With the regular season concluding this week, these are our final rankings until after the playoffs. The Section 1 tournament seeding and schedule will be determined on Wednesday.
Nyack staved off Suffern on Monday, keeping the status quo atop the rankings, but there was some shuffling beneath as Pelham climbed another rung and Horace Greeley earned its debut in the top 10.
Girls Lacrosse Power Rankings
Records are as of the morning of May 19.
1. Nyack (11-4)
The RedHawks maintained their grip on the top spot with a 16-13 win over Suffern, again defending the seat against another Section 1 elite. Nyack has a matchup with Albertus Magnus before the playoff seeding is determined, but the regular-season boxes have already been checked for this team with victories over Yorktown, Rye, Chatham (New Jersey) and now Suffern. Last week: 1
2. Rye (12-4)
They finished the regular season with a flurry, rebounding from the bitter overtime loss to Nyack with four consecutive blowout wins, including routs of Pleasantville and Greenwich. The Garnets allowed only two teams to surpass nine goals against them — both powerhouses in the national spotlight — and dominated most of their local opponents, making them a clear favorite entering the Section 1 Class C playoffs. Last week: 2
3. Suffern (12-2)
A win over Nyack would’ve shaken up the hierarchy and given this group an immense confidence boost entering the postseason. Nevertheless, the Mounties put forth a regular season worthy of acclaim as its losses came in close games against Long Island’s Garden City and Nyack. And that is somewhat of an encouraging sign as the defending Class A section champs seek to make another state tournament run. Last week: 3
4. Yorktown (12-4)
The Huskers rebounded from a disappointing overtime loss to Suffern and ended their regular season with three straight wins, including comfortable victories over Pleasantville and Pelham, both title contenders in our top 10. Yorktown, with a talented young squad, might be headed for a Class B collision with Nyack in the playoffs. Last week: 4
5. Pelham (13-3)
This upstart program makes its way into our top 5 for the first time, thanks in large part to a surprising 12-goal win over Pleasantville. The Pelicans have excelled with a solid defense and high-powered offense, which makes them a legitimate threat in the Class C playoffs. Last week: 6
6. Rye Country Day (16-2)
The Wildcats wrapped up their season, capturing the Fairchester Athletic Association championship in a 13-9 win over top-seeded Greenwich Academy. RCDS avenged a loss in the last week of the regular season to Greenwich Country Day, beating that team in the league semifinals. After winning the NYSAIS title the previous two seasons, the Wildcats conquered the FAA as a newcomer to the league. Last week: 7
7. Pleasantville (13-3)
What was an understood possibility when the schedule was created became an unfortunate reality for the Panthers, losing their final three games of the regular season. Pleasantville has dealt with nagging injuries and its offense slowed considerably in the last two weeks, but it was a disappointment for them to have such lopsided losses against Rye and Pelham. Still, they’ll be favored in Class D and certainly can right the ship in the playoffs. Last week: 5
8. Fox Lane (15-1)
As they did last season, the Foxes enter the playoffs with only one loss, having rolled through most of their opponents. But a challenge for them will be proving they can raise their level of play against upper-echelon teams in the Class B sectional tournament. Last week: 8
9. Horace Greeley (11-5)
The Quakers make their debut in the top on the strength of an excellent four-game stretch run, including a 13-9 win over John Jay-Cross River to close their regular season. Greeley has allowed 6.6 goals per game and they’ve got a capable offense sparked by Samantha Rose and Grace Richards, so this team could make some noise in the Class B playoffs. Last week: N/R
10. John Jay-Cross River (10-6)
That hiccup Monday snapped a five-game win streak and it dropped the Wolves a spot in the ranking. Still, this is a group with young talent that seemed to be hitting its stride at the right time before this setback. Can they recapture it in time? Last week: 9
On the bubble: Eastchester (13-3), Wappingers (11-4), Mahopac (12-4), Brewster (12-3), Somers (9-7), Arlington (11-5), Briarcliff (11-5)
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Nyack is No. 1 in girls lacrosse ranking as regular season ends
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
