Soccer fans, set an alarm on your phone and turn your car toward the western suburbs for this one.

It’s going to be a doozy.

Tuesday afternoon at 4:45, Hinsdale Central, ranked 14th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, visits no. 8 Lyons in LaGrange.

Both teams have stellar overall records -- the Red Devils are 11-2-0 while the Lions sit at 10-1-2 -- but it’s the conference rivalry aspect that draws the most attention.

Each squad is 2-0-x in West Suburban Conference Silver Division play chasing York, which leads the division at 3-0-x.

So, Tuesday’s winner will be tied for first place, while the loser will face added pressure to contend for the title.

“This group thrives and gets up for these types of games”, said Hinsdale Central coach Tony Madonia of his team.  “Being in competitive games versus competitive opponents is normal for us.

“We wouldn’t have it any other way.  We get to play two top teams in the state this week, Lyons and 2023 state-runnerup Barrington. This will most certainly help our preparation for the playoffs. These types of matches cannot be duplicated on the training ground.”

Lyons head man Bill Lanspeary said it’s the same for his program. Crucial matches like this one are “nothing new for us.”

“We play a really difficult schedule,” continued Lanspeary, “we’re in (difficult) tournaments, and that prepares you for games like this.

“Obviously, the conference rivalry adds to the intensity of the game.”

Madonia added that there are a lot of similarities between his bunch and Lyons.

“We have many similar opponents, are obviously pretty close in proximity and are in a couple of the same tournaments” said Madonia.

“This will be the 26th-season of Lyons and Hinsdale Central girls soccer matching up in the West Suburban. With that, I’d say we are always pretty familiar with each other’s teams.”

The Red Devils have a lot of balance this season.  Madonia noted that eight different players -- Cate McDonnell, Piper Bingham, Emily DiTomasso, Avery Edgewater, Peyron Rohn, Caitlin Doherty, Camila Leaf and Chloe Anderson -- have eight or more points so far this year.

Madonia said that midfielder McDonnell, who was among the Red Devils to make the Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List after last season, “continues to move up the Hinsdale Central all-time records list."

The senior has excelled and achieved the following marks: became one one of three Red Devils with a nine-game scoring streak (goal or assist); rose to seventh in career points with 58; tied for fifth all time for goals in a season with 13; and tied for 12th all-time for points in a season (32).

The coach also counts on straight-A students Claire Snodgrass, who is “mostly in AP classes and who has had quite an impact on our program throughout four years” and Julia Marinaccio, who’s “improvement over four years has been impeccable. She rarely comes off the field for us.”

One of the leaders for Lyons is junior forward Caroline Mortonson, who was a Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater for the second time in 2023.

She has already posted seven goals and six assists this year. Zibby Michaelson leads the Lions with nine goals.

Coach Lanspeary also had high praise for seniors Izzi Wirtz, Josie Pochocki, Caroline McKenna and Brennan Israel, saying that “their experience and high level of play have really led the way for us.”

“(The season) so far has been going great,” added Lanspeary.  “Our schedule is tough, but the players have really stepped up to the challenge.  It’s a team that supports one another and believes in one another.”

And as far as the upcoming competition is concerned, the coach added that “we know that Hinsdale Central is going to be really organized.  They’re highly skilled, they play fast, and they play hard.

“We’re pretty familiar with them and their style of play, and I’m sure that they’re familiar with us as well.”

Madonia agreed whole-heartedly with that statement.

“We are always familiar with each other’s teams,” he said.  “Bill Lanspeary has always been a coach and person that I enjoy working with and respect.  He is a great leader, coach and person who has had a lot of success over the years.”

“LT will be strong, no question, they always are.  With that said, we have all the faith in the world for our team to go out there and get a result.

“A win would put us in the running for a top-two seed in the sectional.”

Click here for the 2023 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List