Maxpreps Xcellent 25 National Girls Lacrosse Rankings

St. Paul's School for Girls (Md.) coach Brooke Kuhl-McClelland has long wanted to see the top girls teams in the nation play on center stage.

Now, thanks to much hard work, they will get their chance.

St. Paul's will host the inaugural Maryland-New York Challenge this weekend and the lineup of teams is most impressive. The tourney features four top teams from Baltimore's IAAM (McDonogh, Bryn Mawr, John Carroll and St. Paul's) and three powerhouse teams from Long Island (Garden City, St. Anthony's and Hauppauge) as well as New York Upstate power West Genesee.

The squads are matched up for the first day Saturday based on last year's finish in the National Coaches/Computer Rankings. And the matchups came out like a dream with current No. 1 McDonogh (7-0, 58 straight wins) meeting No. 2 Garden City (5-0, 48 straight wins). These two teams were 1-2 in every national poll last year and all girls lacrosse followers have salivated for this matchup for years.

Also, No. 4 St. Anthony's (5-0) is playing No. 5 Bryn Mawr (8-1) and No. 10 Hauppauge (4-0) faces St. Paul's (4-3) and No. 8 West Genesee (5-0) meets John Carroll (4-5). On Sunday, using LaxPower's updated rankings from the first day's games, the matchups will again pit this year's top-rated Maryland team vs. this year's top-rated New York team, etc. If a matchup is the same as Saturday's, teams will be flip-flopped.

Kuhl-McClelland, who used to coach at powerhouse at Mt. Hebron, said the idea was to showcase girls lacrosse over a two-day period to gain the most exposure. It was not possible to include public school powers from Maryland due to the Sunday games, but she is hoping the interest will spark the tourney to be held on Long Island or Upstate to keep it fresh in the future.

"We were looking to improve the game and increase awareness of the women's sport," she said. "Everybody talks about regional matchups, but all you could do is look at the rankings.

"I got to talking to (Garden City coach) Diane Chapman and we decided to bring together New York and Maryland."

The idea of the event is not to make money. There is no admission and there also will be middle school clinics and financial help from sponsors.

"It's a costly adventure," said Kuhl-McClelland, "but a big day for Long Island and Maryland as well as upstate New York so there are big paybacks. Until you get regional tournaments, you can't tell who is No. 1."

Saturday Schedule - Maryland-New York Challenge
11 a.m.: N.Y. # 4 vs. MD # 4 - Hauppauge vs. St. Paul's SG
1 p.m.: N.Y. # 2 vs. MD # 2 - St. Anthony's vs. Bryn Mawr
3 p.m.: N.Y. # 3 vs. MD # 3 - West Genesee vs. John Carroll
5 p.m.: N.Y. # 1 vs. MD # 1 - McDonogh vs. Garden City

Sunday Schedule
(Matchups based on rankings in LaxPower after first day; if same teams are matched up, teams are switched)
10 a.m.: N.Y. # 4 vs. MD # 4
Noon: N.Y. # 2 vs. MD # 2
2 p.m.: N.Y. # 3 vs. MD # 3
4 p.m.: N.Y. # 1 vs. MD # 1

Other Games to Watch
No. 22 Georgetown Visitation (Washington, D.C.) at No. 15 St. Stephens & St. Agnes (Va.), Wednesday
No. 6 Garnet Valley (Pa.) at No. 25 Harriton (Pa.), Thursday
No. 10 Hauppauge (N.Y.) at No. 18 Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.), Thursday
No. 13 Ward Melville (N.Y.) at No. 19 Bay Shore (N.Y.), Friday
Niskayuna (N.Y.) at No. 9 Ridgewood (N.J.), Saturday
No. 3 Moorestown at No. 25 Shawnee, Saturday

MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Girls Lacrosse Rankings

1. (No. 1 last week) McDonogh (Owings Mills, Md.), 7-0
The Eagles (58 straight wins) continued to roll with a 16-8 win over No. 5 Bryn Mawr and a 20-10 conquest of St. Paul's in the IAAM. This week is quite busy, as they hosted Severn School (Md.) Monday and host Roland Park (Md.) Wednesday and then play at Notre Dame Prep (Md.) Friday before meeting No. 2 Garden City in the first round of the Maryland-New York Challenge.

2. (3) Garden City (N.Y.), 5-0
The Trojans (53 straight wins) faced off with Darien (Conn.) Monday, but are gearing for Saturday's meeting with No. 1 McDonogh. If anyone can stay with the stampeding Eagles, it would appear the Trojans are the best bet.

3. (4) Moorestown (N.J.), 6-0
The Quakers disposed of Washington Township (N.J.), 14-6, as Stephanie Toy had five goals and two assists. The big game on the horizon is Saturday at home vs. Shawnee.

4. (5) St. Anthony's (Melville, N.Y.), 5-0
The Friars host Kellenberg Memorial (N.Y.) Thursday before heading south to Baltimore for a meeting with No. 5 Bryn Mawr Saturday in the Maryland-New York Challenge.

5. (2) Bryn Mawr (Baltimore), 8-1
The Mawrtians suffered a 16-8 loss to No. 1 McDonogh and then rebounded to topple Maryvale Prep (Md.), 12-11. They face St. Anthony's Saturday in the first round of the Maryland-New York Challenge.

6. (6) Garnet Valley (Glen Mills, Pa.), 9-0
The Jaguars got a major scare when they found themselves behind 8-3 at halftime against an unranked Pennsylvania team, Avon Grove. Hallie Barnes (four goals) tallied the game-winner. The Jags host 8-1 Haverford High (Pa.) today and play at No. 24 Harriton Thursday in Central League games.

7. (7) Farmingdale (N.Y.), 6-0
The Dalers have won their last five games by an average of more than 15 goals. They play at MacArthur (N.Y.) on Wednesday.

8. (10) West Genesee (Camillus, N.Y.), 5-0
The Wildcats had a key 10-9 win over Christian Brothers (N.Y.) and now gear for a busy week. They play at New Jersey power Mendham Friday and face John Carroll in the first round of the Maryland-New York Challenge Saturday.

9. (11) Ridgewood (N.J.), 5-0
The Maroons had several key wins last week, 14-8 over Mendham (N.J.) and 20-12 over Summit. In the Summit win, Kaitlin Concilio had six goals and an assist and Kelci Smesko added five goals and an assist to lead. They host 5-0 Niskayuna (N.Y.) on Saturday.

10. (13) Hauppauge (N.Y.), 6-0
The Eagles have a key game at No. 18 Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.) Thursday before heading south for the Maryland-New York Challenge where they face St. Paul's in the opener.

11. (14) Marriotts Ridge (Marriottsville, Md.), 7-0
The Mustangs claimed a 9-3 win over Winters Mill at the Winters Mill Tournament Saturday as Nicole Grote had four goals and Zoe Stukenberg added three. They host arch-rival Mt. Hebron today.

12. (15) Century (Sykesville, Md.), 9-0
The Knights rolled to a pair of easy wins last week. They should not face a serious challenge until late April when they face Winters Mill and then No. 1 McDonogh.

13. (23) Ward Melville (East Setauket, N.Y.), 8-0
The Patriots earned a key 11-9 victory Monday over Northport as Yuna Hur scored three goals, including the go-ahead tally just over six minutes to play. Ally Tilley had three goals and an assist and Kelsey Catalano added three goals. They play at Bay Shore Friday.

14. (NR) Sacred Heart Academy (Hempstead, N.Y.), 8-0
The Spartans broke into the rankings in a big way, sweeping three games in Florida, including a brilliant 15-14 overtime thriller over Vero Beach. Aileen Carey (four goals) scored the game-winner with 1:41 left in overtime and Becky Conto got the tying goal with 2 seconds left in regulation. The Spartans host Holy Trinity (N.Y.) on Saturday.

15. (16) St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Alexandria, Va.), 9-2
The Saints have won seven games in a row since consecutive one-goal losses to Bryn Mawr and Vero Beach. They toppled Good Counsel (Md.), 13-6, and host Georgetown Visitation (Washington, D.C.) Wednesday in a key DC ISL contest.

16. (20) Great Valley (Malvern, Pa.), 7-0
The Patriots are averaging 17 goals a game and look like the prohibitive favorite in the Ches-Mont League. They routed last year's Ches-Mont and District 1 champion, Downingtown East, 15-6.

17. (NR) Shoreham-Wading River (Shoreham, N.Y.), 5-0
The Wildcats routed previously undefeated Eastport-South Manor (N.Y.), 11-5, and have a date Thursday with No. 10 Hauppuage.

18. (NR) Bay Shore (N.Y.), 7-0
The Marauders routed Half Hollow Hills (N.Y.) on Monday as Kyra Harney scored seven goals and Caroline Delyra added four goals and five assists. They get their biggest test Friday at home against Ward Melville.

19. (NR) Victor (N.Y.), 6-0
The Blue Devils enter the rankings after disposing of Milton (Ga.), 19-12. They have a big game at last year's state finalist Pittsford (N.Y.) today.

20. (NR) Chatham (N.J.), 5-2
The Cougars scored two wins over previously ranked teams last week, 10-7 over Mendham (N.J.) and 14-7 over Manhasset (N.Y.). In the Manhasset win, Jaclyn Leto had five goals and three assists. They have a key home game Thursday vs. Summit (N.J.).

21. (8) Vero Beach (Fla.), 15-2
The Fighting Indians dropped a 15-14 decision to Sacred Heart and have closed out their regular season. The six-time state champions played in the District 18 semifinals Monday night vs. Martin County.

22. (9) Georgetown Visitation Prep (Washington, D.C.), 8-1
The Tigers split at the St. Stephen's & St. Agnes Spring Fling, downing Archbishop Carroll (Pa.), 13-9, and bowing to Notre Dame Prep (Md.), 8-7, in overtime. They have a big DC Independent Schools League game Wednesday at St. Stephen's & Agnes.

23. (NR) Severna Park (Md.), 7-0
The defending 3A-4A state champion Falcons are aiming for their 11th state title this year. They have a key home game Friday vs. 7-1 Broadneck (Md.).

24. (NR) Harriton (Rosemont, Pa.), 9-0
The Rams are tied for first place in the Central League and face two big games this week at home: Tuesday vs. Conestoga and Thursday vs. No. 6 Garnet Valley.

25. (NR) Shawnee (Medford, N.J.), 5-0
The Renegades have yet to be tested and won their last three games by 18, 16 and 19 goals, but must prepare for a showdown Saturday at No. 4 Moorestown (N.J.)

Dropped out:
Notre Dame Prep (Towson, Md.) 8-4; Manhasset (N.Y.) 5-2; Milton (Ga.), 9-2; Wantagh (N.Y.), 5-2; Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.), 8-3; Eastport-South Manor (Manorville, N.Y.) 5-1; West Morris Mendham (Mendham, N.J.) 5-2; Northport (N.Y.), 5-2.

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.