Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The first month of the season is history, and we have sufficient information to move beyond trends and movements. The top 10 is relatively unchanged, except close readers will notice some jostling among the top six or seven.
The poll is meant to register strength, at the moment. Teams that drop are not necessarily being penalized, it's more that teams that started the week at a lower position did something impressive to justify a leap.
For instance, Naperville North posted a 2-0 win over Boylan, then ranked at no. 3 in Chicagoland Soccer's Illinois 10 poll) in Rockford. That is an imposing statement that reveals the Huskies' quality and achievement more succinctly than dropping them, for instance, after they were upset by Bolingbrook last week.
The dominant story remains Morton, winners of 10 in a row after beating Stagg (1-0) and former no. 14 Lyons (4-1) in PepsiCo Showdown tournament play this week. The Stagg coach, Mike Kealy, called the Mustangs "the best team I have ever coached against in my 15 years of varsity coaching."
St. Charles North also made a big leap after qualifying for the title game against the Mustangs. The North Stars beat previously undefeated Lane in a first round game and Wheaton Academy in the semifinals.
Maine South, a team on the verge, has won four in a row and six out of its last seven, and earns a spot this week.
The aforementioned Lane, whose only loss is on penalties against the North Stars, appears to be the team to beat in the city after defeating New Trier and defending supersectional qualifier Solorio, both by counts of 2-0.
Oak Lawn, winners of the Ram Windy City Classic a few weeks back, is one of the few untied and unbeaten teams, with a sterling mark of 11-0. The Spartans are legit.
Records are through Sunday, September 19th.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The first month of the season is history, and we have sufficient information to move beyond trends and movements. The top 10 is relatively unchanged, except close readers will notice some jostling among the top six or seven.
The poll is meant to register strength, at the moment. Teams that drop are not necessarily being penalized, it's more that teams that started the week at a lower position did something impressive to justify a leap.
For instance, Naperville North posted a 2-0 win over Boylan, then ranked at no. 3 in Chicagoland Soccer's Illinois 10 poll) in Rockford. That is an imposing statement that reveals the Huskies' quality and achievement more succinctly than dropping them, for instance, after they were upset by Bolingbrook last week.
The dominant story remains Morton, winners of 10 in a row after beating Stagg (1-0) and former no. 14 Lyons (4-1) in PepsiCo Showdown tournament play this week. The Stagg coach, Mike Kealy, called the Mustangs "the best team I have ever coached against in my 15 years of varsity coaching."
St. Charles North also made a big leap after qualifying for the title game against the Mustangs. The North Stars beat previously undefeated Lane in a first round game and Wheaton Academy in the semifinals.
Maine South, a team on the verge, has won four in a row and six out of its last seven, and earns a spot this week.
The aforementioned Lane, whose only loss is on penalties against the North Stars, appears to be the team to beat in the city after defeating New Trier and defending supersectional qualifier Solorio, both by counts of 2-0.
Oak Lawn, winners of the Ram Windy City Classic a few weeks back, is one of the few untied and unbeaten teams, with a sterling mark of 11-0. The Spartans are legit.
Records are through Sunday, September 19th.
Look out for: Hinsdale Central, Benet, Oak Park and River Forest, Bloom, Crystal Lake South, Argo, Leyden, New Trier, Bremen, Chicago Bulls, South Elgin, Round Lake, Glenbard North.