Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Upsets, offensive fireworks and games decided by shootouts. Welcome to the return of the “second season,” as one coach called it after his team went more than three weeks between games.
Rather than try to make any major statements or connective threads, the best approach is simply revelling in the moment. Some terrific soccer is being played, by the known, unknown and the up-and-comers.
Weather has been the great equalizer. One athletic director observed over the weekend that no sport is so susceptible to the vagaries of weather like girls soccer. The game is already marked by the random -- a touch, a fluke of the bounce.
With multiple games played under snow and sleet and slick conditions, the unpredictability is only magnified. The weather has wreaked havoc on training, practice schedules and games.
With the forecast appearing to finally relent after the start of the week, a more offensively conductive brand of play is likely to follow. The rash of postponements and rescheduled games is likely to create a logjam, with schools forced to play multiple games in a week. This scenario is going to privilege teams with depth and positional versatility.
The most important thing is that teams are able to finally get out and spread their wings. That is something worth celebrating and getting excited about.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Upsets, offensive fireworks and games decided by shootouts. Welcome to the return of the “second season,” as one coach called it after his team went more than three weeks between games.
Rather than try to make any major statements or connective threads, the best approach is simply revelling in the moment. Some terrific soccer is being played, by the known, unknown and the up-and-comers.
Weather has been the great equalizer. One athletic director observed over the weekend that no sport is so susceptible to the vagaries of weather like girls soccer. The game is already marked by the random -- a touch, a fluke of the bounce.
With multiple games played under snow and sleet and slick conditions, the unpredictability is only magnified. The weather has wreaked havoc on training, practice schedules and games.
With the forecast appearing to finally relent after the start of the week, a more offensively conductive brand of play is likely to follow. The rash of postponements and rescheduled games is likely to create a logjam, with schools forced to play multiple games in a week. This scenario is going to privilege teams with depth and positional versatility.
The most important thing is that teams are able to finally get out and spread their wings. That is something worth celebrating and getting excited about.
| Rk | LW | Team | W | L | T | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Barrington | 2 | 0 | 2 | Ashley Rocco is skilled midfielder |
| 2 | 2 | New Trier | 5 | 0 | 0 | Caroline Iserloth a rock for unscored upon defense |
| 3 | 3 | St. Charles North | 6 | 0 | 1 | C.C. Wahlberg making own name |
| 4 | 5 | Loyola | 5 | 0 | 0 | Elly Zern is another talented sophomore |
| 5 | 7 | Wauconda | 6 | 0 | 0 | Makes quarterfinal round at PepsiCo |
| 6 | 8 | Metea Valley | 6 | 2 | 0 | Morgan McCrary sparks win over Naperville North |
| 7 | 4 | Naperville North | 3 | 1 | 3 | Leah Shumate is young talent to watch |
| 8 | NR | Libertyville | 3 | 0 | 0 | Kendall Edwards is top notch keeper |
| 9 | 10 | Wheaton Academy | 4 | 1 | 0 | Keeper Marta Oster has been dynamite |
| 10 | 20 | Neuqua Valley | 2 | 3 | 0 | Leah Senese scores game-winner against Metea Valley |
| 11 | 18 | Waubonsie Valley | 5 | 0 | 2 | Neuqua Valley showdown Tuesday |
| 12 | 12 | Stagg | 8 | 1 | 2 | Proves mettle against St. Charles North |
| 13 | 6 | Downers Grove North | 4 | 1 | 2 | Julia Kramper is a quality midfielder |
| 14 | 11 | Carmel | 3 | 1 | 0 | Liz Galla is a ferocious defender |
| 15 | 14 | Lemont | 6 | 0 | 0 | Looking for a challenge |
| 16 | 9 | Geneva | 3 | 2 | 1 | Lauren Albrecht is part of explosive attack |
| 17 | 13 | Deerfield | 7 | 2 | 0 | Samantha Linn can find the net |
| 18 | 21 | Glenbrook South | 6 | 0 | 2 | Impressive opening win in Malnati Classic |
| 19 | 16 | Benet | 6 | 1 | 0 | Keeper Eva Frantzen has been effective |
| 20 | 22 | St. Francis | 4 | 1 | 0 | Claire Hensley explodes against Stevenson |
| 21 | 17 | St. Charles East | 5 | 2 | 3 | Grace Griffin is a quality keeper |
| 22 | HM | Plainfield North | 6 | 1 | 1 | Victoria Thornton is sensational |
| 23 | HM | Wheaton Warrenville South | 4 | 1 | 0 | Paige Miller is fantastic talent |
| 24 | HM | Batavia | 6 | 1 | 1 | Gracey DiBiase has been electric |
| 25 | 15 | Fenwick | 6 | 2 | 0 | Keeper McKenzie Blaze has impressed |
Look out for: Lane, Lyons, Evanston, Fremd, Burlington Central, Naperville Central, Bradley-Bourbonnais, Lake Zurich, Andrew, Sycamore, Plainfield South, Prairie Ridge, Warren, York, Plainfield East