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  • News: sister site PP 8-17-20
Chicagoland Soccer Top 25


By Patrick Z. McGavin


I get asked a lot about the methodology of the poll, and this week is exhibit A.

The top six teams are again unchanged. Seven of the first eight teams are locked in, even though the results have been less than conclusive.

Defending Class 3A state champion Barrington remains at the top, even though their record is just 1-0-2. Results matter, but so does strength of competition. Barrington has played 2-2 draws against no. 3-rated St. Charles North and no. 4-rated Naperville North.

Neuqua Valley, Barrington’s lone win, has a .250 winning percentage (1-3-0). The Wildcats have played Barrington, St. Charles North and Nerinx Hall (Mo.). They defeated previous Illinois 10 no. 1 Collinsville 4-0 on Saturday in St. Louis. Case closed: Neuqua Valley stays in the rankings. Is there anybody who seriously thinks the Wildcats are not one of the best teams in the state?

The poll measures strength, offensive versatility, defensive quality, goalkeeping and coaching. It posits if two teams met on a neutral field, the higher-rated team has a higher win probability based on those critical factors. As we get deeper into the season, with more information to work from, the rankings become ever more forensic based and not dependent as much on intuition.

To mix a sports metaphor, (soccer) ties (or draws) go to the runner. High-quality draws against elite competition only affirm a team’s value, especially this early in the season. By all accounts, the Barrington and St. Charles North game was as good a soccer game as you are likely to ever encounter in March.

As most teams now take the week off, games like Barrington and St. Charles North only amplify our appetite for more. For the moment, everything stays the same.
​
Rk LW Team W L T Comment
11Barrington102Michayla Herr off to fantastic start
22New Trier300Emma Weaver is breathtaking sophomore
33St. Charles North301Cassidy Joyce is skilled midfielder
44Naperville North202Hannah Martin is emerging standout
55Downers Grove North201Francesca Marconi is top-notch defender
66Loyola200Maggie Avery is fantastic keeper
712Wauconda500Outscored opponents 26-2 so far
88Metea Valley410Sophia Senese keys Kickoff championship
97Geneva200Stephanie Howe is superb junior
1011Wheaton Academy300Alena Ledesma is heady, skilled player
1113Carmel300Riley Harmon is exciting to see
12HMStagg600Ally Mussallem is wondrous talent
1316Lemont400Captures the Raider Invitational
149Warren220Ayusha Ayalur is a savvy, experienced forward
1515Deerfield610Haley Emory powers dramatic win over Lane
16HMFenwick510Anissa Nourse is a human highlight reel
17NRWaubonsie Valley202Impressive win over Lyons
1810Lyons110Catherine Johnson is a stellar defender
1920Benet510Mia Tommasone is great attacking talent
2021St. Charles East212Rose Stackhouse is a senior to watch
21HMGlenbrook South302Statement win over Evanston
2214St. Francis210Hannah Rittenhouse is a scoring machine
2318Lake Zurich102Bears get untracked against McHenry
2425Neuqua Valley130Eye-opening win against Illinois 10 no. 1 Collinsville
2517Evanston220Vanessa Eljaiek is thrilling player
Look out for: Lane, Burlington Central, Fremd, York, Andrew, Naperville Central, Bradley-Bourbonnais, Elk Grove, Maine South, Plainfield South, Plainfield Central, Wheaton Warrenville South, Batavia, Lake Forest, Sycamore, Cary-Grove
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