Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
At last, some continuity at the top.
This is the reckoning for most programs. The vast majority of conference races have been decided. This is the final week of the regular season for Class 2A and Class 3A. Many teams have completed the regular season and are in training for the start of the state tournament.
The Chicago Public League is down to its final four. The semifinals and city title game are Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, at Lane.
In the North Suburban Conference, new no. 25 Stevenson beat Libertyville 2-0 Tuesday to clinch the Lake Division. The Patriots travel to Wauconda to play the Bulldogs on Tuesday afternoon.
For the first time in five weeks, a team has maintained the top position in the rankings -- Naperville North. Despite playing a scoreless draw with rival Naperville Central, the Huskies put together victories over Waubonsie Valley and Downers Grove South to maintain their place.
Barrington completed another undefeated Mid-Suburban League run to qualify for the MSL Cup. The Fillies remain in the second slot. Barrington remains the only team to beat Naperville North. That win came in the first game of the season.
Evanston makes a big move on the basis of its 1-0 victory over two-time defending Class 3A state champion New Trier. Significantly, Evanston also is the last team to beat no. 9 Glenbrook South, which played New Trier to a draw. Evanston captured the CSL South title.
Another significant match to watch Tuesday is the rivalry game in LaGrange, where no. 11 Lyons hosts no. 18 Hinsdale Central for the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title.
This poll is more intuitive than scientific. Recent performance has greater value than what happened earlier in the season, or even the mid-point. Metea Valley (no. 21) and Fremd (no. 22) make the leap from honorable mention, reflecting their recent strong play.
Starting next week, records mean little. Enjoy it while it lasts.
One state-wide note of interest. We have a change at the top in the Illinois 10. Defending Class 1A champion Rochester is knocked out of the top spot for the first time this year. Previous no. 3 Edwardsville beat the Rockets 3-2 to earn the top spot.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
At last, some continuity at the top.
This is the reckoning for most programs. The vast majority of conference races have been decided. This is the final week of the regular season for Class 2A and Class 3A. Many teams have completed the regular season and are in training for the start of the state tournament.
The Chicago Public League is down to its final four. The semifinals and city title game are Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, at Lane.
In the North Suburban Conference, new no. 25 Stevenson beat Libertyville 2-0 Tuesday to clinch the Lake Division. The Patriots travel to Wauconda to play the Bulldogs on Tuesday afternoon.
For the first time in five weeks, a team has maintained the top position in the rankings -- Naperville North. Despite playing a scoreless draw with rival Naperville Central, the Huskies put together victories over Waubonsie Valley and Downers Grove South to maintain their place.
Barrington completed another undefeated Mid-Suburban League run to qualify for the MSL Cup. The Fillies remain in the second slot. Barrington remains the only team to beat Naperville North. That win came in the first game of the season.
Evanston makes a big move on the basis of its 1-0 victory over two-time defending Class 3A state champion New Trier. Significantly, Evanston also is the last team to beat no. 9 Glenbrook South, which played New Trier to a draw. Evanston captured the CSL South title.
Another significant match to watch Tuesday is the rivalry game in LaGrange, where no. 11 Lyons hosts no. 18 Hinsdale Central for the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title.
This poll is more intuitive than scientific. Recent performance has greater value than what happened earlier in the season, or even the mid-point. Metea Valley (no. 21) and Fremd (no. 22) make the leap from honorable mention, reflecting their recent strong play.
Starting next week, records mean little. Enjoy it while it lasts.
One state-wide note of interest. We have a change at the top in the Illinois 10. Defending Class 1A champion Rochester is knocked out of the top spot for the first time this year. Previous no. 3 Edwardsville beat the Rockets 3-2 to earn the top spot.
| Rank | LW | School | W | L | T | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Naperville North | 15 | 1 | 1 | Ashley Santos is elite defender |
| 2 | 2 | Barrington | 15 | 2 | 1 | Unstoppable force in conference |
| 3 | 7 | Evanston | 15 | 2 | 2 | Revenge over the Trevians |
| 4 | 4 | St. Charles East | 16 | 3 | 0 | Hannah Kolb leads great junior class |
| 5 | 6 | St. Charles North | 14 | 3 | 1 | Gia Wahlberg keys crucial win over Batavia |
| 6 | 5 | New Trier | 16 | 3 | 1 | Played state’s hardest schedule |
| 7 | 3 | Naperville Central | 11 | 4 | 5 | Defense is spectacular |
| 8 | 8 | Loyola | 16 | 3 | 4 | Maggie Brett is freshman to watch |
| 9 | 9 | Glenbrook South | 16 | 2 | 2 | Unbeaten in last 14 games |
| 10 | 11 | Lyons | 15 | 2 | 2 | Silver title on line Tuesday |
| 11 | 12 | Sandburg | 13 | 1 | 3 | Stops hot Lockport 2-0 |
| 12 | 13 | Plainfield North | 12 | 5 | 2 | Abby Gustafson is elite sophomore defender |
| 13 | 15 | Huntley | 15 | 3 | 2 | Alyssa Kaufman is offensive catalyst |
| 14 | 14 | Batavia | 13 | 4 | 0 | Alex Piron is another offensive weapon |
| 15 | 19 | WW South | 11 | 5 | 2 | Rachel Erdman is dynamic |
| 16 | 20 | Glenbard East | 16 | 4 | 0 | Ali Liljestrand is sophomore worth watching |
| 17 | 22 | Andrew | 17 | 2 | 0 | 14-game winning streak is unmatched |
| 18 | HM | Hinsdale Central | 13 | 5 | 0 | Back in its groove |
| 19 | 23 | Bartlett | 14 | 5 | 1 | Mariela Alba powers win over W. Aurora |
| 20 | 18 | Deerfield | 15 | 5 | 1 | Sari Eisen helps defend CSL North title |
| 21 | HM | Metea Valley | 8 | 6 | 4 | Hot at the right time |
| 22 | HM | Fremd | 7 | 6 | 4 | Kelsie Stone is an elite keeper |
| 23 | 21 | Prospect | 11 | 4 | 4 | Kristina Suto is a top defender |
| 24 | 24 | Lake Zurich | 11 | 4 | 3 | Kristin Brousseau is a top sophomore |
| 25 | NR | Stevenson | 9 | 6 | 1 | Savannah Kruse keys conference title run |
Look out for: Geneva, Waubonsie Valley, Warren, Minooka, Carmel, Glenbrook North, Libertyville, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Wauconda, Maine South, Grayslake North, St. Francis, Lincoln-Way West, Lincoln-Way East.
EDITOR'S NOTE: In the interests of full disclosure to our Chicagoland Soccer readers, Patrick Z. McGavin's niece is on the Geneva High School varsity.
EDITOR'S NOTE: In the interests of full disclosure to our Chicagoland Soccer readers, Patrick Z. McGavin's niece is on the Geneva High School varsity.