The USA Lacrosse High School Girls' West Top 10 had a small sample size of games, but a key matchup enabled Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) to join the rankings.
The Knights bumped former No. 9 Marlborough down one spot with a tight win.
Colorado will open play, and things start off with a bang with No. 1 Colorado Academy taking on No. 5 Sacred Heart (Calif.) in an interstate showdown. Three other Colorado schools will also get underway.
Compiled by USA Lacrosse writers with input from coaches around the country, our West rankings cover the Mountain, Pacific and Northwest regions and at least part of the Southwest.
Rankings and records reflect results as of the previous Sunday.
1. Colorado Academy (Colo.), 0-0
Colorado Academy opens its season at home against No. 5 Sacred Heart (Calif.) on Saturday. The Mustangs are coming off an undefeated 19-0 season and their ninth consecutive 5A CHSAA State Championship. Previous: 1
2. Oak Ridge (Calif.), 1-0
The Trojans took down Marin Catholic (Calif.) in a narrow 13-11 victory on Feb. 27 to open their spring season. Next up is a slate of three conference opponents: at Granite Bay (Calif.) on Tuesday, vs. Whitney (Calif.) on Thursday nd vs. St. Francis (Calif.) on Saturday. Previous: 2
3. St. Ignatius (Calif.), 1-0
St. Ignatius is 1-0 after edging Santa Margarita (Calif.) 14-13 in double overtime at home. Senior captain Chase Dunn (Colgate) delivered a standout performance, netting eight goals on just 10 shots, including both the game-tying and game-winning goals. The Wildcats host conference opponent Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) next Monday. Previous: 3
4. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 1-0
San Ramon Valley posted a 19-9 win over Davis Sr. (Calif.) on Feb. 28 to open its season. Seniors Ava Horrocks and Lia Wilgus, both UC Davis commits, combined for 11 goals and each shot a perfect 100 percent. Up next is Tamalpais (Calif.) on March 11. Previous: 4
5. Sacred Heart (Calif.), 2-0
The Gators opened their season with two dominant wins, a 19-4 victory over Woodside (Calif.) on Feb. 26 and a 15-4 rout of Tamalpais (Calif.) on March 1. Sacred Heart travels to Colorado this week to play Cherry Creek (Colo.) on Friday and No. 1 Colorado Academy (Colo.) on Saturday. Previous: 5
6. Valor Christian (Colo.), 0-0
The Eagles open their season at Cherry Creek (Colo.) on Thursday followed by another road game at ThunderRidge (Colo.) on Saturday. Valor Christian will host No. 3 St. Ignatius (Calif.) on March 20. Previous: 6
7. Fairview (Colo.), 0-0
Fairview kicks off the spring season at Evergreen on Friday followed by Green Mountain next week. The Knights will face a tough conference slate in No. 6 Valor Christian (Colo.), Kent Denver (Colo.) and No. 1 Colorado Academy (Colo.) later this season. Previous: 7
8. ThunderRidge (Colo.), 0-0
ThunderRidge opens its season at home against No. 6 Valor Christian on Saturday then No. 1 Colorado Academy next Tuesday. The Grizzlies will host Lake Oswego (Ore.) the following week on March 22. Previous: 8
9. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) 2-0
Foothill is currently 2-0 after opening its season with a 15-7 win over JSerra Catholic (Calif.) on Feb. 27 followed by a narrow 15-14 victory over previous No. 9 Marlborough. The Knights face multiple out-of-state opponents, including Olympus (Utah), Park City (Utah), Chandler (Ariz.) and Higley (Ariz.). Previous: NR
10. Marlborough (Calif.), 3-1
Marlborough opened its season on a 3-0 run, collecting two dominant wins over Notre Dame (Calif.), 23-6 and 17-2, and a 16-1 victory at Huntington Beach (Calif.). Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) disrupted the Mustangs’ win streak, edging them 15-14 on Saturday. Up next is a conference matchup at Village Christian (Calif.) on Tuesday and a home game against Mira Costa on Friday. Previous: 9
Player of the Week
Chase Dunn, St. Ignatius (Calif.)
A senior captain and Colgate signee, Dunn delivered a standout performance in the Wildcats’ season-opening 14-13 double-overtime victory over Santa Margarita on Feb. 28. She netted eight goals on just 10 shots, including both the game-tying and game-winning goals against the Eagles.
Also notable: Millie Bartlett, St. Ignatius (Calif.); Ava Horrocks, San Ramon Valley (Calif.); Catie Maroutsos, Santa Margarita (Calif.); Annika Tanner, Oak Ridge (Calif.); Lia Wilgus, San Ramon Valley (Calif.)
Game of the Week
Saturday, March 8: No. 5 Sacred Heart (Calif.) at No. 1 Colorado Academy (Colo.)