USA Lacrosse High School Girls' Preseason National Top 25 Breakdown

We've unveiled the USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ Preseason National Top 25, presented by CWENCH Hydration.

Now let’s take a closer look at each of the teams that are nationally ranked going into the 2026 season.

Here are the teams to follow and the names to know.

1. St. Anthony's (N.Y.)
2025 record: 17-0

Seniors Emma Speed, a dynamic left-handed attacker, impacts the game in a variety of ways — as a scorer, facilitator, and a relentless rider. Fellow senior Sophia Novelli (Vanderbilt) is a lockdown defender. Neither has lost a varsity game since midway through their freshman year.  And with Anna Christie (Notre Dame) on attack, Kelsey Gorman (Siena) as a defensive presence, and two-way midfielders Cameron Pupke (Princeton) and Meadow Szillus (Stony Brook), the Friars are looking to extend a 48-game winning streak while playing a national schedule.

2. Maryvale (Md.)
2025 record: 13-5

Maryvale won the IAAM for the first time since 2002, and they will seek to defend their title in the toughest conference in the country, led by the No. 1 senior in the country, attacker Cayden Reese (Maryland). IAAM title game hero Lainey Minderlein (South Florida) also returns along with Emma Mohn (Yale), Kendall Carfine (Maryland) and Chloe Thomas (Stanford). Goalie Tessa DeLuca (Clemson) graduated along with five other starters, but senior Brynn Howes (JMU) played plenty last year when DeLuca was hurt.  Maryvale is deep offensively and fast end to end.      

3. Archbishop Spalding (Md.)
2025 record: 13-5

Spalding comes off a bit of a roller coaster of a season, but one that ended with eight straight wins to reach the IAAM A championship game. Can they get over the hump for their first conference crown? Attack Ella Jane Ostrowski (Army) and goalie Ella Davis (UVA) are seniors and Sam Collins (Penn) is a junior that helped them win the ILWomen National Indoor Championship in January. The junior class is especially strong for the Cavaliers, who now must show they can handle the high expectations.

4. McDonogh (Md.)
2025 record: 14-3

Mckenzie Brown (Northwestern) and Payton Magday (North Carolina) are the lone starters lost from a team that returns big-time players like defender Kit Laake (Maryland), goalie Reagan O’Donovan (Penn State) and five-star midfielder Ava Fossati (Boston College) along with Ava Sesay (Brown). McDonogh was cruising through last year before a couple late losses. There's a feeling of unfinished business. Returning to the top of the IAAM A won't be easy, but the Eagles are a definite contender.  

5. Darien (Conn.)
2025 record: 20-2

The Blue Wave is a perennial powerhouse coming off a 21st Connecticut state championship, and they will be the preseason favorite to win it all again in June. Returning All-American Anna Von Kennel (Florida) anchors the squad, and legendary head coach Lisa Lindley is excited about a strong group of senior defenders, including Haven Moneypenny (Harvard), Jane Slonieski, Lexi Gonnella (Columbia), Kat Wren (Cal), Gigi Brown, and Hollis Hagen. Adriana Gromelski (Yale) joins Von Kennel in the midfield, and Cam Pokorny (Virginia), Lilly Davenport, and Morgan Hite (Cornell) highlight a strong attack.

6. Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.)
2025 record: 16-3

Head coach Jackie Goldmann is excited about the senior class with captains Mackenna Kelly (Richmond) and Casey Smith (Boston College), as well as Torin Witek (Syracuse) and Addie Callaway (Richmond) anchoring the defense in front of goalies Olivia Franco (Georgetown) and Addy Flinchbaugh (Colby). Georgia Lillis (Stanford), Maggie Sweeney (Rutgers), and transfer Haley Washall (Penn State) lead the midfield, and Peyla Carcaterra, Sasha Mollett, and Ryan Hodge (Lafayette) guides the attack.

7. Good Counsel (Md.)
2025 record: 18-3

The Falcons have established a winning tradition with four straight WCAC titles. They haven't lost in conference since 2019. Beset by injuries early last year, it was a slow start for Good Counsel. But the silver lining was those injuries gave more players quality experience, and the returning juniors and sophomores are much stronger now. Annabelle Walsh (Denver) and Ashlyn Gallagher (Denver) are strong seniors while Mason Maher (Denver) and Amber Bettis (South Florida) along with goalie Clare Hansen (Fairfield) are part of the gifted junior class.

8. Penn Charter (Pa.)
2025 record: 14-9

The Quakers have a backbone of top talent with the high scoring trio of Molly Dougherty (Michigan), Harbor Campbell (Loyola) and Ana Buckley (Dartmouth) back after they combined for 181 goals last year. They also added junior transfer Lila Marciniak (Northwestern). At the other end, they still have one of the best goalies in the country, Boston College commit Maeve Magarity. Their leadership and experience should help against another strong schedule.

9. Noble & Greenough (Mass.)
2025 record: 20-3

The four-time defending ISL champions return a strong midfield led by Presley Upton (Princeton), Ava Newman (Notre Dame) and Bea Trinque (Richmond), and an attack featuring Corey Kumin (North Carolina). Defensively, Nobles is strong in goal with Whitney Palumbo and Rachel Train (Cornell) and defender Reid Hauck (Brown). Francie Ames on the draw and Chloe Jeppson (Bowdoin) on attack will be pivotal as well.

10. Sayville (N.Y.)
2025 record: 14-4

With Sophia Buffardi (North Carolina), an All-American midfielder, among eight returning starters, the Golden Flashes appear ready for another deep postseason run. Back on attack are Julianna Montalto (Arizona State), Olivia Razzano (UMass), and Jenna Messina (Coastal Carolina). Joining Buffardi in the midfield are Carly Cangelosi (Rutgers), Morgan Farrell (Johns Hopkins) and Olivia Desimone (Florida State), while Paige Manning (Quinnipiac) and Tessa Meehan return on defense, and Julia Lilienthal (Vanderbilt) is back in goal.

11. Agnes Irwin (Pa.)
2025 record: 18-3

The Owls graduated seven talented starters led by Caroline Chisholm (Maryland), Mairyn Dwyer (North Carolina), Catie Holmes (Maryland) and Rowan Lawrence (Denver). But there’s still plenty of skill to compete with anyone between the likes of seniors 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 has great energy.

12. St. Paul's (Md.)
2025 record: 12-4

The Gators graduated a lot of star power with Marleigh O'Day (Clemson), Riley Vasile (USC), Caroline Hoskins (Florida), Sofia Herrera (Maryland) and Maggie Porter (Delaware) moving on. Standout defenders Lilly Schwing (Boston College) and Colleen Lorden (Florida) give St. Paul’s outstanding protection in front of goalie Liv Moag (Pittsburgh). St. Paul's faces another strong schedule on top of the challenge of the IAAM.

13. Episcopal (Pa.)
2025 record: 18-0

The Churchwomen lost eight starters from their unbeaten 2025 team, including a surprise, Teagan Cook, who left early for Georgetown. Seniors Sofia Gagliardi (Maryland), Caitlin McCarthy (Duke) and Caroline Johnston (Cornell) are leaders while Maya Le (Penn) is a top junior and sophomore Maeve Irish is already a stud attacker/midfielder. The Inter-AC will be tougher, and winning that will be the first goal for reloaded Episcopal.        

14. Phillips Andover (Mass.)
2025 record: 20-2

Can Phillips Andover repeat as Prep Cup champions? Quiana Bell (Middlebury), who had 27 caused turnovers and earned All-NEPSAC honors last year, and Lola Aguirre, who added 21 caused turnovers and 35 ground balls, anchor the backline, Autumn Christian (Holy Cross) and Ashley Dimnaku, who combined for 72 goals a year ago, will lead the attack and Emma Morrison, who had 27 goals, 12 assists, 17 caused turnovers and 37 draw controls, will run the midfield.

15. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.)
2025 record: 21-1

After winning a second New York State title in three years, it’s a little bit of a younger Bayport-Blue Point team this year, but one that is still loaded with talent. Leading the way is Kailey Bruckner (Towson), a super athletic two-way midfielder, speedy left-handed attacker/midfielder Sara Richardt, lockdown defender Shannon Carney (Binghamton), and do-it-all midfielder Olivia Brady (Clemson).

16. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.)
2025 record: 18-3

The Stallions have arguably been the region’s most dominant team over the last few years, and the 2026 squad has the firepower to compete nationally. American Heritage–Delray features seven seniors committed to Division I programs, including goalie Ashley Egbert (Maryland) and midfielder Hali Horvath (Penn State). Senior Madison Vargas (Florida State) and junior Emma Switter (North Carolina) look to lead the offense.

17. Stone Ridge (Md.)
2025 record: 17-5

Sophia Stoltz (North Carolina) is gone, but junior Chloe Cassidy (Florida) is a stellar draw specialist whose scoring will be vital, and midfielder Allison Haag (Yale) and Logan May (Villanova) are key seniors. Midfielder Birdie McKay (UVA) is a top-flight junior. Team speed is a strength and the Gators have experience to rely on at the defensive end. They'll need it against a stacked schedule.    

18. Nyack (N.Y.)
2025 record: 19-1

Nyack graduated four starters from last year’s team that reached the New York State Class C regional final, but with All-American midfielder Casey Cummings (Syracuse) and Ella Gould (Michigan) providing the senior leadership, joined by super sophomores Lila Gilbart, Abby Gould, and Ava VonKleeck, the RedHawks should again be a state championship contender.

19. Potomac (Va.)
2025 record: 16-7

The Panthers come off a breakthrough year in which they won their first VISAA Division I title on an overtime goal by Stella Pence (Duke). Pence is one of six seniors to graduate and Potomac will have to show it can sustain success now with a new cast of leaders. Brooke Ambrose (Duke), Riley Walters (Florida State), Grayson Crittenberger (Duke) and Grace Jenkins (Georgetown) give them a great starting point.

20. Penfield (N.Y.)
2025 record: 18-3

All-American Peyton Rothfuss (Syracuse), who had 64 goals, 38 assists, and 166 draw controls, and junior Whitney Reynolds (Florida State) anchor the attack, Avery Fordham (Florida) is the linchpin in midfield, Riley Corcoran (Arizona State) locks things down defensively and with junior goalie Karis Hand (Florida) back, Penfield is looking to prove last year’s state championship, the first in program history, was no fluke.

21. Milton (Ga.)
2025 record:  19-2

The Eagles continue to reload after winning eight consecutive state championships. This year’s roster includes senior attacker Kylie Waters (Clemson) and senior defender Ava Thompson (Stanford), while junior Braelyn Swanick (Notre Dame) is poised to anchor the defense. Milton has a dozen Division I commits.    

22. Cambridge (Ga.)
2025 record: 19-2

With Georgia’s multiple divisions, the annual midseason matchup between Cambridge and Milton often determines the state’s top program. In 2025, Cambridge defeated Milton for the first time. The Bears return a talented roster led by attacker Kasey Dwyer (Ohio State), midfielder Gabriella Johnson (Florida), and defender Abigail Johnson (Syracuse).

23. Victor (N.Y.)
2025 record: 18-4

Is a fifth consecutive New York State title in the cards for Victor? While there’s some big shoes to fill from graduated seniors, there is a ton of returning talent led by midfielder Camryn Adrid (Princeton), attackers McKenna Anderson (Arizona State) and Allie Pisano (Boston College), defensive midfielders Carlina DiFondi (Syracuse) and Lila Kubrich (Yale), defender Summer McDonald (Louisville) and goalie Mia Finocchario (Canisius).

24. St. Mary’s (Md.)
2025 record: 10-9

The Saints only graduated four starters, two of them defenders, from a team that upended St. Paul's and Archbishop Spalding in the regular season last year. Seventy-five percent of their offensive output returns and St. Mary's can lean on a strong core of attack Sydney DeMaio (Boston College), midfielders Caroline Ewing (JMU) and Jayci Frederick (Johns Hopkins) and goalie Addy Drain (Georgetown). They have good depth too that should help as they make a push to be an IAAM contender.

25. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.)
2025 record: 22-4

The Saints lost just two starters, but they might start off a bit slow this year with a few players returning from injuries. Once healthy though, Kathy Jenkins' squad should be formidable again. Harper Jensen (Penn), Lillian Israel (William & Mary), Mia DeFalco (UVA), Chloe Lambert (Denver), Laney Jensen (Penn) and  Summer Bickley (Mercer) drive SSSA, which again faces a national schedule. Transfer Mairin Almy (William & Mary) will help.

Dylan Butler and Justin Boggs contributed to this article.