toplaxrecruits.com
toplaxrecruits.com -
By Renee Olivett
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 2/6/15
This year’s Southern region Preseason Rankings:
Girls![Soutrhern Rankings]()
1. Bishop Ireton (VA)
After going 20-4 last year, Bishop Ireton will return ten of their twelve starters with hopes for another strong season. Last year they only lost to out-of-team states including a close loss to Milton Georgia (12-10) midway through the season. Despite the graduation of their goalie, Olivia Cole, who now plays at Florida, Bishop Ireton returns nine Division 1 bound players, seven of whom are headed to top 20 ranked teams. The Cardinals looks to take the WCAC and the VISAA(Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association) championships again this year, while also becoming a nationwide force as they match up against powerhouses like McDonogh(MD) and Milton(GA).
2. Vero Beach (FL)
Vero Beach won their ninth straight Florida state championship game in 2014 and will look to continue that streak in 2015. The Fighting Indians went 21-3 last year with their only losses coming from northern states, including a 12-8 loss against No. 1 McDonogh School (MD)- one of McDonogh’s closest games all year. Vero Beach lost five Division 1 recruits to graduation but will return eight more for a deep bench in the 2015 season.
3. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (VA)
Despite losing the VISAA championship in a tight 9-7 matchup against Bishop Ireton, the Saints had a strong 2014 season going 27-2, including a 11-4 blowout against Milton(GA). Agnes lost five Division 1 recruits to graduation but will return ten Division 1 bound players, including two to top-20 ranked teams.
4. Milton (GA)
The nine-time Georgia state champions will return this year after a 19-3 season. All three of the Eagle’s losses were to out of state teams including Vero Beach (15-11), and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (11-4). Milton hopes to continue making a national name for themselves this season as they will face three top Pennsylvania teams, McDonogh, Vero Beach, and Suffern (NY). They boast thirteen Division 1 bound players, having only lost two to graduation.
5. St. Anne’s-Belfield (VA)
The 19-5 Saints lost close games last year to the Collegiate School (7-6) and the Flint Hill School (14-12) and will look to make a name for themselves this year. Belfield lost no college-bound players in 2014 and will return this year with seven Division 1 recruits.
6. Walton (GA)
After falling 16-13 to Milton in the 2014 Georgia state finals, the Lady Raiders will again prove to be stiff competition for the perennial state champions this year. Having lost only one Division 1 bound player, Walton will return three Division 1 bound recruits- all juniors.
7. Collegiate School (VA)
Despite a decisive loss to Bishop Ireton midway through the season (15-7), the Cougars returned in the 2014 Virginia Independent State semifinals to challenge the eventual state champs in a 9-8 loss. Collegiate lost two Division 1 recruits but will return another two this year.
8. Charlotte Country Day School (NC)
The 14-3 Bucs went on a 12 game winning streak last season to take the North Carolina Independent school state championship. After losing only one Division 3 recruit, Charlotte CDS will return three Division 1 bound juniors.
9. Charlotte Catholic (NC)
The North Carolina (NCHSAA) state champs went 23-1 last year, falling in a close game to Kell(GA). The Cougars lost four Division 3 recruits last year but boast a strong 2015 class, with six college bound players, two of them Division 1.
10. (Tie) Hutchison School (TN)
The Sting went 22-0 last season making for a perfect season that ended in a state championship. This year they will play face off against St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (VA), St. Paul’s SG (MD), and Walton (GA), making for a more competitive out of state schedule. The Sting lost three Division 1 bound players but will return one more for the 2015 season.
10. (Tie) Benjamin School (FL)
The Benjamin School were 12-4 last year, falling to Florida powerhouse Vero Beach twice. The Buccaneers graduated star midfielder Hayley Ciklin, who now plays at Northwestern. However, they will return four Division 1 recruits, including a strong 2016 class with Riley Johnston, also destined for Northwestern.
Other schools to watch: Apex (NC) 18-2, Barron Collier (FL) 12-4, Durham Academy (NC) 17-4, Flint HIll (VA) 14-6, Lassiter (GA) 17-4, Oakton (VA) 15-3, Ponte Vedra (FL) 19-4, Robinson (VA) 12-7, St. John’s (TX) 20-4, Westfield (VA) 18-3, Woodgrove (VA) 17-4.
Boys
1. Lake Highland Prep (FL)
Last season the 20-3 Lake Highland Prep boys were a powerhouse in Florida, taking the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) state championship in a 9-2 win over the Benjamin School. One of the Highlander’s losses came in a close 14-11 matchup against No. 1 Boys’ Latin. The Big Red lost three Division 1 recruits to graduation, all of which continued on to top 20 ranked teams. Highland will return one Division 1 bound player this year.
2. Cardinal Gibbons (NC)
The 2014 North Carolina state champions went 22-0 last year. The Crusaders claimed two wins against strong out of state teams – over Germantown Academy (PA) and St. Christopher’s (VA) – and will face stern tests early this year against MIAA powers Calvert Hall (March 7) and McDonogh (March 14). Losing only one Division 1 recruit, Gibbons returns three Division 1 prospects, as well as two Division 3 recruits.
3. Episcopal School of Dallas (TX)
The Texas state champions were 18-2 last year, sustaining losses to IMG National(17-7) and Dallas Jesuit (11-7) midway through the season. The Eagles came back to beat Dallas Jesuit in the state championship (9-4). They lost two Division 1 recruits but will return two more, both of whom will head to top ten programs (Syracuse and Notre Dame).
4. Lambert (GA)
The Georgia state 6A runner-ups went 17-5 last year, losing a close game for the state title 6-5 against Roswell. All five of Lambert’s losses were by a margin of 1, making it an exciting season for the Longhorns. They lost four college recruits including, three to Division 1 programs. They will return two 2015 Division 1 recruits, one D2 recruit as well as five 2016 Division 1 commits, signaling a strong return.
5. Charlotte Latin (NC)
Charlotte Latin went 20-1 last year to take the North Carolina Independent state championship in a blowout against Durham Academy (13-4). The Hawks only loss came in a tight game against Milton from Georgia. Charlotte lost no college bound players and will return 3 Division 1 recruits for their 2015 season.
6. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
St. Thomas Aquinas went 15-6 last year, sustaining two losses to Florida state championship runner-up Benjamin School, and McDonogh. The Raiders lost two Division 1 bound players, including Revin Kos, a star midfielder who continued on to top ranked Johns Hopkins. For the 2015 season they return eight college recruits, four of which are Division 1.
7. St. Christopher’s (VA)
St. Christopher’s went 16-4 last year, falling in the Virginia Independent State Championship to St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (10-8). After losing only one Division 1 recruit, the Saints will return for a strong 2015 season with four Division 1 recruits.
8. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (VA)
Despite a tough regular season, going 14-8, St. Stephen’s went on to win the Virginia Independent State Championship. The Saints lost four college bound players, including two Division 1, but will return five more college commits. The rising junior class, with two Division 1 commits, will help fill the empty spots for the 2015 season.
9. Dallas Jesuit (TX)
The Texas State runner-ups went 15-3 last year, falling to Episcopal Dallas 9-4 in the state championship. The Rangers will have to replace four college recruits, three of which headed to Division 1 recruits. They will return three college recruits for the 2015 season, including two Division 1.
10. Paul VI (VA)
Paul VI had a tough season last year going 10-10 in the competitive Virginia region. However as nine of those losses were by a margin of 3 or less, the Panthers still have plenty to prove. They lost only two Division 1 bound players to graduation, but will return 10 Division 1 bound recruits this season- giving them one of the deepest benches in the region.
Under consideration: Albemarle (VA) 19-1, Cape Henry Collegiate (VA) 13-6, Charlotte Catholic (N.C.) 22-3, Collegiate School (VA) 15-8, Harrison (GA) 17-2, IMG Varsity (FL) 10-0, Loudoun County (VA) 18-2, Lovett (GA) 18-4, McCallie School (TN) 18-5, Memphis University School (TN) 17-3, Milton (GA) 18-3, Norfolk Academy (VA) 16-6, Northview (GA) 21-1, Ponte Vedra (FL) 21-3, Robinson (VA) 18-3, Roswell (GA) 17-3, South County (VA) 15-2, St. Anne’s-Belfield (VA) 11-7, St. Mark’s (TX) 10-4, The Woodlands (TX) 18-5, Westminster (GA) 18-3, Woodberry Forest (VA) 12-6
The post TopLaxRecruits Southern Region Pre-Season boys’, girls’ rankings appeared first on toplaxrecruits.com.