Sunday Funday: Which are the best teams in RI girls lacrosse? Eric Rueb breaks the divisions down

After writing rankings for softball and volleyball — with Bill Koch handling baseball — last week, I made the decision that we couldn’t leave lacrosse out of the fun.

But we’re going to have to set some ground rules.

The first — and perhaps most important — rule is that the coaches have to make an effort to reach out to the Providence Journal daily and send in scores and stats. This isn’t happening and for someone trying to keep up with what’s going on, it’s making life difficult.

Coaches can email us at PJSports@ProvidenceJournal.com or call 401-277-7340 with results, which we need before 10 p.m. We’re looking for the highlights — we need the top two or three goal-scorers on the winning team, who had a big game for the losing team. If a goalie had a big game, sure, add them to the mix. If there was a big goal that changed the game — or a game-winner — mention it in the email or on the phone so we can write it up.

Second, if you’re not going to participate in getting scores to us, please at least update the information on the RIIL website. There are games from last week with no results anywhere.

Finally, update your rosters. Like immediately. Names — spelled correctly — and numbers should have been on the RIIL site on opening day. It’s not just me who needs them — it’s the TV guys, the photographers and anyone else who wants to know who is who. Stop reading this column now and go make sure you’re updated.

So if these things can get done, I’ll gladly make this a weekly feature for the remainder of the season. With four divisions for the girls, I’ll rank four in D-I, five in D-II and III and three in D-IV and I’ll do it every Saturday night.

Let’s get started.

Providence Journal Girls Lacrosse Power Rankings

DIVISION I

1. Moses Brown

The Quakers (7-0) were already the toughest game on everyone’s calendar, but now with a chip on their shoulders after last spring they’re even tougher to beat. Moses Brown opened the season with close wins over Barrington and East Greenwich and hasn’t been challenged since. The Quakers have Portsmouth on Monday before traveling to take on Barrington on Thursday night in a rematch of last year’s state title game.

2. East Greenwich

Talk about a rebirth. The Avengers (5-1) haven’t been this good in 10 years so it appears that they are, as one player DM’d me, on the come-up. East Greenwich put up a fight vs. Moses Brown in the second game of the season but Saturday’s win over Barrington rubber-stamped their presence. EG will have to keep things going this week at home against Prout on Tuesday and at SK on Friday.

3. Barrington

While the rank might make it seem like the Eagles (5-2) are down, it’s hardly the case. Barrington opened the season with a loss to Moses Brown and while Saturday’s loss to East Greenwich wasn’t good, it will hardly shape the season. The Eagles know better than anyone that titles aren’t won in April, so they'll get back on that grind for Thursday’s big game against Moses Brown.

4. La Salle

You can pardon the Rams (3-4) slow start to the season. After losing senior Kate Grivers to injury days before the season started, La Salle was bound to struggle early. The Rams have won three of their last four and start the second half of the season on Friday at home against Portsmouth. If La Salle builds momentum, it could end up being a dark horse contender in the state title race.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Lincoln School (2-3), Portsmouth (2-4).

DIVISION II

1. Chariho

The Chargers, Middletown and North Kingstown all have three losses and with no discernable tiebreaker, it comes down to one thing — who can put the ball in the back of the net. Chariho does it better than anyone in D-II and it’s why the team deserves the top rank right now. The Super Chargers have to bounce back from Friday’s loss to NK when it gets back on the field next Saturday against Cranston West.

2. Middletown

Last week, the Islanders beat North Kingstown, who beat Chariho, so pardon me if none of these ranks makes sense. Middletown is grinding out wins right now and that gives it a certain edge you can’t replicate in blowouts. The Islanders have to keep focus this week with a home game against Cranston West on Thursday and home against Burrillville on Saturday, if they want to maintain this spot.

3. North Kingstown

It's probably unfair to rank the Skippers third, but at this point of the season, it is what it is. The last time the Skippers were in D-II they won the title. But after struggling in D-I, they’re the big dogs — literally, with the largest enrollment in the division — in D-II up against some smaller programs. NK will have to keep its focus and if it does, it won’t be long until the program is back where it belongs.

4. Burrillville

One of Division II’s smallest programs continues to battle like nobody else. The Broncos won the 2021 D-III title, then backed that up with a finals appearance in D-II last spring. They are on a three-game win streak and have three games this week at home — against Cumberland on Monday and Pilgrim on Wednesday before playing at Middletown on Saturday. If the Broncos take them all, it’s going to make them scary confident.

5. Cranston West

Right now it looks like a four-team race for the title, but there’s no reason why the Falcons can’t get in the mix. Two of West’s losses were by a goal, but last Friday’s win over Pilgrim got it turned in the right direction. This week the Falcons will find out how much work needs to be done if they want to win a title as they play at Middletown on Thursday before hosting Chariho on Saturday.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Mt. Hope (2-2), Pilgrim (2-3).

DIVISION III

1. Narragansett

Look at the Mariners. Back where they belong — in D-III, Narragansett is 5-0 and has dominated every team it has faced. This week, the Mariners will face their toughest stretch of the season as they play at Westerly on Monday afternoon before hosting Bay View on Wednesday. If 'Gansett comes away with a pair of convincing wins, it’s going to create a sizeable gap over the rest of the division.

2. Westerly

The top two teams are a fine example of what small school athletics are supposed to be and Monday’s matchup with Narragansett might end up being the D-III title game preview. Westerly is crazy young, but with solid senior leadership and freshmen who can handle a starring role, it looks more than ready for Monday’s challenge. The Bulldogs will have to keep focus after the game because it has PCD on Wednesday and a tough battle with Bay View on Saturday.

3. East Providence

Last year’s D-III champ isn’t going to just hand over the title. Last week didn’t start great with a loss to Westerly, but the Townies rebounded and took down PCD on Wednesday. This week they have back-to-back road games — at Johnston and Rogers. The Townies have talent and the first week of May is going to tell us how good this team can be.

4. Ponaganset

For a school with no feeder program in the two towns, the Chieftains have put out a pretty solid product. Ponaganset’s loss to Westerly on Wednesday was its first game since losing to Narragansett on April 10, but the Chieftains came through with a thrilling 10-9 win over PCD on Friday. This week is tough with a game at Bay View on Monday, a home against Cranston East on Tuesday and a home again on Thursday against Rocky Hill.

5. Bay View

There are teams with more wins, but thanks to a scheduling quirk, the Bengals have played only two games. Bay View’s strength is All-State goalie Kate Shields and with four games this week — at home for Ponaganset on Monday, on the road vs. Rogers on Tuesday, Narragansett on Wednesday at Westerly on Saturday — she’s going to have to be on her A-game so we can see who the Bengals are.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Johnston (2-3), Cranston East (2-3).

DIVISION IV

1. North Smithfield

Last year’s D-IV runner-up is putting in work early in the season and, after losing to Scituate by a goal in its second game, the Northmen took down Tiverton and Mount St. Charles last week to get to 3-1. This week sees North Smithfield play at Lincoln and Scituate as it tries to start building momentum on what it hopes is a championship season.

2. Mount St. Charles

Last Wednesday’s loss to North Smithfield was the first of the season for the Mounties, but they bounced back with a gutty 12-11 victory over Scituate the next day. North Providence awaits on Monday and then it’s a tough game at Classical on Wednesday before hosting Coventry on Thursday. Playing well during this stretch is as important as winning, especially if Mount thinks it can contend for a title.

3. Scituate

There’s a chance the Spartans will be atop the final version of this division because they’re playing pretty good lacrosse. Scituate’s two losses have both been by a goal and while it has a big game next week against North Smithfield, it’s crucial to not overlook Tiverton on Wednesday. The Spartans are building something special and this week’s play in the game and on the practice field will be big.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Classical (2-1), Lincoln (2-2-1), Coventry (2-3-1).

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal RI Girls Lacrosse Power Rankings Week 3 April 23