Early season shuffling begins as the season gets underway for most teams
The 2021 soccer season is underway and 19 of the 20 teams in the VSN Preseason Soccer Top 20 have reached our Week 1 poll. Only Hereford High, which was at No. 19 has dropped out, replaced by our new No. 20 Fallston, which won twice at the Bel Air Invitational, including a decision over the Bulls.
Calvert Hall College and McDonogh School remain in the top two spots, followed in the top five by No. 3 Severna Park, No. 4 Archbishop Curley and No. 5 Centennial.
Here is the complete Week 1 VSN Boys Soccer Top 20:
1. CALVERT HALL COLLEGE
Record: 3-0-1
Preseason ranking: 1
Note: A tie against arch-rival Loyola Blakefield (then-No. 13) notwithstanding, the Cardinals are off to a solid start with three wins over ranked opponents, including No. 2 McDonogh School
2. MCDONOGH SCHOOL
Record: 3-1
Preseason anking: 2
Note: The Eagles were blanked by No. 1 Calvert Hall, but the offense seems to be taking shape with 11 goals in their other three games, all wins.
3. SEVERNA PARK
Record: 1-0
Preseason ranking: 4
Note: The Falcons opened with a 2-1 win over Southern Maryland’s Huntingtown.
4. ARCHBISHOP CURLEY
Record: 1-1
Preseason ranking: 5
Note: The Friars followed a shutout win on opening day, before taking No. 2 McDonogh to double overtime before suffering 3-2 setback.
5. CENTENNIAL
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 6
Note: Eagles opener on Sept. 9 at Howard.
6. SOUTH RIVER
Record: 1-0
Preseason ranking: 8
Note: The Seahawks impressive in 3-0 victory over Northern of Calvert County.
7. MOUNT HEBRON
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 9
Note: Opening game is Thursday, as the Vikings travel to Prince George’s County’s Eleanor Roosevelt.
8. CATONSVILLE
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 10
Note: The Comets open Thursday at Oakland Mills, before hosting their invitational Saturday.
9. C. MILTON WRIGHT
Record: 2-0
Preseason ranking: 11
Note: The Mustangs claimed nice wins over then-No. 7 Perry Hall and then-No. 19 Hereford at Bel Air Invitational.
10. PERRY HALL
Record: 1-1
Preseason ranking: 7
Note: The Gators rebounded from opening loss to defeat host Bel Air on penalty kicks.
11. JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL
Record: 2-1
Preseason ranking: 12
Note: The Patriots showed well early in loss at No. 1 Calvert Hall.
12. RIVER HILL
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 14
Note: Hawks welcome Howard County rival Wilde Lake for opener Thursday.
13. MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
Record: 0-2-2
Preseason ranking: 3
Note: Two key injuries have hampered Gaels at start of season.
14. TOWSON
Record: 1-0
Preseason ranking: 15
Note: Generals score three times in season-opening shutout of Lansdowne.
15. BROADNECK
Record: 2-0
Preseason ranking: 16
Note: Bruins explode for 17 goals in sweeping their invitational.
16. LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD
Record: 0-2-2
Preseason ranking: 13
Note: Young Dons struggling to score goals, but scoreless draw with top-ranked Calvert Hall shows they can compete with area’s best.
17. LIBERTY
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 17
Note: Lions await Frederick County’s Catoctin for opener Thursday.
18. MARRIOTTS RIDGE
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 18
Note: The Mustangs travel Hammond Thursday for start of Howard County play.
19. RESERVOIR
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 19
Note: Gators open at home against Long Reach Thursday.
20. FALLSTON
Record: 2-0
Preseason ranking: Not ranked
Note: Cougars crack Top 20 with pair of wins at the Bel Air Invitational, topping Eastern Tech and then-No. 19 Hereford.
