St. Benedict's start season as top-ranked US team

Why St. Benedict's are starting on top

The clearest reason is Hann. The forward is reported to be back after scoring 23 goals last season, giving St. Benedict's an established reference point in attack. That matters even more because the squad is said to have lost 16 seniors.

There is still experience around him:

• Nathaniel Addo reportedly returns after 9 goals and 3 assists.
• Frank Pah is said to be back after 3 goals and 14 assists.
• Taslim N-Nyiah reportedly contributed 4 goals and 6 assists last term.
• Richmond Laribah appears set for a bigger role after scoring 5 goals as a freshman.

The report also says St. Benedict's went 19-0-1 in 2025 and finished with another state crown. That kind of recent record is usually enough to keep a team at the front of any national conversation, even after heavy graduation losses.

West Orange still look like a serious threat

If St. Benedict's are the standard, West Orange may be the closest local challenger again. The report says they open at No. 8 nationally after a season that brought a long-awaited Group 4 state title.

There are departures to absorb, most notably Marcus Jackson and Carl Hall. But the spine is not gone:

• Darius Millington reportedly returns after 13 goals and 7 assists.
• Justin Amaya, Yenke Suarez and Jatniel Vargas Espino are also said to be back.
• Goalkeeper Agustin Arrieta gives them continuity at the back.

The early storyline is straightforward: can St. Benedict's reload without slipping, and can West Orange turn a strong season into another title push? That race should shape the next few weeks and, if both sides settle quickly, could define the state picture all over again.