Nancy HaggertyRockland/Westchester Journal News
As weeks early in the season go, last week was particularly notable in local high school girls lacrosse.
Last year's No. 1 squad, which had also held that position in The Journal News/lohud girls lacrosse rankings through the first few weeks of this season, fell to the No. 3 squad.
That came right after that No. 3 squad only narrowly lost to the No. 2 team after mouting a fierce second-half comeback to tie the score.
Suffice to say, this week's rankings, which follow below, are no carbon copy of last week's.
Note, records reflect games played through April 14.
Top 10 rankings
10. North Rockland (2-3) — The Red Raiders mustered just two goals in a 7-2 loss to previously-unranked Bronxville, which is always among the area's top teams. This week, the Red Raiders have three games. Two should be W's ,but they'll no doubt have to work to beat Mamaroneck, which has a strong offense. Previously: 7
9. Bronxville (3-4) — The Broncos' losses came to Nyack, Yorktown, John Jay-Cross River and Greenwich (Conn.), no slouch teams there. Its wins have come against North Shore (Long Island), North Rockland and Horace Greeley − also no slouches. The Broncos have two games this week. Of particular interest is Friday's vs. Pelham, a contest that could say a lot about both teams. Previously: Not ranked
8. Albertus Magnus (6-1) — The Falcons have two games this week and should win both the way they've been playing. But it would probably be a mistake for them to take the opening draw against 3-4 Clarkstown South with the idea that the game is a gimme. If they plays with a sense of urgency, though, the Falcons should be 8-1 by week's end. Previously: 9
7. Yorktown (8-1) — Like Rye, Yorktown will also be tested this week, playing always-tough Wilton High of Connecticut. That's one of three games on its schedule and one of two against an out-of-area squad. The Huskers' only loss came against Rye, which has been playing at a different level and since that loss. Previously: 8
6. Pelham (4-2) — Coming off two easy wins, the Pelicans' competition will pick up this week with games against Hen Hud, Mahopac and Bronxville. This is a good team. How good has yet to be fully determined. Previously: 6
Last week's recaps: No. 3 Rye beats No. 1 Suffern, No. 2 Nyack over No. 4 John Jay-CR
5. John Jay-Cross River (6-1) — The Wolves limited previously-unranked Bronxville to five goals in an 11-5 win. But the tables turned when they fell to Nyack by a 14-4 score. One of the more interesting games on this week's slate will be John Jay-CR at Suffern on Wednesday. Both teams suffered their first loss of the season last week. They'll both have a couple of days to figure out how to get back on track. Previously: 4
4. Ursuline (5-1) — The Koalas got two wins on the road against out-of-state (Delaware and Missouri) other Ursuline schools. Those were easy wins for New Rochelle-based Ursuline, which should be favored over but shouldn't blow out either Somers or Mamaroneck this week. Previously: 5
3. Suffern (4-1 ) — The defending Section 1 Class A champions did not play well against Rye, which is clearly a very good team, scoring just six goals. Suffern will have a few days to work on things before it plays John Jay-Cross River, another team also in recovery mode following a bad first loss. Previously: 1
2. Rye (5-1) — There's a sure way to move up in the rankings after dropping a game: Beat the top-ranked team. The Garnets, who rallied from behind to tie then-No. 2 Nyack before ultimately falling by two goals, turned around and took down then-No. 1 and previously-unbeaten Suffern. Convincngly. Unless something major changes in the weeks ahead, the Class C final will likely be a Rye-Nyack rematch. Previously: 3
1. Nyack (7-0) — Nyack has certainly earned its place in the proverbial catbird seat. This team was romping over everyone until it faced then-No. 3 Rye, which put on a major second-half rally to knot the score before Nyack scored late to win by two goals. The win showed not only how strong Nyack is but how unwilling it is to fold amid adversity. Afterward, it routed previously-undefeated John Jay-Cross River, 14-4, to further cement its new hold on the top spot. Previously: 2
On the bubble: Fox Lane (4-2), Horace Greeley (2-2), Rye Country Day (4-0), Wappingers (6-2)
Nancy Haggerty covers cross-country, track &field, field hockey, skiing, ice hockey, basketball, girls lacrosse and other sporting events for The Journal News/lohud. Follow her on Twitter at@HaggertyNancy.
