Prep Lacrosse’s National Public School Top 20: Preseason
The resource gap between prep (boarding), private (day) and public schools has grown so significant that separating them for rankings is beyond necessary—something I first implemented while running Recruiting Rundown from 2014 to 2018. That gap has only widened since then, making this change permanent, though a weekly National Top 25 will still include all programs.
States like California, Georgia, and Texas are already off and rolling, and they'll be joined by their brethren up north in the coming weeks, so let's consider this the preseason version and a follow-up to last week's preseason National Top 25, which will be updated again next week after a one-week hiatus.
1. New Canaan (Conn.)
The Rams finished 16-5 last season, dropping three games in May, including a 9-7 loss to longtime rival Darien in the CIAC semifinals. Despite graduating a talented senior class led by lefty shooter Doster Crowell (Michigan) and lockdown defender Dillon Stephens (Syracuse), New Canaan remains well-stocked. A core group of seniors — Bryce Lyden (Michigan), Brayden Robie (Boston U.), Chase Harden (High Point), and LSM Will Hayes (Denver) — should anchor the defense in front of a strong goalie tandem, while the offense works to build chemistry early in the season. For more on the Rams, check out CJ Mezzatesta's preview.
2. Springfield (Pa.)
Few programs have been as consistent as Springfield under highly respected veteran head coach Tom Lemieux. After watching Central League rival Radnor claim the last four state titles, the Cougars enter 2025 as the PIAA front-runners. Springfield has more than enough talent and leadership in its senior class to get the job done, led by defenders Billy Henderson (Penn State) and Brian Delaney (Lehigh), attackman Pat Flaherty (Maryland), and goalie Jackson Kennedy (Towson). Juniors Brad Barber (Maryland) and middie Luke Valerio (Penn State) are coming off magnificent sophomore seasons and are now well-established threats.
3. Summit (N.J.)
The Hilltoppers closed out the 2025 season in dominant fashion, winning 18 straight games en route to capturing the school's first Kirst Cup, named in honor of longtime Summit defensive coordinator Kyle Kirst. The Group 2 champions had to regroup after an 8-0 loss to Delbarton and a season-ending injury to star Sean McCeney (Vermont) midway through the year, but their talented sophomore class—led by Robbie Kievit (Fairfield) and a dynamic young offense—helped spark the turnaround. With that group another year older and wiser, the sky's the limit for Summit.
4. Rye (N.Y.)
Facing a grueling 2024 schedule, the Garnets went 13-8 and reached the New York Class 'B' semifinals, where they fell to eventual champion Bayport-Blue Point—one of six one-goal losses for Rye. Nearly all of last year's starters return, including a highly touted defensive tandem: LSM Matt Giannetti (Princeton) and close defender Chris Iuliano (Notre Dame), who anchor the unit in front of Georgetown-committed goalie Ty Ramachandran. Seniors Tucker Hess (Villanova) and Tyler McDermott (Princeton) will lead the attack and midfield, respectively, while juniors Carson Miller (Harvard) and Nigel Strazzini (Cornell) add even more high-level talent.
5. Staples (Conn.)
In recent years, Staples has transformed into one of the Northeast's more formidable public school programs, steadily rising under Will Koshansky, who took over in fall 2019 and guided the Wreckers to a state title in 2022. Looking to bounce back from a seven-loss season, Staples will rely on two of the top seniors at their respective positions — North Carolina-bound goalie Josh Marcus and Michigan commit Adam Udell at attack. The midfield is in excellent hands with seniors Cam Prior (Tufts) and Tristan Schaefer (Colgate), while sophomore longpole Nate Maurillo looks like a star in the making.
6. Half Hollow Hills (N.Y.)
The ThunderColts ended a decades-long championship drought by becoming the Suffolk County champions in 2024 and return a multitude of top contributors this spring. Unfortunately, do-it-all LSM Joe Filardi won't be a piece of the puzzle, having enrolled early at Syracuse to play quarterback with plans of ultimately joining the lacrosse program. However, Carolina-bound midfielder Anthony Raio is back in the mix after leading Long Island with 119 points and is arguably the best player in all of New York. He'll be flanked on offense by Harvard recruit Zach Marco, and on defense, junior Jake Casimento (Navy) returns after a strong end to his sophomore season. The ThunderColts may not be as loaded on paper as their peers, but they'll be a tough out.
7. Radnor (Pa.)
Radnor's four-year run was borderline unprecedented, and while most of the key multi-year contributors have moved on to college lacrosse, it would be a mistake to assume the Raptors won't challenge for a fifth straight PIAA title. Set to lead a lineup that will look rather different from a year ago, midfielder Sawyer Smith (Mt. St. Mary's), poles Jake Barber (Tampa) and Marcello Chadra (Florida Southern), and shortstick Tyler Vitale (Wesleyan) will provide senior leadership. Attackman Tommy Goldstein (Cornell) is the program's most experienced underclassman, while sophomore Finn Petrone is another capable scorer who got his feet wet on varsity last year.
8. Westfield (N.J.)
After finishing 16-6 and reaching the Kirst Cup title game in 2024, the Blue Devils return a strong core for 2025, even with key departures like lefty attackman Cody Lam (Princeton) and defenseman Michael Marshall (Cornell). The attack should be a team strength, led by seniors Garrett Ferguson (Washington & Lee) and Colin Coyle (UMass), while a deep midfield unit is also back. One of the top uncommitted 2025s, goalie Corey Gilford returns as a veteran presence, anchoring a defense bolstered by senior Drew Pravlik (Muhlenberg) and junior Ben Seward.
9. Highland Park (Texas)
The Scots' 2025 campaign is already underway, with Mike Pressler's squad off to a 7-1 start—the lone loss coming against No. 4 Culver (Ind.) on February 22. Defense is the team's backbone, led by Virginia signee Ben Boyer alongside senior Harrison Wheeler and UNC-bound junior Jackson Bond. Offensively, the Scots are averaging 12.75 goals per game, powered by a balanced mix of experienced seniors and rising underclassmen, including junior Hunt Henry (Duke) and talented lefty sophomore Harrison Brown.
10. Darien (Conn.)
A household name synonymous with success, Darien enters the season after graduating an elite senior class, including multi-year standouts like lefty attackman Brady Pokorny (Notre Dame), goalie Carter Hagen (Loyola), and midfielder Briggs McGuckin (Loyola). Fortunately for the Blue Wave, a talented junior class provides plenty of optimism, led by offensive threats Ben Bilodeau (Georgetown), Max McBride (Lafayette), and Ryan Thurlow (Villanova). As always, the seniors will be expected to lead, with rangy veterans like defenseman Mark McNamara (Penn State), his brother Connor at midfield, and returning goalie George Persinger (St. Lawrence) set to play key roles in 2025.
11. Garden City (N.Y.)
12. Ridgewood (N.J.)
13. Torrey Pines (Calif.)
14. Severna Park (Md.)
15. Ridgefield (Conn.)
16. Upper Arlington (Ohio)
17. Wantagh (N.Y.)
18. Lambert (Ga.)
19. Cherry Creek (Colo.)
20. Urbana (Md.)