Only a handful of games went off last week as the 2026 high school field season got underway. For the most part, what was expected to happen, happened, so this week's rankings match pretty closely last week's preseason top 10.
Below find the very slightly tweaked list.
1. Mamaroneck (1-0) — The Tigers played like, well, the Tigers in their opener. That was an 11-0 win over Ursuline. It's a little difficult to make pronouncements in early September, but if Mamaroneck runs the table during Section 1 play, it won't be a complete surprise. That said, don't expect traditionally strong teams to roll over for the Tigers, including Rye this week. Previously: 1
2. Lakeland (2-0) —Two games into the season and Lakeland is not only 2-0 but has outscored its
opponents 18-0 with Nyack and Putnam Valley both falling 9-0. The Hornets have two games this week and will be substantial favorites in both. Previously: 2
3. Rye (1-0) —The Garnets shut out Clarkstown 3-0, putting 17 shots on goal to Clarkstown's five. Shot numbers will probably be decidedly closer this week as Rye takes on defending Section 1 Class A champion Mamaroneck and No. 5 John Jay-Cross River. Previously: 4
4. Yorktown (1-0) —The Huskers blanked Pleasantville 4-0 last week but it's hard to imagine things will be close to that easy this week as they play fellow top-10 teams John Jay-Cross River and Horace Greeley. Expect two close and entertaining games. Previously: 5
5. John Jay-Cross River (1-1) — After opening with a one-goal loss to Section 9's Kingston, the Wolves rebounded, blanking Pawling 5-0. This week they'll take on two big rivals, also from the top 10, in Yorktown and Rye. Previously: 3
6. Horace Greeley (2-0) — After a 3-0 win over White Plains and 9-0 win over Brewster, the Quakers will host Pelham and Yorktown. This is a bit of a rebuilding year for Greeley but that shouldn't be confused with a bad year. That's unlikely. Previously: 6
7 Clarkstown (1-1) — After falling by three to Rye, Clarkstown bounced back with a 5-1 win over Irvington. This week Clarkstown has only one game but it will likely be its toughest of the season as it takes on defending Section 1 Class A champion Mamaroneck. A win is super unlikely but Clarkstown, which is in a bit of a rebuild after losing 10 seniors from last year's squad, will no doubt become better just from playing the Tigers. Previously: 7
8. White Plains (0-1) — While teams in the lower half of the top 10 should be cognizant of John Jay-East Fishkill getting closer to a top-10 spot after its four-goal win over Mahopac, the Tigers will hold this spot for now. They mustered very little offense in a 3-0 loss to defending Section 1 Class B champion Horace Greeley but, rebuilding or not, Greeley is always a great defensive team. This week, White Plains will be favored over Ursuline in its only game of the week. Previously: 8
9. Bronxville (1-0) — The Broncos edged Pelham 1-0 in a game that had few shots on goal. Bronxville has two games this week and will be favored in both. Previously: 9
10. Rye Country Day (0-0) —The defending New York State Association of Independent Schools champion will open its season this week at Greenwich Country Day. Previously: 10
On the bubble: Arlington, Hackley, John Jay-East Fishkill
Nancy Haggerty covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mamaroneck, Lakeland atop field hockey rankings as season begins
