Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
A lot of teams are trending up, and there has been a tweak in the top three.
Top-ranked Morton continues to be impressive, three-time state champion Naperville North is playing like a juggernaut and Libertyville — despite some close calls — remains undefeated in the regular season for the last three years and counting.
It is worth reiterating that sometimes teams move up not as a result of the team immediately above them falling, but simply because they put together a run or streak that requires a point of emphasis.
Benet is a good example. The Redwings have lost just one game, by one goal, to Naperville North in the final round of pool play at the Best of the West.
The team has 13 returners back from a solid group that developed impressive chemistry on the field. Everything is coming together terrifically.
Marist coach Sean Maxwell was certainly jolted.
“Sean [Wesley] always does a really nice job,” he said. “But I feel like he has some exceptional players this year, even relative to what they usually have. Their runs are great, soccer IQ is very solid.
“I am impressed.”
Nick Renfro scored against Marist. Sometimes it just comes down to how guys like to be around each other.
“I really think we all just like playing together,” Renfro said. “I love playing together with these guys, and I’d do anything for them. We are all buying into the system. Our coach tells us what to do, and we do it.
“We are all on the same page.”
The East Suburban Catholic Conference looks formidable at the top with St. Patrick and Benet.
St. Patrick won five games this week, punctuated with the victory in the title of the River Region Rumble in Kentucky. It marked the second-consecutive year St. Patrick has won that tournament.
At the moment, these are the teams that shape the conversation.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
A lot of teams are trending up, and there has been a tweak in the top three.
Top-ranked Morton continues to be impressive, three-time state champion Naperville North is playing like a juggernaut and Libertyville — despite some close calls — remains undefeated in the regular season for the last three years and counting.
It is worth reiterating that sometimes teams move up not as a result of the team immediately above them falling, but simply because they put together a run or streak that requires a point of emphasis.
Benet is a good example. The Redwings have lost just one game, by one goal, to Naperville North in the final round of pool play at the Best of the West.
The team has 13 returners back from a solid group that developed impressive chemistry on the field. Everything is coming together terrifically.
Marist coach Sean Maxwell was certainly jolted.
“Sean [Wesley] always does a really nice job,” he said. “But I feel like he has some exceptional players this year, even relative to what they usually have. Their runs are great, soccer IQ is very solid.
“I am impressed.”
Nick Renfro scored against Marist. Sometimes it just comes down to how guys like to be around each other.
“I really think we all just like playing together,” Renfro said. “I love playing together with these guys, and I’d do anything for them. We are all buying into the system. Our coach tells us what to do, and we do it.
“We are all on the same page.”
The East Suburban Catholic Conference looks formidable at the top with St. Patrick and Benet.
St. Patrick won five games this week, punctuated with the victory in the title of the River Region Rumble in Kentucky. It marked the second-consecutive year St. Patrick has won that tournament.
At the moment, these are the teams that shape the conversation.
| Rk | Last wk | Team | W | L | T | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Morton | 10 | 0 | 2 | MF Adrian Sanchez is another intriguing talent for Mustangs |
| 2 | 3 | Naperville N. | 9 | 2 | 2 | Patrick Koenig is back |
| 3 | 2 | Libertyville | 10 | 0 | 2 | Defender Will Herbek following brother’s path to glory |
| 4 | 4 | St. Patrick | 15 | 0 | 2 | Shamrocks go 5-0 for week and win Kentucky tourney |
| 5 | 5 | Benet | 8 | 1 | 0 | Chris Mankowski sparks win over Marist |
| 6 | 7 | New Trier | 10 | 1 | 3 | Peter Kanellos is emerging weapon for Trevians |
| 7 | 6 | Solorio | 14 | 1 | 1 | Kevin Patino has solidified the defense |
| 8 | 19 | Evanston | 11 | 0 | 1 | Huge showdown with New Trier Tuesday |
| 9 | 8 | OPRF | 9 | 1 | 2 | Mateja Tadi is another dynamic offensive talent for Huskies |
| 10 | 10 | W. Chicago | 11 | 1 | 2 | Top 25 laments cancellation of Morton showdown |
| 11 | 24 | West Aurora | 10 | 2 | 1 | Alejandro Barrios: 8 shutouts in last 9 games |
| 12 | 13 | Crystal Lake S | 9 | 3 | 2 | Alex Canfield hit 2 game-winners last week |
| 13 | 13 | Fremd | 6 | 1 | 4 | Russell Beaupre sparks wild win over Jacobs |
| 14 | 14 | Lyons | 7 | 3 | 2 | Jack Luttrell is a very versatile talent |
| 15 | 11 | Zion-Benton | 10 | 2 | 2 | Rally from 2 goals down to tie Warren |
| 16 | 18 | Round Lake | 8 | 1 | 2 | Have shown to be almost impossible to score against |
| 17 | 22 | St. Charles East | 10 | 1 | 2 | Renato Avendano is emerging as major player for Saints |
| 18 | HM | Barrington | 11 | 3 | 1 | 2 OT win over Prospect is 5th straight for Broncos |
| 19 | 23 | Buffalo Grove | 8 | 4 | 1 | Jakob Szydlowski scores GW goal against Hersey |
| 20 | 9 | Warren | 8 | 3 | 2 | Blue Devils hope Nolan Ehlers back soon from concussion protocol |
| 21 | NR | Highland Park | 9 | 3 | 3 | Strong showing against OPRF |
| 22 | 21 | Glenbrook S. | 8 | 4 | 3 | Drew Maytum leads Titans in Indiana tourney trip |
| 23 | HM | Mount Carmel | 10 | 2 | 1 | Damian Rincon is on fire for Caravan |
| 24 | 15 | Loyola | 9 | 3 | 1 | Ryan Leider is a very gifted sophomore |
| 25 | 25 | Addison Trail | 9 | 2 | 1 | Jose Vega is a quality defender |
Look out for: Stagg, Lockport, St. Charles North, Naperville Central, Glenbard North, Metea Valley, Geneva, Waubonsie Valley, Wheaton North, Plainfield North, South Elgin, Lincoln-Way Central, St. Ignatius, Taft, Lane
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