Time is often compressed and elliptical in soccer. Stretches of time can be compared in continuously interesting ways.
Events from a year ago can feel as relevant as the day before. Few things create emotion and action more than a desire to undo the past.
Talent moves top to bottom with the best teams, ensuring continuity, tradition and excellence. With the first month gone of an ostensibly two-month regular-season, we’ve reached the halfway juncture. The last week featured several major tournaments.
In two significant cases, the past hovered over the present, effectively meaning the same teams, different results.
Lockport defeated Wheaton North 2-0 to capture its own Porter Cup, reversing the fortunes of back-to-back losses against the Falcons, who played the latest edition without injured All-State keeper Zoey Bohmer.
On Saturday, Plainfield North captured its own tournament with the 3-0 victory over Geneva.
The victors suffered their only regular-season loss last year in a shootout defeat against the Vikings in the title game of the Plainfield Classic.
The other significant tournament championship game also featured a rematch — except this time it was measured in days. After playing to a 1-1 draw in group play on April 8, Evanston and Naperville North collided in the title game of the 6th annual Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic at New Trier.
The Wildkits captured the 1-0 title on a 74th-minute goal. Like Lockport and Plainfield North, Evanston reversed the outcome of a year earlier when it lost in the title game to Lyons.
Turnabout is clearly fair play.
For the third-consecutive week, a new no. 1 ascends to the top of the board. Change is great for polls and their readers. It is healthy for the soccer discourse and measures the course of the season.
It’s useful to remember one team’s drop is not always about a particular performance as much as another team making a more substantial climb.
The games are what matter, in the end. As more get played, and the best teams stare each other down, clarity is sharper. Conversely, teams that dropped a couple of slots have numerous opportunities to move up in the fold.
As the weekend showed, if want a higher ranking, do something about it.
| Rank | Previous rank | Team | Record | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Barrington | 8-0-1 | Grace Fuller crucial part of elite back that has 7 shutouts |
| 2 | 3 | Lockport | 12-0-0 | Midfielder Natalie Zodrow is part of devastating, versatile attack |
| 3 | 6 | Evanston | 9-0-1 | Alexandra Merriam has emerged in crucial offensive role |
| 4 | 4 | Metea Valley | 7-1-1 | Lucy Burk is an elite scorer and playmaker |
| 5 | 5 | Naperville North | 7-2-2 | Annie Chang steps up against New Trier |
| 6 | 10 | York | 9-0-0 | Forward Sophia Musial is an elite, spectacular talent |
| 7 | 1 | Lyons | 8-1-1 | Leahla Frazier is an important offensive contributor |
| 8 | 8 | Glenbrook South | 8-1-2 | Ollmert sisters Olivia and Sofia are dynamic talents |
| 9 | 9 | New Trier | 8-2-2 | Addy Randall is an elite freshman to watch |
| 10 | 20 | Stevenson | 6-2-1 | Ashley Liang is a skilled and creative talent |
| 11 | 7 | Lane | 8-2-0 | Jessica Carlson is a top-notch two-way threat |
| 12 | 11 | St. Charles North | 6-0-4 | Megan Hines is taking advantage of her increased opportunities |
| 13 | 13 | Wheaton North | 6-2-1 | Kylee Gosling is part of a fantastic and athletic backline |
| 14 | HM | Plainfield North | 10-2-1 | Super soph Katelyn Haiser leads Plainfield Classic win |
| 15 | 3 (Class AA Super 7) | Crystal Lake Central | 7-1-1 | Tigers give Wheaton Warrenville South its first loss |
| 16 | 12 | Wheaton Warrenville South | 5-1-0 | Midfielder Ella Byrnes is agile, long and dangerous |
| 17 | 25 | St. Charles East | 10-1-2 | Georggia Desario is a creative, versatile threat |
| 18 | 21 | Lake Zurich | 7-1-1 | North Suburban showdown with no. 10 Stevenson on Tuesday |
| 19 | 22 | Fremd | 5-2-2 | Ava Catherall is fast, creative and very hard to slow down |
| 20 | 17 | Waubonsie Valley | 7-2-0 | Warriors Plainfield finals bid denied by Geneva |
| 21 | 18 | Hinsdale Central | 8-2-0 | Chloe Anderson creates pressure at the top of the attack |
| 22 | 2 (Class AA Super 7) | Deerfield | 9-1-2 | Keeper Lauren Gottlieb continues to set school records |
| 23 | 14 | Fenwick | 7-1-1 | Bella Gray is a standout freshman |
| 24 | HM | Benet | 5-2-1 | Forward Ivana Vukas has emerged as singular offensive talent |
| 25 | HM | Oswego East | 6-3-0 | Alex Hoger helps sharpen defensive focus and intensity |
Look out for: Libertyville, Geneva, Warren, Glenbrook North, Batavia, Minooka, South Elgin, Naperville Central, Elk Grove, Huntley, Oswego, Mundelein, Lincoln-Way East, Maine South, Young
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