Not many programs could play without two of their returning all-staters and beat one of the best teams in the state.
Metea Valley remains no. 1 for a reason.
The defending Class 3A state champions knocked out previously unbeaten Lincoln-Way Central 1-0 Sunday at the Body Armor tournament in a rematch of last year’s state semifinal game.
The Mustangs won despite missing reigning Player of the Year Jordan Lange and forward Tyra King.
Lucy Burke, the third returning Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater, scored the game-winner on a beautiful header off a free kick from Riley Strcic.
In a week that featured some fairly dramatic shake-ups and reconfiguring of the top teams, Metea Valley is still the (no.) one.
With the exception of the state tournament, this is the best time of the season.
The Naperville Invitational moves to its bracket championship beginning Thursday.
Fremd is the big riser following its shootout victory over previously unbeaten and third-ranked Lyons.
That sets up an interesting rematch for the Vikings, who host new no. 2 St. Charles East.
St. Charles East beat the Vikings 3-1 in the teams’ first game of the season on March 14.
All eight championship bracket quarterfinalists are ranked.
The Fremd and St. Charles East game is the headliner. St. Charles North and Naperville Central, who played to a scoreless tie April 8, is another can’t-miss rematch. Unfortunately, the quarterfinals are all at different sites with 7 p.m. start times.
New Trier and fast-rising Naperville North is another top 10 showdown. The Huskies have won five-straight games, four by shutout.
Barrington hosts Loyola in the intriguing fourth quarterfinal.
Most of the eight teams play crucial conference games earlier in the week.
This 7-day stretch is a high-water mark, a test of endurance, versatility, depth and strength.
This are moments to shine.
| Rank | Previous | Team | Record | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Metea Valley | 11-0-3 | Cyndie Bayless is a rising star |
| 2 | 4 | St. Charles E | 14-0-0 | Sidney Lazenby is fantastic keeper |
| 3 | 2 | Barrington | 9-0-2 | Sarah Sarnowski is a dynamic talent |
| 4 | 13 | Fremd | 9-1-1 | Lily Mayer is a gifted freshman |
| 5 | 3 | Lyons | 12-1-0 | Brennan Israel is a lockdown defender |
| 6 | 7 | Plainfield N | 12-1-2 | Tigers have varied offensive firepower |
| 7 | 8 | Evanston | 11-1-1 | Shayna daSilva an exhilarating talent in middle |
| 8 | 9 | New Trier | 13-1-1 | Sybil Evans is an emerging attacking player |
| 9 | 15 | Naperville N | 7-3-1 | Audrey Hartmann provides depth in the middle |
| 10 | 6 | LW Central | 10-1-2 | Metea Valley ends unbeaten run |
| 11 | 10 | Naperville C | 6-1-1 | Isabella Brozek is explosive up top |
| 12 | 14 | St. Charles N | 9-2-1 | Kayla Floyd is skilled in the middle |
| 13 | 5 | Geneva | 10-3-0 | Cami Bishop is a skilled outside back |
| 14 | 19 | Wheaton N | 8-3-1 | Macy Hutchinson powers the attack |
| 15 | 12 | Benet | 10-2-0 | Nora Hanson is a very gifted defender |
| 16 | 16 | Libertyville | 5-2-1 | Second half explosion against Warren |
| 17 | HM | York | 8-1-1 | Stunning win over Naperville Central |
| 18 | 22 | Batavia | 6-2-3 | Brooke Carlson stabilizes the middle attack |
| 19 | 20 | LW East | 12-2-0 | Showdown Tuesday with Lockport |
| 20 | 21 | Lockport | 11-2-1 | Offense takes flight over Homewood-Flossmoor |
| 21 | HM | Prospect | 9-1-2 | Dominant win over Lake Zurich |
| 22 | 17 | Lake Zurich | 10-2-1 | Second place finish at Prospect |
| 23 | 24 | Glenbrook N | 8-3-1 | Tuesday rivalry game with Glenbrook S |
| 24 | HM | Loyola | 6-4-3 | Maria Nikas is a solid two-way talent |
| 25 | HM | Deerfield | 8-2-1 | Bella Krummenacher is a fabulous freshman |
Look out for: Lane, Hinsdale Central, Carmel, Oswego East, Mundelein, Lake Forest, Stevenson, Warren, Minooka, St. Ignatius, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Plainfield South, Riverside-Brookfield, Niles West, Jones
