GAMEDAY POWER POLL - BOYS LACROSSE
It's lacrosse time again and the Northern Region is loaded with talented, state title contenders in 2009...
Photo By Dave Berhardt \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Derek Kegerreis looks to anchor a strong Chantilly defense again in 2009. The Chargers will look to repeat as state champions, and start at the top of the 2009 Gameday Power Poll.
Photo By Gameday Magazine Staff | VIEW GALLERY
The Oakton Cougars have retooled from last year and will look to make a run at Chantilly for top honors in the Northern Region, led by defenseman Jack Tyler.
Photo By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
STERLING, VA - With Gamedaymagazine.com, and Gameday Radio, expanding coverage last Spring, to include boys lacrosse, we feel it only fitting we include this great sport in our weekly, and seasonal, Power Polls. There are many good teams in our area, evidenced by Northern Region teams dominating state tournament competition over the course of the past few seasons. So it's time we show some added love to these guys, and without furher ado, below is how the Top 10 begin the season, with 4 teams to look out for through the course of the season...
1. CHANTILLY (3-0)
Games Played: 8-3 win over #7 West Springfield; 8-3 win over Thomas Jefferson; 6-5 (3OT) win over #3 Robinson
This Week: at Herndon (3/27)
How sweet it must be for Chantilly. After capturing last year's state championship, the Chargers have once again raced out to a hot start, beating both West Springfield and then Robinson in a triple overtime thriller. At this point in the year, until someone knocks off Chantilly, they have to be considered the Northern Virginia area's top team. They travel out to face an up-and-coming Herndon squad this Friday, but a game most in the area will have their sights set on is a match-up with IAC power St. Albans next Saturday.
2. WOODSON (2-0)
Games Played: 10-9 win over #3 Robinson; 12-7 win over South Lakes
This Week: vs. Landon (3/25); vs. Marshall (3/27)
So who is the top contender to Chantilly? Well in our opinion it's Woodson. They might even be the area's top team, but until Chantilly loses, they'll have to settle for second-best. With a thrilling one-goal win over Robinson to open up the season, they've certainly made their mark, but we'll get a real good measure of this team when they host nationally renowned Landon (MD). In the past, the region's top teams have struggled against Landon, so any sign of success against the Bears has to be considered good news for Cavalier fans.
3. ROBINSON (2-2)
Games Played: 14-6 win over Lake Braddock; 10-9 loss to #2 Woodson; 8-4 win over Dulaney (MD); 6-5 (3OT) loss to #1 Chantilly
This Week: at Centreville (3/27)
Yes, we know Robinson has a .500 record, but trust us when we say they deserve to be ranked third. Heck, if it weren't for two untimely goals the Rams would be ranked in the top spot. Their two one-goal losses to #1 Chantilly and #2 Woodson have got to sting, but knowing head coach Justin Fitzgerald, this team will only get better as the season progresses. Plus, they already have a solid 8-4 win against Maryland public school power Dulaney on their résumé, so it's obvious this team can play. It's now a matter of closing out games for the Rams, a skill which will likely be developed over time.
4. OAKTON (3-1)
Games Played: 9-1 win over Richmond Lacrosse Club; 14-6 win over Herndon; 8-2 win over Fairfax; 9-6 loss to #10 Westfield
This Week: vs. Georgetown Prep (3/26)
Despite a loss to #10 Westfield, the Oakton Cougars are still very much a top contender. Don't let one game fool you. Remember, this team might still be adjusting a bit to new head coach Dave Guill who took over for the very successful Tony Gray. They already have a solid win against upstart Herndon under their belt but they'll really get a test when Georgetown Prep comes to town. The Little Hoyas of Georgetown Prep finished off last year nationally ranked, making this by far the toughest game on Oakton's schedule but the Cougars never seem to mind. Every year they schedule the toughest teams possible and every year they're in the hunt for a region and state title. It's a formula that works and we wouldn't be surprised one bit if it worked again this year.
5. LANGLEY (1-0)
Games Played: 15-1 win over Marshall
This Week: at McLean (3/25); at Thomas Jefferson (3/27)
It's extremely tough to get a read on Langley at this point seeing as they've only played one game, but judging by past history, this team should once again be a major threat. It'll be a while before the Saxons will be tested, but they'll have their hands full later next week when they take on #9 Stone Bridge and Northwest Region powerhouse Albemarle. Expect to see more of this team's identity to be revealed then.
6. MADISON (5-0)
Games Played: 8-7 win over #10 Westfield; 8-7 win over #8 Loudoun Valley; 17-11 win over Yorktown; 10-8 win over South Lakes; 17-5 win over Thomas Jefferson
This Week: vs. #9 Stone Bridge
What's not to like about Madison at this point? They're undefeated and with strong wins over #8 Loudoun Valley and #10 Westfield, they could be on their way to contending for a region championship. If they take care of business against #9 Stone Bridge on Friday and then knock off Woodson next week you can bet this team will soon enter the discussion for a region championship, not to mention their Power Poll ranking will soar.
7. WEST SPRINGFIELD (3-1)
Games Played: 8-3 loss to #1 Chantilly; 5-4 win over #10 Westfield; 18-0 win over T.C. Williams; 15-1 win over West Potomac
This Week: at Hayfield (3/26)
We're not sure who the best team in the Patriot is at this point, but it's tough to ignore West Springfield's body of work so far. After an 8-3 setback against #1 Chantilly to open up the season, they rebounded nicely with a 5-4 win over #10 Westfield. We'll get to know a lot more about this team next week when they battle Annandale, a game that will likely determine the Patriot's best team.
8. LOUDOUN VALLEY (1-1)
Games Played: 8-7 loss to #6 Madison; 14-3 win over Heritage
This Week: vs. Dominion (3/26)
Loudoun Valley may have started off on the wrong foot, but this is a team we'll likely hear from a lot. Since moving away from the Northern Region following the 2007 season, not much has been heard from the Vikings, but with an improved squad in 2009 that will likely all change. They have a relatively easy couple of games coming up, but after that they'll need to shift gears real fast as they'll be playing three high-end Northern Region teams in three days.
9. STONE BRIDGE (4-0)
Games Played: 18-0 win over Wakefield; 13-1 win over Washington-Lee; 13-3 win over Marshall; 15-2 win over Falls Church
This Week: at Broad Run (3/25); at Madison (3/27)
Maybe the biggest surprise so far out of any area school is the play of Stone Bridge. They've yet to play a ranked team but have smacked around two fairly competitive National District schools. We wouldn't be surprised one bit to see Stone Bridge qualify for regionals, but they'll get to prove their worth this Friday when they take on #6 Madison. A win against the Warhawks will certainly put the area on notice that they are in fact serious about contending.
10. WESTFIELD (2-3)
Games Played: 8-7 loss to #6 Madison; 5-4 loss to #7 West Springfield; 7-4 win over Centreville; 9-7 loss to Herndon; 9-6 win over #4 Oakton
This Week: at Fairfax (3/27)
Just when it looked like Westfield was ready to completely fall off the radar screen, they regroup and beat #4 Oakton by a score of 9-6. If they can replicate their play against Oakton throughout the rest of the year, then you can bet the Bulldogs will be right in the thick of things in the postseason. While they have lost three games already, we're also willing to give Westfield a bit of a longer leash than others, because of a coaching change.
HONORABLE MENTION
Annandale (4-0): Should enter the Power Poll with a win over #7 West Springfield next week.
Herndon (3-1): As if the Concorde wasn't stacked already. Having Herndon start to play well just makes the district all the more impressive.
George Mason (5-0): Single-A George Mason, which competes in the AA Dulles District for lacrosse, is the best team no one has heard about.
Broad Run (1-1): AA runner-ups from last year will have their hands full with George Mason but deserve an honorable mention based in large part to last year's success.
