Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
A new day has dawned, and now the girls take center stage.
The boys took over part of the girls’ traditional spring space with the adjusted IHSA calendar.
After going nearly two years without any games, the girls’ season now takes hold in the public consciousness.
Unlike the boys, the girls have a more traditional schedule, with all three classes scheduled to crown a state champion two months from today on June 19.
The sense of relief and exaltation was palpable, on all sides. Now the focus turns to the games, and one of the most interesting factors is player development.
Historically, coaches like to say a player makes their biggest jump between their sophomore and junior year. Many juniors made a first impression as sophomores; a vast majority were likely at the lower level.
It’s only the second week, and already some major games have played out. Barrington has already beaten preseason no. 6 St. Charles North 1-0 and played top-ranked New Trier to a draw.
Now the Fillies take on mighty Libertyville. The no. 4 Wildcats scored 15 goals in their first two games.
Already, some conferences have offered a tantalizing preview. With third-ranked Warren, Libertyville and no. 18 Stevenson, the North Suburban is ridiculously talented at the top.
Navigating the Central Suburban League South Division is also going to be a profound challenge with top-ranked New Trier, no 12 Evanston, no. 16 Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South.
The strongest overall league is possibly the DuPage Valley Conference with three teams turning up at 7-8-9 this week (Naperville North, Naperville Central and Neuqua Valley respectively).
What a fantastic time to be a soccer fan.
Games through Sunday
By Patrick Z. McGavin
A new day has dawned, and now the girls take center stage.
The boys took over part of the girls’ traditional spring space with the adjusted IHSA calendar.
After going nearly two years without any games, the girls’ season now takes hold in the public consciousness.
Unlike the boys, the girls have a more traditional schedule, with all three classes scheduled to crown a state champion two months from today on June 19.
The sense of relief and exaltation was palpable, on all sides. Now the focus turns to the games, and one of the most interesting factors is player development.
Historically, coaches like to say a player makes their biggest jump between their sophomore and junior year. Many juniors made a first impression as sophomores; a vast majority were likely at the lower level.
It’s only the second week, and already some major games have played out. Barrington has already beaten preseason no. 6 St. Charles North 1-0 and played top-ranked New Trier to a draw.
Now the Fillies take on mighty Libertyville. The no. 4 Wildcats scored 15 goals in their first two games.
Already, some conferences have offered a tantalizing preview. With third-ranked Warren, Libertyville and no. 18 Stevenson, the North Suburban is ridiculously talented at the top.
Navigating the Central Suburban League South Division is also going to be a profound challenge with top-ranked New Trier, no 12 Evanston, no. 16 Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South.
The strongest overall league is possibly the DuPage Valley Conference with three teams turning up at 7-8-9 this week (Naperville North, Naperville Central and Neuqua Valley respectively).
What a fantastic time to be a soccer fan.
Games through Sunday
| Rk | LW | Team | W | L | T | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | New Trier | 1 | 0 | 1 | Mia Sedgewick balances middle attack |
| 2 | 2 | SC East | 1 | 0 | 0 | First look at Illinois recruit Ashley Stellon |
| 3 | 3 | Warren | 2 | 0 | 0 | Emily Soriaga has a lethal touch |
| 4 | 4 | Libertyville | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 goals in first two games |
| 5 | 9 | Barrington | 1 | 0 | 1 | Kate McGreevy is elite lockdown defender |
| 6 | 5 | Buffalo Gr | 0 | 0 | 0 | Showdown with Stevenson Thursday |
| 7 | 7 | Naperville N | 0 | 0 | 0 | Opens with Neuqua V Thursday |
| 8 | 12 | Naperville C | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sullivan Schubel off to electric start |
| 9 | 11 | Neuqua V | 1 | 0 | 0 | Brooke Miller is next great Wildcat player |
| 10 | 8 | Benet | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brooke Pullen is ferocious defender |
| 11 | 6 | SC North | 0 | 1 | 0 | Maddie Rossi is fabulous offensively |
| 12 | 14 | Evanston | 2 | 0 | 0 | Strong win over Loyola |
| 13 | 10 | Lyons | 0 | 0 | 0 | Lily Mattern is thrilling two-way talent |
| 14 | 13 | Loyola | 1 | 1 | 0 | Kaitlyn Kurtz is explosive offensive talent |
| 15 | 20 | Joliet Cath | 2 | 0 | 0 | Striking result over WW South |
| 16 | 38 | Glenbrook N | 1 | 0 | 0 | Strong start against city power Lane |
| 17 | NR | Wheaton N | 2 | 0 | 0 | Kayla Shebar off to spectacular start |
| 18 | 23 | Stevenson | 1 | 0 | 0 | North Suburban is loaded at top |
| 19 | 19 | Lemont | 0 | 0 | 0 | A model of consistency in south suburbs |
| 20 | 31 | Sandburg | 0 | 0 | 0 | Another program fortified by club players |
| 21 | 16 | Young | 1 | 2 | 0 | Alexis Sassower is creative with ball |
| 22 | 15 | Lane | 0 | 1 | 0 | Lisa Rios is a player to watch |
| 23 | 27 | Glenbard E | 0 | 0 | 0 | Maia Zatarski is dynamic offensive threat |
| 24 | 31 | Cary-Grove | 0 | 0 | 0 | The best of the Fox Valley |
| 25 | NR | LW Central | 2 | 0 | 0 | Purdue recruit Megan Hutchinson is fantastic talent |
Look out for: South Elgin, Andrew, Crystal Lake Central, Waubonsie Valley, Wheaton Academy, Wheaton Warrenville South, St. Ignatius, Fremd, Jones, Deerfield, Geneva, Metea Valley, North Shore Country Day, Glenbrook South, Carmel.
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