Here are the Top 10 team rankings to open the 2023 girls soccer season
As a new high school girls soccer season gets underway in the Lower Hudson Valley, it's time to rank the top teams around in the early part of the 2023 campaign.
10. North Rockland
The Red Raiders were young last year and while there may be some more growing pains this season, they also have the potential to take a big step forward. Megan McGovern (Winthrop commit) and Caroline Tomas (Albany) lead the team as experienced seniors, but there are many other starters back who were inserted into starting roles as underclassmen last year.
9. Tappan Zee
Last year was a turnaround season for the Dutchmen, and they'll look to build off that promise this season. The departure of standout goalkeeper Helena Kaczmarczyk will sting, but the Dutchmen has plenty of talent in other areas while they break in their new goalies. Tappan Zee started the season with a solid 3-0 showing against Clarkstown North.
8. Irvington
After picking up its first state title in program history, the Bulldogs will be moving up to Class A this fall after realignment. While the Bulldogs graduated some key players, they do return half of their starting lineup and have an experienced group. There will be tougher challenges ahead, but they'll look to make their mark.
7. Pearl River
Pearl River graduated a couple of key players and multi-year starters, including two-time all-state standout Marissa Graziano. While there are big shoes to fill, the Pirates have a strong soccer tradition and a hard-nosed style that has translated into success over the years. There's a promising young group on the rise and they've won their first few games so far.
6. John Jay-East Fishkill
Much like rival Arlington, the Patriots had their share of departures to graduation, but the Patriots have always found a way to stay among the top in their class. They'll be in the hunt in Class AAA behind returning top scorer Ava Jordan and Kaleigh Horos.
5. Rye
The Garnets were young last season but remained a formidable unit after their section finals appearance in 2021. This year, they're looking to take a leap behind all-state returner Maddy Walsh and versatile two-time all-section player Isabel Harvey. They have 10 of 11 starters back in action.
4. Scarsdale
The Raiders got a taste of the section finals last season and will look to get back there in Class AAA. The Raiders have plenty of balance and experience across their lineup. They may have lost their opener to Arlington in a rematch of last season's Section 1 Class AA finals, but the 1-0 overtime result proves they're good enough to be back in the running once again.
3. Arlington
The Admirals were hit hard by graduation, but they've proven to be a well-oiled machine that finds a way to win and produce talent. All-state returners Kayla Kalbaugh and Riley Pettigrew will help lead the way, but Arlington's championship pedigree speaks for itself. It has won section titles in six of the last seven years.
2. Somers
Expect the Tuskers to contend in the new-look Section 1 Class AA landscape. All-state standout Julia Arbelaez is back after a high-scoring breakout season where she lit up the scoreboard, and so is Fordham commit Annie Maguire and two-year captain Jordan McMorrow, as well as a handful of talent that is now older and wiser.
1. Albertus Magnus
The Falcons return to the top of the rankings to open the new season once again. Last season, Albertus Magnus captured the NYSPHSAA Class A title and did so without a single loss and only two goals allowed to in-state opponents. The Falcons have plenty of returners and Division I-committed talent in their quest to defend their title.
On the bubble: Mahopac, Yorktown, Suffern, Mamaroneck, Ossining, Harrison, Clarkstown North, Horace Greeley, Pleasantville, Byram Hills, Edgemont, Pelham
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud girls soccer: Top 10 team rankings to open 2023 season
