As each week has passed during this girls lacrosse season, the number of unbeaten and untied teams has, predictably, continued to dwindle.
This past week, Massachusetts power Westwood became the latest team to get a blemish on its record. The Wildcats wound up playing Longmeadow (Mass.) to a 15-15 tie after leading 9-5 at the half.
Ciara Dudeck had four goals and two assists for Longmeadow. John Hopkins-bound Sarah Biron and teammate Emily McGrail each had four goals for coach Leslie Frank's Westwood squad.
It might prove to be a preview of the MIAA Division I state championship game. After all, the teams have played for the state title three times in the last six years.
While a handful of teams have already secured state titles this season, most teams are eagerly awaiting the start of conference and sectional play as a prerequisite.
Many teams will be finding out their postseason seedings early this week, with action getting under way later in the week.
Caroline Tarzian of No. 1 Garden City.
File photo by Jane Haslam
In New York's Hudson Valley,
Yorktown (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) undoubtedly improved its seeding by picking up a 17-12 win over archrival Lakeland/Panas in a matchup of two of the state's top programs. The University of North Carolina-bound Scott sisters led the way for the Huskers, who fell to the Rebels 14-13 earlier this season.
Lindsay Scott had six goals.
Sarah Scott added three goals.
Nearby in Fairfield County, Conn., another rivalry was renewed as Wilton and
New Canaan (Conn.) met in a rematch of last year's conference title game, which was won by Wilton, 12-8. In their latest meeting, it was New Canaan that prevailed, 16-15, on a goal by
Olivia Hompe with 5 seconds remaining.
MAXPREPS XCELLENT 20 NATIONAL GIRLS LACROSSE RANKINGS1. Garden City (N.Y.), 15-0: Caroline Tarzian had three goals and five assists in an 18-6 win over Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.). (Last week's ranking: No. 1)
2. McDonogh (Owings Mills, Md.), 19-0: Northwestern-bound
Brooks Lawler, a midfielder, is as speedy and elusive a player as you'll find. (Last week's ranking: No. 2)
3. Farmingdale (N.Y.), 13-1: Kelly McPartland had four goals and
Amanda Turturro scored three times as the Dalers pulled away for a 14-9 win at Massapequa (N.Y.). (Last week's ranking: No. 3)
4. Vero Beach (Fla.), 22-0: The Fighting Indians wrapped up a 22-0 campaign by beating Winter Springs, 20-3, in the FHSAA championship game to extend their winning streak to 60 games. (Last week's ranking: No. 4)
5. West Genesee (Camillus, N.Y.), 14-0: Emily Tripodi has 55 assists and 90 points,
Katey Hart 40 goals and 72 points and
Erica Geremia 48 goals and 67 points. (Last week's ranking: No. 5)
6. St. Anthony's (Melville, N.Y.), 13-2: Darcy Messina had two goals and four assists in a 19-14 win against Sacred Heart Academy (N.Y.). (Last week's ranking: No. 6)
7. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Alexandria, Va.), 28-2: Meredith Bentsen,
Claire Curran and
Hannah Mullen have provided leadership – and strong play – as team captains. (Last week's ranking: No. 7)
8. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 18-2: Kelly Lechner,
Caileigh Sindall and
Brigid Smith have been standouts for the Falcons. (Last week's ranking: No. 8)
9. Ridgewood (N.J.), 14-1: Samantha Giordano had three goals and six assists and
Kelci Smesko eight goals and two assists in an 18-8 win over Suffern (N.Y.). (Last week's ranking: No. 9)
10. Northport (N.Y.), 13-2: Cortney Fortunato had five goals and two assists and
Shannon Gilroy had two goals and three assists in a 20-1 triumph over Middle Country (N.Y.). (Last week's ranking: No. 11)
11. Westwood (Mass.), 14-0-1: Westwood bounced back the previously mentioned tie against Longmeadow by beating Medford (Mass.) 13-6. (Last week's ranking: No. 15)
12. Alta (Sandy, Utah), 14-0: The defending state champ Hawks have won 42 straight. (Last week's ranking: No. 16)
13. Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.), 16-2: Molly Hulseman scored with just more than a minute to go in the Ramblers' 12-11 win over then No. 10 New Trier (Ill.). (Last week's ranking: Not ranked)
14. Milton (Ga.), 19-1-1: After reaching the 20-goal mark just twice in their first 15 games, the Eagles have scored 22 or more in each of their last six contests. (Last week's ranking: No. 17)
15. Fox Lane (Bedford, N.Y.), 16-0: Lindsay Toppe registered seven goals and an assist in a 16-4 win against Rye (N.Y.). (Last week's ranking: No. 14)
16. Londonderry (N.H.), 12-0: The Lancers extended their win streak to 49 straight. (Last week's ranking: No. 18)
17. Hauppauge (N.Y.), 15-0: Jennifer Porretto registered six goals and five assists in a 16-13 win over Harborfields (N.Y.). (Last week's ranking: No. 20)
18. Moorestown (N.J.), 15-3: The Quakers' losses have come against No. 6 St. Anthony's (N.Y.), No. 8 Good Counsel (Md.) and No. 9 Ridgewood (N.J.). (Last week's ranking: Not ranked)
19. Manhasset (N.Y.), 12-3: The Indians have won eight of their last nine, with the lone loss coming against No. 1 Garden City (N.Y.). (Last week's ranking: Not ranked)
20. Wilton (Conn.), 15-2: Casey Pearsall had five goals and
Tegan Helms scored four times for the Warriors, whose eight-game win streak ended in the previously noted loss to New Canaan (Conn.). (Last week's ranking: Not ranked)
Dropped out: New Trier (Ill.), No. 10; Wantagh (N.Y.), No. 12; Mendham (N.J.), No. 13; Bryn Mawr (Md.), No. 19.
Joe Lombardi writes the "Lax with Joe" blog at LaxLessons.com and
is an analyst for the MSG Varsity Television Network. He is also the
primary author of the new edition of "Lacrosse for Dummies," which was
released last year. He may be reached at joe@laxlessons.com.
