Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
This was in many ways the most significant week of the season.
The IHSA released the state tournament seeds. Many of the conferences races have either been decided or have come into sharper focus.
The top teams continue to fly.
Top-ranked Morton ascended to the top of the national rankings conducted by Max Preps. Glenbrook North rode roughshod over some of the best teams in Southern Illinois and St. Louis at the Gateway Classic.
St. Charles North edged rival St. Charles East. Barrington defeated Hersey 1-0, ending the Huskies' unbeaten run.
The last two unbeaten and untied teams, No. 8 Oak Lawn (16-0-0) and No. 19 Bourbonnais (12-0-0), earned the top slots at the Class 3A Lincoln-Way Central sectional. Bourbonnais is the top-seed, followed by the Spartans.
The other significant story is the rise of Lane, unfortunately now framed by an asterisk. Lane made the biggest jump in this week's standings. The Indians, whose only loss came on penalty kicks against St. Charles North, has size, speed and superb chemistry. They are clearly the team to beat in an altered city tournament that moves into second round play on Tuesday.
A looming (and by most accounts, certain) teachers' strike imperils the Indians' and the rest of the Public League teams' futures. The strike would prevent hem from competing in the state tournament. Lane earned the no. 4 seed at Maine East.
The aforementioned Bourbonnais, along with Mount Carmel, Benet, Mundelein and Round Lake are new entries in this week's poll.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
This was in many ways the most significant week of the season.
The IHSA released the state tournament seeds. Many of the conferences races have either been decided or have come into sharper focus.
The top teams continue to fly.
Top-ranked Morton ascended to the top of the national rankings conducted by Max Preps. Glenbrook North rode roughshod over some of the best teams in Southern Illinois and St. Louis at the Gateway Classic.
St. Charles North edged rival St. Charles East. Barrington defeated Hersey 1-0, ending the Huskies' unbeaten run.
The last two unbeaten and untied teams, No. 8 Oak Lawn (16-0-0) and No. 19 Bourbonnais (12-0-0), earned the top slots at the Class 3A Lincoln-Way Central sectional. Bourbonnais is the top-seed, followed by the Spartans.
The other significant story is the rise of Lane, unfortunately now framed by an asterisk. Lane made the biggest jump in this week's standings. The Indians, whose only loss came on penalty kicks against St. Charles North, has size, speed and superb chemistry. They are clearly the team to beat in an altered city tournament that moves into second round play on Tuesday.
A looming (and by most accounts, certain) teachers' strike imperils the Indians' and the rest of the Public League teams' futures. The strike would prevent hem from competing in the state tournament. Lane earned the no. 4 seed at Maine East.
The aforementioned Bourbonnais, along with Mount Carmel, Benet, Mundelein and Round Lake are new entries in this week's poll.
Look out for: Loyola, Fenwick, Naperville Central, Downers Grove South, Downers Grove North, Streamwood, Glenbrook South, Latin, Bloom, Argo, Leyden, Conant, Huntley, Hinsdale Central, Oswego East.