Mid-Atlantic Preseason Top 10
1. Calvert Hall (Md.)
2. Malvern Prep (Pa.)
3. Boys’ Latin (Md.)
4. McDonogh (Md.)
5. St. Mary’s (Md.)
6. Gonzaga (D.C.)
7. Bullis (Md.)
8. Haverford School (Pa.)
9. Delbarton (N.J.)
10. Georgetown Prep (Md.)
Also Considering (alpha order): Bishop Shanahan (Pa.); Briar Woods (Va.); Conestoga (Pa.); Garnet Valley (Pa.); Gilman (Md.); Landon (Md.); La Salle College (Pa.); Loyola-Blakefield (Md.); Paul VI (Va.); Radnor (Pa.); Seton Hall Prep (N.J.); St. Christopher’s (Va.); St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.)
The Justification
1. Calvert Hall (Md.)
Calvert Hall (Md.) already made history last season after winning the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) A Conference title for the third consecutive season, but the Cardinals appear to be the favorite to win it all in 2020 as well. Head Coach Bryan Kelly returns 25 players, including 20 who already committed to play in college. The Cardinals leading scorer returns in Daniel Kelly, who could become the program’s all-time leading scorer by the end of the season. The Cardinals play some of the best teams in the nation, just by virtue of their conference schedule, but they still take on IMG National (Fla.), Hill Academy (Canada), Conestoga (Pa.) and St. Christopher’s (Va.) this season.
2. Malvern Prep (Pa.)
Malvern Prep (Pa.) boasts 11 players already committed to play in college, including returning attackmen Eric Spanos (Maryland), Nick Potemski (Duke) and Will Peden (Johns Hopkins). The defending Inter-Ac champions went 16-5 last season and Head Coach John McEvoy should also have a strong midfield with Cooper Frankenheimer (North Carolina), Matt Traynor (Penn State), Cade Szostek (Penn State), and Drew Pettinelli (Gettysburg). The Friars play Bullis and Georgetown Prep on the road along with home games against Delbarton and Conestoga this season. They play Haverford School twice in the regular season and wrap up the schedule with a road game against La Salle College (Pa.).
3. Boys’ Latin (Md.)
Boys’ Latin (Md.) returns 30 players from a 12-7 season, but the return of Brendan Grimes from injury will make a big difference in the Lakers’ lineup, which is saying a lot considering the Lakers reached the conference semifinals last season. Grimes is on the 2020 U.S. Men's U19 Training Team and ranked by Inside Lacrosse as the No. 7 player in the nation. Ben Smith (Penn) is the leading returning scorer after leading the team in goals (38) and finishing second in points (55). Dominic Pietramala scored 43 points on 33 goals and 10 assists as a freshman last season and considered one of the top players in his class. The Lakers have one of the toughest schedules. They open the season against defending Florida champion Ponte Vedra (Fla.) then play at defending WCAC champion Gonzaga. After a trip to Florida against St. Andrew’s (Fla.) and Oxbridge Academy (Fla.), the Lakers take on Culver Academy. Then, the conference play starts.
4. McDonogh (Md.)
McDonogh (Md.) entered last season as the early favorite to win the conference. A four-game losing slide to start conference play hurt, but the Eagles rebounded to win six of their last seven games to reach the MIAA A Conference playoffs. Head Coach Andy Hilgartner returns 10 players committed to Division I colleges, including one of the league’s best face-off men in Gable Braun (Virginia). Three of the Eagles' first four games are against defending champions: Gonzaga, Bullis, and Ponte Vedra. The fourth is a road game against Haverford School. They also play Culver Academy before beginning conference play.
5. St. Mary’s (Md.)
St. Mary’S (Md.) reached the MIAA A Conference finals last year and returns a strong defense led by goalie Westin Schmidt (Maryland), and defenders Nick Kaufman (Johns Hopkins), Colin Burlace (Yale), Max Silva (Navy), Gavin Ridgeway (York) and Will Tominovich (Georgetown). Overall, the Saints have 11 players committed to college. The St. Mary’s defense did not allow any team to score more than nine goals in any of their 13 wins last year. In the conference playoffs, they held their first two opponents to 11 goals total. It was only Calvert Hall that put up the most goals of the season against the Saints. This year, they open against Georgetown Prep and Landon and take on a Westlake (Texas) team that is expected to contend for a title.
6. Gonzaga (D.C.)
Gonzaga (D.C.) won its second consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) title in 2019. The Purple Eagles are riding a 13-game winning streak with two wins over St. John’s College (D.C.) and Paul VI (Va.). Gonzaga returns 28 players, including 11 college commits. Their season opens with a road game at McDonogh, followed by a home match against Boys’ Latin. Then, they play both Georgetown Prep and Landon on the road.
7. Bullis (Md.)
Bullis also won the GEICO Invitational and brings back 20 players from the team that went 21-3. Among the key returnees are Jack Fracyon (goalie), defensemen Ethan Till and Tyler Kuehl, midfielder Nate Gilkey, Spencer Hughes, Kieran Anzelone, Mac Reitano and attackmen Isaac Aronson (who returns from an ACL injury), Connor Davis, and Gus Weiner. Schedule highlights include games at McDonogh and Loyola-Blakefield along with Malvern Prep and Hill Academy. They finish the regular season with three-straight road games: Gonzaga, Landon and Georgetown Prep.
8. Haverford School (Pa.)
Brendan Dawson takes over at Haverford School (Pa.) after being an assistant under John Nostrant last season. The Fords return 33 players and a baker’s dozen of college commits, including Brennan McBride (Harvard), Geordy Holmes (Maryland), Jack Leary (Georgetown), Michael Bozzi (Cornell) and David Graham (Ohio State). Do not expect the Fords to fall off with the coaching change. They open with games against St. Paul’s (Md.) and McDonogh and also have games against Georgetown Prep and Culver Academy.
9. Delbarton (N.J.)
Delbarton (N.J.) won the NJSIAA Non-Public A championship and reached the Tournament of Champions final. The Green Wave returns 30 players, including CJ Kirst, Tommy Jepson and Carter Cecil on the attack line. The Green Wave opens against St. Sebastian's (Mass.) and Landon. They play rival Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) early along with a mid-season game against St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) and Malvern Prep.
10. Georgetown Prep (Md.)
Georgetown Prep (Md.) won the regular season IAC title last year and return 11 players committed to Division I programs. Inside Lacrosse’s No. 78 player in the Class of 2021, Michael Ridgway is among the returnees. Fellow midfielders Will Angrick (Notre Dame), Quinn McBride (Air Force), Hugh Mullane (Pennsylvania), and Damon Hsu (Lehigh) also return. The Hoyas play on the road against St. Mary’s (Md.) before taking on Gonzaga on March 13. Their first three games are against teams that were all playoff teams last season. They also take on Haverford School and Malvern Prep.
Mid-Atlantic Region Preview Package: Pt. 1: Milestones | Pt. 2: The Big Picture | Pt. 3: Random Region Notes | Pt. 4: Top 10
Northeast Region Preseason Top 10
1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)
2. Chaminade (N.Y.)
3. Brunswick School (Conn.)
4. Darien (Conn.)
5. Manhasset (N.Y.)
6. Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.)
7. Mt. Sinai (N.Y.)
8. Victor (N.Y.)
9. Smithtown West (N.Y.)
10. Lincoln-Sudbury (Mass.)
Also Considering (alpha order): Bishop Guertin (N.H.); Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.); Franklin (Mass.), Garden City (N.Y.); Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.); John Jay-Cross River (N.Y.); Massapequa (N.Y.); New Canaan (Conn.); Ridgefield (Conn.); Ward Melville (N.Y.); Xaverian Brothers (Mass.); Yorktown (N.Y.)
The Justification
1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)
The Friars boasts a lineup with 19 players committed to college, including the No. 1 player in the nation, Brennan O’Neill (Duke). The Friars also have the No. 1 junior in Andrew McAdorey (Duke). Head Coach Keith Wieczorek led St. Anthony’s to a 15-1 record and posted wins over Darien, Loyola Academy (Ill.), St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), Manhasset, Delbarton (N.J.) and McDonogh (Md.). This season, Head Coach Keith Wieczorek has scheduled games against Delbarton, St. Ignatius Prep, Seton Hall Prep (N.J.), Yorktown (N.Y.) and New Canaan (Conn.) along with rival Chaminade.
2. Chaminade (N.Y.)
The Flyers have 17 players already committed to college and returning for Head Coach Jack Moran. The Flyers won 12 straight to start last year, but back-to-back losses ended their season. That final loss was to rival St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) in the CHSAA-AA championship. Chaminade and St. Anthony’s go back-and-forth winning the conference championship. The last time St. Anthony’s won back-to-back titles was the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Chaminade returns Cornell commit Alex Zepf in goal along with defenders Brendan McCabe (Michigan), Robbie Booth (Navy), Michael Guerriere (High Point) and Patrick Noonan (Denver). Yale commit James Ball returns to lead the face-off. The season kicks off with a game at Delaware power Salesianum (Del.). Early games against Massapequa (N.Y.) and road games against Ward Melville and St. Anthony’s all take place before April 10. They also have St. Ignatius Prep, Gonzaga (D.C.), Darien, Manhasset and Delbarton on the schedule.
3. Brunswick School (Conn.)
The Bruins return 13 players committed to Division I programs from a team that went 16-3 last season. Colin Mulshine is the No. 20 defender in the Class of 2021, according to Inside Lacrosse. The Bruins boast several players among the Top 100 in both the classes of 2020 and 2021. The talent will be put to the test with their conference schedule, which includes Deerfield Academy (Mass.) along with road games at St. Paul’s (Md.) and Darien (Conn.) along with games against Haverford School (Pa.) and Hill Academy (Canada).
4. Darien (Conn.)
The Blue Wave is the defending Class L champion and returns eight players from last year’s team, including goalie Andy Demopoulos (Johns Hopkins) and senior captain Michael Minicus (Colgate) at attack. The Blue Wave will once again participate in the GEICO Showcase in April and take on Manhasset (N.Y.) and Chaminade (N.Y.). They also travel to Yorktown (N.Y.) and Ridgefield (Conn.) this season. The offensive tallied 337 goals last season while Head Coach Jeff Brameier’s defense allowed just 117.
5. Manhasset (N.Y.)
The Indians bring back seven players from last year’s 17-3 season. The Indians’ season ended with a one-goal loss to John Jay-Cross River. The defense should be strong with Ed Arnold (Penn), Timothy Barrett (Boston), and Jake Tolentino (Georgetown) returning. Last year, the defensive unit allowed only 122 goals and surrendered more than nine goals twice. The attack unit boasts Peter Lapina (Dartmouth) and Matt McAree (Scranton). Aidan Mulholland (Michigan) is one of the best midfielders in the Class of 2021. Head Coach Keith Cromwell plays Garden City on the road this season in addition to taking on Darien and Chaminade during the regular season.
6. Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.)
The Wildcats boast Xavier Arline (Navy for football) and Johnny Schwarz (UNC) who accounted for seven of the Wildcats 12 goals in the state championship game last season. The duo helped lead an offense that tallied 266 goals last season. Arline enters the season with 359 points after scoring 137 points last season. The attackman should become the 29th player in New York history to reach 400 points with a shot at reaching 500. The defending Class C championship gets Garden City at home while traveling to play West Islip (N.Y.). The rematch with Mt. Sinai occurs on May 15 to end the regular season.
7. Mt. Sinai (N.Y.)
The Mustangs are loaded this season with six players who are either juniors or seniors heading to Division I programs. And that does not include super sophomore Joey Spallina who was among the Top 5 scorers in New York last season as a freshman. The Mt. Sinai offense scored 257 goals while the defense proved the key to the team’s success after allowing only 104 goals. The Mustangs did not allow any team to scored more than nine goals against them until Shoreham Wading River scored 14 in overtime in the playoffs. Mt. Sinai gave Shoreham-Wading River their closest game of the year last year in the Suffolk Class C final - taking the Wildcats to overtime. They open their season against Manhasset and wrap up the regular season against Shoreham.
8. Victor (N.Y.)
Victor has a trio of Albany commits to kickstart the offense this season. The Blue Devils offense scored 252 goals last year and return Camden Hay (Albany) and Joey Pezzimenti (Albany) at attack and Regan Endres (Albany) at the face-off. Defensemen Cam Germain (St. Bonaventure) and Ethan Roberts (Seton Hill) also return. Head Coach Jim Andre has led Victor to four state titles and 127 wins since taking over the program in 2013. Victor plays Lincoln-Sudbury on April 10 in their second game of the year. They host Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.) on May 2.
9. Smithtown West (N.Y.)
Smithtown West lost three games by a combined three goals last season - two of those in overtime. The Bulls bring back 11 college commits, including Conor Calderone (Maryland) at face-off and Danny Caddigan (Colgate) at attack. The offense scored 268 goals last season while the defense only allowed two teams to score more than nine goals against them. Ten goals were the max the defense allowed and both those goals occurred in the overtime losses to Garden City and Ward Melville. They were the No. 5 team in New York, according to Laxnumbers.com. The Bulls open the season on the road against Garden City and play Lincoln-Sudbury on March 28. Head Coach Bob Moltisanti Jr. also has a late-season road game against Ward Melville (N.Y.) on the schedule.
10. Lincoln-Sudbury (Mass.)
Lincoln-Sudbury won its fourth state championship in five years last year and returns 10 players committed to play in college. The defense should be Head Coach Brian Vona’s strength this season with Wilson Sneath (Vermont), Kyle Manherz (Hamilton), Jack Malon (LSM) and Andrew Vona (Hobart) all returning. Brian Vona has 320 career wins since 2000 and leads an experienced squad this season. The Warriors go on the road to take on Smithtown West on March 28 in their second game of the season. They also take on Victor, Pinkerton Academy (N.H.), Longmeadow (Mass.), Duxbury (Mass.) and La Salle Academy (R.I.) during the regular season.
Northeast Region Preview Package: Pt. 1: Milestones | Pt. 2: The Big Picture | Pt. 3: Random Region Notes | Pt. 4: Top 10
Midwest Preseason Top 10
1. Culver Academy (Ind.)
2. Brother Rice (Mich.)
3. New Trier (Ill.)
4. St. Ignatius (Ohio)
5. St. Xavier (Ohio)
6. Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.)
7. Forest Hills Central (Mich.)
8. Loyola Academy (Ill.)
9. MICDS (Mo.)
10. Dublin Jerome (Ohio)
Also Considering: Archbishop Moeller (Ohio); Benilde St. Margaret (Minn.); Cathedral (Ind.); Hartland (Mich.); Hamilton SouthEastern (Ind.); St. Viator (Ill.)
The Justification
1. Culver Academy (Ind.)
The Eagles boast a Division I lineup a season after finishing 20-1 and claiming a Co-No. 1 ranking by Inside Lacrosse. The Eagles will once again be in contention for a national No. 1 with a schedule that includes Boys’ Latin (Md.), McDonogh (Md.), Haverford School (Pa.) and Gonzaga (D.C.). They also play in the Midwest Lacrosse Challenge and the National Prep Lacrosse Championship. Head Coach Jon Posner enters the year with 272 career victories. Owen Hiltz (Syracuse) is considered the No. 1 attackman in the nation and he is not the highest-rated player on the roster, according to Inside Lacrosse. Junior midfielder Ty English (North Carolina) takes that honor.
2. Brother Rice (Mich.)
The Warriors were among the nation’s best teams last season and play some of the top teams in the midwest this season. A road game against St. Ignatius along with contests against Archbishop Moeller, St. Xavier (Ohio) and rival Detroit Catholic Central. The Warriors return attackmen Jay Frye (Roanoke) and Jordan Hyde (Utah) along with defenders Mason Everly (Rutgers) and Jack Lockwood (Marist). Brother Rice’s defense allowed only 117 goals while its offense racked up 390 goals last season.
3. New Trier (Ill.)
The Trevians are the defending state champion and returns 23 players from the team that went 20-5. The defense should once again be the team’s strong suit with goalie Cooper Yaccino, defenseman James Hemmer and LSMs DJ Nolan and Tyler Nolan returning. Midfielders Johnny Hackett and Jessi Shapiro also return. An early road trip pits them against St. Xavier (Ohio) and MICDS (Mo.). They face Southeast Top 10 Episcopal Dallas (Texas) on April 4. They also have late-season matchups against Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) and rival Loyola Academy (Ill.).
4. St. Ignatius (Ohio)
St. Ignatius heads into the season as one of the favorites in Ohio with more than 20 seniors on the roster, including their top three scorers from last season. Michigan commit Michael Boehm who set program records for goals, assists, and points for both career and season during his junior season returns along with Connor Cmiel (Ohio State). The Wildcats have an early-season game against Brother Rice at the end of March. Games against Hill Academy (Canada), Detroit Catholic Central and rival St. Xavier round out April.
5. St. Xavier (Ohio)
The Bombers play defending champions in Illinois (New Trier) and Michigan (Brother Rice) by April 4 this season. The Bombers also take on St. Xavier (Ky.), the Kentucky defending state champion in mid-April. Head Coach Nate Sprong brings back senior attackmen Noah Reidy and Andrew Green in addition to midfielders Quinn Evans (Roanoke) and Luke Vrsansky.
6. Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.)
The Shamrocks only lost four games last season, with three of those coming at the hands of Brother Rice. The Shamrocks get their first shot at Brother Rice on April 7. A late April road trip will pit DCC against New Trier on April 24. Connor Baratta (Rutgers) will kick off the offense at the face-off. Jacob Sposita (Colgate) returns to the midfield and Canisius commit Hunter Pendegraff anchors the defense.
7. Forest Hills Central (Mich.)
The Rangers won it all last season and look to get back on top of Division II for the second consecutive year. Jackson Clay (High Point) returns after earning First Team All-State last season. Twenty players return for Head Coach Andy Shira who guided the team to a 22-1 record. Quite a few of their toughest matchups will be on the road this season, traveling to Carmel (Ind.), Brother Rice, Detroit Country Day (Mich.). They do get Cranbrook (Mich.) and Detroit Catholic Central at home.
8. Loyola Academy (Ill.)
The Ramblers bring back a host of talent in Kaden Keller (High Point), Branden Tait (Denison) and Spenser Hensley (Gettysburg) from a team that went 15-7 last season. All but one of those losses were to East Coast teams. They once again travel to Long Island to take on Chaminade (N.Y.) and host New Trier this season on May 9.
9. MICDS (Mo.)
The Rams graduated two of its all-time best players in Graham Bundy and Thomas Niedringhaus. Those two players are among the state’s all-time leading scorers. Head Coach Andy Kay has led the Rams to three-straight state championships. Early-season key games include home games against Shawnee Mission East (Ks.), New Trier and Episcopal Dallas (Texas). A road game against Memphis University School (Tenn.) will continue a mid-season slate of games that includes three defending champions.
10. Dublin Jerome (Ohio)
The Shamrocks went 16-6 last season and reached the state quarterfinal last season. The Celtics return defenders Zach Dubois (Mercer), Will Ackert, and Anthony Monte from a team that allowed only 95 goals last season. That defense will be tested early with an April 4 game against St. Ignatius. Mid-April games against Detroit Country Day and Cathedral (Ind.) will also be tests.
Midwest Region Preview Package: Pt. 1: Milestones | Pt. 2: The Big Picture | Pt. 3: Random Region Notes | Pt. 4: Top 10
West Region Preseason Top 10
1. Torrey Pines (Calif.)
2. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.)
3. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.)
4. Cherry Creek (Colo.)
5. Loyola-Los Angeles (Calif.)
6. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.)
7. Arapahoe (Colo.)
8. Kent Denver (Colo.)
9. Regis Jesuit (Colo.)
10. Mercer Island (Wash.)
Also considering (alpha order): Golden (Colo.), Lakeridge (Ore.), La Costa Canyon (Calif.); Palos Verdes (Calif.); Sunset (Ore.); Valor Christian (Colo.)
The Justification
1. Torrey Pines (Calif.)
There are 11 Falcons already committed to play in college, including two from the attack line, Christian Rasmussen (Brown) and Blake Erlbeck (Syracuse). Bobby Gavin (Virginia) returns in goal and anchors a defense that boasts Conrad Delgado (Notre Dame), Ethan Graubart (Bellarmine), Dane DeGoler (Boston) and Tyler Blackburn (Brown). Head Coach Jono Zissi has his team playing all the contenders for No. 1 in the West, including St. Ignatius Prep, Loyola-Los Angeles, Cherry Creek, Arapahoe, and Poway. They also play some of the best in Texas in The Woodlands (Texas), Highland Park (Texas) and Dallas Jesuit (Texas).
2. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.)
The Wildcats were the only in-state team to defeat Torrey Pines last season and returns several key players. An opening game against Loyola-Los Angeles is no easy test and a rematch with WCAL runner-up Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) will put the team to the test early. Add in games against Dallas Jesuit (Texas), Cherry Creek (Colo.) and a road game at Torrey Pines and March will be interesting. An East Coast trip against St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), Garden City (N.Y.) and Chaminade (N.Y.) will be an indicator where the Wildcats are among the nation’s best teams.
3. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.)
The Gators finished last season with an 18-4 record and returns several of its top players. Defenders Alex Bean (Loyola) and Paul Barton (North Carolina) will help anchor a defense that allowed 160 goals last season. Midfielders BIlly Barnds (Princeton) and Ben Ramsey (Notre Dame) return at midfield with face-off specialist Joey Dahlkemper (High Point). The Gators play early games against Loyola-Los Angeles and St. Ignatius Prep along with games against Foothill-Santa Ana and Torrey Pines later in the season.
4. Cherry Creek (Colo.)
Cherry Creek returns 25 players and 11 college commits to a team that is the defending state champion. The Bruins boast dept at midfield and defense with five of their top 7 poles and eight of their 10 midfielders returning. The Bruins take on Torrey Pines and St. Ignatius Prep this season.
5. Loyola-Los Angeles (Calif.)
Jimmy Borell is taking over as head coach of the Cubs after compiling a 159-39 record at Palos Verdes (Calif.). Owen Gaffney (Harvard) is one of the state’s best midfielders. Alex Horowitz (Bates) and Shane McAusland (Tufts) also return. The Cubs have gone 56-15 over the last three seasons and won three LA/Ventura and two Southern CIF titles in that time. The schedule starts with road games against Foothill-Santa Ana, St. Ignatius Prep and Sacred Heart Prep. Oaks Christian (Calif.) could be a pitfall game at Game No. 4 with Torrey Pines it’s opponent at No. 5.
6. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.)
With Andrew Cumming expected healthy this season, Head Coach Jon Fox will have experience and depth. The all-time winningest coach in California history put together a schedule that includes Loyola-Los Angeles, Torrey Pines, St. Ignatius Prep, Sacred Heart Prep, and St. Margaret’s Episcopal.
7. Arapahoe (Colo.)
Arapahoe (Colo.) went 14-3 last year and was the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. Twenty players, including two Division I commits in Josh Carlson (Denver) and Trevor Douglas (Furman). Head Coach Logan Bobzien said the strength of the team will be its depth at midfield and attack.
8. Kent Denver (Colo.)
Could this be the year that the Sun Devils win it all? They have not won a title since 2008, but Head Coach Ben Brenneman has guided his team to the state championship game in each of the last two seasons. They return Maxwell Hewitt (Army) and Pace Billings (Princeton) along with Tufts commit Joey Waldbaum.
9. Regis Jesuit (Colo.)
Regis Jesuit and Cherry Creek have rotated championships since 2014 with Regis taking home the title in even-numbered seasons. Head Coach Jim Soran brings back Division I commits Jack Ringhofer (Princeton) and Vincent Mata (Air Force). Tampa commit Keegan Daley returns to the midfield.
10. Mercer Island (Wash.)
The Islanders bring back Will Wheeler (Villanova) from a team that won the Class 3A title last season. Overall, 22 players return, including Danny Scalzo (Queens College) and Chris Cherberg (LSM) on defense. The Islanders take their traditional East Coast trip with games against Cape Henlopen (Del.), Westfield (Va.) and Broadneck (Md.). They have a game against Yorktown (N.Y.) as part of an Invitational tournament.
West Region Preview Package: Pt. 1: Milestones | Pt. 2: The Big Picture | Pt. 3: Random Region Notes | Pt. 4: Top 10
Southeast Region Preseason Top 10
1. Ponte Vedra (Fla.)
2. Episcopal Dallas (Texas)
3. Dallas Jesuit (Texas)
4. Walton (Ga.)
5. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.)
6. Lambert (Ga.)
7. Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.)
8. St. Andrew’s (Fla.)
9. Highland Park (Texas)
10. Lassiter (Ga.)
Also considering (alpha order): Cardinal Mooney (Fla.), Christ School (N.C.), Jupiter (Fla.), McCallie School (Tenn.), Oxbridge Academy (Fla.), St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), Westminster (Ga.), The Woodlands (Texas), Lake Norman (N.C.)
The Justification
1. Ponte Vedra (Fla.)
The Sharks gets the nod as the preseason No. 1 after winning it all in 2019 and returning a stellar lineup. They have seven Division I commits in their lineup and even with the loss of Dylan Hess for the season, Head Coach Tom West still has a midfield group with Carter Parlette (Notre Dame), Freddie Amato (Lehigh), Freddie DiMarzo (Utah) and Joe Taraboletti (Denver). The Sharks boast a schedule with defending Georgia state champion Walton, Gilman (Md.), Boys’ Latin (Md.), McDonogh (Md.) along with Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), Montverde Academy (Fla.) and Cardinal Mooney (Fla.).
2. Episcopal Dallas (Texas)
The Eagles play a whos-who of competition this season after winning the state championship last season. Head Coach Jay Sothoron plays Palos Veres (Calif.), Loyola-Los Angeles (Calif.), St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.), defending Illinois state champion New Trier and Missouri’s defending champion MICDS (Mo.). Add in-state powers Dallas Jesuit (Texas), Highland Park (Texas) and The Woodlands (Texas) and the Eagles will be tested once the playoffs begin.
3. Dallas Jesuit (Texas)
Dallas Jesuit has not won a title since winning back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, but Head Coach Chris Surran will have his team ready for a title run with regular-season games against The Woodlands (Texas) and Austin Westlake (Texas) before the end of February. Games against Episcopal Dallas followed up by out-of-state games against St. Ignatius (Calif.) and Sacred Heart (Calif.) is just the start. The Rangers also play St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, Torrey Pines (Calif.) and Loyola Los-Angeles.
4. Lambert (Ga.)
There will be no love-loss when Georgia power Lambert opens its season looking for revenge against Walton on Valentine’s Day. The Longhorns had their shot at claiming No. 1 in the state early. Games against Roswell (Ga.), Lovett (Ga.) and Westminster (Ga.) will be key games later this season.
5. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.)
The Crusaders gets the early nod as the top team in North Carolina with a solid nucleus returning and a schedule that plays some of Maryland’s best teams in Loyola-Blakefield (Md.), Landon (Md.) and Bullis (Md.).
6. Walton (Ga.)
Defending Georgia state champion Walton gets the nod at No. 6 based on who they return and a schedule that starts with Georgia’s 5A champion Westminster (Ga.), then a Lambert team they defeated in the state championship game last year and finally a road game against Ponte Vedra. They play in-state teams like Allatoona (Ga.), Roswell (Ga.) and Lassiter (Ga.) before they even think about the playoffs.
7. Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.)
The Big Red put together an impressive schedule that opens with Christ School (N.C.) on Feb. 29 and then goes on the road to play Culver Academy (Ind.), Charlotte Latin (N.C.) and Lake Norman (N.C.). In-state rivals Memphis University School (Tenn.) and McCallie School (Tenn.) along with Kentucky power Trinity (Ky.) will get Head Coach Matt Garvey’s team ready for the playoffs.
8. St. Andrew’s (Fla.)
The Scots have Corey Frydman (UMass) and Louie Adams (Amherst) returning on the defensive end of the field. The Scots allowed only 121 goals last season. St. Andrew’s is the No. 1 Class 1A team, according to the Florida State Lacrosse Coaches Association. Openings game against Oxbridge Academy (Fla.), followed by Jupiter (Fla.), which are No. 2 (1A) and No. 3 (2A) respectively will test the team early.
9. Highland Park (Texas)
Highland Parks seeks its first state title since 2015. Head Coach Rich Moses looks to celebrate the program’s 25th year with his first state championship. The Scots also put together a nice out-of-state schedule with games against Coronado (Calif.), St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, Torrey Pines, and Loyola-Los Angeles to compliment in-state opponents.
10. Lassiter (Ga.)
Lassiter is an early favorite to win it all in Georgia this season with a key group of all-state players returning. Their late-season schedule is brutal for a team expected to head into the playoffs, with a road game against Walton and a regular-season finale against McCallie School.
Southeast Region Preview Package: Pt. 1: Milestones | Pt. 2: The Big Picture | Pt. 3: Random Region Notes | Pt. 4: Top 10