MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Girls Lacrosse Rankings

After back-to-back undefeated seasons, three consecutive IAAM championships and 51 straight wins, the McDonogh School (Md.) has established itself as a premier girls lacrosse program in the country.

But is this season's team capable of being even better than the last two? Perhaps, says coach Chris Robinson.

"We know we have a veteran team returning and we know every team we play will have that little special asterisk next to our name," said Robinson. "We are walking around with a big target and everybody will bring their best game."

McDonogh debuts in the 2012 MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Girls Lacrosse Rankings as the nation's No. 1 team.

"We have to be mentally prepared to play every single game, especially with the schedule we have," Robinson added. "We have a tough out-of-conference slate and our conference is probably the toughest in the country."

McDonogh opens its season Wednesday night at No. 13 Vero Beach (Fla.) (8-0), and has several other dates with top-ranked teams. On April 21-22, it will compete in the Maryland-New York Challenge with four top-rated teams from Long Island and upstate New York. The Eagles will first play No. 3 and defending national champion Garden City (N.Y.), and on the second day either No. 10 St. Anthony's, No. 14 West Genesee or No. 18 Hauppauge.

McDonogh is loaded with Division I talent. Key seniors include All-American Taylor Cummings (Maryland, midfield), Sofia Robins (Boston University, midfield-defense), Corinne Etchison (Georgetown, midfield), Liz Bannatine (Princeton, midfield-defense), Mallory Schonk (Vanderbilt, attack), Katie Ferraro (Wagner, goalie), Gen Eby (New Hampshire, defender) and Veronica Fiorino (Davidson, defender).

The top juniors are Casey Black (Duke, attack), Samantha Burgess (Florida, attack-midfield), Grace Muller (Notre Dame, midfield), Devon Horine (Navy, midfield), Maggie Preas (Virginia, defender), Posey Valis (Virginia, midfield), Isabella Huther (Cal, midfield) and Alison Silber (Michigan, goalie). Sophomore Megan White (attack) will also see key time.

"I think this year it's a little different," said Robinson, whose team is 130-9 the past seven seasons. "Last year we had a big turnover and a whole new group of kids. It was a new challenge and they were a very different team than in 2010.

"The team made its mark and some people are talking about the streak since it's getting up there. We're not going to worry about that. We want the kids to have fun and enjoy the experience while not allowing the pressure to get to them."

MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Girls Lacrosse Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. McDonogh (Owings Mills, Md.), 0-0
The Eagles open Wednesday in a 7 p.m. game at No. 13 Vero Beach (Fla.).

2. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Alexandria, Va.), 0-0
The Saints, who have won five straight Virginia Independent School Athletic Association championships, open Monday vs. Bishop Ireton (Va.).

3. Garden City (N.Y.), 0-0
The Trojans went 21-0 last year, won their sixth-straight NYSPHSAA Class B championship and finished No. 1 in the MaxPreps national rankings. They open Wednesday at Hewlett (N.Y.).
4. Moorestown (N.J.), 0-0
The Quakers won the NJSIAA Group III title and reached the finals of the Tournament of Champions.

5. Northport (N.Y.), 0-0
The Tigers went 20-2 last season and won the New York Class A championship. They open Friday at home vs. East Islip (N.Y.).

6. Bryn Mawr (Baltimore), 0-0
The Mawrtians, who were 16-3 last year, open IAAM play Friday at John Carroll (Md.).

7. Notre Dame Prep (Towson, Md.), 0-0
The Blazers, who reached the IAAM semifinals last year, open Friday in the IAAM at home vs. Roland Park (Md.).

8. Manhasset (N.Y.), 0-0
The Indians, who went 14-4 last year, open Wednesday at Calhoun (N.Y.).

9. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 0-0
The Falcons, 19-2 last year and champs of the WCAC for the eight straight year, opened Monday vs. St. Mary's (Md.).

10. St. Anthony's (Melville, N.Y.), 0-0
The Friars are seeking their fourth-straight CHSAA championship.

11. Garnet Valley (Glen Mills, Pa.), 0-0
The Jaguars were 24-2 last year and won their first PIAA championship. They open at home Saturday vs. 11-time Catholic League champion Archbishop Carroll (Pa.).

12. Farmingdale (N.Y.), 0-0
The Dalers were 16-2 last year. They open Wednesday at Plainview J.F.K. (N.Y.).

13. Vero Beach (Fla.), 8-0
The Fighting Indians had won every game by at least nine goals this season heading into Monday's game with Bishop Moore (Fla.) They'll find out exactly how good they are when they host No. 1 McDonogh Wednesday night.

14. West Genesee (Camillus, N.Y.), 0-0
The Wildcats, 19-1 last year, return a strong nucleus.

15. Milton (Ga.), 5-0
The Eagles, the Georgia Class 5A champions last year, have outscored their foes this season by a whopping 90-5 margin. They will get their shot at Vero Beach on March 31.

16. Ridgewood (N.J.), 0-0
The Maroons seek to reload after going 45-2 over the past two seasons and winning two straight Tournament of Champions titles. They open Saturday at home vs. Bridgewater-Raritan (N.J.).
17. Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.), 0-0
The Ramblers have won three straight state titles and open Saturday vs. St. Ignatius (Ill.).

18. Hauppauge (N.Y.), 0-0
The Eagles lost only to Garden City last year; they open at Babylon (N.Y.) Friday.

19. Marriotts Ridge (Marriottsville, Md.), 0-0
The Mustangs won the Maryland A-2A state title last year and open Friday at home vs. Long Reach (Md.).

20. West Morris Mendham (Mendham, N.J.), 0-0
The Minutemen graduate several key players, but are 155-13 in the past seven years.

21. Mt. Hebron (Ellicott City, Md.), 0-0
The Vikings, 16-2 last year, open Friday at Reservoir (Md.).

22. John Carroll (Bel Air, Md.), 2-0
The Patriots will be tested this week when they host Maryvale Prep (Md.) Wednesday and Bryn Mawr (Md.) Friday in IAAM contests.

23. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.), 0-0
The two-time defending state champion Bruins open today at Thompson Valley (Co.).

24. St. Paul's Girls (Brooklandville, Md.), 0-0
The Gators, who lost a number of tight games in an 11-8 season last year, open Friday with an IAAM game at Maryvale Prep.

25. Great Valley (Malvern, Pa.), 0-0
The Patriots reached the PIAA semifinals last year and open Friday at home vs. Pottstown (Pa.).

Chris Goldberg, editor and owner of Lacrosse Media, operates Phillylacrosse.com, LILacrosseNews.com and BaltimoreLacrosseNews.com, as well as the new national gear site, LaxGearZone.com. He may be reached at golax@phillylacrosse.com.