Girls lacrosse: Private-school team leaps into latest Top 10 rankings

Nyack remains Section 1's lone undefeated team and held on to the No. 1 spot in The Journal News/lohud girls lacrosse weekly rankings.

This week's rankings find a newcomer in Rye Country Day, as well as some shuffling after the top five.

Note: Records reflect games played through April 21.

Top 10 rankings

10. North Rockland (5-4) and Rye Country Day (7-0) — Better things should still be expected from North Rockland, which doesn't seem to have fully hit its stride. But the Red Raiders are winning the games they should and have only lost to ranked teams. With Rye Country Day, the refrain is a familiar one: It's almost impossible to rank private schools that don't play public schools. But the Wildcats have been so dominant this season, they earn at least a shared spot. Previously: North Rockland 10, Rye Country Day not ranked

9. Pelham (4-3) — It seems harsh to drop Pelham three places because of a two-goal loss last week to then-No. 9 Bronxville. But, with the exception of Bronxville, the Pelicans haven't played a really strong team since March. They have to step up now to prove themselves and have three games this week, none against a ranked squad but also none against a pushover. Games vs. seven-win Pleasantville and better-than-its-record Mamaroneck could be particularly interesting. Previously: 6

8 . Bronxville (5-4) — The Broncos' 5-4 mark may not be a record that jumps off the page, but considering the Broncos' 1-3 start, maybe it should. Last week's two-goal win over then-No. 6 Pelham should help to instill more confidence in this squad. That said, it's very unlikely Bronxville will take down Rye this week and it will have to be careful against Mamaroneck. Previously: 9

7. Yorktown (9-3) — The Huskers stay put despite two losses last week. Both came to tough out-of-area teams. This week, they'll play Somers and another out-of-area squad. Previously: 7

6. Albertus Magnus (7-1) — The Falcons easily won the one game they played last week. This week, they're also scheduled to only play one and should leave the field with another win as they ready for next week's big game vs. Nyack. Schedule strength is a concern but Magnus' win over Wappingers helps its ranking. Previously: 8

Last week's poll: Who deserves your votes for Player of the Week?

5. John Jay-Cross River (8-2) — In a good defensive battle, the Wolves dropped a 6-4 game to Suffern last week and also beat two out-of-area squads. This week, they have two games and should win both. Previously: 5

4. Ursuline (6-1) — The Koalas, who won their one game last week, will play two this week. They'll be an underdog vs. Rye since Rye's only Section 1 loss was close and came to top-ranked Nyack. But, like Rye, Ursuline has some very good, college-bound players. So the game should be fairly close. Previously: 4

3. Suffern (7-1) — After going 2-0 last week, including a two-goal win over John Jay-Cross River, the Mounties will play a lot of out-of-area teams this week and next, with White Plains also squeezed into the mix. They likely won't run the table but, then, the idea of playing strong, non-Section 1 teams is simply to improve. Previously: 3

2. Rye (7-2) — Rye's losses came by two goals (Nyack) and one goal (Ridgefield, Connecticut, last week). Last week, the Garnets also routed Scarsdale and edged Wilton, Connecticut. Rye will be favored but expect close games this week vs. also-ranked Bronxville and Ursuline, which will no doubt be hyped to play Rye. Previously: 2

1.Nyack (8-0) — How good is Nyack? Well, the Red Hawks are now nationally-ranked. Even after beating Rye by just two goals, Nyack is winning by an average of 10 goals per game. Horace Greeley is a solid team but fell to the Red Hawks, 17-8 last week. Previously: 1

On the bubble: Horace Greeley (5-3), White Plains (7-3), Wappingers (7-2)

Nancy Haggerty covers cross-country, track & field, field hockey, skiing, ice hockey, basketball, girls lacrosse and other sporting events for The Journal News/lohud. Follow her on Twitter at @HaggertyNancy.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud girls lacrosse: Rye Country Day leaps into latest Top 10 rankings