New Canaan Jumps Darien in Nike/USA Lacrosse HS Girls’ National Top 25 – USA Lacrosse Magazine
SOUTH TOP 10
1. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 18-2
The Highlanders defeated American Heritage-Delray (Fla.) to claim their second state title since 2019. Senior Jacqueline Jaskiewicz, a Georgetown recruit, led Lake Highland with 50 goals while senior and Franklin and Marshall College prospect Lauren Pittman had a team-leading 37 assists. Previous: 1
2. Milton (Ga.), 20-3
The Eagles claimed their fifth consecutive state championship, rallying from a late two-goal deficit to defeat Creekview (Ga.) 13-12. All three of Milton’s losses in 2022 were by a single goal. The Eagles’ season was highlighted with wins over Connelly School of the Holy Child (Md.) and Hillgrove (Ga.). Previous: 2
3. Hockaday (Texas), 20-1
The Daisies dominated Westlake (Texas) 20-8 in the state championship. The victory marked back-to-back state championships and the fifth overall in the program’s history. Hockaday’s season was highlighted with a win over Torrey Pines (Calif.). Previous: 3
4. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 18-3
The Stallions had a 26-game winning streak versus in-state opponents snapped in the state championship against Lake Highland Prep (Fla.). Carli Fleisher, a Northwestern signee, joined American Heritage-Delray to provide a team-leading 62 goals and 58 assists. American Heritage-Delray had significant out-of-state wins over Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) and Agnes Irwin (Pa.). Previous: 4
5. Bartram Trail (Fla.), 22-3
The Bears survived a pair of one-goal contests in the Florida 2A final four to claim a state championship, including an 8-7 win over Vero Beach (Fla.) in the finals. Ryann Frechette had an impressive campaign with 94 goals and 52 assists. Previous: 5
6. Steinbrenner (Fla.), 21-2
After losing just once in the regular season, the Warriors came one game short of reaching the title game for the second straight year. Steinbrenner fell to eventual 2A state champs Bartram Trail (Fla.) 5-4 on May 6. Junior midfielder Taylor Lapointe led Steinbrenner with 54 goals and 19 assists. Previous: 6
7. Blessed Trinity (Ga.), 22-1
The Titans closed out an impressive season with a 20-2 win over Northview (Ga.) to claim a Class A-5A title. Blessed Trinity defeated McIntosh (Ga.) 21-3 en route to the state championship. The victory marked back-to-back state championships for Blessed Trinity (Ga.). Previous: 7
8. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 20-2
The Crusaders won their fifth title in program history, defeating Charlotte Catholic (N.C.) 13-9 in the state championship game after trailing 6-2 early on. Junior Gracie Mullahy’s three-goal, two-assist effort led Cardinal Gibbons in the championship. Mullahly’s younger sister Lexi shined in the state semifinal as Cardinal Gibbons defeated Holly Springs (N.C.) 25-16. The Mullahys combined for eight goals and seven assists in the semifinals. Previous: 8
9. Creekview (Ga.), 20-2
The Grizzlies came minutes shy and a goal short of stopping Milton (Ga.) from claiming its fifth state title. Creekview lost in the state championship 13-12 after holding a late 11-9 advantage. Creekview’s season was highlighted by wins over Starr’s Mill (Ga.) and Hillgrove (Ga.). Previous: 9
10. Bishop England (S.C.), 18-0
The Battling Bishops earned a South Carolina state title after defeating opposition by a combined margin of 337-27. Frances Poch and Elisabeth Tausig each contributed 105 points this season for Bishop England. Previous: 10
— Justin Boggs
MIDWEST TOP 10
1. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 21-0
The Golden Bears were dominant in their quest for a Region 3 title, topping all four of their foes by at least 10 goals. That included seven Camryn Callaghan goals to run away with the regional championship in UA’s 17-7 win over Dublin Coffman (Ohio). Previous: 1
2. Jackson (Ohio), 20-1
While the Golden Bears cruised to a Region 3 title, the Polar Bears had a doozy of a Region 2 championship game, ultimately holding onto a sizable halftime lead to top Hudson (Ohio) 9-7. Lauren Pallotta (5 goals) and Riley Floyd (3 goals) provided plenty of offense on a night in which goals didn’t come easy. Previous: 2
3. New Albany (Ohio), 19-2
Led by five goals and two assists from Katie Kaucheck and three goals and six draw controls from Ellie McClelland, the Eagles edged Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 14-11, in the Region 1 championship game. NA will look to avenge one of its only two losses in the state semis when it faces Jackson (Ohio). The Eagles might get a chance to avenge the other as well if both NA and UA advance to the state title game. Previous: 3
4. New Trier (Ill.), 21-2
The Trevians played a superb defensive game in the sectional finals against rival Loyola Academy (Ill.), including key interceptions by Grace Mawicke, Audrey Rudolph and Lily Wallace for an 8-7 win. Addie Shevitz fueled the offense with three goals and two assists while Emma Curry also had a hat trick and Grace Curry added another pair of goals. Previous: 4
5. Loyola Academy (Ill.), 17-6
The Ramblers gave one heck of a fight in their sectional final battle with the Trevians, rallying time and time again, including a late-game surge by Catherine Holcomb, before ultimately falling 8-7 to their rivals. LA’s final record is highly deceptive, as four of those losses came during a grueling series of trips to the East Coast while the other two were by a goal apiece to New Trier. Previous: 5
6. Guerin Catholic (Ind.), 19-0
The Golden Eagles’ perfect record was tested in a sectional title contest against the Royals with Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.) even taking a three-goal lead at one point, but Guerin Catholic responded with stifling defense. Led once again by stifling defense along with four Claire Alic goals, the Golden Eagles then topped Bishop Chatard (Ind.) 12-7 to earn their first trip to the state title game. Previous: 6
7. University School of Milwaukee (Wisc.), 15-1
The Wildcats continue to roll including an 18-goal onslaught against Kenosha (Wisc.) that included four goals apiece by seniors Molly Janssen and Grace Tuttle, five assists by senior Brooke Robinson and two goals and three assists by junior Abby Sisson. Previous: 7
8. Forest Hills Northern (Mich.), 18-1
The Huskies pitched a shutout in the Region 1 semifinals against Grand Haven (Mich.) and next face Haslett (Mich.) with a regional title on the line. Previous: 8
9. Carmel (Ind.), 17-2
The Greyhounds were to face Evansville Memorial (Ind.) in a state semifinal May 30 with the potential to earn a rematch with undefeated Guerin Catholic (Ind.), which edged Carmel by a goal in their first meeting. Previous: 9
10. Kentucky Country Day (Ky.), 24-3
The state champion Bearcats benefited from tremendous balance with seven players over 30 goals, led by 92 goals (and 60 assists) from Sarah Beth Burns. Previous: 10
— Jonah Rosenblum
WEST TOP 10
1. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 21-1
The Knights repeated as CIF Southern Section champions, beating Santa Margarita (Calif.) 18-9 in the final. They ended the season on a 17-game winning streak, following a one-goal loss to St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), and finished with four wins against West-ranked teams. Previous: 1
2. Colorado Academy (Colo.), 18-1
The Mustangs won their seventh consecutive state title, beating Valor Christian 13-9 in the Class 5A final for their eighth overall championship. They also won a title in 2000 before the current run. CA sent long-time coach Laura Sandbloom off on a high note as she is stepping down to move closer to family. Previous: 2
3. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 19-2
The Wildcats topped Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) 11-10 to claim the CIF Central Coast title. Their lone losses were to Colorado Academy and Cherry Creek (Colo.), and they outscored their opponents 349-119. Previous: 3
4. Valor Christian (Colo.), 15-4
The Eagles finished as state runners up for a second straight season, falling to Colorado (Colo.) 13-9 in the final. Valor had lost to the Mustangs earlier in the season by four goals, and those were its only in-state losses. The Eagles’ two other defeats were against Florida Class 1A champion Lake Highland Prep and Florida Class 2A runner up Vero Beach. Previous: 4
5. La Jolla (Calif.), 15-4
The Vikings avenged their 2021 CIF San Diego Open final loss to Scripps Ranch (Calif.), beating the two-time defending champions 9-8 to claim this year’s title. La Jolla had advanced with a 20-7 win over Cathedral Catholic (Calif.) in the semifinals. Previous: 5
6. Fairview (Colo.), 15-3
The Knights steamrolled ThunderRidge (Colo.) in the quarterfinals but couldn’t avenge an early-season loss to Valor Christian (Colo.) in the Class 5A semifinals. Just like their one-goal loss in the second game of the season, they just came up short, falling 15-14 in overtime to the eventual runner-up. Fairview’s only other loss was against Colorado Academy (Colo.) in the season opener. Previous: 7
7. Santa Margarita (Calif.), 17-3
The Eagles lost to Foothill (Calif.) for a second time this season, failing to win the rematch of their March 1 defeat in the CIF Southern Section final. They avenged their only other loss to Redondo Union (Calif.) by winning their semifinals rematch May 7. Previous: 8
8. Lake Oswego (Ore.), 14-4
The top-seeded Lakers rolled into the state semifinals with a 20-2 win over Newburg (Ore.) in the quarterfinals. Courtney Havel led the attack with three goals and four assists, while Edie Prager added three goals and three assists. Barrett Doan and Kate Anders also had hat tricks with Anders also chipping in an assist. Lake Oswego now meets Oregon Episcopal (Ore.) in the semifinals on May 31, looking for a repeat of an April 1 matchup it won against the Aardvarks, 17-9. Previous: 9
9. Mercer Island (Wash.), 15-1
After two years without playoffs (and no season at all in 2020), the Islanders finally had a chance to repeat as state champions. The senior class that was part of the last Washington state title in 2019 finished the way it started, beating Issaquah (Wash.) 15-3 in the final. Previous: 10
10. Redwood (Calif.), 21-3
The Giants claimed their first North Coast Section Division I championship, beating San Ramon Valley (Calif.) 14-12 in the final May 12. Grace Minturn led all scorers with seven goals, while Megan Minturn and Leslie Lorio each tallied three. Redwood split games with Marin Catholic (Calif.) this season, winning the rematch, and its other losses were by one goal to Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) in March and to St. Ignatius (Calif.). Previous: NR
— Laurel Pfahler
REGIONS
Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Mid-Atlantic: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia
South: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas
Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming