their programs. This creates a distinct dynamic in high school lacrosse, where schools must cultivate talent from within and sustain a culture of success year after year.
By focusing exclusively on public school programs, these USA Lacrosse National Top 25 and Regional Top 10 lists (also found here in our rankings hub) highlight the best teams that have built powerhouse rosters through local development and strong grassroots efforts. Presented by CWENCH Hydration, here are the top public high school girls’ lacrosse teams to open the 2026 season.
Compiled by USA Lacrosse writers with input from coaches around the country, these rankings will be updated weekly.
Twenty-time Connecticut state champion Darien (Conn.) will open another season of lofty expectations April 4 against a strong Chatham (N.J.) team. The Blue Wave start at No. 1 in the first rankings with plenty back from last year's 20-2 team.
Conestoga (Pa.) takes the second spot after opening its season with back-to-back wins over prep powers Agnes Irwin (Pa.) and Academy of Notre Dame (Pa.). They have a new coach and a wealth of returners from last year's state semifinalist team.
No. 3 Sayville (N.Y.) opens its season this week with top-10 matchups against Victor (N.Y.) and Penfield (N.Y.), while Springfield-Delco (Pa.) and Severna Park (Md.) round out the top 10 after bolting out to 2-0 starts. Severna Park knocked off ranked Glenelg High (Md.), part of an early schedule that has already seen plenty of intriguing matchups.
Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) edged Garden City (N.Y.) in another early thriller. Broadneck (Md.) gave its new coach a huge win in the first week over very talented Marriotts Ridge (Md.). West Forsyth (Ga.) is the top-ranked squad out of the South after its first-ever win over Milton (Ga.).
Compiled by USA Lacrosse writers with input from coaches around the country, these rankings will be updated weekly starting April 2.
1. Darien (Conn.), 0-0
2. Sayville (N.Y.), 0-0
3. Conestoga (Pa.), 3-0
4. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 1-0
5. Nyack (N.Y.), 0-0
6. Penfield (N.Y.), 0-0
7. Victor (N.Y.), 0-0
8. Garden City (N.Y.), 0-0
9. Severna Park (Md.), 2-0
10. Springfield-Delco (Pa.), 2-0
11. Manchester Valley (Md.), 1-0
12. Glenelg High (Md.), 0-1
13. Chatham (N.J.), 0-0
14. Broadneck (Md.), 1-0
15. Marriotts Ridge (Md.), 0-2
16. Suffern (N.Y.), 0-0
17. Moorestown (N.J.), 0-0
18. Summit (N.J.), 0-0
19. West Forsyth (Ga.), 9-0
20. New Canaan (Conn.), 0-0
21. Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.), 0-0
22. Milton (Ga.), 7-1
23. Cape Henlopen (Del.), 1-0
24. New Trier (Ill.), 1-0
25. Downingtown West (Pa.), 2-1
Also considered (alphabetical order): Century (Md.), Coronado (Calif.), Haddonfield (N.J.), Huntington (N.Y.), Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.), La Costa Canyon (Calif.), Lake Mary (Fla.), Manhasset (N.Y.), Marple Newtown (Pa.), Mira Costa (Calif.), Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), Ponte Vedra (Fla.), Rumson-Fair Haven (N.J.), South Carroll (Md.), South Jefferson (N.Y.), South River (Md.), Strath Haven (Pa.), Upper Arlington (Ohio), Walpole (Mass.), West Chester Henderson (Pa.), Westfield (N.J.), Yorktown (Va.)
1. Darien (Conn.), 0-0
2. Sayville (N.Y.), 0-0
3. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 1-0
4. Nyack (N.Y.), 0-0
5. Penfield (N.Y.), 0-0
6. Victor (N.Y.), 0-0
7. Garden City (N.Y.), 0-1
8. Suffern (N.Y.), 0-0
9. New Canaan (Conn.), 0-0
10. Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.), 0-0
1. Conestoga (Pa.), 3-0
2. Severna Park (Md.), 2-0
3. Springfield-Delco (Pa.), 2-0
4. Manchester Valley (Md.), 1-0
5. Glenelg High (Md.), 0-1
6. Chatham (N.J.), 0-0
7. Broadneck (Md.), 1-0
8. Marriotts Ridge (Md.), 0-2
9. Moorestown (N.J.), 0-0
10. Summit (N.J.), 0-0
1. West Forsyth (Ga.), 9-0
2. Milton (Ga.), 7-1
3. Ponte Vedra (Fla.), 11-2
4. Cambridge (Ga.), 8-4
5. Anderson (Texas), 6-0
6. Lambert (Ga.), 9-1
7. Pinecrest (N.C.), 7-0
8. Plant (Fla.), 9-0
9. Lake Mary (Fla.), 9-3
10. Marvin Ridge (N.C.), 9-0
1. New Trier (Ill.), 1-0
2. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 3-0
3. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 1-1
4. Hinsdale Central (Ill.), 3-0
5. Prior Lake (Minn.), 0-0
6. Zionsville (Ind.), 4-1
7. Hudson (Ohio), 1-0
8. East Grand Rapids (Mich.), 2-0
9. Indian Hill (Ohio), 1-0
10. Hudson (Wisc.), 0-0
1. La Costa Canyon (Calif.), 5-0
2. Mira Costa (Calif.), 9-1
3. Coronado (Calif.), 4-2
4. Redwood (Calif.), 6-3
5. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 7-0
6. Del Oro (Calif.), 10-0
7. Fairview (Colo.), 2-0
8. Grant (Ore.), 2-0
9. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 6-5
10. San Marcos (Calif.), 7-2
Correction: A previous version of this article listed the National Top 25 incorrectly. We regret the error.
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