For the first time in the last nine years, someone other than McDonogh (Md.) claimed the No. 1 spot in the Nike/US Lacrosse Top 25 for high school girls’ lacrosse.
Notre Dame Prep (Md.) knocked the Eagles off their perch, delivering a 10-8 blow in the IAAM-A championship game to end McDonogh’s national record winning streak at 198 games. The Blazers moved to the No. 2 spot in the national rankings, and Manhasset (N.Y.) was the biggest benefactor, finishing as the top-ranked team after securing a 20-1 record as New York’s Class B champs.
Following a season-opening loss to eventual Class C champion Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), the Indians won 20 straight with victories over six top 25 opponents.
Cold Spring Harbor would go on to a 19-2 finish, securing the program’s first ever state title in large part because of the performance of Sophia DeRosa. The senior midfielder racked up 50 goals and 43 assists and was named the Brine/US Lacrosse National Player of the Year.
“She’s a tremendous person and leader, always leading by example and doing the right thing,” Cold Spring Harbor coach Danielle Castellane said. “She’s been a great player since her freshman year. But what she’s done from last season to this season, I’ve never seen a player put in that much work and time. She did everything in her power to make herself better.”