Shore Sports Insider 2026 Week 1 Girls Lacrosse Top 10
Shore Sports Insider Girls Lacrosse 2026 Week 1 Rankings
1. Rumson-Fair Haven (0-0), 2025 Record: 19-4
RFH’s Chloe Kelly (Photo by Tom Smith tspsportsimages.com)
Since Amy O’Keefe began as the head coach at Rumson-Fair Haven, the program has seen success unlike any other. In her 23 years at the helm, Coach O’Keefe has amassed 385 wins and getting past the 400 mark is a real possibility this year. The team lost some major pieces including last year’s Shore Sports Insider Player of the Year and team captain Rachel James who is now playing at Loyola Maryland. The Bulldogs are well equipped to withstand losses because their roster is stacked with high-end talent who have committed to play division 1, including junior goalie Sydney Kiernan (Michigan), junior midfielder Chloe Kelly (Ohio State), senior defender Chase Memmott (William & Mary), junior midfielder Harbour Goldsmith (Rutgers University), junior midfielder Reese Lydon (Jacksonville University), and junior midfielder Aly Megaw (Colorado).
2. Southern (2-0), 2025 Record: 14-7
Southern’s Mackenzie Sininsky (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
After finishing as runner-ups in both Group 4 and the Shore Conference Tournament last season, the Rams are right back to where they left off as one of the top teams in the Shore Conference. Lori Johnson’s squad picked up wins over Holy Spirit and Allentown, the latter of which is ranked the tenth highest team in the state in NJ Advance Media’s preseason poll. Johnson’s squad is an experienced group who will be a problem for whoever they play. Sophomore midfielder Mackenzie Sininsky has seemingly taken her game to another level by putting up eight goals and four assists in her first two games which could potentially be by the start of a Player of the Year campaign. Senior defender Julia Barry was also fantastic for the Rams last week forcing six turnovers. Returning senior Adyson Griffin (Merrimack) is expected to be one of the top goalies in the Shore Conference.
3. Trinity Hall (0-0), 2025 Record 14-7
Trinity Hall’s Chiara Donohue (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Last year was another strong season for Dana Lenneper’s Monarchs after finishing 5-1 in the American Division. Trinity Hall should be a force to be reckoned with offensively as well as they are returning their top two goal scorers from a year ago in juniors Chiara Donohue (Duke) and O’Malley Eldridge (Army) who each scored over 40 goals last season and are poised to build upon last year’s strong seasons. The Monarchs also return sophomore goalie Anna Pharo who came on strong when splitting time in the net last year as a freshman and will be the full-time starter this season. Junior Winnie Popham (Loyola Maryland) projects as one of the top defenders this season.
4. Manasquan (2-0), 2025 Record: 11-11
After a down year in 2025 with a young roster, new head coach Rachel Lazda’s Warriors could not have gotten off to a better start as they finished last week out-scoring Wall 12-2 and Red Bank Catholic 16-2. The Warriors have gotten a good mix of performances from each class. Sophomore attacker Chloe Stevens led the way with nine goals. Junior midfielder Dylan Carnahan finished with four goals and three assists, and senior defenders Logan McCarthy, an Albany commit, and Gwen O’Connor each forced 3 turnovers.
5. Middletown South (0-0), 2025 Record: 12-7
Middletown South’s Anna Stumberger (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Last year was an up-and-down year for Rob Grella’s squad. After starting last year 8-2 including wins over Southern and Red Bank Regional, the Eagles faltered down the stretch with a 4-5 record to end the year at 12-7. South is returning 2025 Second Team All-Shore attacker Anna Stumberger, a St. Leo commit, and Third Team All-Shore defender Abigail Gallagher. Their biggest X-factor will be Sophia Harper who is tasked with replacing 2025 First Team All-Shore goalie Anna Weise. If Harper can provide similar production in net, South will be a difficult outing.
6. Red Bank (1-0), 2025 Record: 12-7
Brook Connell’s Bucs look poised to build off lat season after they took down Ocean 19-6. The senior duo of Karlie Ruland (Rhode Island) and Chloe Keating each put together a six-goal day and both now have over 100 career goals. The biggest question for teams playing Red Bank this year will be how to stop that duo. The biggest X-factor on the team might be senior defender Kathleen Deverin. The TCNJ commit had a goal, two assists and 11 draw controls in the win against Ocean.
7. Shore (0-0), 2025 Record 16-6
Shore’s Ava Matthews (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Troy Madison’s Blue Devils’ squad had an excellent 2025 season in which they reached the semifinals of both the sectional and Shore Conference Tournament. Although this year’s team is going to look a little different for the Blue Devils, this is still a very talented roster. Madison’s squad received very heavy offensive production from its seniors last year. Replacing Gabby O’Brien (Boston University) who had 75 goals last year will be a tall task. Although junior attacker Ava Matthews (George Washington) is someone who could have a big year after finishing with 41 goals a year ago. With just two seniors in the program, the Blue Devils will need young players to step up quickly in order to remain competitive in the top division.
8. Central (1-0), 2025 Record 13-7
Ciara Kvalheim’s Golden Eagles squad got their season off to a strong start with an 18-4 win over Jackson to kick off their season. Central was 6-1 in the Colonial Division last year and should be poised to have another strong year. This a balanced roster in both play style as well as experience. Last year’s Shore Sports Insider Freshman of the Year Addison Frulio had eight points against Jackson (six goals and two assists). While junior Logan Lisewski and senior Brianna Nelson each had six-point days. Central once again looks poised to win another Colonial Division title.
9. Barnegat (0-0), 2025 Record 16-7
Barnegat’s Ella Tortorici (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Lyndsey Torre begins year number 11 at the helm with a Bengals squad whose roster is going to have to find answers on how to replace their top two defenders. Senior Allie Soden is one of the best goalies in the Shore Conference, and junior Ella Tortorici (Mount St. Mary’s) put together a terrific all-around season last year. Expect the Bengals to contend for a Colonial Division title again.
10. Manalapan (0-0), 2025 Record 11-8
Scott Horton’s Braves were strong in 2025 and should have another good season in 2026. The Braves are only returning 4 starters although they return junior midfielder Aryelle Stein (American University) and senior midfielder Madison Alcantara (Virginia Commonwealth). Stein scored 100 goals and also won 118 draw controls last year.
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Point Boro (0-0), 2025 Record: 10-8
Toms River East (0-0), 2025 Record: 11-7
Wall (2-1), 2025 Record: 4-15
