High School Girls' Lacrosse Regional Rankings: Shakeups in South, West

Academy of Notre Dame (Pa.) has the top junior in the country and a lot of hype as its joins this week's USA Lacrosse High School Girls' National Top 25.

The Irish will have to go head-to-head with a regional power in their first week as they try to crack the Mid-Atlantic Top 10. It's part of a strong regional slate as the season ramps up quickly around the country.

Below you'll find this week's Regional Top 10 updates for high school girls' lacrosse in the Mid-Atlantic, South and West, complete with recaps of the teams' recent and upcoming action. Northeast and Midwest updates will start March 24.

Presented by CWENCH Hydration, high school rankings are compiled by USA Lacrosse writers with input from coaches around the country. Rankings and records reflect results as of previous Sunday. 

Mid-Atlantic Top 10

It was a light schedule for the Mid-Atlantic Region with several of the most established programs jumping out to solid starts. 

No. 8 Episcopal (Pa.) saw its new cast give it a 2-0 start during a trip to Maryland. They'll face Academy of Notre Dame (Pa.) this week in an early tilt between Philadelphia-area powers.

McDonogh (Md.) picked up an in-region win in a top-10 matchup against a young Stone Ridge (Md.) team. Potomac (Va.) won its first two games in an encouraging start. The rest of the region takes their first draws in the next week and a half.

Our Mid-Atlantic rankings cover D.C., Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

1. Maryvale (Md.), 0-0

After winning the IAAM for the first time since 2002, the Lions will get their season underway at Georgetown Visitation (D.C.) on March 10. It’s the last “first game” for the No. 1 senior in the country, attacker Cayden Reese (Maryland). They’ll also face a strong Good Counsel (Md.) squad on March 12 in an early Top-5 matchup. Previous: 1

2. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 0-0

Attack Ella Jane Ostrowski (Army) and goalie Ella Davis (UVA) are senior leaders for the Cavaliers. They open their season at St. Mary’s - Ryken (Md.) on March 13. They’ll put their toughness and firepower on display for the first time after an encouraging offseason that included a national indoor championship. Previous: 2

3. McDonogh (Md.), 1-0

Yale commit Parker Kitchel scored five goals and Boston College commit Ava Fossati stood out for the Eagles with four goals and two assists in a 13-6 win over Stone Ridge (Md.). Kit Laake led the defensive effort with five caused turnovers as McDonogh picked up a top-10 win. They’ll play twice this week on the road, first traveling to Bryn Mawr (Md.) for an IAAM game and then down to IMG Academy (Fla.) for a quality out-of-state opponent. Previous: 3

4. Good Counsel (Md.), 0-0

The Falcons have won four straight WCAC titles. They haven't lost in conference since 2019. They will kick things off against Notre Dame (Md.) on March 11 and host Maryvale on March 12 in a tough back-to-back. Previous: 4

5. Penn Charter (Pa.) 0-0

The Quakers will send the high scoring trio of Molly Dougherty (Michigan), Harbor Campbell (Loyola) and Ana Buckley (Dartmouth) up against St. Paul’s (Md.) in a great early season matchup March 13. Penn Charter has Boston College commit Maeve Magarity in goal at the other end. Penn Charter also faces Hill Academy (Ont.) to end their first week. Previous: 5

6. Agnes Irwin (Pa.), 0-0

The Owls feature Margo Chisholm (Boston College) and Ella Garner (Penn) and juniors Kelsey Young (Penn State) and Piper Rodgers (Maryland). Senior leadership will be key for a team that is young overall but can compete with anyone. They’ll open March 13 against Germantown Academy (Pa.). Previous: 6

7. St. Paul’s (Md.), 0-0

The Gators won a scrimmage over Good Counsel, but the real games get underway against Penn Charter on March 13. The game will be at USA Lacrosse headquarters. It’s the only game of the week for St. Paul’s. Previous: 7

8. Episcopal (Pa.), 2-0

The Churchwomen picked up right where they left off after an undefeated 2025. It was a bit of a slow start, but Episcopal pulled away from a tied game at halftime for an 11-9 win over John Carroll (Md.) in their season opener. Sofia Gagliardi and Maya Le had four goals apiece, Maeve Irish finished with a hat trick and Nora Bailer won 12 draw controls. They followed it up with a convincing 17-2 win over Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.) the next day. Irish led the team with four goals, Gagliardi, Ellie Schreder and Abby Stankewicz all had hat tricks while Bailer won 11 DC and had four assists. Caitlin McCarthy had three interceptions and Anna Bradford picked up four ground balls. Previous: 8

9. Stone Ridge (Md.), 0-1

The Gators are young, but they aren’t backing down from challenges. After scrimmaging Good Counsel, St. Paul’s and Maryvale, they fell in a tough opener to McDonogh, 13-6. Experience is only going to benefit them. They’ve got plenty of opportunity left beginning with John Carroll (Md.) on March 10. Previous: 9

10. Potomac (Va.), 2-0

The Panthers opened the season with a pair of wins at home. They stifled Paul VI (Va.) 6-4 to start off their season. They dominated Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.) 14-6 the next day. They won’t play this week, but it’s a promising start. They continue the season in Florida the following week. Previous: 10

— Justin Feil

South Top 10

The South Region has featured a full schedule of great action in the early going, and two newcomers are the latest to take advantage to climb into the rankings. 

Episcopal Jacksonville (Fla.) is unbeaten after a top-10 win over Ponte Vedra (Fla.) put them squarely in the mix as they eye another regional showdown against Lake Highland (Fla.). Ponte Vedra, too, is new to the rankings after solidifying a spot with a win over Cambridge (Ga.), which had a tough week against ranked opponents like EJS and Lake Highland.

West Forsyth (Ga.) also leapfrogged Cambridge with a head-to-head win to keep their perfect start going.

At the top, American Heritage-Delray (Fla.) survived the best efforts of another regional challenger, IMG Academy (Fla.), to remain unbeaten and hold the No. 1 spot.

Our South rankings cover the region from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Texas. 

1. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 8-0

The Stallions survived a scare from IMG Academy (Fla.), holding on for an 8-7 win. American Heritage-Delray also picked up a 20-7 victory over Lake Mary (Fla.). Previous: 1

2. Milton (Ga.), 4-0

The Eagles improved to 4-0 after defeating Lassiter (Ga.). Milton has a challenging week ahead, which includes a contest against perennial Midwest powerhouse Upper Arlington (Ohio). Previous: 2

3. Lake Highland (Fla.), 8-1

Giselle Jaskiewicz’s six-goal performance lifted the Highlanders to a 14-10 win over Cambridge (Ga.). She also scored four goals in a win over Community School of Naples (Fla.) and added a hat trick versus Bishop Moore (Fla.). The coming week includes a tough challenge against Hockaday (Texas). Previous: 3

4. Hockaday (Texas), 4-0

The Daisies remain undefeated after defeating Frisco (Texas) 19-6 and Greenhill School (Texas) 15-1. Hockaday’s matchup versus Westlake (Texas) was postponed. The week ahead includes a tough matchup against Lake Highland (Fla.). Previous: 4

5. Episcopal Jacksonville (Fla.), 8-0

The Eagles made a huge statement this week with a 12-7 win over Ponte Vedra (Fla.), followed by a 16-4 victory over Newsome (Fla.). With a week off, ESJ will prepare for another difficult contest against Lake Highland (Fla.) on March 17. Previous: NR

6. Ponte Vedra (Fla.), 6-2

The Sharks are a well-balanced team on the offensive end, with Grace Raymond, Shelby Pare and Brooke Johnson among the team leaders in goals. Ponte Vedra entered the top 10 following a 10-6 win over Cambridge (Ga.). The schedule doesn’t get much easier as Bartram Trail (Fla.) awaits. Previous: NR

7. West Forsyth (Ga.), 3-0

The Wolverines improved to 3-0 by winning their sixth straight game against Cambridge (Ga.). West Forsyth won 10-6 with Bryce Birkholz scoring six goals. West Forsyth also defeated Greenbrier (Ga.). Previous: 7

8. IMG Academy (Fla.), 1-1

After picking up an 11-9 win over Lake Mary (Fla.) to start the year, the Ascenders fell just short in a one-goal contest against regional powerhouse American Heritage-Delray (Fla.). Among its contests this week, IMG faces McDonough (Md.). Previous: 6

9. Cambridge (Ga.), 5-3

It was a disappointing week for the Bears, who lost three of four contests. Cambridge dropped games to West Forsyth (Ga.), Lake Highland (Fla.) and Ponte Vedra (Fla.). The Bears have not defeated West Forsyth since 2017. The week did include an 18-0 win over King’s Ridge Christian (Ga.). Previous: 3

10. St. Andrew’s (Fla.), 8-0

The Scots’ hot start to the year continued last week after toppling St. Edward’s (Fla.) 10-3. St. Andrew’s plays a single game this week against Community School of Naples (Fla.). Previous: 9

— Justin Boggs

West Top 10

The West Region continues to be volatile with almost no team seemingly in the same ranking week to week and new teams emerging each update. Redondo Union (Calif.) picked up a huge win over former No. 1 Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) to vault into the Top 10.

Coronado (Calif.) ascends back to No. 1 with back-to-back wins, but Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) is just getting rolling and will make a case for the top spot if it keeps winning. 

Our West rankings cover the Mountain, Pacific and Northwest regions and at least part of the Southwest.

1. Coronado (Calif.) 2-1

Coronado moves into the top spot after bouncing back from a one-goal loss to Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) with two decisive wins, including a 23-3 victory over Torrey Pines (Calif.). With more than a dozen committed players on the roster, the Islanders bring one of the most experienced groups in the West and continue to build momentum early in the season. Previous: 2

2. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) 1-0

Sacred Heart Prep opened the season with a convincing 16-4 win over Cathedral Catholic (Calif.), setting the tone for another strong year in Northern California. The Gators will face an early test later this month when they take on Valor Christian (Colo.). Previous: 3

3. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) 3-2

Foothill-Santa Ana fell to Redondo Union (Calif.) 9-4. The Knights were short-handed for much of the game after two players were out sick and captain Ava Pistone exited with an injury in the third quarter, leaving the team with just two substitutes early and one available in the second half. Senior defender and draw specialist Leni Marchetti helped anchor the group as Foothill-Santa Ana looks ahead to its matchup with Esperanza (Calif.). Previous: 1

4. Valor Christian (Colo.) 0-0

Valor Christian opens its season this week with a CHSAA 5A rematch against ThunderRidge (Colo.). The Eagles return several experienced players and begin their season against one of Colorado’s top programs. Previous: 4

5. Redondo Union (Calif.) 3-0

Redondo Union highlighted its undefeated start with a 9-4 win over Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.). The Sea Hawks have leaned on a veteran core, including Kate Kenney (Harvard) and Kenzie Maldonado (Seton Hall volleyball), as they continue to build momentum early in the season. Previous: NR

6. St. Ignatius (Calif.), 3-0

After a perfect start, the Wildcats head to Colorado on March 12 for significant road tests against Valor Christian (Colo.) and Regis Jesuit (Colo.), matchups that could quickly reshape the West Region picture. Previous: 6

7. Mira Costa (Calif.), 4-0

Mira Costa remains unbeaten with strong wins over Marlborough (Calif.) and Torrey Pines (Calif.). The Mustangs continue to stack results and will face another key matchup March 16 against Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.). Previous: 9

8. Marlborough (Calif.) 6-1

Marlborough’s only loss came against Mira Costa (Calif.), but the Mustangs have continued to stack wins early in the season. The team is led by standout Enna Corley (Stanford) as they continue their strong start in Southern California play. Previous: 5

9. Redwood (Calif.) 3-0

The Giants have opened the season with three easy wins. They outscored Carondelet (Calif.) 20-6 to end last week. Things get tougher quickly after University High School (Calif.) with No. 2 Sacred Heart Prep this week. Previous: 7

10. San Ramon Valley (Calif.) 2-0

San Ramon Valley opened the season with two wins and continues to build momentum as Northern California competition begins to pick up. Previous: 8

— Sonorah Hunter