Bronxville defeated Croton 3-1 in field hockey action at Bronxville High School Sept. 20, 2016.
In the coming days, the Lohud field hockey rankings could very well shuffle. Huge games are on tap in the next 10 days.
But despite some unexpected happenings this past week – Lakeland tying Darien and Scarsdale and Rye also battling to a draw – the rankings remain much the same entering the second full week in October.
1. Lakeland: So the absurd winning streak is over. But, of course, Lakeland still hasn’t lost in four years after Saturday’s overtime tie with Darien, Connecticut. The Hornets are still perfect in New York since 2010 and unbeaten in the state since 2008. Winners of seven straight state championships, they remain perched atop the rankings, right where they belong. (Previous ranking: 1)
2. Scarsdale: Given how it has played this year, last week’s tie vs. Rye was a surprise, even though Rye, while not nearly as deep as last year, is a very, very good team. But at 12-1-1, the Raiders keep the No. 2 spot. (PR: 2)
3. Mamaroneck: The Tigers are probably already looking ahead, just as a kid starts thinking about Christmas moments after draining the last piece of candy from the Halloween bag. Mamaroneck will play Lakeland Saturday and will play Scarsdale (the only team to beat the Tigers this season) a week from Monday. Those will be big tests and no doubt hugely entertaining games. Are the Hornets vulnerable after Saturday’s tie? Could the Tigers end the state’s most impressive unbeaten streak? Might No. 3 become No. 1 next week? Stay tuned. (PR: 3)
4. Rye: The Garnets beat an up-and-down team in John Jay by one goal. Then the Garnets went out and tied one-loss Scarsdale. Go figure. But that game serves notice Rye will be a big contender at sectionals. Still, it can’t budge from the No. 4 spot. (PR: 4)
5. Bronxville: The Broncos kept rolling along last week and are 11-3 and 3-0 in league play. There are teams with more impressive records, but those teams haven’t played Scarsdale, Mamaroneck and Rye – teams, it should be noted, from schools with many more students. (PR 5)
6. Clarkstown South: The 10-2 Vikings lost by four goals to Scarsdale last week. That was further proof, after a four-goal loss to Mamaroneck, the Vikings are very good, just not elite. Still, they are the top team in the second group of five. (PR: 6)
7. Horace Greeley: Questions remain about their ability to score, but the Quakers have a very solid 8-4 record, are undefeated in league play and have had a tough schedule (PR: 7)
8. Somers: The 11-2-1 Tuskers had a light week, edging a pair of above-average teams in Panas and Brewster. This week, they play only once, against Lourdes, a team that they should easily handle. (PR: 8)
9. Croton: At 12-1 and 3-0 in league play, the Tigers have proven their worth all season. With only a few games left on their regular-season schedule, they have a chance for a 15-win season – and maybe many more wins in sectional play. (PR: 9)
10. (Tie) Nyack and Valhalla: Nyack hangs on to the No. 10 spot, although sharing it this week with Valhalla. The Indians lost to No. 6 Clarkstown South last week, but by a respectable 2-0 score; they are 8-3-1. Valhalla, at 10-1-2, has only lost to Croton. But the Vikings will have a huge test Friday, facing Bronxville. (Nyack PR 10; Valhalla: not ranked)
Twitter:@HaggertyNancy
Clarkstown South’s Paige Danehy, right, guards Mamaroneck’s Annie O’Neill during their game at Mamaroneck High School on Tuesday.
Bronxville defeated Croton 3-1 in field hockey action at Bronxville High School Sept. 20, 2016.
