Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) is the party crasher in this week's USA Lacrosse High School Girls' National Top 25. But there are a few newcomers to the regional rankings as well.
Below you'll find this week's Top 10 updates for high school girls' lacrosse in the Mid-Atlantic, South and West regions, complete with recaps of the teams' recent and upcoming action. Midwest updates will start next week.
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, but two of the top four teams in the region looked good in their debuts.
No. 3 Episcopal (Pa.) showed off its dynamic offense in a win over John Carroll (Md.).
McDonogh (Md.) put its strong defense, led by McKenzie Brown, on display in a win over Georgetown Visitation (D.C.). Much of the region will get its first tests this week as the schedule picks up, including No. 1 St. Paul's (Md.) in action against Stone Ridge (Md.) today.
Our Mid-Atlantic rankings cover D.C., Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
1. St. Paul's (Md.), 0-0
Fresh off their third IAAM title in four years, the Gators have a wealth of experience back. They face a good test early from No. 7 Stone Ridge on March 11 to open their season. Stone Ridge defeated the Gators early last year. St. Paul’s will open IAAM play March 13 against Archbishop Spalding (Md.), then play at American Heritage (Fla.) in a good cross-region game March 17. Previous: 1
2. Maryvale (Md.), 0-0
Maryvale opens a season with high expectations on March 11 against Georgetown Visitation (D.C.). They then travel to Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.) to take on one of the best teams from the South Region. They won’t play a league game until March 21. Previous: 2
3. Episcopal (Pa.), 1-0
The Churchwomen pulled away from John Carroll (Md.) for a 16-8 win in their season opener. Quinn Whitaker had five goals, five draw controls, three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Maura Irish scored four times, had three ground balls and three caused turnovers. Nora Bailer contributed four draw controls. Teagan Cook scored twice and assisted on two other goals. She also won four draws. Kate Dente scored twice. They play Hill Academy (Ont.) and Stone Ridge (Md.) this week. Previous: 3
4. McDonogh (Md.), 1-0
The Eagles doubled up Georgetown Visitation (D.C.) 12-6 in their season opener on Saturday. Reagan O’Donovan made seven saves and had two ground balls, McKenzie Brown caused five turnovers and Reed Pinkin finished with a hat trick and two assists. McDonogh opens IAAM play at Garrison Forrest (Md.) on March 12 before facing IMG Academy (Fla.) in Virginia on March 15. Previous: 4
5. Good Counsel (Md.), 0-0
The three-time defending WCAC champions come off an undefeated season. The Falcons will open their year at Notre Dame (Md.). It’s their only game this week, but a date with Maryvale looms on March 18. Previous: 5
6. St. Anne's-Belfield (Va.), 0-0
The new-look Saints will open play with a crossover region game. They host IMG Academy (Fla.) on March 14. It will be the first official game together for seven transfers who will try to keep STAB among the best in the region. Previous: 6
7. Stone Ridge (Md.), 0-0
The Gators travel to St. Paul’s (Md.) for a top-notch showdown to open the season. Stone Ridge won the battle of the Gators teams last year. They turn around to take on a pair of strong Pennsylvania schools in Penn Charter and Episcopal before the week is over. Previous: 7
8. Agnes Irwin (Pa.), 0-0
The Owls are looking for a faster start to their season than a year ago. They host John Carroll (Md.) on March 11 to kick off their season, then welcome Hill Academy (Ont.) on March 13. Agnes Irwin has another strong core of returners to carry them. Previous: 8
9. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 0-0
Spalding jumps right in with a great game to open. The Cavaliers will host St. Paul’s (Md.) on March 13. Spalding has a balanced attack and some strong newcomers that are keeping expectations high for the season. Previous: 9
10. Manchester Valley (Md.), 0-0
The Mavericks won’t open their season until March 25. It’s a year that comes with a bright outlook with all but one starter back. Manchester Valley has three good scrimmages to tune up before it debuts. Previous: 10
— Justin Feil
South Top 10
The South Region welcomed a pair of new teams.
Lake Mary (Fla.) has lost only once this season and put together some impressive wins to debut at No. 9.
Holly Springs (N.C.) has been dominant in its unbeaten start in the Tar Heel State.
Unbeatens Anderson (Texas), IMG Academy (Fla.) and Plant (Fla.) all moved up one spot apiece ahead of one-loss Cambridge (Ga.).
Our South rankings cover the region from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Texas.
1. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 6-0
The unbeaten Stallions faced one of their toughest challengers to date this year, but had no problem dispatching Bartram Trail (Fla.) 15-5. Previous: 1
2. Milton (Ga.), 4-0
The Eagles fired 11 goals on 17 shots in an 11-4 win over West Forsyth (Ga.). Milton peppered goalie Anna Bastow with more shots in one game than she has seen all year. Previous: 2
3. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 1-0
The Crusaders kicked off the season with a 13-7 win over Charlotte Catholic (N.C.). Senior Lexi Mullahy had five goals, five groundballs and a pair of caused turnovers in the win. Cardinal Gibbons faces a tough early-season test this week against Milton (Ga.). Previous: 3
4. Hockaday (Texas), 3-0
The Daisies remained undefeated last week after defeating Prosper (Texas) 20-7. Hockaday has a challenging week ahead with contests in the Mid-Atlantic against Bishop Ireton (Va.), Notre Dame (Md.), and Bryn Mawr (Md.). Previous: 4
5. Anderson (Texas), 5-0
The Trojans had a bye week after getting off to an unbeaten start. Junior Jillian Murphy has a team-leading 21 goals thus far this year. Anderson takes on St. Andrew’s (Texas) this week. Previous: 6
6. IMG Academy (Fla.), 4-0
The Ascenders picked up a 15-2 victory over Lake Highland (Fla.) before dispatching Paul VI (Va.) 14-4. IMG’s Charlotte Vandenberg and Lily Neilson both provided four-goal, two-assist efforts in the win over Lake Highland. Previous: 7
7. Plant (Fla.), 9-0
Last week got off with a bang with the Panthers blanking Alonso (Fla.) 20-0. The shutout was followed by a 13-9 win over Paul VI (Va.). McKenzey Craig had a four-goal, five-assist effort against Alonso followed by a four-goal, three-assist performance against Paul VI. Previous: 8
8. Cambridge (Ga.), 6-1
The Wolverines avenged their 11-8 loss to Milton (Ga.) with an 11-9 victory over Roswell (Ga.). Cambridge also notched a 20-0 victory over Forsyth Central (Ga.). Bryn Birkholz had a team-leading 25 goals through Cambridge’s first six games. Previous: 5
9. Lake Mary (Fla.), 7-1
The Rams had a pair of overwhelming victories last week, posting a 21-3 win over Lake Brantley (Fla.) and a 23-4 victory over Seminole (Fla.). Lake Mary’s only loss this year was to IMG Academy (Fla.) earlier this year. Previous: NR
10. Holly Springs (N.C.), 5-0
The Hawks are outscoring opponents 77-17 to start the season. Last week, Holly Springs defeated Millbrook (N.C.) and Wakefield (N.C.). Carmen Cappelletti\ is leading Holly Springs with 16 goals. Previous: NR
— Justin Boggs
West Top 10
The West Region had the biggest shakeup starting at the top with new No. 1 Sacred Heart (Calif.) riding a perfect start that includes a win over former No. 1 Colorado Academy (Colo.). Valor Christian (Colo.) also climbed on the strength of back-to-back wins to open their season. ThunderRidge (Colo.) fell one spot after losing a tight one to Valor. Cathedral Catholic (Calif.) enters the rankings at No. 10 after looking good in its season-opening win.
Our West rankings cover the Mountain, Pacific and Northwest regions and at least part of the Southwest.
1. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 4-0
New No. 1 Sacred Heart Prep dominated on the road last week in Colorado, defeating Cherry Creek (Colo.) 19-3 before knocking off then-No. 1 Colorado Academy (Colo.) in a decisive 11-5 victory. The Gators open conference play at Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) on March 13. Previous: 5
2. Oak Ridge (Calif.), 3-0
Oak Ridge went 2-0 last week, shutting out Whitney (Calif.) 19-0 before routing St. Francis (Calif.) 15-3. Rebecca Platt led the Trojans in game one, netting four goals and contributing one assist while Oregon-bound goalkeeper Kaley Gunning made eight saves on 12 shots in the win over St. Francis. Next up is a pair of league matches against Del Oro (Calif.) and Rocklin (Calif.), followed by Vista del Lago (Calif.). Previous: 2
3. Valor Christian (Colo.), 2-0
Valor Christian is undefeated through its first two matches, picking up road wins after dominating Cherry Creek (Colo.) 17-3 before edging then-No. 8 ThunderRidge (Colo.) 11-10. Up next is another road game at Regis Jesuit (Colo.) on March 13. Previous: 6
4. Colorado Academy (Colo.), 0-1
Colorado Academy stumbled in its season-opening match, falling 11-5 to then-No. 5 Sacred Heart (Calif.) at home. Arizona State commit Addy Westerberg led the Mustangs with three goals. Up next is ThunderRidge (Colo.) on March 11. Previous: 1
5. St. Ignatius (Calif.), 1-0
The Wildcats open league play against Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) on March 10 before playing at Redwood (Calif.) on March 15. Previous: 3
6. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 1-0
San Ramon Valley gears up for three matches this week: at Tamalpais (Calif.) on March 11, vs. Marin Academy (Calif.) on March 14 and at Marin Catholic (Calif.) on March 15. Previous: 4
7. Fairview (Colo.), 1-0
Fairview opened its season with a 11-4 victory over Evergreen (Colo.), powered by senior Gabriella McCollester who recorded seven draw controls and netted four goals. Next up is Green Mountain (Colo.) on March 13 then Regis Jesuit (Colo.) on March 15. Previous: 7
8. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.) 4-0
The Knights added two more wins last week, a 22-1 rout over conference opponent El Modena (Calif.) then a 10-7 road victory at Mater Dei (Calif.). Senior middie Brynn Perkins (Florida State) netted six of the 10 goals at Mater Dei and added two against El Modena. On deck is another league match at El Dorado (Calif.) and a road game at Edison (Calif.) before hosting Olympus (Utah). Previous: 9
9. ThunderRidge (Colo.), 0-1
ThunderRidge fell in a narrow 11-10 loss to then-No. 6 Valor Christian (Colo.). In the first half, the Grizzlies scored five goals then added five in the second while holding the Eagles to three goals. Up next is No. 4 Colorado Academy (Colo.) at home. Previous: 8
10. Cathedral Catholic (Calif.), 1-0
Cathedral Catholic opened its season with a 10-8 victory over Santa Margarita. The Dons were powered by sophomore Lily Raiszadeh who had nine draw controls and contributed three goals and one assist. On deck is a pair of home matches against La Costa Canyon (Calif.) on March 12 and Torrey Pines on March 14. Previous: NR
— Theresa Palmquist
