As we pivot into the decisive stretch of the Midwest high school lacrosse season, the scoreboard tells only a fraction of the story. Here's where the rubber meets the road, with teams like Culver Military Academy Prep (Ind.) leading the pack, and St Viator's (Ill.) not far behind. 

Let’s dive into an analysis of the titans of the Midwest and the battles that shape their journey to the top.

1. Culver Military Academy Eagles (Ind.)

Record: 9-2-0

Notable Wins:

• Achieved a significant 18-5 victory over Kiski Prep, highlighting their offensive prowess.
• Demonstrated strength by defeating Hill Academy (Canada) 18-11.

Key Losses:

• A close 9-8 loss to St. Anthony’s (N.Y.).
• A 12-11 defeat against Western Reserve Academy Prep (Ohio) in a hard-fought match.

Performance Insights:

Culver excels with an Average Goal Differential (AGD) of 6.54, reflecting their strong offensive strategy. Their schedule strength is impressive at 90.20, suggesting they face tough opponents yet still perform exceedingly well. With a rating of 96.75, they are 3rd in North America, leading the Midwest rankings.

Ranking Considerations:

Their performance against expectations is virtually neutral with a +/- indicator of -0.01, signaling precise alignment with their ratings. The Eagles' key strategic elements include maintaining high-scoring games and a resilient defense, marking them as a formidable team in boys high school lacrosse.

2. Western Reserve Academy Pioneers (Ohio)

Record: 9-1-0

Notable Wins:

• Secured an important win against Kiski Prep, 10-4.
• Defeated Culver Military Academy 12-11.

Key Losses:

• The only blemish on their record is a loss to Hill Academy, 8-6.

Performance Insights:

The Pioneers show a solid AGD of 4.90 and a schedule strength of 88.94. Ranking 10th in North America and 2nd in the Midwest, their team rating stands strong at 93.84.

Ranking Considerations:

They've exceeded expectations slightly, as indicated by their near-zero +/- indicator. Their ability to win close games against high-ranked teams is notable and speaks to their resilience and tactical prowess on the field.

3. Kiski Prep Cougars (Pa.)

Record: 12-4-0

Notable Wins:

• The Cougars secured a solid victory over St. Andrew's (Canada), emphasizing their potential with a strategic play and robust team effort.
• Defeated St. Ignatius Cleveland 17-5 on April 21.

Key Losses:

• Faced No. 1 Culver Military Academy Prep and fell 18-5.
• Western Reserve Academy by a score of 10-4.

Performance Insights:

Kiski Prep has navigated a challenging schedule with resilience, achieving an Average Goal Differential (AGD) of -2.10. Their overall schedule strength (SCHED) of 78.30 shows they are competing against some of the top teams, reflecting the tough competition they face. With a team rating of 83.10, they are positioned significantly in their regional standings but have room to grow on a national scale.

Ranking Considerations:

The Cougars have moments where they outperform expectations, but still need consistent victories against ranked opponents to move up the rankings. Their approach to adapting and overcoming these challenges will be crucial as they aim to climb the rankings and solidify their status in their final six games.

4. Upper Arlington Golden Bears (Ohio)

Record: 9-2-0

Notable Wins:

• Notched a win against St. Xavier Cincinnati, 11-10.
• Dominated Thomas Worthington (Ohio) with a convincing 19-3 victory.

Key Losses:

• The 12-8 loss to Colorado No. 1 Valor Christian (Colo.).
• An 18-8 defeat to Culver Military Academy.

Performance Insights:

With an AGD of 3.70 and a schedule strength of 84.96, their team rating of 88.67 places them 57th in North America and 4th in the Midwest.

Ranking Considerations:

Their +/- indicator is balanced, signifying that the Golden Bears' performance is consistent with their ranking. Strategic wins over ranked teams contribute to their reputation as a competitive and skilled team.

5. Olentangy Liberty Patriots (Ohio)

Record: 8-1-0

Notable Wins:

• Emerged victorious against Ohio No. 3 Dublin Jerome (Ohio), 16-11.
• Defeated St. Ignatius Cleveland (Ohio), 11-5, reinforcing their defensive capabilities.

Key Losses:

• Faced a tough matchup resulting in a 10-16 loss to Upper Arlington, providing valuable lessons for future contests.

Performance Insights:

The Patriots boast an AGD of 4.00 and a strong schedule strength of 84.04. With a rating of 88.04, they claim the 72nd spot in North America and are 5th in the Midwest rankings.

Ranking Considerations:

Their performances are slightly better than expected, with a negligible negative +/- indicator, reflecting a team that's consistently meeting and exceeding rankings projections. Key strategic elements include their balanced attack and defense, propelling them to the upper echelons of high school lacrosse.

6. Dublin Jerome Celtics (Ohio)

Record: 5-1-0

Notable Wins:

• A 19-6 win over Olentangy Orange (Ohio).
• Overcame St. Ignatius Cleveland with a solid defense leading to a 9-4 victory.

Key Losses:

• The only setback came against Olentangy Liberty, where they fell 16-11.

Performance Insights:

The Celtics carry an AGD of 6.00 and a schedule strength of 81.12, reflective of their high-scoring nature and resilient schedule. Rated at 87.13, they stand 92nd in North America and 6th in the Midwest. The Celtics have outscored their opponents 91-44.

Ranking Considerations:

With a neutral +/- indicator, Dublin Jerome's performance is on par with expectations. Their strategic gameplay, especially in high-stakes games against ranked teams, highlights their competitive spirit and tactical execution.

7. St. Xavier Cincinnati Bombers (Ohio)

Record: 9-2-0

Notable Wins:

• Secured a win against Michigan No. 1 Brother Rice (Mich.) with a close 9-7, demonstrating clutch performance under pressure.
• Achieved a 16-13 victory over Ohio No. 11 Archbishop Moeller (Ohio).

Key Losses:

• Narrow losses to Indiana No. 2 Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.), 8-7 and Upper Arlington, 11-10.

Performance Insights:

The Bombers have an AGD of 4.60 and a schedule strength of 81.51, which reflects their ability to consistently outperform opponents. With a rating of 86.12, they are ranked 116th in North America and 7th in the Midwest.

Ranking Considerations:

Their performance relative to expectations is illustrated by a very small negative +/- indicator. The Bombers' strategic approach, particularly in tightly contested matches, signifies a team that thrives under pressure and is always close to victory.

8. Mount Lebanon Blue Devils (Pa.)

Record: 7-3-0

Notable Wins:

• Delivered a decisive 17-4 win over Bethel Park (Pa.), showcasing their dominance.
• Claimed a strong 11-4 victory against Mars Area (Pa.), asserting their defensive strength.

Key Losses:

• Suffered a 13-12 defeat to Pine Richland (Pa.).
• Faced a narrow loss to Shady Side Academy (Pa.), 13-12.

Performance Insights:

Mount Lebanon carries an AGD of 5.40 and a schedule strength of 80.27. They possess a team rating of 85.68, placing them 129th in North America and 8th in the Midwest. They are No. 1 in PA West and 14th overall in Pennsylvania.

Ranking Considerations:

Their +/- indicator shows that their performances are generally aligned with the expected outcomes based on their ratings. The Blue Devils' capability to secure large-margin wins is a strategic element that emphasizes their offensive firepower.

9. St. Ignatius Cleveland Wildcats (Ohio)

Record: 6-5-0

Notable Wins:

• Overcame Hilliard Davidson (Ohio) 10-6, demonstrating a solid start to the season.
• Defeated Ohio No. 14 Hudson (Ohio) 5-2, showcasing their defensive capabilities.
• Strong performance against Maryland No. 23 DeMatha with a decisive 13-7 victory.

Key Losses:

• Struggled against Ohio No. 12 Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), losing 5-11.
• Faced a tough match against Gilman (Md.), losing 15-8.
• A recent setback was a 17-5 defeat to Kiski Prep.

Performance Insights:

St. Ignatius has an Average Goal Differential (AGD) of 1.10, showing they are competitive in their matches, often maintaining close scorelines. Their schedule strength (SCHED) of 84.49 points to a challenging season against some of the top teams. With a current rating of 85.59, they are ranked 5th in Ohio and 130th in North America.

Ranking Considerations:

The Wildcats' performance, closely aligned with expectations (indicated by a near-zero +/-), shows they are holding their own within a tough competitive landscape. To improve their standings and overcome recent defeats, focusing on strategic plays and tightening defense will be crucial as they prepare for upcoming tough matches.

10. St. Viator Lions (Ill.)

Record: 8-2-0

Notable Wins:

• Notched a narrow 9-8 victory against Illinois No. 6 New Trier (Ill.)
• A strong win over Virginia No. 17 St. Stephen-St. Agnes (Va.), 11-6.

Key Losses:

• A challenging 12-9 loss to Florida No. 1 St. Andrews (Fla.).
• Fell to South No. 5 IMG National (Fla.) 15-8.

Performance Insights:

St. Viator has achieved an impressive AGD of 4.70 and a schedule strength (SCHED) of 80.52, indicative of their robust play against competitive teams. Holding a rating of 85.22, they are the top team in Illinois and 10th in the Midwest.

Ranking Considerations:

With their performances closely aligning with expectations, the Lions’ consistent play has maintained their ranking. Their strategic focus on high-scoring games and solid defensive play underpins their status as a formidable team in the Midwest.

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Do you have a highlight or notable performance from a player, team, or coach you want to be included in a future notebook? Email Mike Loveday or find him on Threads or Instagram.