The South Region’s first rankings come with over half the top-10 teams underway and Hockaday (Texas) and Cambridge (Ga.) kicking off their seasons this week. Two new teams joined the rankings after stellar openings.
American Heritage-Delray (Fla.) wasted no time establishing themselves with an unbeaten start within the state to keep their No. 1 ranking. Milton (Ga.), which is expected to be the class of the Peach State, opened its season with a win.
The next three teams are the only ones to not play a game yet, but there are great expectations for Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), Hockaday (Texas) and another Georgia power, Cambridge (Ga.).
Anderson (Texas) jumped out to a 3-0 start and Plant (Fla.) moved up two spots from its preseason ranking on the strength of four straight wins. Episcopal of Jacksonville (Fla.) and West Forsyth (Ga.) moved into the rankings this week with unbeaten starts.
Scroll for more on this week's USA Lacrosse High School Girls' South Top 10 and Player of the Week nominees. Compiled by USA Lacrosse writers with input from coaches around the country, rankings and records reflect results as of previous Sunday.
1. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 4-0
The Stallions picked up where they left off in 2024 with four emphatic victories over some of Florida’s top teams. American Heritage-Delray picked up early-season wins over St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), Ponte Vedra (Fla.), Bishop Moore (Fla.), and Benjamin (Fla.). Previous: 1
2. Milton (Ga.), 1-0
The Eagles kicked off their season with a 12-6 victory over Roswell (Ga.). Milton will face an early-season challenge from fellow Georgia juggernaut Blessed Trinity (Ga.) on Feb. 25. Previous: 2
3. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 0-0
The Crusaders are awaiting the start of their season, with a matchup against Charlotte Catholic (N.C.) on March 8. Cardinal Gibbons returns a stellar roster led by Vanderbilt commit Hayden Miller and Michigan signee Lexi Mullahy. Previous: 3
4. Hockaday (Texas), 0-0
The Daisies are preparing for the start of their season, with a tilt against St. Stephen's Episcopal (Texas) on Feb. 28. Hockaday is expected to be led by senior midfielder Mae Flanagan, who is committed to Stanford. Previous: 4
5. Cambridge (Ga.), 0-0
The Bears were to begin their 2025 campaign on Feb. 24 with a tilt against East Forsyth (Ga.). Defender Gabi Johnson and midfielder Jenna Lundstedt are expected to play key roles this year. Previous: 5
6. Anderson (Texas), 3-0
The Trojans are off to a hot start, opening the year with a 22-2 win over Vandegrift (Texas). Anderson has since tacked on a 16-2 win over Lake Travis (Texas) and a 13-3 victory over Keller (Ga.). Junior Jillian Murphy has 16 goals and six assists to start the year. Previous: 6
7. IMG Academy (Fla.), 1-0
The Ascenders started the 2025 campaign with an impressive 14-5 victory over Lake Mary (Fla.) on Feb. 21. IMG returns to action on Feb. 26 against Manatee (Fla.). Previous: 8
8. Plant (Fla.), 4-0
Ashlyn Bell helped the Panthers to a 4-0 start, with wins over Robinson (Fla.), Holy Names (Fla.), Newsome (Fla.), and Starr’s Mill (Ga.) by a combined margin of 74-5. Bell has 18 goals and nine assists to begin 2025. Previous: 10
9. Episcopal of Jacksonville (Fla.), 4-0
The Eagles got off to a strong start with victories over Ponte Vedra (Fla.), Tocoi Creek (Fla.), St. Augustine (Fla.), and Harrison (Fla.). Episcopal of Jacksonville had a major matchup Monday against Bartram Trail (Fla.). Previous: NR
10. West Forsyth (Ga.), 2-0
The Wolverines started 2025 with two dominating wins: first, they defeated Alpharetta (Ga.) 22-4, followed by a 19-1 victory over South Forsyth (Ga.). Previous: NR
Player of the Week
Jillian Murphy, Anderson (Texas)
In four wins to start the season, Murphy notched 18 goals and seven assists. The junior attacker is also coming off of a weekend that gave her a combined six ground balls and 12 draw controls in two wins over Keller (Texas) and Prosper (Texas). She has committed to University of Colorado.
Also notable: Emily Barnette, Bartram Trail (Fla.); McKenzey Craig, Plant (Fla.)