In girls’ lacrosse, Division 1 is loaded with legitimate state title contenders

All four divisions of MIAA girls’ lacrosse have talented teams, but none stack up quite like Division 1.

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In the MIAA power rankings, has a whopping 12 teams with a rating above 8. To put that into perspective, has five, and and have one.

The headliner is D1 newcomer Notre Dame (Hingham). The Cougars won three consecutive state championships in Division 2 from 2022-2024, and lost in the state semifinals to Reading last spring.

This year, NDA (16-1) is more battle-tested than anyone, with wins over 11 teams in the Globe’s Top 20 poll.

“We love playing against the fast, disciplined opponents; the perennial powerhouses,” said NDA coach Meredith McGinnis. “Because that makes you a better team, and you have to embrace those challenges.”

The top-ranked Cougars are looking forward to facing a new set of opponents in the state tournament.

While NDA won’t have the same level of familiarity with the teams in its path, McGinnis is more focused on ensuring execution than any level of scouting.

“There’s nothing that we are focusing on specifically for opponents that are unfamiliar to us,” McGinnis said.

After graduating a phenomenal senior class last spring, the Cougars have a much younger squad. Yet they are on a 15-game winning streak, as seniors Paige Foraste and Taylor Watts, and junior Sadie Lopez, have done a lot to help fill the leadership void.

The best might still be yet to come.

“I don’t know that I could actually define what our best would be,” said McGinnis. “Understanding our potential, I think it’s still to be determined.”

While NDA is the frontrunner, Westford — fourth in the power rankings and 12th in the Globe Top 20 — is hungry for more after falling to Concord-Carlisle in the state championship last spring.

The Ghosts (14-3) have won eight straight, including victories over Chelmsford and Dual County League nemesis C-C, the second and third-ranked teams in Division 1.

“This winning streak isn’t new news. The team’s been dialed in and playing competitive lacrosse since Day 1,” said coach Julie Olivier.

Westford graduated three-time All-American Kassidy Carmichael, who is playing lacrosse and ice hockey at Ohio State. But younger sister Kiley, a junior committed to Arizona State, has led the group to contention yet again. And Kassidy’s influence has not left this season’s squad.

“All the girls on the team benefited from [Kassidy’s] talent. She took the time to teach everyone, so I’m not surprised that this team is playing how they’re playing,” Olivier said. “They learned from one of the best.”

Olivier knows that this group has what it takes to win in a stacked tournament field.

“I’ve felt confident since we walked off the Babson campus last spring,” said Olivier.

Outside of the top five, Franklin has serious potential to knock off any of the top contenders. Sitting at 10th in the power rankings, the Panthers (16-0) are the only undefeated team in D1.

Belmont (13-5), ranked 15th, also is a dark horse. Just one from tying its program record for wins entering the postseason, a two-game run to the Elite Eight would become the best season in program history.

Belmont had an 11-year postseason drought before the arrival of fourth-year coach Dan O’Brien. He guided the Marauders back to the playoffs in his first season, and they have since finished top-15 in the power rankings three straight years.

“There’s a lot of pride in terms of having moved the program forward and into some relevance,” said O’Brien.

Leading the way is senior Fairfield commit Niamh Lesnik, who is barely off the pace for the school record in points. The Marauders also have six other contributors on pace for 30 or more points this season.

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“It’s very obvious when teams have scouted, and I think that not being one-dimensional is so important,” said Lesnik.

Heading into the postseason on a five-game win streak, capped off by a 13-12 win over Central Catholic, Belmont is playing its best down the stretch.

“Knowing that we can battle and beat strong teams was a really good boost going into the postseason,” Lesnik said.

▪ In Division 2, while usual suspects Reading, Walpole, Hingham, and Duxbury are all contenders, Dartmouth (12-2, 11th in power rankings) has emerged as a potential sleeper.

Seniors Lily Gangi (27 goals, 26 assists) and Avery Smith (32 goals) lead a balanced offense. Classmates Arden Dennehy and Emma Joaquin, plus juniors Sydney Hart, Daley Calabrese, and goalie Letty Nelson are the leaders defensively.

Coach Nicole Simas emphasized how the hot start has paid dividends throughout the season. Dartmouth is focused on changing the narrative and proving itself.

“I am very proud of this team and how hard they have worked together all season long,” Simas said. “They have developed a special bond, which makes the environment so fun to be a part of.”

▪ Nauset (13-5), ranked No. 15 in the power rankings, will try to bust some brackets in Division 3.

Merrimack-bound senior standout Julia Kipperman has 372 career goals. Senior Norah Swanson is a dependable goalie, and junior defenders Nikki Tracy, Maddie Coccoro, Colby Shipman, and Jordan Nye provide grit, hustle, and stability.

“Offensively, we have scrappy midfielders and freshmen starting at key positions,” said coach Heather Stevens. “Teamwork has been a major factor this season.”

▪ Nantucket (13-2) is No. 8 in Division 4 and eyeing a deep run under first-year coach Kelly Brown.

“I knew I would be working with a dedicated and talented group of players,” Brown said. “These girls have exceeded my expectations.”

Sophomore Louisa Beni(53 goals, 84 draw controls, 55 ground balls) is shooting above 73 percent, junior Grace Hanlon (35 goals, 45 ground balls) brings explosiveness and energy, and senior Dylan Damian (39 goals, 26 assists) is the offensive leader.

Senior Myah Johnson(37 caused turnovers, 43 ground balls), is the defensive leader, while junior goalie Ella Douglas has 77 saves and plays with a unique level of quickness.

Brown noted that about half of the team’s goals are assisted, and the Whalers have more than 200 caused turnovers.

“I am so proud of this team and just how coachable they have been throughout the past couple months,” Brown said.

Tuesday, Swampscott at Masconomet, 4:30 p.m. — Both teams will benefit from a final Northeastern Conference tune-up prior to the postseason.

Tuesday, Medfield at Grafton, 5 p.m. — The Warriors will face another test against a Grafton team that is capable of making a run in Division 2.

Wednesday, No. 9 Franklin at No. 18 Bishop Feehan, 3:45 p.m. — The Panthers, currently 10th in the Division 1 power rankings, have something to prove against fifth-ranked Feehan.

Wednesday, Hamilton-Wenham at No. 19 Newburyport, 4 p.m. — Evie Bernard and the Generals will try to take down the Clippers and give themselves a boost in the power rankings.

Wednesday, No. 4 Cohasset at No. 7 Sandwich, 4:30 p.m. — It won’t be easy, but Sandwich has a chance to make a major statement before entering the Division 4 tournament as the frontrunner.

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Correspondent Trevor Hass contributed to this story.