The USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ National Top 25 feels a little like the NCAA Division I women’s rankings, where being ranked No. 1 is temporary. For the second straight week, there’s a new No. 1, plus three teams make their 2024 debuts in the ranking while most programs are now playing games.
Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) saw its long winning streak snapped by unbeaten Garden City (N.Y.). The loss pushes St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) up to the top spot just ahead of unbeaten Episcopal (Pa.), which had knocked off former No. 1 McDonogh (Md.).
It bears repeating that USA Lacrosse rankings do not include teams with post-graduate players, and while the highest debuting team, Hotchkiss School (Conn.), accepts post-grads as a school, it does not have any on this year’s team. Their 2-0 start, highlighted by a win over a Noble & Greenough (Mass.) program that had taken down Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), puts them in the rankings. Noble & Greenough also takes a spot as a team loaded with talent and a solid win already under its belt.
The other newcomer is Maryvale (Md.), which took No. 8 Archbishop Spalding (Md.) down to the wire in a one-goal loss. Others have not played the top IAAM schools as closely. The Lions have rebuilt themselves around three of last year’s top six scorers and standout junior goalie Tessa DeLuca, a Clemson commit.
After a light schedule last week, there are impactful matchups ahead like Darien (Conn.) and St. Paul’s (Md.) meeting, St. Anthony’s facing Victor (N.Y.), and Good Counsel (Md.) taking on both St. Anne’s-Belfield (Va.) and Stone Ridge (Md.).
ABOUT OUR RANKINGS
High school rankings are compiled by USA Lacrosse Magazine writers with input from coaches around the country. Teams with post-graduate players are not eligible, nor are those from outside the United States. These rankings are not affiliated with the official USA Lacrosse High School Awards program overseen by area chairs.
