Time moves like a rocket, especially when the compressed and concentrated segment of the girls' season is upon us.
Welcome to the penultimate, or next to last regular-season, Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Next week will offer a summation of the regular-season and a look forward to the top sectionals.
The traditional and defining events of the last week of the regular-season are the MSL Soccer Cup, the Chicago Public League Tournament championship and the Central Suburban League championship.
Two stalwarts are back and ready for a run forward.
By defeating Hersey 3-1, no. 3 Barrington qualified for its 11th-consecutive Mid-Suburban League final berth. The game served as an interesting preview given the same teams match up Wednesday in Arlington Heights.
The form also held in the city with seven-time defending champion Lane joined by last year’s finalist Young, and Jones and Payton for the city semifinals, which are scheduled for Monday.
The semifinal round is a copy of last year. The no. 20 Champions, who have won seven straight regular-season games, play Payton. Jones and Young play in the other game.
The winners play for the championship Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Lane.
History also repeats in the Central Suburban League championship game, with no. 8 Evanston and no. 25 Deerfield meeting for the second-consecutive year.
Like some of the top in-season tournaments, the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic or the Naperville Invitational, these high-profile conference and city championships mirror the environment, intensity and level of play of the state tournament.
They speak to pride, glory, accomplishment and something to value and play for.
Many of the other top teams listed here are finishing their conference schedules or playing a high-profile end of the season game.
Getting ready, staying sharp, finding your groove. It is all part of the same equation. May is a glorious time to be an aficionado of the game.
| Rank | Previous | Team | Record | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Metea Valley | 14-0-3 | Mckenna Wigfield is a freshman sensation |
| 2 | 2 | Barrington | 16-0-2 | Megan Holland is a remarkable keeper |
| 3 | 4 | St. Charles N | 13-3-1 | Abby Vichich is a disruptive stopper |
| 4 | 3 | Naperville N | 10-5-1 | Abby Penn is a skilled defender |
| 5 | 7 | Fremd | 14-2-1 | Cami Tofilon is a dyamic attacking piece |
| 6 | 8 | Lyons | 17-1-1 | Caroline McKenna is part of suffocating back |
| 7 | 6 | Plainfield N | 17-1-2 | Big game at Oswego East on Thursday |
| 8 | 10 | Evanston | 16-2-1 | Lily Shure is an offensive spark and playmaker |
| 9 | 9 | LW Central | 14-1-2 | Knights have allowed just 8 goals |
| 10 | 5 | St. Charles E | 17-2-0 | Georggia Desario is excellent young prospect |
| 11 | 12 | New Trier | 16-3-1 | Kennedy Colgrove is exceptional in the back |
| 12 | 16 | Geneva | 14-5-0 | Evyn Schokora is a wonderful two-way talent |
| 13 | 13 | Lockport | 18-2-1 | Porters have a 94-10 goal differential |
| 14 | 14 | Benet | 13-4-0 | Nora Hanson is savvy, talented stopper |
| 15 | 15 | Libertyville | 12-2-2 | Showdown with Stevenson Monday |
| 16 | 11 | Wheaton North | 11-5-2 | Mira Spillane is a tough, vital defender |
| 17 | 18 | Stevenson | 11-4-1 | Libertyville game determines North Suburban crown |
| 18 | 21 | Glenbrook N | 11-3-1 | Solid victory over Deerfield |
| 19 | 20 | Oswego East | 11-5-1 | Ashley Gumm is another freshman on the move |
| 20 | 22 | Lane | 10-4-2 | Mary Rau leads Champions on another city title push |
| 21 | 17 | York | 12-3-1 | Thursday showdown with Glenbrook North |
| 22 | HM | Loyola | 9-6-3 | Mim Fritzsche is another young talent to watch |
| 23 | HM | Warren | 8-4-3 | Addison Stanciak is an elite scorer |
| 24 | 19 | Naperville C | 8-4-1 | Nicole Smith is gifted in the middle |
| 25 | 25 | Deerfield | 12-4-2 | Marissa Siciliano makes patience pay off |
Look out for: Hersey, Lincoln-Way East, Prospect, Hinsdale Central, Carmel, Minooka, Jones, Morton, Downers Grove South, Riverside-Brookfield, Oswego, Lake Zurich, Lake Forest, Glenbard West, South Elgin
