Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Most observers predicted it would take about a month of play before there was some clarity to this season.
The just-ended fourth week felt fairly significant in that regard.
Top-ranked St. Charles East held to that position; the Saints, with a 58-2 scoring margin, saw their first really tight game in the 2-1 victory over no. 15 Wheaton North, though it’s duly noted the Fighting Saints played with 10 players the last 60 minutes due to a soft red card.
Second-ranked Libertyville beat previously unbeaten Warren 2-0 in a North Suburban Conference showdown Thursday.
New Trier, coming off its first loss against Libertyville, had statement victories against Stevenson and rival Evanston.
Sandburg and Joliet Catholic have looked untouchable in the southwest suburbs.
The Naperville/Aurora schools, Naperville Central and North, Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley are playing high-level soccer, and knocking each other off. Neuqua Valley has one-goal losses to each of them.
In the city, Chicago Public League Premier Division first place program Payton faces the gauntlet of Young, Lane and Jones this week.
And so it goes, with the realization that teams are beginning to separate into tiers. We are still finding out about others, except the data and the results show a deep and balanced field as we move into the second half of the regular season.
What a dazzling time to be a girls’ soccer aficionado.
Games through Sunday
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Most observers predicted it would take about a month of play before there was some clarity to this season.
The just-ended fourth week felt fairly significant in that regard.
Top-ranked St. Charles East held to that position; the Saints, with a 58-2 scoring margin, saw their first really tight game in the 2-1 victory over no. 15 Wheaton North, though it’s duly noted the Fighting Saints played with 10 players the last 60 minutes due to a soft red card.
Second-ranked Libertyville beat previously unbeaten Warren 2-0 in a North Suburban Conference showdown Thursday.
New Trier, coming off its first loss against Libertyville, had statement victories against Stevenson and rival Evanston.
Sandburg and Joliet Catholic have looked untouchable in the southwest suburbs.
The Naperville/Aurora schools, Naperville Central and North, Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley are playing high-level soccer, and knocking each other off. Neuqua Valley has one-goal losses to each of them.
In the city, Chicago Public League Premier Division first place program Payton faces the gauntlet of Young, Lane and Jones this week.
And so it goes, with the realization that teams are beginning to separate into tiers. We are still finding out about others, except the data and the results show a deep and balanced field as we move into the second half of the regular season.
What a dazzling time to be a girls’ soccer aficionado.
Games through Sunday
| Rk | LW | Team | W | L | T | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | St. Charles East | 11 | 0 | 0 | Jessica Stepien is lockdown defender |
| 2 | 2 | Libertyville | 8 | 0 | 0 | Statement win over Warren |
| 3 | 3 | Benet | 8 | 0 | 0 | Rachel Burns is fun to watch |
| 4 | 4 | New Trier | 6 | 1 | 3 | Ava Shah’s healthy return sparks Trevians |
| 5 | 8 | Naperville Central | 5 | 1 | 2 | Molly O’Rear is explosive up-top |
| 6 | 7 | Barrington | 5 | 1 | 2 | Ellie Sanchez is sophomore to watch |
| 7 | 10 | Loyola | 7 | 1 | 2 | Grace Ehlert a graceful talent |
| 8 | 6 | Naperville North | 5 | 1 | 2 | Gifted Ellie Gerner stabilizes the back |
| 9 | 5 | Warren | 6 | 1 | 3 | Melissa Cote another dynamic threat |
| 10 | 14 | Sandburg | 7 | 0 | 0 | Goal differential of 35-0 |
| 11 | 13 | Joliet Catholic | 7 | 0 | 0 | Dominant performance against Carmel |
| 12 | 12 | Lyons | 6 | 0 | 0 | Jordan Lee-Caracci is a terrific talent |
| 13 | 9 | Evanston | 8 | 1 | 2 | New Trier deals first setback |
| 14 | 21 | Geneva | 7 | 2 | 0 | Kya Trejo jazzes up the attack |
| 15 | 15 | Wheaton North | 6 | 2 | 1 | Olivia Moreno is another fantastic offensive piece |
| 16 | 11 | Glenbrook North | 6 | 0 | 3 | Draws with rival Glenbrook South |
| 17 | 22 | St. Francis | 5 | 0 | 0 | Kate Chaparro helps subdue Wheaton A. |
| 18 | 16 | Stevenson | 6 | 2 | 1 | Turned back by New Trier |
| 19 | 20 | Prairie Ridge | 6 | 0 | 0 | Showdown looms with Cary-Grove |
| 20 | HM | Cary-Grove | 5 | 0 | 0 | Model of consistency |
| 21 | 19 | Fremd | 5 | 1 | 0 | Ashley Scesniak is coming of age |
| 22 | 24 | Buffalo Grove | 5 | 3 | 3 | Strong performance with Barrington |
| 23 | 18 | South Elgin | 5 | 0 | 1 | Ella Dihel gets game-winner Saturday |
| 24 | HM | Oswego East | 5 | 0 | 0 | Chloe Noon is highly skilled |
| 25 | 25 | St. Charles North | 5 | 3 | 2 | Sophie Kirsten is intriguing talent |
Look out for: Wheaton Academy, Young, Lane, Fenwick, Metea Valley, Waubonsie Valley, Plainfield North, Highland Park, Oswego, Hinsdale Central, Jones, Payton, Morton, Herscher, Downers Grove South
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