Fordham Prep put three goals up in the first 17 minutes and didn’t look back in a stunning, 3-0 win over bitter rival Iona Prep on Thursday. The Gaels were without three key defensive players, but the Rams must be credited for their focused play and intensity. The victory was good enough to move them up to No. 2 in these rankings.
Fieldston also moves up a spot to No. 9, flip-flopping with Archbishop Stepinac. What else do these rankings have in store? Find out below:
1. St. Francis Prep (9-0-1) (Last week: 1)
The Terriers avenged their only non-victory of the season Thursday, beating rival Archbishop Molloy, 2-0, in a completely commanding victory. With four games remaining in the regular season, nationally ranked St. Francis Prep looks like the league’s clear-cut best team. The biggest challenge left is makeup game with Fordham Prep, which has yet to be rescheduled.
Next: Xaverian (Oct. 11, 4 p.m. @ Kissena Corridor Park)
2. Fordham Prep (6-1-3) (3)
By the 17th minute Thursday, Fordham Prep had already all but locked up a victory over rival Iona Prep – a shocking turn of events between two teams that are usually involved in epic, close wars. The Rams ended up holding on to a 3-0 rout, which they owed to motivation caused by a last-second loss to Archbishop Molloy two days earlier.
Next: No. 5 Regis (Oct. 11, 4:30 p.m.)
3. Iona Prep (7-2-2) (2)
The absence of defenders Felix Abongo (injury), Michael Izzo (suspension) and Quinn Hefferon (illness) was definitely felt in a stunning, 3-0 loss to Fordham Prep on Thursday. Iona Prep did find out that Abongo was not lost for the season, which was very good news. There are some staunch tests remaining with Xavier coming up on Thursday.
Next: Holy Cross (Oct. 11, 4 p.m.)
4. Horace Mann (6-1-0) (4)
The Lions get a chance to separate themselves from the pack Wednesday as second-place Fieldston pays them a visit. Explosive, deep and talented, Horace Mann acquitted itself well last week, first by topping Dalton 4-2 and later getting past dogged Trinity 3-2 in overtime.
Next: No. 9 Fieldston (Oct. 12, 4:15 p.m.)
5. Regis (5-2-3) (5)
The Raiders bounced back from a 4-1 loss against St. Francis Prep – and who isn’t losing to the Terriers lately? – by besting upstart Archbishop Stepinac on Thursday. The next two weeks will determine whether Regis has a good regular season or a great one. Games against Fordham Prep (Tuesday), archrival Xavier and Iona Prep remain before the playoffs.
Next: @ No. 2 Fordham Prep (Oct. 11, 4:30 p.m.)
6. Archbishop Molloy (4-3-4) (6)
The Stanners followed up their biggest win of the season, 2-1 over Fordham Prep, with a disappointing 2-0 loss to St. Francis Prep. But the fact remains that Molloy is still playing its best soccer right now and might only be getting better. Angelo Luongo’s ball to Denes Kostel for the last-second finish against Fordham is one of the plays of the year thus far.
Next: Christ the King (Oct. 11, 4 p.m.)
7. Xavier (6-3-2) (7)
Is there a hotter team in the CHSAA right now? Xavier has won three straight and is 4-0-1 in its last five matches. Jack Kane has been excellent since returning from a red card suspension and Alex Presciutti has carried the scoring load just about all season. There are four huge games left, though, starting this week with Archbishop Stepinac on Tuesday and Iona Prep on Thursday.
Next: No. 10 Archbishop Stepinac (Oct. 11, 4:30 p.m. @ Aviator)
8. Collegiate (6-2-2) (8)
The Dutchmen were able to survive leading scorer Weller Hlinomaz’s absence over the season’s first weeks because of their depth, but also the play in net of underrated goalkeeper Will Spencer. He saved Collegiate a loss in last Wednesday’s scoreless draw against Fieldston and was integral to last fall’s NYSAISAA crown. He’ll again be an asset down the stretch this fall.
Next: @ Poly Prep (Oct. 12, 4 p.m.)
9. Fieldston (4-1-1) (10)
The Eagles passes their first test last Wednesday, outplaying Collegiate in a scoreless draw. That match was at home; this meeting, at Ivy Prep League leader Horace Mann on Wednesday, will be on the road. And if Fieldston can somehow pull out the win, it would be on top of the league all on its own, an impressive feat for a team that entered the year with very little expectations.
Next: @ No. 4 Horace Mann (Oct. 12, 4:15 p.m.)
10. Stepinac (4-4-2) (9)
Their four-game unbeaten streak was snapped Thursday by Regis and now things really get tough for the Crusaders. Xavier and Fordham Prep are on the schedule this week and St. Francis Prep and Iona Prep are looming on the horizon. Stepinac has played all season with hosting a playoff game in mind at its new field – that’s going to be a tall order.
Next: No. 7 Xavier (Oct. 11, 4:30 p.m. @ Aviator)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Christ the King (5-4-1), Dalton (5-4-0), Cardinal Spellman (4-0-3), Monsignor McClancy (5-1-2), Mount St. Michael (6-1-1), St. Joseph by the Sea (3-0-4), Cardinal Hayes (3-1-2) and Packer Collegiate (8-1-1)