Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
An excerpt from the story on previous no. 4 Libertyville’s 2-1 comeback victory over top-ranked New Trier:
“(New Trier coach Jim) Burnside has won six state championships and 534 career games. He said what has happened so far goes beyond one program.
“This is awesome for every team and every kid,” Burnside said. “We’re all out here to compete and to win, but the subtext of that is when I see a kid from Libertyville laughing before the game, or from New Trier or Lane Tech, the key there is they’re out here having a good time.
“I think that in itself is a win. We’re starting to get back to some normal rhythms, and some competition on top of that. It’s a double-win. I’m so happy for these kids they have a chance to be out here and compete.”
The first of May is typically the time of conference tournaments and teams preparing for the state tournament. In this recalibrated “summer season,” of 2021 girls’ soccer, the season has barely begun.
The best teams have played anywhere from four to eight games and are starting to find their rhythm and show what they are capable of.
As pointed out in the story (https://www.chicagolandsoccer.org/gs-libertyville-at-new-trier-5-2-21.html), the game against Libertyville was the Trevians fourth in five days. Coaches are always keen about not burning out their players. After nearly two years away from the game, the players are ready to play a game every day, if necessary, as if to make up for the lost time.
St. Charles East, with five college-bound players, has been the most statistically impressive team in the state. The net rating and algorithms charted by MaxPreps identify them as the state’s best.
After their 3-0 victory over rival St. Charles North, the Saints (8-0-0) have a goal differential of 48-1. Teams spend so much energy trying to slow them down defensively, they hardly have an offensive attack to counter.
The math favors St. Charles East, with LIbertyville, undefeated Benet and one-loss New Trier just behind them. Otherwise, the movement was fairly minor, with some subtle reshuffling.
Just one more indication of teams unlocking their true identities. They just needed time.
Games through Sunday
By Patrick Z. McGavin
An excerpt from the story on previous no. 4 Libertyville’s 2-1 comeback victory over top-ranked New Trier:
“(New Trier coach Jim) Burnside has won six state championships and 534 career games. He said what has happened so far goes beyond one program.
“This is awesome for every team and every kid,” Burnside said. “We’re all out here to compete and to win, but the subtext of that is when I see a kid from Libertyville laughing before the game, or from New Trier or Lane Tech, the key there is they’re out here having a good time.
“I think that in itself is a win. We’re starting to get back to some normal rhythms, and some competition on top of that. It’s a double-win. I’m so happy for these kids they have a chance to be out here and compete.”
The first of May is typically the time of conference tournaments and teams preparing for the state tournament. In this recalibrated “summer season,” of 2021 girls’ soccer, the season has barely begun.
The best teams have played anywhere from four to eight games and are starting to find their rhythm and show what they are capable of.
As pointed out in the story (https://www.chicagolandsoccer.org/gs-libertyville-at-new-trier-5-2-21.html), the game against Libertyville was the Trevians fourth in five days. Coaches are always keen about not burning out their players. After nearly two years away from the game, the players are ready to play a game every day, if necessary, as if to make up for the lost time.
St. Charles East, with five college-bound players, has been the most statistically impressive team in the state. The net rating and algorithms charted by MaxPreps identify them as the state’s best.
After their 3-0 victory over rival St. Charles North, the Saints (8-0-0) have a goal differential of 48-1. Teams spend so much energy trying to slow them down defensively, they hardly have an offensive attack to counter.
The math favors St. Charles East, with LIbertyville, undefeated Benet and one-loss New Trier just behind them. Otherwise, the movement was fairly minor, with some subtle reshuffling.
Just one more indication of teams unlocking their true identities. They just needed time.
Games through Sunday
| Rk | LW | Team | W | L | T | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | St. Charles East | 8 | 0 | 0 | Jenna Sitta is emerging star |
| 2 | 4 | Libertyville | 6 | 0 | 0 | Impressive win over New Trier |
| 3 | 6 | Benet | 6 | 0 | 0 | Rachel Burns is emerging threat |
| 4 | 1 | New Trier | 5 | 1 | 3 | Annie Paden is an impressive freshman |
| 5 | 3 | Warren | 5 | 0 | 3 | Amber Langosch is skilled two-way talent |
| 6 | 5 | Naperville North | 3 | 0 | 1 | Leah Jacobs is versatile talent |
| 7 | 7 | Barrington | 4 | 1 | 1 | Coast Liapis a skilled, veteran keeper |
| 8 | 10 | Naperville Central | 3 | 1 | 2 | Abby O’Connor preserves tie with rival North |
| 9 | 9 | Evanston | 7 | 0 | 1 | Tuesday showdown with New Trier |
| 10 | 15 | Loyola | 4 | 1 | 2 | Kathryn Diblik is a standout junior |
| 11 | 8 | Glenbrook North | 6 | 0 | 1 | New Trier tie ends perfect start |
| 12 | 11 | Lyons | 4 | 0 | 0 | Avery Livingston is another savvy veteran |
| 13 | 13 | Joliet Catholic | 5 | 0 | 0 | Angels have 23-3 goal differential |
| 14 | 14 | Sandburg | 4 | 0 | 0 | Eagles are unscored upon |
| 15 | 17 | Wheaton North | 5 | 0 | 1 | Macy Hutchinson is a dynamic talent |
| 16 | 20 | Stevenson | 5 | 1 | 0 | Showdown with Warren looms |
| 17 | 18 | Metea Valley | 4 | 2 | 1 | Lucy Burk is a gifted freshman |
| 18 | 22 | South Elgin | 4 | 0 | 0 | Meghan Dunne is a gifted midfielder |
| 19 | HM | Fremd | 3 | 1 | 0 | Shannon Moran leads resurgent play |
| 20 | NR | Prairie Ridge | 4 | 0 | 0 | Wolves off to fast start |
| 21 | HM | Geneva | 4 | 2 | 0 | Rilee Hasegawa is fun to watch |
| 22 | 25 | St. Francis | 4 | 0 | 0 | Kaitlin Chaparro is impactful offensively |
| 23 | 23 | Wheaton A | 5 | 2 | 0 | Eva De Souza is explosive target up-front |
| 24 | 19 | Buffalo Grove | 5 | 3 | 1 | Bison endure brutal schedule |
| 25 | 16 | St. Charles North | 2 | 3 | 2 | Bella Najera is a skilled threat |
Look out for: Neuqua Valley, Lane, Young, Fenwick, Lincoln-Way Central, Highland Park, Lockport, Hinsdale Central, Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake Central, Carmel, Mundelein, Timothy, Lake Forest, Oswego East
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