Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The game of the year, so far, is Monday night in Naperville.
At the one-month point of the season, a rare no. 1-no. 2 showdown plays out in group play of the 4th annual Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic.
At the start of the year, a cluster of top teams suggested any one of Libertyville, Lyons and Naperville North and Naperville Central were a tier above the rest of the field.
Nothing over the first month of the season has dissuaded that.
The jockeying is something to behold. Naperville North has leapt Lyons and rival Naperville Central to move to the no. 2 spot.
Lyons and Naperville Central have done everything imaginable to show their value and worth.
Naperville North has just been a cut above. The Huskies (8-0-0) have now claimed dominant wins over Barrington, St. Charles East and most recently, a 4-0 shocking of previously unbeaten Evanston.
They also have a win over Batavia, a new member of the poll.
That body of work is just too rich and demonstrative to overlook. To no fault of the Lions and Redhawks, Naperville North just makes the leap.
Naperville North and Naperville Central play each other on April 18. Naperville North could theoretically see Lyons in a final round of the Deep Dish Classic.
On-field results will sort the order.
Libertyville has been equally dominant, albeit against less formidable competition.
That is going to change with games against Naperville North and Evanston on back-to-back dates.
The whole week was a sharp reminder of the balance, depth and elite skill level of area soccer.
Naperville Central beat previously unbeaten St. Charles North 2-0 Saturday.
St. Charles East ripped through its foes at the Fralish Showcase in Carbondale, posting three shutouts and winning by a combined 18-0.
That included a resounding 3-0 victory over previously unbeaten Marion (12-1-0), which makes its debut in the Illinois 10 this week.
At the BodyArmour Series on Sunday, Metea Valley defeated previously unbeaten Glenwood 1-0.
The Titans suffered their first regular-season loss since 2019. They stay at No. 3 in the Illinois 10 poll.
Of significant interest, top-ranked Triad defeated no. 2 O’Fallon 1-0 Saturday in a matchup of the defending Class AA and Class 3A state champions.
Triad and O’Fallon started the year 1-2 respectively in the Chicagoland Soccer First 50 poll.
One month in, and this season is making its case as an all-timer.
Monday night is the ultimate showdown. Stay tuned.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The game of the year, so far, is Monday night in Naperville.
At the one-month point of the season, a rare no. 1-no. 2 showdown plays out in group play of the 4th annual Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic.
At the start of the year, a cluster of top teams suggested any one of Libertyville, Lyons and Naperville North and Naperville Central were a tier above the rest of the field.
Nothing over the first month of the season has dissuaded that.
The jockeying is something to behold. Naperville North has leapt Lyons and rival Naperville Central to move to the no. 2 spot.
Lyons and Naperville Central have done everything imaginable to show their value and worth.
Naperville North has just been a cut above. The Huskies (8-0-0) have now claimed dominant wins over Barrington, St. Charles East and most recently, a 4-0 shocking of previously unbeaten Evanston.
They also have a win over Batavia, a new member of the poll.
That body of work is just too rich and demonstrative to overlook. To no fault of the Lions and Redhawks, Naperville North just makes the leap.
Naperville North and Naperville Central play each other on April 18. Naperville North could theoretically see Lyons in a final round of the Deep Dish Classic.
On-field results will sort the order.
Libertyville has been equally dominant, albeit against less formidable competition.
That is going to change with games against Naperville North and Evanston on back-to-back dates.
The whole week was a sharp reminder of the balance, depth and elite skill level of area soccer.
Naperville Central beat previously unbeaten St. Charles North 2-0 Saturday.
St. Charles East ripped through its foes at the Fralish Showcase in Carbondale, posting three shutouts and winning by a combined 18-0.
That included a resounding 3-0 victory over previously unbeaten Marion (12-1-0), which makes its debut in the Illinois 10 this week.
At the BodyArmour Series on Sunday, Metea Valley defeated previously unbeaten Glenwood 1-0.
The Titans suffered their first regular-season loss since 2019. They stay at No. 3 in the Illinois 10 poll.
Of significant interest, top-ranked Triad defeated no. 2 O’Fallon 1-0 Saturday in a matchup of the defending Class AA and Class 3A state champions.
Triad and O’Fallon started the year 1-2 respectively in the Chicagoland Soccer First 50 poll.
One month in, and this season is making its case as an all-timer.
Monday night is the ultimate showdown. Stay tuned.
| Rk | LW | Team | W | L | T | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Libertyville | 4 | 0 | 0 | Riley Brennan is an elite stopper |
| 2 | 4 | Naperville N | 8 | 0 | 0 | Olivia Anderson sparks the attack |
| 3 | 2 | Lyons | 5 | 0 | 0 | Izzi Wirtz is star in the making |
| 4 | 3 | Naperville C | 7 | 0 | 0 | Molly O’Rear is an elite talent |
| 5 | 5 | Glenbrook N | 9 | 0 | 0 | Dominated Lake Zurich Quad |
| 6 | 10 | Metea Valley | 7 | 0 | 1 | Lucy Burk is brilliant young talent |
| 7 | 9 | Barrington | 5 | 1 | 0 | Kathleen Baker is athletic difference-maker |
| 8 | 13 | Stevenson | 5 | 0 | 0 | Showdown with New Trier looms |
| 9 | 6 | St. Charles N | 6 | 1 | 0 | Sophie Sutherland juices the attack |
| 10 | 16 | St. Charles E | 9 | 2 | 0 | Mia Raschke a key cog in Saints offense |
| 11 | NR | Maine South | 7 | 1 | 1 | Beats Warren on penalties |
| 12 | 7 | Warren | 4 | 1 | 2 | Alina May is dynamic talent |
| 13 | 21 | Evanston | 4 | 1 | 1 | Nahla Dominguez brings elite skill level |
| 14 | 15 | Loyola | 7 | 2 | 1 | Ella Couri is emerging star |
| 15 | 11 | Oswego East | 5 | 1 | 0 | Riley Gumm is athletic talent |
| 16 | 21 | Deerfield | 7 | 1 | 1 | Emily Fox is elite sophomore |
| 17 | 12 | New Trier | 4 | 2 | 2 | Annie Paden is free kick specialist |
| 18 | 17 | Benet | 6 | 2 | 0 | Reese MacDonald is two-way talent |
| 19 | 22 | Geneva | 4 | 1 | 0 | Rawls’ sisters open up attack |
| 20 | 18 | L-W Central | 8 | 1 | 0 | Warren ends perfect start |
| 21 | NR | Lake Zurich | 5 | 2 | 1 | Scores first goal against Glenbrook N |
| 22 | NR | Lockport | 8 | 3 | 0 | Makes statement at own tournament |
| 23 | 20 | Carmel | 4 | 2 | 0 | Madison Konen is player to watch |
| 24 | HM | Batavia | 4 | 1 | 1 | Aubrey Hahn is an elite keeper |
| 25 | HM | Oak Park and River Forest | 5 | 1 | 0 | Only loss is Glenbrook N |
Look out for: Young, Lane, Wheaton Warrenville South, Fenwick, Fremd, Crystal Lake Central, Dundee-Crown, Lincoln-Way East, Andrew, Hampshire, Saint Viator, Hinsdale Central, Glenbard West, Plainfield East, Morton.
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