Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
And so it ends with a great and memorable Class 3A state title game between Naperville North and Barrington.
The newly crowned state champion Huskies scored in the seventh minute and then held on against Barrington's fast and determined play until a great goal by Klaus Pallan tied the game in the 41st minute
Jack Barry's goal in the 56th minute was the game-winner, and a late goal by Ian Guppy sealed the deal for the Huskies.
Earlier in the day at Hoffman Estates, Latin's John Schuler recorded a goal and an assist to power the Romans' 3-1 double overtime victory over Mount Carmel.
In a lovely symmetry, the final score of each state championship game ended with a 3-1 result. University (Normal) defeated St. Joseph by that margin in last week's Class A state title game.
The following poll marks a conclusion, of sorts, posting the final rankings of the boys' season, with background and context, providing the team's final ranking in the regular season ranking and where applicable, the team's preseason ranking. It's a good way to summarize a memorable season, one marked by a series of interlocking great teams, breakout players and narratives we watched unfold.
Three programs entered the playoffs unbeaten. Naperville North ended the run of two of them. The Huskies beat Morton in the supersectional and Bradley-Bourbonnais in the semifinals.
Oak Lawn suffered its first loss in the regional semifinals.
Morton has been the gold standard in recent years, from the time of its state championship in 2011 to its recent extraordinary play. Naperville North's state championship was somewhat foreshadowed by the Mustangs. They have lost to the eventual state champion three consecutive years: Hinsdale Central in a sectional final two years ago, Libertyville in last year's state semifinals and now the Huskies on in the supersectional.
A great year came to an imaginable and beautiful end. Here is a moment to reflect on the past and imagine what the future portends.
Thank you for joining the ride.
Key: FRS-final regular season rank; PR-preseason rank; HM-honorable mention; NR-not ranked.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
And so it ends with a great and memorable Class 3A state title game between Naperville North and Barrington.
The newly crowned state champion Huskies scored in the seventh minute and then held on against Barrington's fast and determined play until a great goal by Klaus Pallan tied the game in the 41st minute
Jack Barry's goal in the 56th minute was the game-winner, and a late goal by Ian Guppy sealed the deal for the Huskies.
Earlier in the day at Hoffman Estates, Latin's John Schuler recorded a goal and an assist to power the Romans' 3-1 double overtime victory over Mount Carmel.
In a lovely symmetry, the final score of each state championship game ended with a 3-1 result. University (Normal) defeated St. Joseph by that margin in last week's Class A state title game.
The following poll marks a conclusion, of sorts, posting the final rankings of the boys' season, with background and context, providing the team's final ranking in the regular season ranking and where applicable, the team's preseason ranking. It's a good way to summarize a memorable season, one marked by a series of interlocking great teams, breakout players and narratives we watched unfold.
Three programs entered the playoffs unbeaten. Naperville North ended the run of two of them. The Huskies beat Morton in the supersectional and Bradley-Bourbonnais in the semifinals.
Oak Lawn suffered its first loss in the regional semifinals.
Morton has been the gold standard in recent years, from the time of its state championship in 2011 to its recent extraordinary play. Naperville North's state championship was somewhat foreshadowed by the Mustangs. They have lost to the eventual state champion three consecutive years: Hinsdale Central in a sectional final two years ago, Libertyville in last year's state semifinals and now the Huskies on in the supersectional.
A great year came to an imaginable and beautiful end. Here is a moment to reflect on the past and imagine what the future portends.
Thank you for joining the ride.
Key: FRS-final regular season rank; PR-preseason rank; HM-honorable mention; NR-not ranked.
Honorable mention: Neuqua Valley, Loyola, Mundelein, Round Lake, Warren, Leyden, Waukegan, Downers Grove South, Downers Grove North, Vernon Hills, Taft, Waubonsie Valley, Hinsdale Central, Palatine, Stevenson.