Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
As expected the beginning of the fourth week has brought some order and stability. The teams that make up this week's Top 25 have been fixtures.
One striking exception, and the team of the week, is Elgin. The Maroons made a great leap from the unknown to a top five ranking. Elgin defeated St. Charles East 3-2 and followed that up with an impressive victory over Dundee-Crown. Saints' coach Paul Jennison said Elgin was a team to be concerned with.
They proved him right. Everything has broken just right for the Maroons, the return of some academy players infusing some talent and experience with some other quality players.
Defending Class 3A state champion Libertyville also returns to the Top 10 after stopping Warren's unbeaten streak. Libertyville's 2-0 victory ended a dominant Blue Devils' eight-game winning streak that saw them outscore the opposition 42-4. (Warren rebounded the next night with a 4-0 victory over a solid Vernon Hills team.)
There is also a slight juggling at the top, as Morton and Evanston changed positions. Evanston saw its six-game winning streak end in a 1-1 draw with Jacobs (a feisty team with several strong results to its credit). The bigger issue is Morton's dominance since a season-opening 1-1 draw with Naperville Central. Morton has been unstoppable, and the Mustangs beat previously undefeated Addison Trail 3-0. At the moment they are the team by which all others are judged.
Some order for now, but don't get settled. Things rarely stay the same.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
As expected the beginning of the fourth week has brought some order and stability. The teams that make up this week's Top 25 have been fixtures.
One striking exception, and the team of the week, is Elgin. The Maroons made a great leap from the unknown to a top five ranking. Elgin defeated St. Charles East 3-2 and followed that up with an impressive victory over Dundee-Crown. Saints' coach Paul Jennison said Elgin was a team to be concerned with.
They proved him right. Everything has broken just right for the Maroons, the return of some academy players infusing some talent and experience with some other quality players.
Defending Class 3A state champion Libertyville also returns to the Top 10 after stopping Warren's unbeaten streak. Libertyville's 2-0 victory ended a dominant Blue Devils' eight-game winning streak that saw them outscore the opposition 42-4. (Warren rebounded the next night with a 4-0 victory over a solid Vernon Hills team.)
There is also a slight juggling at the top, as Morton and Evanston changed positions. Evanston saw its six-game winning streak end in a 1-1 draw with Jacobs (a feisty team with several strong results to its credit). The bigger issue is Morton's dominance since a season-opening 1-1 draw with Naperville Central. Morton has been unstoppable, and the Mustangs beat previously undefeated Addison Trail 3-0. At the moment they are the team by which all others are judged.
Some order for now, but don't get settled. Things rarely stay the same.
Look out for: Downers Grove South, Maine South, Crystal Lake South, New Trier, Glenbard North, Bremen, Leyden, Waukegan, Timothy, Lane, St. Laurence, Hinsdale Central, Round Lake, Bolingbrook, Oswego East.