Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
As much as the top of the poll reflects and underwrites a certain status quo — Morton, Libertyville, Naperville North — the season has been noteworthy for its variety.
Waubonsie Valley defeated Wheaton North 1-0 to capture the Plainfield Classic on Saturday. The Warriors have nearly doubled their win total from a year ago.
Geneva has also raced past its entire number of victories from a year ago.
Getting a first look at a talented Hersey team this weekend against Top 25 Glenbrook South, the Huskies are a team to be reckoned with — for the now and later with just two seniors on the roster.
Coaches preach, with good reason, that results matter, but so does performance with play the material hidden underneath. Take Marmion’s 1-0 loss against no. 15 Loyola as an example.
Jimmy Romano, the Cadets’ coach, was thrilled because he saw the sharing of the ball and in the connections a fluidity that surpassed every other effort, win or lose, this season.
Glenbrook South coach Reggie Lara reinforced that wins are great, but you often find out more valuable and telling information through losses.
Summing up a week that saw his team play standout teams, Lara said:
“If I look at our last three games, New Trier, Maine South and now Hersey, we have been starting to string along passes and had a really good possession in those three games. That is the thing we are going to look to continue to try and do as we move forward and try to address some of those weaknesses we have been seeing lately.”
The games come so fast, there is rarely a chance to stand back and take an alternate view, and that is what the best coaches, in concert with their players, try to achieve.
The details are lasting. As the first month of the season is a wrap, the next month is what becomes truly illuminating.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
As much as the top of the poll reflects and underwrites a certain status quo — Morton, Libertyville, Naperville North — the season has been noteworthy for its variety.
Waubonsie Valley defeated Wheaton North 1-0 to capture the Plainfield Classic on Saturday. The Warriors have nearly doubled their win total from a year ago.
Geneva has also raced past its entire number of victories from a year ago.
Getting a first look at a talented Hersey team this weekend against Top 25 Glenbrook South, the Huskies are a team to be reckoned with — for the now and later with just two seniors on the roster.
Coaches preach, with good reason, that results matter, but so does performance with play the material hidden underneath. Take Marmion’s 1-0 loss against no. 15 Loyola as an example.
Jimmy Romano, the Cadets’ coach, was thrilled because he saw the sharing of the ball and in the connections a fluidity that surpassed every other effort, win or lose, this season.
Glenbrook South coach Reggie Lara reinforced that wins are great, but you often find out more valuable and telling information through losses.
Summing up a week that saw his team play standout teams, Lara said:
“If I look at our last three games, New Trier, Maine South and now Hersey, we have been starting to string along passes and had a really good possession in those three games. That is the thing we are going to look to continue to try and do as we move forward and try to address some of those weaknesses we have been seeing lately.”
The games come so fast, there is rarely a chance to stand back and take an alternate view, and that is what the best coaches, in concert with their players, try to achieve.
The details are lasting. As the first month of the season is a wrap, the next month is what becomes truly illuminating.
Rk | Last wk | Team | W | L | T | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Morton | 9 | 0 | 2 | Edwin Zizumbo scores hat-trick vs. Lyons |
2 | 2 | Libertyville | 9 | 0 | 0 | Patrick Graham is gifted offensive talent |
3 | 3 | Naperville N | 7 | 2 | 2 | Nata Rojas has stepped up his game |
4 | 6 | St. Patrick | 10 | 0 | 2 | Joshua Torres is electric with the ball |
5 | 11 | Benet | 7 | 1 | 0 | Trent McVey is a bright young talent |
6 | 5 | Solorio | 12 | 1 | 0 | Donovan Dorantes is fun to see |
7 | 7 | New Trier | 7 | 1 | 3 | Will Franzen is another dangerous offensive talent |
8 | 9 | OPRF | 8 | 1 | 1 | Keeper Sam Pecenka has been superb |
9 | 8 | Warren | 8 | 1 | 1 | Sebastian Rodriguez is a player to watch |
10 | 12 | W. Chicago | 11 | 1 | 1 | St. Patrick ends unbeaten streak 1-0 |
11 | 21 | Zion-Benton | 9 | 1 | 1 | Conference showdown with Warren on Tuesday |
12 | 23 | Crystal Lake S | 7 | 3 | 2 | Carson Hill is an elite keeper |
13 | 16 | Fremd | 3 | 1 | 4 | Nick Austin has been solid |
14 | 4 | Lyons | 5 | 3 | 2 | Julio Torres is an offensive threat |
15 | 15 | Loyola | 7 | 2 | 1 | Michael Sullivan is a playmaker |
16 | 10 | Naperville C | 7 | 2 | 3 | Rohan Bhargava solidifies the middle attack |
17 | 13 | Lockport | 8 | 0 | 1 | Pat Marshall is talented young keeper |
18 | HM | Round Lake | 7 | 1 | 1 | Panthers earn tough draw against New Trier |
19 | HM | Evanston | 8 | 0 | 1 | Impressive win over Maine South |
20 | NR | Hersey | 6 | 2 | 1 | Midfielder Ronan Wilcox is electrifying |
21 | 14 | Glenbrook S. | 6 | 2 | 3 | Danny Sergiev is tough to handle |
22 | 24 | St. Charles E. | 9 | 1 | 1 | Sam Wade has been an offensive spark |
23 | HM | Buffalo Grove | 6 | 4 | 1 | Alex Berk is very gifted |
24 | HM | West Aurora | 7 | 2 | 1 | Geneva tie ends a streak of 350 shutout minutes |
25 | 25 | Addison Trail | 9 | 2 | 0 | Uriel Rojo is a skilled midfielder |
Look out for: Mount Carmel, Barrington, St. Charles North, Glenbard East, Glenbard North, Metea Valley, Geneva, Waubonsie Valley, Wheaton North, York, Plainfield North, Washington (Chicago), Lincoln-Way Central, St. Ignatius, Lane