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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Barrington | 1 | 0 | 2 | Michayla Herr off to fantastic start |
| 2 | 2 | New Trier | 3 | 0 | 0 | Emma Weaver is breathtaking sophomore |
| 3 | 3 | St. Charles North | 3 | 0 | 1 | Cassidy Joyce is skilled midfielder |
| 4 | 4 | Naperville North | 2 | 0 | 2 | Hannah Martin is emerging standout |
| 5 | 5 | Downers Grove North | 2 | 0 | 1 | Francesca Marconi is top-notch defender |
| 6 | 6 | Loyola | 2 | 0 | 0 | Maggie Avery is fantastic keeper |
| 7 | 12 | Wauconda | 5 | 0 | 0 | Outscored opponents 26-2 so far |
| 8 | 8 | Metea Valley | 4 | 1 | 0 | Sophia Senese keys Kickoff championship |
| 9 | 7 | Geneva | 2 | 0 | 0 | Stephanie Howe is superb junior |
| 10 | 11 | Wheaton Academy | 3 | 0 | 0 | Alena Ledesma is heady, skilled player |
| 11 | 13 | Carmel | 3 | 0 | 0 | Riley Harmon is exciting to see |
| 12 | HM | Stagg | 6 | 0 | 0 | Ally Mussallem is wondrous talent |
| 13 | 16 | Lemont | 4 | 0 | 0 | Captures the Raider Invitational |
| 14 | 9 | Warren | 2 | 2 | 0 | Ayusha Ayalur is a savvy, experienced forward |
| 15 | 15 | Deerfield | 6 | 1 | 0 | Haley Emory powers dramatic win over Lane |
| 16 | HM | Fenwick | 5 | 1 | 0 | Anissa Nourse is a human highlight reel |
| 17 | NR | Waubonsie Valley | 2 | 0 | 2 | Impressive win over Lyons |
| 18 | 10 | Lyons | 1 | 1 | 0 | Catherine Johnson is a stellar defender |
| 19 | 20 | Benet | 5 | 1 | 0 | Mia Tommasone is great attacking talent |
| 20 | 21 | St. Charles East | 2 | 1 | 2 | Rose Stackhouse is a senior to watch |
| 21 | HM | Glenbrook South | 3 | 0 | 2 | Statement win over Evanston |
| 22 | 14 | St. Francis | 2 | 1 | 0 | Hannah Rittenhouse is a scoring machine |
| 23 | 18 | Lake Zurich | 1 | 0 | 2 | Bears get untracked against McHenry |
| 24 | 25 | Neuqua Valley | 1 | 3 | 0 | Eye-opening win against Illinois 10 no. 1 Collinsville |
| 25 | 17 | Evanston | 2 | 2 | 0 | Vanessa 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
