Flash forward a year, and the Huskies did just that, using two Zoe Swift goals to hold off Hinsdale Central 2-1 as Naperville North became the first large-school program since Waubonsie Valley to repeat.

Comparisons are inevitable, and naturally the question becomes which was the better team. Last year's team was better defensively. They had an All-American in Jen Korn (Northwestern) and a rising star in freshman Kayla Sharples. Korn graduated and Sharples elected to play club.

This year's edition was probably more explosive offensively. Even with Swift missing eight games with the ankle injury, causing her goal production to decline to 17 from 25, Naperville North had a lethal scoring attack with sophomore star Abbie Boswell.

Boswell finished the year with 28 goals and 11 assists; even with the time missed, Swift ended up with 17 goals and nine assists. The team's other double-figure scorer was senior midfielder Christa Szalach, who had 15 goals. Cora Climo, the co-captain with Szalach, had seven goals and 16 assists.

Naperville North's path was arduous. The Huskies beat Neuqua Valley twice (including a sectional semifinal), Naperville Central twice in five days, Buffalo Grove, Waubonsie Valley, Lockport and Geneva. The defense was not as smothering as a year ago. Still, the Huskies still recorded 12 shutouts, including a state semifinal over a powerful Buffalo Grove team.

Give a slight edge to this year's team.

Allow the Huskies their time to celebrate, but still, it is never too early to talk about next year.

Sure, Swift, Climo and Szalach and the crucial team player Emily Bromagen are all graduating. The sophomore nucleus of Boswell, keeper Fiona Baenziger, midfielder Claire Hilburger (who must recover from a serious knee injury) and midfielder Allison Svoboda to go with juniors Meghan Lee, Sarah Feder and Abby Mangefrida is a potent lineup. If Sharples returns to the high school team, the Huskies could be as good as ever.

The other Final Four teams look very imposing. If Naperville North is not the preseason No. 1 next year, Buffalo Grove is the likely inheritor of the crown. The Bison had a disappointing end to a magnificent season when they lost consecutive 2-0 games to Naperville North and MSL rival Barrington to finish fourth.

"We're going to miss our seniors, but we got the seasoning this year," coach Pat Dudle said after the Barrington loss. Junior midfielder Kelli Zickert, first-team all-area, is one of the best players in the state. Her twin sister Colleen Zickert (eight goals, nine assists) joins a gifted supporting cast of sophomore midfielder Jessica Kovach, junior midfielder Skylar Groth (eight goals, five assists), junior forward Allie Ingham (15 goals, eight assists) and sophomore forward Sara Busse (seven goals, 10 assists). Sophomore keeper Sarah O'Connor, a converted position player, was often spectacular in her first year in the net.

Third-place finisher Barrington must make up for a tremendous loss in the emotional and team leader, star senior Molly Pfeiffer (Marquette). The Fillies just showcased their next great star in sophomore forward Jenna Szczesny, who scored 25 goals and added eight assists. The other key Barrington players are junior midfielder Mia Calamari (six goals, 12 assists), sophomore midfielder Kelsey Muniz (five goals, six assists), sophomore midfielder Annalise Avers (seven goals), junior forward Ellie Ackermann (five goals) and sophomore midfielder Megan Fox. Sophomore keeper Hannah Luedtke, a third-team all-area selection, recorded 18 shutouts for the Fillies.

On paper, state runner-up Hinsdale Central appears the hardest hit. The Red Devils have their ace in the hole in the emergence of elite coach Michael Smith, who directed Hinsdale Central to a state title appearance in just his second year. "He's very composed," star senior Jenn Jarmy said, "and that gives us a lot of confidence in how we play." Junior Alison Cerny, who had the game-winner in the semifinal over Barrington, leads the list of returning players; others to watch for next year are junior Christa Kuhlman, sophomore midfielder Danielle Shayani, sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Livingston, junior midfielder Megan Schick (who scored in the state title game) and junior midfielder Lily Chetosky. Junior keeper Riley Glenn was also sensational throughout the year for the Red Devils.

The other teams to watch in 2014 are: Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, Loyola, New Trier, Lockport and Naperville Central.

In Class 2A, state runner-up Prairie Ridge reloads behind sophomore forward Larissa Dooley, junior forward Erin Ginsberg and junior midfielder Erica Walsh. Fenwick, its best state finish ever third place finish, suffered serious graduation losses. Still, the Friars have some standout younger players in junior forward Caroline Murphy, junior forward Nora Madden and freshman midfielder Colette Jaslowski. Fourth-place finisher Lemont returns its three top scorers in star junior midfielder Kim Jerantowski, sophomore forward Aleksandra Mihailovic and sophomore midfielder Savannah Rhodes.

Bolingbrook

Top four seeds: Naperville North, Plainfield North, Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley
Regional hosts: Bolingbrook, Naperville North, Metea Valley, Oswego
Team to beat: Naperville North
Top contender: Waubonsie Valley
Darkhorse: Lockport
Teams ranked in Sun-Times' top 20: Naperville North (1), Plainfield North (3), Waubonsie Valley (4), Neuqua Valley (6), Naperville Central (8), Lockport (13)
Best player: Ashley Handwork, Plainfield North

Overview: Defending state champion Naperville North has lost one game, on penalty kicks, the last two years. They have the state's top 1-2 combination with Zoe Swift and sophomore Abbie Boswell. Waubonsie Valley is on a roll. Pepsi Showdown runner-up Plainfield North features Handwork, who has scored 34 goals this year. Lockport has won nine in a row.

Mundelein

Top seeds: Buffalo Grove, Carmel, Hersey, Prospect
Regional hosts: Hersey, Fremd, Libertyville, Warren
Team to beat: Buffalo Grove
Top contender: Hersey
Darkhorse: Fremd
Teams ranked in Sun-Times' top 20: Buffalo Grove (2), Carmel (10), Hersey (12), Glenbrook South (15), Fremd (20)
Best player: Kelli Zickert, Buffalo Grove

Overview: Rates with Bolingbrook as the deepest sectional. Buffalo Grove's dream season has hit a bit of a detour, with the Bison ending regular season with consecutive losses. Still, Kelli Zickert has been magical. Hersey handed No. 2 seed Carmel its only loss. Glenbrook South, fourth last year, is riding a hot streak. The team to watch is No. 20 Fremd, regional hosts and riding an 8-2-1 streak over its last 11 games.

New Trier

Top seeds: Loyola, New Trier, Lane, Maine South
Regional hosts: Loyola, Maine South, Evanston, St. Ignatius
Team to beat: Loyola
Top contender: Lane
Darkhorse: St. Ignatius
Teams ranked in Sun-Times' top 20: Loyola (7), Lane (18)
Best player: Corey Burns, Loyola

Overview: Loyola owns a 3-0 victory over No. 2 seed, the sectional host Trevians. Recent history, like last year, suggests that does not necessarily predict future results. New Trier needs to relocate scoring punch. Public League champion Lane has a great 1-2 combination in Jasmin Carrera and Sofia Pavon.

Hinsdale Central

Top seeds: Hinsdale Central, Lyons, York, Benet
Regional hosts: Lyons, York, Downers South, Wheaton North
Team to beat: Hinsdale Central
Top contender: Lyons
Darkhorse: Wheaton Warrenville South
Teams ranked in Sun-Times' top 20: Hinsdale Central (9), York (14), Lyons (17), Benet (19)
Best player: Ari Kowalski, Lyons

Comment: By dint of home field advantage, Red Devils rate a slight edge over West Suburban Silver rivals York and Lyons. Hinsdale Central have entire lineup back from last year's sectional champions. Benet won a sectional in Class 2A. With sophomore star Alyssa Kovatchis back, York is the other team to reckon with.

Andrew

Top seeds: Sandburg, Andrew, Lincoln-Way North, Stagg
Regional hosts: Sandburg, L-W North, Marist, Argo
Team to beat: Sandburg
Top contender: Andrew
Darkhorse: Homewood-Flossmoor
Teams ranked in Sun-Times' top 20: None
Best player: Morgan Manzke, Sandburg

Overview: In some respects, the most wide open of the sectionals. It has just as many questions as answers. Sandburg has played the toughest schedule of the top tier programs. Two sleepers to watch are No. 3 seed Lincoln-Way North and Homewood-Flossmoor.

Hoffman Estates

Top seeds: St. Charles North, St. Charles East, Batavia, Conant
Regional hosts: Conant, Lake Park, Bartlett, DeKalb
Team to beat: St. Charles North
Top contender: Conant
Darkhorse: Geneva
Teams ranked in Sun-Times' top 20: St. Charles North (5)
Best player: Alex Gage, St. Charles North

Comment: Defending Class 3A state-runner-up St. Charles North is the overwhelming favorite, having already beaten five of the top seven seeds. With sophomore star Leah Celarek fully recovered from her knee injury, always dangerous Conant is the top threat. Watch out for Geneva, a team better than its record.

The sectionals at Jacobs and Collinsville have been broken into four sub-regionals. Barrington, a regional host, is the team to beat. The Fillies, behind senior star Molly Pfeiffer and emerging sophomore Jenna Szczesny, just captured the Mid-Suburban Soccer cup. They have won five consecutive sectionals, the most of any current program. With star Abby Reed, Boylan is a clear second-choice. At Collinsville, Minooka is the top seed of the Joliet Central regional.

Payton and No. 18 Lane meet Thursday night at UIC for city supremacy.

"We want to stay sharp and ready to go, because this year, we want to go farther than any Lane team ever has in the state tournament," sophomore forward Sofia Pavon said after she scored four goals against Northside in a Public League semifinal on Tuesday.

The Indians' sophomore class is one of the strongest around. Keyed by Pavon, it also features high-scoring and versatile forward Natalie Wade, forward Anastasia Niforos and keeper Samantha DeGryse.

Wade has emerged as a strong scoring threat opposite senior forward Jasmin Carrera and Pavon. She also has showcased her range, serving as an emergency keeper after DeGryse sustained a finger injury. In the team's last nine games, she has played the second half in goal.

Chasing history: With each game, Carrera makes her bid to join the state's all-time best scorers. Carrera has 29 goals entering the Public League final. She has now scored 113 in her career. According to statistics compiled by the IHSA, she is just five goals from entering the all-time top 20 list.

The UIC-recruit is trailing Teri Atkinson, who recorded 117 career goals at Springfield from 1996 to 1999. Carrera's 113 goals trail only former Lane star Jacqueline Vera in the history of Public League players. Vera recorded school and Public League high-water marks in a season (53) and career (147).

On Wednesday night, two of the elite soccer-playing conferences, the two divisions of the Upstate Eight and Mid-Suburban League, are honoring their best with Soccer Cups.

At Buffalo Grove, the No. 2 Bison host No. 11 Barrington. "I hope Buffalo Grove comes in undefeated," Barrington coach Ryan Stengren said last week. A rapidly-improving Conant team dashed those plans when they stunned the Bison 1-0 on Saturday.

On a rainy mid-April night, Buffalo Grove beat Barrington 2-1. "I still think we're going to be good,"

Stengren said after the disappointing loss, which occurred during a difficult stretch for the Fillies.

At St. Charles North, the No. 5 North Stars, winners of the River division, host No. 4 Waubonsie Valley, champions of the Valley division, in the inaugural championship game of the Upstate Eight. The Warriors are on fire, their 3-1 championship over host Lemont in the Lemont Cup extending their current streak to eight games.

The North Stars have posted 13 shutouts and allowed just five goals in 18 games.

One other prominent subplot is the individual showdown between arguably the two most impressive individual performers of the year who are the top contenders for Player of the Year honors with Loyola's Corey Burns. Plainfield North senior forward Ashley Handwork and Buffalo Grove junior midfielder Kelli Zickert have been exceptional.

The Marquette-bound Handwork is taller and more athletic. Zickert is one of those unaccountable players that just thrives under any circumstances through moxie, innate skills and feel for the game. By her own admission, she's "not big or fast," but few teams seem capable of getting in front of her or stopping her.

(Interestingly, both have sisters who play important roles: Handwork's younger sister Heather is another big, slashing player. Zickert's identical twin sister Colleen plays opposite Kelli in the middle of the Bison attack.)

Plainfield North is 12-0 and Buffalo Grove 14-0-1. Plainfield North has played a slightly tougher schedule, and they own victories over the following teams currently ranked in the Sun-Times' top 20: Naperville Central, Sandburg, Hersey (twice) and Hinsdale Central. Buffalo Grove has beaten Hersey, New Trier and Barrington. They tied Batavia 1-1.

Sophomore Buffalo Grove keeper Sarah O'Connor has posted eight shutouts. Senior Erin Wren and Emma Veselsky have combined time in the net in posting 10 shutouts for the Tigers.

Win or lose, Plainfield North has little time to recuperate. The Tigers host No. 4 St. Charles North on Monday afternoon. (That game has since been rescheduled and is now not being played Monday.)

Naperville Invite championship bracket set

After a whirlwind, double-bracket day necessitated by Thursday's round of postponements, the 21st Naperville Invite championship bracket has been determined. It's a knockout.

Six of the eight quarterfinalists are ranked, led by top-ranked and defending Class 3A state champion Naperville North. The Huskies host surprise quarterfinalist Geneva Thursday at 7. With star senior forward Zoe Swift back after missing seven games, the Huskies throttled No. 20 Metea Valley in a nonconference showdown Tuesday and then beat Lincoln-Way Central and No. 13 Sandburg. Naperville North has revenge on its mind. Their only loss last year occurred to city rival Naperville Central in the championship game in a penalty kick shootout.

In the top-bracket, Barrington hosts No. 5 Loyola at 7. The Fillies have their momentum back after a rough patch. Coach Ryan Stengren was visibly frustrated after Barrington's 2-1 road loss to Buffalo Grove on Monday night. "I'm tired of seeing us dominate games for the first 25 minutes and have nothing come of it," he said. Barrington posted two impressive victories in pool play, shutting out Evanston and clipping No. 15 St. Charles East. With the Burns' sisters, senior Corey and freshman scorer Devin Burns, Loyola is capable of beating any team in the state.

In a rematch from last year's quarterfinal round, defending champion Naperville Central hosts No. 7 New Trier. The Redhawks survived an overtime thriller with Palatine and edged Downers South. New Trier ousted No. 18 Benet and No. 14 Lyons.

The second game of the Naperville Central doubleheader features No. 8 Neuqua Valley against No. 12 Hinsdale Central. The Red Devils' only loss was 1-0 to No. 2 Plainfield North. They return 11 starters from last year's sectional finalist.

The semifinals, at 5 and 7 p.m., on Friday, and the Saturday noon championship, are both at Naperville Central.

1. Naperville North 24-1-2 (1)
2. St. Charles North 19-6-2 (14)
3. Loyola 24-1-1 (6)
4. Naperville Central 20-2-2 (5)
5. Downers South 20-6-3 (NR)
6. Glenbrook South 21-6-4 (NR)
7. New Trier 20-4-1 (4)
8. Barrington 19-6 (15)
9. Neuqua Valley 16-5-2 (2)
10. St. Francis 24-3 (NR)

Others: Conant, Metea Valley, Plainfield North, York, Lockport, Homewood-Flossmoor, Waubonsie Valley, Schaumburg, St. Viator, Benet.

In keeping with the larger theme of the preview published last week that examined the large number of returning star players and Division I recruits headlining the top teams, some very good teams just missed out of the top 20.

In alphabetical order, here are some other teams and players to be on the lookout for as we move into April.

Andrew: Sandburg and Homewood-Flossmoor are considered the class of the south suburbs. The Thunderbirds are poised to break into that elite company. Senior defender Emma Peele (like her nearly identically named "Avengers" heroine) is one of the state's top defenders, backed by an excellent keeper in senior Kaitlyn Kosary. Junior Kelly Blyth returns to the lineup after missing last year recovering from ACL surgery. Midfielder Alicia Halikas and forward Chloe Annerino add scoring firepower.

Benet: The Redwings return a core group from last year's surprise supersectional qualifier that lost to eventual Class 2A state champion St. Francis 2-1. Coach Bob Gros has also inherited a talented freshman class that is already paying dividends. The Redwings are off to a 4-0-1 start and riding a four-game winning streak since an opening game draw with York. Michelle Morefield, Claire Elenteny, Sophia Elbchiri and Katie Baumann are offensive standouts. Freshman Ellie Bumpus is a freshman to watch. Redwings have depth in goal with Emma Hlavin and Christina Stopka. Redwings and Carmel meet April 6 in early East Suburban showdown.

Carmel: Speaking of the Corsairs, coach John Halloran must fill the considerable void of graduated all-state performer Sarah McHugh. He has an elite scorer in Illinois-recruit Meegan Johnston, a senior midfielder who recorded three goals in the Corsairs' season-opening victory over Warren. Others to watch are senior keeper Jenna Bauer, senior forward Bri Carlson, senior defender Colleen Foley and sophomore defender Kayla Handel.

Elk Grove: Barrington and Buffalo Grove appear the class of the Mid-Suburban this season. The Grenadiers two elite players in all-state stars Kelli Hubly and Katie Naughton. Coach Dan Klaus has some very nice returning pieces with senior midfielder Kelly Naughton, junior forward Nikki Zaino, senior midfielder Sarah Stram, sophomore midfielder Diane Gomez and junior defender Jocelyn Potratz. Junior keeper Melissa Solorio is a big-time player.

Fenwick: The Friars opened the year by winning the Windy City Ram Classic. Coach Robert Watson has 17 returning that played last season. Perhaps most important, he also has Bridget Hillsman, a Providence recruit off the club circuit. Another club player, Cali Pyzdrowski, is committed to Marquette. Returning forwards Lauren Frank, Caroline Murphy, Nora Madden and Maggie Reilly solidify the frontline. Freshman Colette Jaslowski is a potential star. Keeper Jesse Cwik, with a background in club soccer and playing hockey, has been superb.

Hinsdale Central: Coach Michael Smith's team caught everybody's attention when they played top-ranked and defending Class 3A state champion Naperville North to a 1-1 draw. They finished last year with a losing record, but it was misleading, given their early-season youth and inexperience. The Red Devils finished strong and captured a regional. Smith returns his entire starting team, led by Casey may, Darby Moran, Katie Camden, Caitlin Smith, Jenn Jarmy, Meghan Schick, Alison Cerny and keeper Riley Glenn.

Oak Park-River Forest: Since opening the season losing 2-0 to No. Naperville Central, the Huskies have won five straight. During one impressive stretch, they recorded three straight shutouts and had a stretch of 18 consecutive goals. Junior midfielders Erin Schrobilgen, Teresa Trinka and Lauren Wilkes are the playmakers. Meredith Blatner shifts between center and the backline. Senior Elise Delligrazie is a skilled and talented keeper. Huskies are intriguing threat to Lyons, Hinsdale Central and York in West Suburban Silver.

Wheaton Warrenville South: The Tigers are overshadowed by the brilliance of Naperville North and Naperville Central in the DuPage Valley. They are a formidable team in their own right, led by senior midfielder Dana Miller, sophomore midfielder AJ Jakuszewski and a talented backline with Kelly Langlas, Natalie Jensen, Tory Adomschick and junior keeper Abbey Fuster. Coach Guy Callipari is also touting several newcomers, freshman forward Anna Fank, freshman forward Sarah Burns and junior defender Alex Immekus.

York: Like Elk Grove, the Dukes must replace two great players in Christina Ordonez and Courtney McHugh. Coach Chris Halupka has some impressive offensive talent at his command. West Virginia-recruit Bryce Banuelos leads the attack. Christina's sister Ellie Ordonez takes on a greater offensive role as well. Sophomore forward Alyssa Kovatchis has emerged as a key offensive talent. Angela Guerino, a senior defender, solidifies the backline and is a dangerous offensive threat on free kicks. Annabelle Lansdowne is a skilled keeper.

More on the girls' season start a little later, but a cursory look suggests a memorable year is forthcoming, with defending Class 3A state champion Naperville North returning virtually its entire roster and powerhouse programs Loyola, New Trier, Barrington, Naperville Central and Neuqua Valley also boasting deep and versatile lineups.

Football players dominated the signing period last month. Obviously they were not the only fall sports athletes to make their college choices known. We will be using this space to periodically update signings for the boys' class of 2013.

Class 3A state champion Warren has three players that signed college scholarships. Star Daniel Szczepanek is attending Marquette, and Sean Kirwan and Nick Wegnrzynowicz each accepted offers to play at Eastern Illinois.

Naperville Central, the team Warren beat 2-1 in overtime for the state title, has four players who signed: Player of the Year Pat Flynn is attending DePaul, forward Jack Patrick is also playing at Eastern Illinois, Connor Allen is playing at Marshall University and star keeper Mike Pavliga, first-team All-Area, is set to play at Northern Illinois.

The two players who were instrumental in Fenwick reaching the supersectional, forward Jack Alberts is joining Szczepanek at Marquette. Star keeper Jacob Peterson, who was spectacular in the state tournament, signed with Valparaiso.

Benet's powerhouse 1-2 combination of forward Brad Bozych (America University) and brilliant keeper Kyle DalSanto (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville) also recently revealed their college destinations.

Wheaton Warrenville South's Max Carey is the latest star from the western suburbs who signed with Wheaton College. Please come back here for further updates as they become available.

Next generation: Digital technology and computer radically changed soccer at every level. The vast reams of information that is made available has altered coaching, scouting and preparation. Many boys and girls teams utilize iPads to track mobile data as hard data to review and study in post-game film sessions.

This week, the annual Sloan Sports Analytics Conference at MIT in Boston, a leading symposium for state of the art, math and computer-based models for studying and comprehending numbers and statistics, a group of leading Norway academics presented a paper on soccer and field vision.

Here is the most interesting extract:

"The purpose of this study was to learn more about the ways that some of the best professional soccer players in the world use visual exploratory behaviors (body and head movements initiated to better see their surroundings) in real-world games and to test the relationships between these behaviors and performance. Close-up video images of individual players were obtained from Sky Sport's split screen PlayerCam broadcasts of 1279 game situations with 118 players (midfielders and forwards) in English Premier League (EPL) soccer games. The results show a clear positive relationship between visual exploratory behaviors that are initiated before receiving the ball and performance with the ball. The best players explore more frequently than others and there is a positive relationship between exploratory behavior frequency and pass completion."

Warren beat Naperville Central 2-1 in double-overtime for the Class 3A state title.

By contrast, the all-area team, published on the weekend of the state final, reflected the parity. Sure, the stars of Warren, Naperville Central and Morton, respectively, headlined the first team. Just like with the girls' team announced last spring, there were more great players than available slots.

Here's a follow up list, composed of many players, who were all considered for the all-area team.

Here they are, listed alphabetically by name, with school and class.

Forwards: Albert Arabik, Leyden, fr.; Erik Avalos, Bremen, jr.; Danny Buss, St. Laurence, sr.; Bernie Conley, Hinckley Big-Rock, sr.; Frankie Kocimski, Lyons, jr.; Abel Guzman, Morton, sr.; Omar Guzman, Kelly, sr.; Bryan Long, St. Ignatius, jr.; Spencer Moore, St. Viator, jr.; David Murphy, Naperville Central, Jr.; Patryk Paprocki, Curie, sr.; Mauricio Salgado, Round Lake, sr.

Midfielders: Jack Alberts, Fenwick, sr.; Nestor Ascencio, Streamwood, jr.; Ethan Claes, Barrington, sr.; Cullen Cummings, Downers North, sr.; Eric Diaz, Downers South, sr.; Alberto Eloyza, Buffalo Grove, sr.; Irving Eloiza, Buffalo Grove, sr.; Eduardo Espinoza, Joliet Central, sr.; Kevin Francis, Loyola, sr.; Sergio Fuentes, Lane, jr.; Phillip Gutman, Hinsdale Central, sr.; Nathan Hall, Glenbard West, sr.; Brett Heimerdinger, Lyons, sr.; Sean Kirwan, Warren, sr.; Joe Longhi, Sandburg, sr.; Mike McKune, Cary-Grove, sr.; Brandon Medina, St. Ignatius, sr.; Jared Moelart, Stevenson, sr.; Jackson Owens, St. Viator, sr.; Sam Murdock, Crystal Lake South, jr.; Anthony Parillo, Kaneland, jr.; Jack Patrick, Naperville Central, sr.; Alex Rohder, Sandburg, sr.; Marco Sanchez, St. Ignatius, jr.; Tony Severini, Warren, sr., Craig Scott, Lake Forest Academy, sr.; Mike West, Naperville Central, jr.

Defenders: Connor Allen, Naperville Central, sr.; Jonathan Balthazar, Evanston, sr.; Kyle Clancy, Palatine, sr.; James Colletti, Benet, sr.; Ross Comitor, Stevenson, sr.; Kyle Hamnn, Lemont, sr.; Francisco Moreno, Fenwick, sr.; Jim Ralph, Lincoln-Way East, sr.; Marshall West, Wheaton Academy, jr., Neil Wiaranowski, Naperville North, sr.

Keepers: Konrad Dziedzic, Leyden, so.; Alessandro Jaurez, Kelly, sr.; RJ Hill, Warren, keeper, sr.; Kyle Leber, Palatine, jr.; Quentin Low, Stevenson, sr.; Martin Rosas, Lane, sr.; Adam Zehme, Sandburg, sr.

1. Warren 21-5-3 (2)
First state in any sport in school history

2. Naperville Central 23-2 (1)
Back-to-back overtime state final heartbreakers

3. Morton 23-2 (3)
Despite early state tournament exit, 47-5-1 last two years

4. Sandburg 19-6-3 (NR)
Zack Biel scores 25 goals to lead Eagles' third-place finish

5. St. Charles East 20-3-1 (NR)
T.C. Hull (31 goals, 10 assists) emerged as an elite junior

6. Stevenson 18-6-1 (NR)
Patriots produce greatest season ever with first state appearance

7. Fenwick 17-7-1 (NR)
Keeper Jacob Peterson was a star of state tournament run

8. Hinsdale Central 18-4-3 (NR)
Christian Meyer and twin brother Mitchell return next year for Red Devils

9. Libertyville 18-3-1 (4)
Wildcats' historical footnote: they won North Suburban, not state champion Warren

10. Lyons 18-4-1 (9)
Early tournament exit cannot detract from great year, including Pepsi championship

Others: Barrington, Wheaton Academy, St. Viator, Naperville North, Benet, Glenbrook North, Lane, Oak Park-River Forest, St. Ignatius, Palatine

Top ten
Current record and previous rank

1. Naperville Central (21-1) 2
2. Warren (19-5-3) 11
3. St. Charles East (20-2-1) 12
4. Fenwick (16-6-1) NR
5. Stevenson (18-3-1) 18
6. St. Viator (18-3-3) 10
7. Sandburg (17-5-3) NR
8. Glenbrook North (15-4-5) NR
9. Wheaton Academy (20-6) NR
10. Lake View (13-3-2) NR

Others: Washington, Hinsdale Central, Barrington, Lane, Oak Park-River Forest, Benet, Morton, Libertyville, Lyons, Larkin.

This space is not quite sure how to respond to the rash of upsets that marked the first full week of state tournament play, especially in the largest classification, Class 3A. Three of the top four and five of the top ten teams in the Sun-Times' rankings have been bounced from the state tournament.

Oak Park-River Forest, ranked No. 20 in the current poll, stunned defending Class 3A state champion and top-ranked Morton 2-1, on the Mustangs' home field Friday in Cicero.

The game is predicated on emotion and intensity, but also momentum. Oak Park-River Forest coach Paul Wright expected his team to be one of the best in the area. They started the year 1-4-1, clearly missing the offensive prowess of graduated star Stephen Golz, who set a school-record in goals last year.

They also had injuries, most significantly a shoulder injury suffered by senior midfielder Gianluca Lo Casto, the team's emotional leader, and that played havoc with rotations and team chemistry.

As the team gained in experience, its leaders, like Lo Casto and Okker Verhagen, said the Huskies were a top-ten team. Oak Park-River Forest is now 13-3-1 since its ugly start, and those three losses were each one-goal defeats against power programs West Chicago and conference rivals Hinsdale Central and Lyons.

Younger players developed, like junior midfielder Tim Huettel, who scored both goals against Morton. Also, as we noted the results are a function of how ridiculously loaded the Argo Sectional is. Public League city champion Kelly was the 12th seed, and they gave Hinsdale Central everything they wanted in losing 1-0 Wednesday at St. Ignatius.

"I think it testifies to the evolution of the game and how skilled the players have become," Hinsdale Central coach Michael Wiggins said immediately afterward. The Red Devils also survived the host Wolfpack Friday, winning 3-2, to set up a rematch with Oak Park-River Forest Tuesday in Summit.

Hinsdale Central was ranked No. 4 in the last Sun-Times' poll, and fifth in its sectional.

Scoring reigns supreme in soccer, and the fact is, it gets progressively harder to score in the state tournament. The equivalent is basketball, where in the playoffs, teams slow the pace and limit possessions, the lower scores more likely to produce upsets.

In soccer, teams have a defense-first mentality, and coaches routinely drop an extra midfielder or forward on the backline. Increasingly, more and more bodies are packed into tighter areas, and the congestion just makes it harder for players to create scoring chances.

Also, let's face it, the IHSA's revised overtime format has also had a significant impact. In the girls' state final last spring, Naperville North beat St. Charles North in the 119th minute. Those four overtime games have been legislatively banned, in effect. Now, the format is more direct: two 10-minute "golden goal," overtimes, if necessary, followed immediately by penalty kicks.

In two other stunning results, Fenwick beat Lyons and Wheaton South outlasted Naperville North, the two teams lost were both ranked in the top four. Naperville North coach Jim Konrad questioned the change, and there is validity to his complaint.

The longer you extend the game, the more likely the favorite to pull it out.

Penalty kicks by their very nature replace skill, toughness and resolve with more amorphous factors like "luck," or "chance," and it eliminates one team's dominance. In soccer, more so than any sport, dominance does not predict victory.

It is not uncommon to see one team control possession time and scoring opportunities and still lose on a fluke shot, a handball in the box that yields a penalty kick, or some such strange and unexpected development. What it comes down to is the best team does not necessarily win.

That's the beauty and wonder of sport, especially at the high school level. What this means going forward is open. If the rash of upsets continue through the sectional rounds, the year is likely to be remembered as one where all the previously held ideas and suppositions lost their currency.

It could also mean the two teams the Sun-Times projected at the top to start the year, Naperville Central and Warren, are back where they started, the two teams everybody else is looking to knock out.

With record and previous rank

1. Morton (22-1) 2
Have won 31 of last 32 stretching to last year

2. Naperville Central (17-1) 1
North ends unbeaten campaign

3. Lyons (17-3-1) 3
Pepsi repeat at Argo

4. Naperville North (14-3) 7
Turnabout is fair play: North avenges sectional loss to Central

5. Hinsdale Central (15-3-3) 8
West Suburban Silver champions

6. Palatine (16-1-3) 11
MSL winners

7. Barrington (16-3-2) 4
Have strong incentive to win sectional

8. Benet (16-3-1) 6
Beats St. Viator 3-0 for East Suburban crown

9. Glenbard West (13-3) NR
Nathan Hall has been outstanding

10. St. Viator (14-3-3) 9
Meets Notre Dame Wednesday to begin Class 2A quest

Others: Warren, Larkin, St. Charles East, Cary-Grove, Evanston, Leyden, Stevenson, Kelly, Oak Park-River Forest.

With record and previous rank

1. Naperville Central (14-0) 1
Pat Flynn is leading Player of the Year candidate
2. Morton (18-1) 3
Joel Leon leads the Mustangs
3. Lyons (13-3-1) 9
On a roll since Pepsi championship
4. Barrington (15-2-2) NR
Ohio State-commit Craig Zahour leads the Broncos
5. Maine West (13-1-3) 6
Junior Nelson Herrera (22 goals) is big time
6. Benet (13-2-1) NR
Senior Brad Bozych is the Redwings' top playmaker
7. Naperville North (10-3) 5
Showdown with Naperville Central Tuesday night
8. Hinsdale Central (11-3-2) NR
Only loss in last 13 games is to Naperville Central
9. St. Viator (12-1-3) NR
Favorite for Class 2A.
10. Warren (12-3-2) 2
Talented Blue Devils remain top threat

Others: Palatine, Larkin, St. Charles East, Cary-Grove, Leyden, Buffalo Grove, Stevenson, Addison Trail, Lane, Streamwood.

The regular season has only a couple of more weeks. The Public League and other conferences are gearing up for their postseason tournaments.

The IHSA just published the seedings and assignments for the Class 2A and Class 3A state tournament. The most interesting development is the historically strong near-west suburban sectional. Last year, Hinsdale Central was the host and eventual Class 3A champion Morton endured a gauntlet in beating Lyons in double-overtime and a very good Oak Park-River Forest team that fueled their championship run.

An already loaded field is ridiculously deep this year with the inclusion of Benet. The Redhawks secured the No. 3 seed there, behind No. 1 Morton and No. 2 Lyons. As their Pepsi Showdown game proved last Sunday, those two stand with Naperville Central as the best three teams in the western suburbs.

Nobody is hotter than the Red Devils. Their 3-2 victory over Lyons last week was overshadowed by the Pepsi Showdown championship the following day. Lyons in fact created their own narrative when they beat Morton and ended their 24-game winning streak.

Hinsdale Central is 11-1-1 in their last 13 games. They also beat Sandburg, the No. 1 seed at Lincoln-Way Central, 1-0, on Friday. Morton, St. Ignatius (No. 4 seed), Downers South and Hinsdale South are the regional hosts.

The other curious thing, whether it is political or not, is seeing how damaging the recent Chicago Teachers' Union strike was to the seedings. Six of the eight lowest-seeded teams at Argo are Public League programs, including two very good teams, Young and Kelly.

If anything, that could create some very intriguing opening round games and only increase the potential for upsets. "We finished third in the state in 1994, and this year's team is just as good. We are going to shock some people," Kelly coach Stan Mietus said after his team lost to Oak Park-River Forest 2-1.

The seedings also underlie the strength of the toughest conferences, the two divisions of the West Suburban and the two leagues of the Upstate Eight. At York, the top eight seeds either come from the Upstate Eight or West Suburban. St. Charles East, Addison Trail, Larkin and Streamwood are the top four seeds. Watch out for Glenbard West, a tough and skilled team that has also impressed this year.

Because of the travel times involved, the Rockford Auburn sectional is split into four quads: Boylan, Warren, Huntley and in a surprise, Cary-Grove, are the respective No. 1 seeds. Barrington, a regional host, is No. 2, behind Cary-Grove. Like the girls' team last spring, the Broncos have a great incentive. They are hosting the supersectional. They are going to be a very tough out.

At Conant, undefeated Palatine (twice tied) is the top-seed, followed, in order by, Buffalo Grove, Stevenson and Libertyville. The Patriots, who have beaten Warren, are the highest-seeded team to also be regional hosts, and that could give them an edge.

The Conant winner faces the winner of the New Trier sectional at Glenbrook South. Behind Nelson Herrera, Maine West is the No. 1 seed, followed by Maine South, a very good Leyden team and Public League power Lane. (Here's another stark example of how the games missed by the teachers' strike hurt the Public League. Lane beat Leyden in the Pepsi Showdown.) The darkhorse there is No. 9 seed Loyola, a surprisingly low-seed who feature a much improved offensive attack and a very good playmaker in Kevin Francis.

Finally, top-ranked Naperville Central, in an interesting reversal, is the top-seed at West Chicago over their crosstown rival Naperville North. Last year, of course, North put together one of the most dominating runs in the sport only to lose to the Redhawks 1-0 in the sectional final. Next to Argo, this is the deepest sectional. Central, North, the host Wildcats and Neuqua Valley are the top four seeds. Watch for Metea Valley, the eighth-seed though a regional host, who just beat Benet. The other darkhorse is West Aurora, the unlucky No. 13 seed who are coming off a stunning upset of Naperville North.

Up next is a breakdown of Class 2A.

The players, coaches and fans who turn out at Toyota Park Sunday afternoon should only dream the two participants, Morton and Lyons, have the kind of game they did the last time they hooked up.

In a Class 3A sectional semifinal in late October of last year, Morton senior midfielder Jesus Morales converted a penalty kick score with six seconds to play in double overtime for the Mustangs' 4-3 victory.

Morton rode the momentum of that dramatic victory to the Class 3A state championship.

The game marked the eighth time in the last fifteen years that Morton and Lyons have faced each other in the state tournament. All eight games have been decided by one goal and Morton snapped a personal three-game losing streak in the state tournament.

Morton has won 24 consecutive games and is riding a 28-game unbeaten streak. Their last loss was against Leyden nearly a year ago, on September 27, 2011.

"Every game between us is always decided in the last few minutes," Morton coach Mike Caruso said. "The proximity between the two schools, we're in the same conference [West Suburban], one in the silver, one in the gold, and we always seem to get the chance to play each other."

Caruso's team has not lost since last year. They enter the championship game sporting a 15-0 mark. The team's emotional leader, senior sweeper Joel Leon, who scored a goal in that sectional game last year, leads the Mustangs. "He's the team leader in the back, and he keeps everybody honest," Caruso said.

Caruso graduated his top three scorers from last year, keyed by all-state performer Joel Salmeron, who scored the game-winner in the Mustangs' 1-0 state championship overtime victory over Naperville Central.

"We knew this year it was going to be more of a collective effort to score," he said. The emerging star is senior Abel Guzman. He leads the team with 12 goals, including the game-winner against Hinsdale South in the Mustangs' 1-0 tune-up victory Thursday night.

Guzman showed great poise and promise as a freshman until he missed most of his sophomore and junior seasons recovering from a knee injury. "We knew it would take some time to get in game shape and get his rhythm," Caruso said.

Morton reached the championship game two years ago, where they lost to Libertyville.

Lyons lost a 2-1 overtime thriller to Libertyville in last year's championship match.

Lyons had its seven-game winning streak snapped against Hinsdale Central Saturday night. The Lions (10-3-1) are a tough, experienced team that knows how to win. Brett Heimerdinger is a dynamic midfielder. Coach Paul Labbato is blessed with depth and talent.

"They're a classic [Lyons] team," Caruso said. "They play hard and they keep coming. They don't waste a lot of balls in the offensive third and they make the defense work. They're most dangerous on their set pieces, that's how they scored twice against us last year."

The 5-10, 170-pound is an elite scorer who is lithe, agile and capable of dominating the ball with either foot. In less than two and a half years of varsity competition, he already owns the Warriors' career-scoring record.

He has been on a tear this season. In the Warriors' first 14 games, he massed 19 goals and four assists as the No. 6 Warriors jumped to a school-best ever start of 11-1-2. This follows his startling sophomore year of scoring 24 goals and dishing out six assists.

His electric start makes him the star of the week.

"I have great teammates and they make it easier for me to score and do what I do," the quiet, determined Herrera said. "I have a lot of natural ability, and I'm able to do what I want out there."

Against Maine East last week, he registered a hat trick in running his career scoring totals to a magic 50. (Former Warriors' star Steve Gonzalez, who also played at Northern Illinois, was the former career-leader with 45 goals.)

Maine West coach Mike DiVincenzo said Herrera's unique skill set combined with his unorthodox style of play makes him particularly difficult to defend. "He really plays under control and understands change of pace," DiVincenzo said.

"He has a very mature game. What I mean by that, he's sneaky.

"He kind of lulls a team to sleep and then he really turns it on. He's by far the fastest player on the field; in fact he's one of the rare players who runs probably faster with the ball than without."

Behind Herrera, Maine West is looking to advance on last year's supersectional qualifier. DiVincenzo's squad returns 18 experienced players from last year's team. Herrera is the star on offense; senior keeper Jecsan Torres is his opposite number on the backline.

Gerardo Espinoza, Ozzie Fernandez and the twins, John and Josh DeLeon, are also critical performers. " I think right now we're just going game by game," Herrera said. "We are really close, the whole team, and that's the strength, our defense and our position.

"We're not cocky but we know we can go pretty far," he said.

In soccer, with scoring at a premium, the one great player is a considerable tactical advantage to have at your disposal, DiVincenzo said.

"Nelson is a great finisher who can finish with power or finish with finesse. He could do it by himself, he could do it off a teammate.

"He could do everything."