It was an eventful week that featured several close games and dramatic finishes, including some among the top four teams in our rankings. The favorites won nail-biters, but the close play highlighted the collective talent of the upper-echelon programs in the area. And, the final week-and-change of the regular season promises a few more high-profile games.
Pelham has pushed its win streak to 10 games and climbs in the rankings, as did John Jay-Cross River whose quality wins earned them a slight bump. Brewster and Briarcliff have gone from knocking to kicking at the door, and Mahopac has quietly picked up steam.
Girls Lacrosse Power Rankings
Records are as of the morning of May 12.
1. Nyack (8-4)
The RedHawks came awfully close to losing their position in this ranking – and their win streak in Section 1 – but eked out a tit-for-tat thriller in overtime against Rye last week, holding onto the bragging rights. Nyack followed that with as encouraging an 11-10 loss as a team could hope for, falling just short to Darien (Connecticut), the No. 1-ranked team in the country, and then crushing Section 2’s Bethlehem Central. They’ll face longtime New Jersey power Chatham and Bronxville this week. Last week: 1
2. Rye (9-4)
That they matched up well, and at times outplayed Nyack before eventually falling 13-12 in overtime, is indicative of how good the Garnets are and how little separation there is between the top teams in this area. Rye dusted Connecticut’s Ridgefield in a rebound from that loss, and they’ve got a couple intriguing matchups this week in Ursuline and Pleasantville. Last week: 2
3. Suffern (11-1)
The Mounties are on quite a run, making a case for themselves to move up in this ranking. They clung to the No. 3 spot with a 13-12 overtime win over Yorktown, then handled business in a rout of Section 2’s Queensbury. Suffern enters this week ranked 10th nationally, according to USA Lacrosse Magazine, and they’ll have a shot at their jump in this ranking when they meet Nyack next week. Last week: 3
4. Yorktown (10-4)
Before beating Lakeland/Panas last Saturday, Yorktown lost three of four games and narrowly missed an opportunity for a statement win against Suffern. Nevertheless, in playing that closely against the defending Class A state runner-up and having a schedule crammed with elite opponents, the Huskers further validated their position here. They’ll face Pleasantville and Pelham this week. Last week: 4
5. Pleasantville (13-0)
They’ve coasted to this point, building confidence and further bolstering their reputation with dominance, but those games for them were like pop quizzes leading up to the mid-term exams. The Panthers conclude their regular season this week with games against Yorktown, Rye and Pelham – SAT-level battle-testing before the playoffs. Last week: 4
6. Pelham (12-2)
The Pelicans move up a spot this week on the strength of a 10-game win streak in which they’ve thoroughly overmatched opponents. But, like the other elite teams, they deliberately put some obstacles on the back end of their schedule, facing Yorktown and Pleasantville this week. Last week: 7
7. Rye Country Day School (14-1)
The Wildcats finally took a loss to Fairchester Athletic Association rival Greenwich Country Day last week, but they responded with a rout of Millbrook School and enter the FAA playoffs seeded second. They’ll host Greenwich Country Day for a rematch in the semifinals Tuesday. Last week: 6
8. Fox Lane (12-1)
They’ve won five straight since that upset loss to White Plains, and the victories over surging Brewster and Class A’s Mamaroneck last week were important to them. The Foxes will be favored against Somers on Tuesday, but the Tuskers are dangerous. Last week: 8
9. John Jay-Cross River (8-5)
Since teetering closely with falling out of the top 10 two weeks ago, the Wolves have won three straight decisively. That includes an extra-credit victory over Bronxville last week. John Jay closes the regular season with some tough ones, including facing Briarcliff and New Canaan. Last week: 10
10. Wappingers (9-3)
The Titans lose a spot in the ranking after a disappointing seven-goal loss to Mamaroneck, but they followed it with a blowout of Section 9’s Pine Bush. Wappingers has a chance to build momentum before the playoffs with four games remaining, including meetings with White Plains and Brewster. Last week: 9
On the bubble: Brewster (12-2), Mahopac (10-4), Briarcliff (10-3), Horace Greeley (8-5), Arlington (9-4)
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Pelham moves up, Suffern angles for ascent in girls lacrosse ranking
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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