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Neuqua Valley sits atop the rankings for another week, but how long will its stay be when the postseason rolls around? Barrington has to be glad its at No. 2, because history has shown the Broncos don't fair well in the postseason when they are No. 1.
Another year, another solid season at Wheaton Warrenville South. Many expect Lincoln-Way Central to cruise to the Class AA state quarterfinals thanks to playing in the weakest sectional in the state. Can Bloom (17-0) or Lincoln-Way East really mount much of a challenge to stop the Knights? Coach Mike Taylor has done an outstanding job at St. Viator once again, and Downers South has already sent a Christmas gift to IHSA assistant executive director Beth Sauser bsauser@ihsa.org for moving the Mustangs out of the Naperville sectional of death.
Naperville North has 14 wins and only three losses, a record most programs would love to have. But the Huskies haven't lived up to preseason hype. A long postseason run, however, could turn the regular-season hungover into a postseason celebration. And then there's New Trier - last year's Sun-Times preseason No. 1 and defending Class AA state champion. The Trevians have played the weakest schedule of any Top 10 team. They had three tough games against teams from the area, and New Trier has gone 0-2-1 in those three games. But here's the most interesting stat - they didn't score a single goal against Hinsdale Central (2-0), Lake Zurich (3-0) or Maine South (0-0). Too much talent there for that to happen.
Credit to Hinsdale Central, Lake Zurich and Maine South, but I thought the Easter Bunny came in April? A lot of eggs being laid already.
And with that, here's this week's Top 10:
JOE TROST'S BOYS SOCCER RANKINGS
1. Neuqua Valley 15-1-3 (1)
• • Coach Jim Johns has 135 wins since 2001.
2. Barrington 16-1 (2)
• • Francesco Furio has 39 career goals.
3. WW South 16-2-3 (4)
• • Tigers have recorded 15 double-digit win seasons since 1991.
4. Lincoln-Way Central 18-2-1 (5)
• • Lincoln-Way East gives Knights a battle until the end
5. St. Viator 16-0-3 (6)
• • Postseason contenders or pretenders?
6. Downers Grove South 14-2-3 (7)
• • In search of fourth consecutive regional crown
7. Naperville North 14-3-3 (8)
• • No. 3 seed in Neuqua Valley Sectional
8. Naperville Central 15-3-1 (9)
• • Defender Tim Zimmer has 10 goals
9. Lake Zurich 15-3-2 (NR)
Reid Bergstrom keys the Bears’ success
10. New Trier 14-2-1 (3)
• • Will weak schedule hurt the Trevians?
Cell Phone Alerts
Naperville North has had some injury problems as of late. any news on how Jordan Baker is doing? And what happened to their top notch keeper Jon Emerson?
They really let their speed show against Wheaton North which I think is the main reason they won cause Wheaton had to adjust their lineup to deal with their speed. But it would have been interesting had they been healthy
In fairness, New Trier has has been headless as their head coach has been attending to family medical issues. Once they mature and less dependent on Craig, they will be right back to the state finals.
TROST RESPONDS: Our prays and thoughts are with Craig and his family - especially his mother.
WHY IS BLOOM HIGH SCHOOL NOT RANKED THERE 18-0, STOP LOOKING AT THE SCHOOL ON THE NORTHSIDE AND LOOK AT THE SOUTH, THAT'S WHERE THE SOCCER IS GOING ON.
TROST RESPONDS: I look everywhere. It will be interesting to see if Blooms advances to face preseason No. 1 Lincoln-Way Central. Nevertheless, the Blazing Trojans have had an outstanding season.