The high school girls lacrosse playoffs in Greater Cincinnati begin on May 13, with Springboro and Mariemont as key teams to watch. Northern Kentucky's Cooper and Ryle also advance to their state tournament.
Key points
Cincinnati girls lacrosse playoffs start May 13
Springboro and Mariemont are key teams
Cooper and Ryle represent Northern Kentucky
Teams from multiple conferences are competing
SpringboroMariemontCooperRyle
Top Cincinnati girls lacrosse teams as high school playoffs begin
In Ohio, schools have finally concluded their regular seasons and begin first-round action on May 13. Division I will see Springboro hold court against challengers from the Eastern Cincinnati Conference and the Greater Miami Conference. In Division II, Mariemont has established itself as the team to beat, but other Cincinnati Hills League foes or Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy may have an upset in mind.
In Northern Kentucky, Cooper and Ryle earned bids to the Kentucky High School Girls Lacrosse State Tournament after finishing as Region Five champions and runners-up, respectively. Their quest for a state title continues on May 13 as well.
These are the must-see teams as girls lacrosse postseason competition gets underway.
Springboro competes with ECC and GMC in Division I
Springboro earned the top seed in region four by setting the tone early in the year, defeating both Kings and Milford before the season's midpoint. The Panthers sit at 12-5, entering the postseason on a high note with a 20-0 win over Kettering Fairmont. Senior Ashley Filburn took control of the offense as the season progressed, ending as the team leader with 50 goals. Sophomore Cam Walters was right behind, netting 40 goals while adding 42 assists.
Seeds two and three both come from the top of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference: Kings and Milford. These two teams finished with near identical records, and when they met on April 21 Kings squeaked out a 7-6 overtime win.
Kings went undefeated in ECC play, turning in a 13-4 overall record in the regular season. Marin Bode, a 2025 USA Lacrosse All-American, scored over 70 goals while adding 24 assists, leading a red-hot offense that scored over 20 goals more often than it was held to single digits. Bode is also a force in draw control, finishing top five in the conference in that regard.
Milford's lone loss of the conference schedule was the aforementioned overtime heartbreaker to Kings, finishing 12-3 and winning eight of its last nine games. Since that ECC title clash, Milford has been on a tear winning each subsequent game by six goals or more. Senior Elena Ditchen, a Barton College commit, has been the clear leader offensively for the Eagles. She finished the regular season with 62 goals and 19 assists, leading the team in both categories.
Q&A
When do the Cincinnati girls lacrosse playoffs start?
The Cincinnati girls lacrosse playoffs begin on May 13.
Which teams are favorites in the Cincinnati girls lacrosse playoffs?
Springboro is a favorite in Division I, while Mariemont is the team to beat in Division II.
What teams from Northern Kentucky are competing in the playoffs?
Cooper and Ryle are representing Northern Kentucky in the state tournament.
What conferences are involved in the Cincinnati girls lacrosse playoffs?
The playoffs include teams from the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, Greater Miami Conference, and Cincinnati Hills League.
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Rounding out the top threats in Division I are the top two teams from the Greater Miami Conference, Sycamore and Mason.
Sycamore went a perfect 12-0 in conference play, finishing the regular season 14-4. While the Aviators certainly have a potent offense, led by sophomore stars Reese Brenkert (57 goals) and Claire Johnson (48 goals), the Sycamore defense has been stellar lately. The Aviators have only allowed double-digit goals five times this season, and have held each of their past five opponents under four goals.
Mason's turned in a 15-3 record in the regular season as they tore through their schedule for eight double-digit wins. While Sycamore got the better of them twice, the Comets have an offense that's difficult to slow down. Defending GMC Athlete of the Year Kirsten Hurr of Mason had another outstanding season in 2026, leading the GMC in goals (90) and draw controls (142) by a wide margin. Fellow senior Katie Halligan has been a critical facilitator, leading the league with 56 assists on the year.
Mariemont favorite to return to Division II Final Four
Three of the top four teams in Division II come out of the Cincinnati Hills League, while defending regional champ CHCA hopes to make more magic happen in the postseason.
Despite being in the smaller Division II, Mariemont has proven itself as the best team in Greater Cincinnati this season. The Warriors defeated each of the top four seeds in Division I and Division II this season, going 15-2. The two losses were against a Canadian lacrosse prep academy and a hard-fought loss to Columbus St. Francis DeSales, which they'll hope to avenge in the state tournament. Mariemont has one of the most balanced offenses in the state, featuring seven players who have scored between 22 and 25 goals. Senior Charlotte Soller leads in total points with 35 goals and 27 assists, but juniors Mary McIntosh (56 points) and Piper Farrell (51 points) aren't far behind.
Indian Hill holds the second seed, but it will be looking for revenge after close losses against the other top threats in the region. The Braves' schedule was loaded with tough matchups, but they proved their mettle with big wins over teams like Springboro and Loveland. Indian Hill's young squad is led by sophomore Carson Bahl, who's tallied 56 goals and 26 assists in the regular season. Junior Kallie Adams and sophomore Lilly and Maddy Harris are also important threats offensively, each scoring over 30 goals on the year.
Defending regional champ CHCA picked up right where it left off last year, even after graduating over half of its roster. The Eagles went 11-3 through the regular season and gave Mariemont a run for its money in a hard-fought 13-11 loss. Junior Emery Snyder plays a leading role for the Eagles' dynamic offense, which was held under 11 goals just once this season. CHCA can keep pace with anyone, which could make for some fun high-scoring matchups later in the bracket.
Wyoming wound up with the fourth seed in the May 6 draw, but has since posted wins over both Indian Hill and CHCA. The Cowboys' dynamic duo of Abby Ranz (62 goals, 65 assists) and Ryann Knepp (64 goals, 42 assists) may be the best one-two punch in Greater Cincinnati. Thanks in large part to those two stars, Wyoming scored over 18 goals in each of its first six games and has only been held to single digits twice.
Cooper, Ryle looking to make a run in Kentucky
St. Henry goalie Lydia Soard defends the goal in the Fifth District semifinal round against Cooper on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Cooper beat St. Henry 11-3.
Maddy Landenwitch from St. Henry carries the ball down the field in the Fifth District semifinal round against Cooper on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
St. Henry's Ellise Armbruster attempts to block the pass from Cooper's Claira Kemper in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Cooper beat St. Henry 11-3.
Cooper's Emily Forbes shoots and scores against a St. Henry defender in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Cooper's Kamden McCane and St. Henry's Kelcey Bollman battle down the field in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Cooper's Claira Kemper is surrounded by St. Henry defenders in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Cooper's Claira Kemper moves in toward the goal in the Fifth District semifinals against St. Henry on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Emily Forbes from Cooper and Kendra Selm from St. Henry face off in a draw in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Addison Mann from St. Henry pivots toward the goal in the Fifth District semifinals against Cooper on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Cooper goalie Maggie Milburn defends the goal in the Fifth District semifinals against St. Henry on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Cooper coach Natividad Beltran likes what he sees from his team in the Fifth District semifinals against St. Henry on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
St. Henry's Kendra Selm takes a shot in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026 against Cooper.
St. Henry goalie Lydia Soard defends the goal in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026, against Cooper.
Kendra Selm from St. Henry drives the ball down the field in the Fifth District semifinals against Cooper on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Cooper's Lily Hermann shoots against St. Henry in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Cooper calls a time-out in the Fifth District semifinals against St. Henry on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Cooper's Kamden McCane sets up for a shot against St. Henry in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
St. Henry goalie Lydia Soard defends the goal in the Fifth District semifinal round against Cooper on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Cooper beat St. Henry 11-3.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
St. Henry goalie Lydia Soard defends the goal in the Fifth District semifinal round against Cooper on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Cooper beat St. Henry 11-3.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Maddy Landenwitch from St. Henry carries the ball down the field in the Fifth District semifinal round against Cooper on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
St. Henry's Ellise Armbruster attempts to block the pass from Cooper's Claira Kemper in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Cooper beat St. Henry 11-3.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Cooper's Emily Forbes shoots and scores against a St. Henry defender in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Cooper's Kamden McCane and St. Henry's Kelcey Bollman battle down the field in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Cooper's Claira Kemper is surrounded by St. Henry defenders in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Cooper's Claira Kemper moves in toward the goal in the Fifth District semifinals against St. Henry on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Emily Forbes from Cooper and Kendra Selm from St. Henry face off in a draw in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Addison Mann from St. Henry pivots toward the goal in the Fifth District semifinals against Cooper on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Cooper goalie Maggie Milburn defends the goal in the Fifth District semifinals against St. Henry on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Cooper coach Natividad Beltran likes what he sees from his team in the Fifth District semifinals against St. Henry on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
St. Henry's Kendra Selm takes a shot in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026 against Cooper.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
St. Henry goalie Lydia Soard defends the goal in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026, against Cooper.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Kendra Selm from St. Henry drives the ball down the field in the Fifth District semifinals against Cooper on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Cooper's Lily Hermann shoots against St. Henry in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Cooper calls a time-out in the Fifth District semifinals against St. Henry on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Cooper vs. St. Henry, NDA vs. Ryle in NKY girls lacrosse | Photos
Cooper's Kamden McCane sets up for a shot against St. Henry in the Fifth District semifinals on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association Girls Lacrosse State Tournament field is already set, with the top two teams from each of the state's eight regions earning a bid. Out of Northern Kentucky, Cooper and Ryle will represent in the first round on May 13.
Cooper earned the distinction as Region Five champion after handling St. Henry, 11-3, and besting Ryle, 9-6. The Lady Jaguars went on a huge run to end the season, winning 9 of their last 10 games entering the state tournament. Junior Madison Reinert led Northern Kentucky in scoring, netting 53 goals while still adding 20 assists in Cooper's 10-6 season. They'll face 13-7 Sayre in the opening round of the state tournament.
Ryle finished as runner-up in the region after knocking off the defending champion, Notre Dame, in a 7-6 heavyweight bout. Ryle hasn't always been able to sustain success for long stretches this season. However, the girls have picked up nice wins in an 8-8 year and have shown a consistently tough defense. Senior Meaghan Bailey is one of the best goalies in the state and has recorded 120 saves on the year. While Ryle typically plays lower-scoring games, junior Tori Sickmeier has led the attack with 30 goals.
