A lengthy look at the Colorado lacrosse leaders

Perhaps it's a coincidence, but more likely not.

Four of the top scorers in boys lacrosse this season represent squads north of the metro area. Granted, this is not a telltale sign that the sport's power has drifted northbound, because the metro area still largely rules the lay of the land. Just look at the top four teams in the CHSAANow.com's Class 5A boys rankings this week: Regis Jesuit (Aurora), Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch), Arapahoe (Centennial) and Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village).

But it is an indication that the northern reaches are producing more and more elite talent and that the area is catching up, both in Class 5A and 4A, the latter of which contains several more non-metro-area teams.

"Chad Kreuzer and Connor Fox should be All-Americans," said Monarch coach David Auday of the two 5A players on the list. "Both are great players. This is a reflection of how lax has reached all areas of the state. Both players have played for elite clubs, Connor 3d and Chad DU Elite. They both work on their games constantly and are great human beings."

As the regular season winds down, here is a look at the top five scorers in each gender entering the weekend.

Gavyn Pure, Dawson School (Lafayette), 107 points
The sophomore has burst onto the scene tremendously for 4A's top-ranked team with 58 goals and 49 assists. He has reached or surpassed the five-goal plateau six times and has benefited from three teammates who have tallied at least 37 goals. The surging Mustangs (14-1) have not lost an in-state game.

Connor Fox, Boulder, 98 points
The senior has split his scoring evenly with 49 goals and 49 assists for a Panthers squad that has had an up-and-down season at 8-7. Boulder is teetering on the edge as a playoff hopeful after completing the regular season Wednesday, but no one can blame the talented Fox if the Panthers don't crack the 5A bracket.

Chad Kreuzer, Monarch (Louisville), 97 points
The 6-foot-1 do-it-all senior is Monarch's all-time leading scorer and has helped lead the Coyotes to a 12-2 mark and No. 8 designation in the rankings. Kreuzer has racked up a 5A-best 54 goals and has added 43 assists. He produced 107 points last season – when he produced 68 goals and was named All-American – and compiled 81 points as a sophomore. "Chad Kreuzer is a phenomenal lax player," Auday said. "He was all-state as a sophomore, junior and I am sure a senior as well."

Jake Thornally, Air Academy (US Air Force Academy), 85 points
The only non-northerner in the top five isn't from the metro area, either. The Colorado Springs-based Thornally has accumulated 45 goals and 40 assists and has the Kadets (9-5), winners of seven of their past eight, firmly in the 4A playoff chase. Thornally has recorded three 10-point games this season.

Kale Wilson, Thompson Valley (Loveland), 82 points
The Eagles might have to sweat it out a bit when the brackets are unveiled, but there is nothing unapparent about Wilson's stellar campaign. He has registered 48 goals and 34 assists, including a seven-goal, 11-point performance against Summit in early April. He has significantly increased his production after recording 58 points last season.

Whereas the boys leaderboard has a strong northern presence, the girls' features a pronounced domination from Jeffco schools – including three from unranked Dakota Ridge (Littleton).

Kailee Lammers, Dakota Ridge, 104 points
Dakota Ridge isn't receiving any love in the rankings, but perhaps the Eagles should be. They've won seven straight, are sitting at 12-2 and possess the state's ultimate 1-2 punch. Only a sophomore, Lammers has accrued two double-digit goal games, including a whopping 11 in a 14-12 win against Cheyenne Mountain.

Hannah Krats, Dakota Ridge, 96 points
It's difficult to say anyone with nearly 100 points is playing second-fiddle to anyone, but Krats' 75 goals and 21 assists leave the junior just shy of Lammers. If Krats wants bragging rights, however, she can point to last season. She outscored Lammers 74-61 in 2015.

Lexi Davis, Chaparral (Parker), 94 points
The senior has reached or surpassed the 10-point barrier three times this season, and her efforts have the Wolverines (10-5) sitting pretty at No. 8 in the poll. Her 55 goals and 39 assists have been complemented nicely by sophomore Hannah Mill (53 and 25), efforts that have paced a high-scoring Wolverines squad.

Marin Felsoci, Ralston Valley (Arvada), 88 points
The senior has been a virtuoso for the No. 9 Mustangs (10-3), having produced nine games with at least five goals. Tactical and steady, Felsoci (59 goals, 29 assists) is gearing up for Saturday's gigantic regular-season finale against Dakota Ridge, which will carry heavy league-title implications. Columbine remains in the mix for the league crown as well.

Becky Holley, Dakota Ridge, 87 points
While Lammers and Krats compile the astronomical goal numbers, someone has to feed them the ball. Holley has been the beneficiary of all that scoring with 68 assists, but that hasn't prevented her from getting a handful of her own goals. She's gotten her share of the Eagles' 245 by putting 19 into the net herself.