Sports

Eastern Mass. Soccer Power Rankings: Week 7

An in-depth look at the top teams in Eastern Mass.

Want to know who the best soccer teams are in Eastern Massachusetts? We’ve got you covered.

Each Friday, our Eastern Mass. Soccer Power Rankings () will clue you in on the top teams, players and games, as well as highlight performances from the week.

Think your team has been left off unfairly or deserves a higher spot? Let us know in the comments section below.

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(Results through Wednesday, Oct. 19)

BOYS’ RANKINGS

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DIVISION 1

1. (1) Lincoln-Sudbury (10-0-1) (North, Dual County League): Seven weeks into the season and a 1-1 tie at Waltham back on Sept. 15 remains the Warriors’ only blemish. The Warriors avenged that draw by beating Waltham 4-0 this week. They’ll host Acton-Boxborough at 4 p.m. Monday, before traveling to Westford Wednesday for a 4 p.m. game.

2. (5) Silver Lake (9-0-4) (South, Patriot League): The Lakers remained undefeated with a 1-1 tie to Duxbury and 2-0 win at Whitman-Hanson. However, to stay undefeated, they’ll need to bring their “A+” game, as they host Pembroke at 6 p.m. today, travel to Weymouth at 6 p.m. Saturday, to Hingham at 3:30 p.m. Monday and then come back to host Canton at 7 p.m. Wednesday – the last three of those teams have only lost three games combined.

3. (3) Weymouth (11-2-2(South, Bay State Conference): The Wildcats went 2-0 this week, with a 3-1 win over Newton North and a 2-0 victory at Milton. Josh Berg, Steve Lanata and Mike Lynch found the nylon against Newton North. They faced Needham yesterday (spoiler alert: they lost 1-0) and will host Silver Lake at 6 p.m. Saturday and Braintree at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

4. (2) Lexington (7-2-4(North, Middlesex League): It was a less than stellar week for the Minutemen, who lost to Woburn 1-0 and then had to come back to tie Reading 1-1. Stefano Gambino drilled the second-half equalizer against Reading, as he continues to lead the Minutemen in that department. They faced Arlington yesterday and will look to avenge their 2-0 loss at Winchester Monday at home at 3:45 p.m. They’ll travel to Belmont Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game.

5. (4) St. John’s Prep (10-2-3(North, Catholic Conference): The Eagles had a rollercoaster of a week. First, they beat Catholic Memorial 1-0, then they lost to BC High by the same score, and finally, they beat St. John’s of Shrewsbury 2-0. They faced Malden Catholic yesterday and will host Andover at 11 a.m. Saturday. They’ll travel to Acton-Boxborough Wednesday for a 4 p.m. game.

6. (10) Needham (11-2-3) (South, Bay State Conference): The Rockets had a superb week, with a 3-2 win over Framingham, a 10-1 win – yes, they scored 10 goals – over Bridgewater-Raynham and a 2-0 win over Norwood. They faced Weymouth yesterday (spoiler alert: they won 1-0) and will finish the season at Braintree at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and at home against Newton North at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

7. (6) Somerville (10-1-2(North, Greater Boston League): The Highlanders tied Cambridge 1-1 thanks to a late goal by Thayrone Miranda, then they beat Andover 3-0. They’ll host Madison Park at 3 p.m. today, travel to Everett at 6 p.m. Saturday and then host Dracut at 6 p.m. Monday.

8. (9) Masconomet (8-1-3) (North, Cape Ann League): The Chieftains cruised with a 4-1 win at Manchester Essex and a 1-0 win at Andover, before tying Wayland 0-0 at home. They faced Pentucket yesterday, will be at Ipswich at 3:45 p.m. today, at home against Newburyport at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday and at home against North Andover at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

9. (8) Westford (8-3-2) (North, Dual County League): The week got off to a great start for the Grey Ghosts, as they beat up on Central Catholic 5-0 with Kurt Naugler notching a hat-trick. However, from there, they tied Acton-Boxborough 0-0 and lost to Newton South 1-0 in two scoreless performances. They’ll be at Chelmsford at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Bedford at 4 p.m. Monday and back home against Lincoln-Sudbury at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

10. (7) Walpole (9-3-2(South, Bay State Conference): After a 2-1 win over Wellesley, the Rebels led Framingham 1-0 after 60 minutes on a Conor Murtagh strike. However, that’s when things fell apart. Framingham would score three goals in the final 20 minutes – two in the final two – to beat the Rebels 3-1. They faced Milton yesterday, will host Dedham at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and travel to Norwood at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

On the Bubble: Lowell (9-1-3), Oliver Ames (8-2-2), Framingham (9-4-1), Dartmouth (10-2-1), Nauset (10-3-0)

DIVISION 2

1. (1) Sandwich (11-1-0) (South, Atlantic Coast League): The Blue Knights took care of business once again this week with a 2-1 win over Brockton. Their only blemish remains a 2-1 loss at Nauset back on Oct. 5.

2. (2) Winchester (10-1-2(North, Middlesex League): The Sachems faced Reading in back-to-back games, winning the first 2-0 and tying the second 1-1. Then, they beat Belmont 1-0. They’ll host Woburn at 3:45 p.m. today, go up against Lexington at 3:45 p.m. Monday on the road and host Arlington at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday.

3. (3) Hingham (11-1-2) (South, Patriot League): Led by James Rosso and Ryan King, the Harbormen notched two wins – a 14-0 absolute route of winless North Quincy and a 4-0 decision over a talented Everett team on the road. They also tied Scituate 1-1 on the road. The Harbormen faced Duxbury yesterday (spoiler alert: they lost 2-0), have a huge home game against Silver Lake at 3:30 p.m. Monday and will travel to BC High at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.

4. (4) Canton (8-0-5) (South, Hockomock League): The Bulldogs took care of Foxborough 2-0 in their only game of the week – recording their ninth shutout of the year in doing so. They’ll be at Oliver Ames at 6:30 p.m. today, host Stoughton at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and travel to Silver Lake at 7 p.m. Wednesday for the battle of the unbeatens.

5. (5) Concord-Carlisle (8-3-1(North, Dual County League): The Patriots looked like the Patriots of old (last year) recording two 6-0 decisions over Waltham and Boston Latin. They faced Acton-Boxborough yesterday, will host Newton South at 4 p.m. Monday and be at Wayland at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

6. (7) North Andover (10-1-2(North, Cape Ann League): The Scarlet Knights extended their winning streak to 10, leaving no doubt that they’re the hottest team in the state. They trounced Newburyport 9-1 and then took care of Hamilton-Wenham 3-0. They’re now averaging 3.6 goals per game on the season, while only giving up 0.8. They’ll be at Georgetown at 3:45 p.m. today, host Danvers at 3 p.m. Saturday, host Rockport at 6 p.m. Tuesday and be at Masconomet at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

7. (6) Hopkinton (10-2-1) (South, Tri-Valley League): The Hillers tied a one-win Bellingham team 2-2 in a less than impressive showing but then turned it dramatically around with a 3-0 win over Holliston, as Jack Hilger recorded a hat-trick. They faced Nipmuc yesterday and will host Medway at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Norton at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

8. (8) Woburn (7-2-5(North, Middlesex League): The Tanners had an impressive 1-0 win over Lexington but then lost to Arlington by the same margin. They have a key game at 3:45 p.m. today at Winchester, before hosting Belmont at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Reading at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

9. (On the Bubble) Holliston (7-2-3) (South, Tri-Valley League): The Panthers had won five straight before losing 3-0 to Hopkinton. They faced Medfield yesterday, will host Norton at 6:30 p.m. today and be at Dover-Sherborn at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

10. (9) Duxbury (7-4-3) (South, Patriot League): The Green Dragons had an impressive 1-1 against Silver Lake – their second of the season – then they lost to Marshfield 2-1 but rebounded to beat North Quincy 2-0. They faced Hingham yesterday (spoiler alert: they won 2-0), will be at Whitman-Hanson at 6:30 p.m. Monday and host Franklin at 4:15 p.m. Thursday.

On the Bubble: Pentucket (8-2-2), Norwell (8-1-2), Melrose (7-2-2), Reading (4-3-6)

GIRLS’ RANKINGS

DIVISION 1

1. (3) Lincoln-Sudbury (12-0), (North, Dual County) – It’s time to put the Warriors in the top spot. Lincoln-Sudbury won two more games against Waltham (4-0) and Bedford (1-0). And according to the NSCAA/Adidas National soccer rankings, Lincoln-Sudbury is the fourth best team in the country.

2. (1) Andover (10-0-3), (North, Merrimack Valley) Two road victories for the Golden Warriors over Billerica (3-0) and Chelmsford (2-0) set up a showdown against last year’s defending state champions – Central Catholic. If beating Central Catholic earlier in the year (1-0), Andover played to a 1-1 tie the second time around.

3. (4) Bishop Feehan (11-0-1), (Eastern Athletic Conference) – Going back to the start of last season, Bishop Feehan has only lost two games. Unfortunately for them, its second loss last season was in the Division 1 South Finals. Feehan has not allowed a goal in its last five games, outscoring its opponents, 31-0.

4. (5) Lexington (12-1-3), (North, Middlesex) – Lexington started the week off with a surprising 0-0 tie against Reading, but the Lady Minutemen rebounded en route to an impressive 5-0 victory over an improved Arlington team. Lexington still narrowly leads the Middlesex League.

5. (6) Peabody (11-0-2), (North, Northeastern) – The Tanners have none won nine straight games. The top seed in last year’s tournament look like its going to have the talent to make another run in the state tournament.

6. (7) Winchester (10-2-3), (North, Middlesex) – The Lady Sachems are in the middle of the toughest part of the schedule. But so far, Winchester has come through it pretty well. The Sachems traveled to Central Catholic and picked up a 2-1 victory and followed that up with a late goal to tie Belmont, 1-1. Winchester still has Lexington and Arlington before it finished up the season, so another Middlesex League Title isn’t out of the question.

7. (8) Concord-Carlisle (11-3) (North, Dual County) – The Patriots rebounded nicely from their loss to Lincoln-Sudbury (3-2). Concord did not allow a goal in victories over Waltham (2-0) and Boston Latin (6-0).

8. (2) Central Catholic (10-2-2), (North, Merrimack Valley) – It was a tough week for Central Catholic. First, the defending state champs lost to Winchester (2-1). And then the team had to settle for two ties – Billerica (0-0) and Andover (1-1). 

9. (8) Oliver Ames (9-2-2), (South, Hockomock) – It’s been more of a struggle this year for Oliver Ames. A couple of wins are followed by a loss or tie – and it happened again last week. Sandwiched between victories over Sharon (2-0) and Stoughton (5-0), is a tie against Sandwich (1-1).

10. (10) Dartmouth (13-0), (South, Old Colony) – It may not be dominating, but Dartmouth continues to win. Last week saw them defeat Taunton (6-0) and Bishop Stang (5-1).

On the Bubble: Newton North, Franklin, Weymouth, Wellesley.

DIVISION 2

1. (1) Canton (10-0-1), (South, Hockomock) – Canton has allowed eight goals all season – three came in its opening win against Duxbury.

2. (1) Medfield (10-0-4), (South, Tri-Valley) –Last year’s state champs have hit a bit of a dry spell. While the team hasn’t lost all season, it now has ties in three of its last five games – Holliston (1-1), Dover-Sherborn (2-2) and Norton (1-1).

3. (5) Duxbury, (10-1-2), (South, Patriot) – After making the South Division 2 finals a year ago, Duxbury looks ready to make it back there. It has shutout eight of its 13 opponents so far this season.

4. (3) East Bridgewater (13-1-1), (South, South Shore) – After winning 12 of its first 13 games, East Bridgewater suffered its first defeat – a 2-0 loss against Cardinal Spellman.

5. (4) Stoneham (5) (8-0-4), (North, Middlesex) – The Spartans haven’t played too many teams outside of the Middlesex League, and its two most impressive results are both ties – against Lexington (2-2) and Winchester (0-0).

6. (8) Cardinal Spellman (10-2-1), (South, Catholic Central) – Cardinal Spellman looks like its going to be a real threat. First, it handed East Bridgewater its first loss of the season (2-0) and then the team travels to Bishop Fenwick and manages a tie.

7. (On the bubble) Whitman-Hanson (11-3-1), (South, Patriot) – What a turnaround. After losing its first three games, Whitman-Hanson has now gone undefeated in its next 12 matches, including a 1-1 tie at Duxbury. Whitman still has to host Duxbury before the season ends.

8. (6) Danvers (9-2), (Northeastern, Large) – Last year’s North Division I finalist lost 2-1 to Bishop Fenwick. With games against Peabody and Andover coming up, we’ll soon find out more about this Danvers team.

9. (10) Belmont (8-3-3), (North, Middlesex) – The defending North Division 2 champions had a late lead against Winchester, but failed to hold on. They followed that game up with a 0-0 tie with Reading.

10. (On the bubble) Dedham (13-3-2), (South, Bay Patriot) – Two of Dedham’s losses this season are against Wellesley (1-0) and Newton North (1-0). Dedham has now won three in a row – against Norwood (5-0), Brookline (5-1) and Natick (6-2).

On the Bubble: Tewksbury, Old Rochester, Hingham

Statistics and results compiled from a variety of media sources, primarily our local Patch.com sites and the Boston.com standings (boys) (girls).


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