The eye-opener last week was Ursuline shocking Yorktown, offering us a reminder that there are no certainties and nobody is unbeatable. The headline-grabbers this week, most likely, will be the matchup of the teams that seem most unbeatable by others in Section 1.
The positions held this week in the top 10 as John Jay-Cross River seems to have righted its ship, but a few of the bubble teams continue to make solid cases for themselves.
Girls Lacrosse Power Rankings
Records are as of the morning of May 5.
1. Nyack (6-3)
Some exciting news for the RedHawks: Casey Cummings was among the first wave of stars selected to participate in the New Balance All-America Lacrosse Senior Game in July. Some exciting news with more immediacy: Nyack faces Rye on Tuesday in a long-awaited rematch of last year’s nail-biting section final. The teams this season compete in different classifications, but this certainly will be a bragging-rights showdown between the two best local teams. Last week: 1
2. Rye (8-3)
Tuesday’s meeting with Nyack comes at a good time for the Garnets as they’re rolling, having outscored their last three opponents 48-4. And, more importantly for them, they’ve received a boost in production and morale with the return last week of Paige Tepedino, a superstar who suffered a torn ACL last season. Last week: 2
3. Suffern (9-1)
The Mounties’ defense continues to flourish, holding opponents to 6.7 goals per game, and they scored decisive wins over Bronxville, Greeley and Section 2’s Bethlehem last week. Suffern climbed to ninth in the USA Lacrosse Magazine national ranking. That hot streak will be put to the best this week as Suffern visits Yorktown on Wednesday. Last week: 3
4. Yorktown (9-3)
This was a popcorn-worthy matchup when the schedules were released, the defending Class B section champs getting a crack at the Class A champions. But it’s been made even more intriguing as Yorktown is coming off an upset loss to Ursuline. Now, there’s a bit more urgency as the Huskers are eager to rebound. Last week: 4
5. Pleasantville (12-0)
The Panthers made quick work of Briarcliff and Eastchester, two on-the-rise teams that entered red hot. That was another example of Pleasantville showing its firepower and depth. But, that gauntlet stretch to close the regular season begins for them Wednesday, visiting Horace Greeley. Last week: 5
6. Rye Country Day School (12-0)
The Wildcats added another dominant win over a Connecticut opponent last week, but they’ve got important games upcoming as their regular season wraps up this week. Rye Country visits Greenwich Academy on Tuesday in a meeting of the still-undefeated teams in the Fairchester Athletic Association. Last week: 6
7. Pelham (10-2)
They ran their win streak to eight last week with two lopsided wins, including a 21-7 thumping of Minisink Valley, the defending Section 9 Class B champ. The Pelicans are clicking on offense and defense, brimming with confidence, and they’ll be favored in games this week against Somers and Harrison. But the prep course for their final exam begins next week, facing Yorktown and Pleasantville. Last week: 7
8. Fox Lane (9-1)
Yes, there was a considerable disparity in skill and depth between them and Pearl River, but it still must’ve been encouraging for the Foxes to break out for 18 goals and win convincingly, shaking out of that offensive slump. They’ll face Brewster and Mamaroneck this week, teams capable of making things difficult. Last week: 8
9. Wappingers (8-2)
The Titans have won three straight and, after a series of sweat-em-out games, won decisively against Clarkstown South. Wappingers this week takes on potential playoff foe Mamaroneck and Pine Bush, one of the better teams in Section 9. Last week: 9
10. John Jay-Cross River (7-5)
A three-game slide brought them awfully close to falling out of the ranking, but the Wolves shook back well last week with comfortable wins over North Rockland and Bronxville. Last week: 10
On the bubble: White Plains (9-3), Bronxville (4-5), Brewster (10-1), Ursuline (5-6), Mahopac (8-4), Horace Greeley (5-4), Mamaroneck (5-7), Somers (7-5)
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Top teams in latest girls lacrosse rankings set to clash this week
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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