By Taryn Hannam-Zatz
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 3/25/15
The TopLaxRecruits.com Preseason New England Rankings:
1. Deerfield Academy (MA) (15-1 last season)
The Big Green is a co-favorite in the New England West race. Their season heats up immediately when Deerfield plays Brunswick School (2) in its opener on Saturday.
2. Brunswick School (CT) 15-3
The Bruins is another New England West favorite and will face their first big game when they play No. 1 Deerfield Academy on Saturday. They opened their season Tuesday with a 17-5 win over West Linn (OR) in Florida and play 5-0 Kent Denver today.
3. Darien (CT) 23-0
The Blue Wave was the Connecticut M (mid-sized) state champion and top Public School team in the final TopLaxRecruits Rankings last year and is a favorite this year at the L (large school division).
4. Avon Old Farms (CT) 16-3
The Winged Beavers are the defending Founders League champions. They opened Monday with a win over Woodberry Forest (VA).
5. Greenwich (CT) 20-3
The Cardinals were the large-school state champions last year and will have to get past Darien this season.
6. Duxbury (MA) 19-4
The Dragons reached the Division I state finals last year and have a strong senior class.
7. Acton Boxborough (MA) 21-3
The Colonials are the defending Division I state champions.
8. Salisbury School (CT) 11-5
The Crimson Knights will challenge again in the New England West.
9. Hotchkiss School (CT) 9-7
The Bearcats will again challenge in the Founders League.
10. New Canaan (CT) 17-5
The Rams fell in the Class M state finals last year and will be a favorite in 2015.
Under consideration: Belmont Hill (MA) 14-2, Bishop Guertin (NH) 19-2, Brewster Academy (NH) 18-2, Champlain Valley (VT) 17-1; Dover-Sherborn (MA) 18-3, Fairfield Prep (CT) 14-6, Hingham (MA) 19-5, LaSalle Academy (RI) 13-2, Lincoln-Sudbury (MA) 16-7, Longmeadow (MA) 21-2, Medfield (MA) 23-2, Needham (MA) 18-3, Ridgefield (CT) 16-5, Shrewsbury (MA) 20-5; Simsbury (CT) 18-2, St. John’s Shrewsbury (MA) 19-2, Taft School (CT) 12-4; Thayer Academy (MA) 18-1, Westfield (MA) 17-4, Xaverian Bros (MA) 18-4.
Girls
1. Darien (CT) 21-2
The Blue Wave is the defending large school champion and returns a strong senior class.
2. Westwood (MA) 24-0 last season
The Wolverines had a perfect season in 2014 that ended in a Division I state title. They lost a strong senior class, but look to reload.
3. Glastonbury (CT) 19-1
The Tomahawks lost only to Darien in the state finals last year and look to contend again for the crown.
4. Wilton (CT) 19-4
The Warriors are the defending Class M state champions and return a strong senior class.
5. New Canaan (15-7)
The Rams lost in the Class M state finals last year and return several key D1 recruits.
6. Notre Dame Academy (MA) 20-3-1
The Cougars reached the Division I state quarterfinals last year and looks to contend again for a state crown.
7. Needham (MA) 19-3-1
The Rockets return a number of Division I commits and should contend for a Division I state title.
8. North Andover (MA) 21-2-1
The Scarlet Knights reached the Division I state semifinals last year and should contend again for state honors.
9. Longmeadow (MA) 23-2
The Lancers fell to Westwood in the Division I state finals and look to contend for state gold again.
10. Pinkerton Academy (NH) 18-3
The Astros seek to win a third straight Division I state championship.
Under consideration: Avon (CT) 17-3, Bromfield School (MA) 21-1, Burr and Burton (VT) 15-3, Cheshire (CT) 15-6, Concord-Carlisle (MA) 17-3-1, Duxbury (CT) 19-4, Franklin (MA) 19-4, Greenwich Academy (CT) 16-1, Hotchkiss (CT) 10-2, Loomis Chaffee (CT) 11-5, Medfield (MA) 17-4, Noble & Greenough (MA) 13-1, Souhegan (NH) 18-3, South Burlington (VT) 14-5, St. Mark’s (MA) 15-2, St. Paul’s School (NH) 15-1, Staples (CT) 10-7.