Mustangs win Crofton Tournament, including win over preseason No. 1 Mercy
Right off the bat, the girls soccer season saw a major upset as then-No. 15 Marriotts Ridge knocked off then-No. 1 Mercy, 3-1, at the Arundel Tournament and went on to win two games at Anne Arundel County’s newest school.
The Mustangs’ big win advanced them to No. 4 in the Week 1 VSN Girls Soccer Top 20, while the Magic slipped all the way back to No. 7.
McDonogh School and Broadneck, which have yet to open their seasons, moved up to the top two spots. Archbishop Spalding also moved up one slot, after a 7-0 win over St. Mary’s-Ryken, to No. 3 and Perry Hall, which is also awaiting its opener, stayed put at No. 5.
Here is the complete Week 1 VSN Girls Soccer Top 20:
1. MCDONOGH SCHOOL
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 2
Note: The Eagles ascend to familiar spot without playing a game. They open Wednesday as St. John’s College (D.C.) visits Owings Mills.
2. BROADNECK
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 3
Note: Bruins open within Anne Arundel County, as they host North County Thursday.
3. ARCHBISHOP SPALDING
Record: 1-0
Preseason ranking: 4
Note: Cavaliers blitz St. Mary’s-Ryken (7-0) in opener. Strong test looms at No. 15 Mount Hebron Wednesday.
4. MARRIOTTS RIDGE
Record: 2-0
Preseason ranking: 15
Note: The Mustangs make big leap with a pair of wins at Crofton Tournament, including a 3-1 victory over then-No. 1 Mercy.
5. PERRY HALL
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 5
Note: The Gators welcome rival Parkville Thursday for season opener.
6. SEVERNA PARK
Record: 1-0
Preseason ranking: 6
Note: Falcons claimed 1-0 win over Southern Maryland’s Huntingtown in opener. Frederick County’s Tuscarora visits Saturday.
7. MERCY
Record: 1-1
Preseason ranking: 1
Note: The Magic’s stay at No. 1 was short lived, as they were surprised by then-No. 15 Marriotts Ridge, before rebounding to shutout then-No. 7 River Hill, at Crofton Tournament.
8. NOTRE DAME PREP
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 8
Note: Blazers open on the road at No. 19 C. Milton Wright Wednesday.
9. DULANEY
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 9
Note: The Lions host Dundalk in opener Thursday.
10. CENTURY
Record: 1-0
Preseason ranking: 10
Note: The Knights opened season by edging then-No. 20 C. Milton Wright, 2-1. They visit Gerstell Academy Wednesday.
11. EASTERN TECH
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 10
Note: First tap for the Mavericks is at Loch Raven Wednesday.
12. ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 12
Note: Gators kickoff season Wednesday at home against Maryvale Prep.
13. JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL
Record: 1-0
Preseason ranking: 14
Note: The Patriots opened with a win over Roland Park Country School. No. 2 Broadneck is up next at Mercy Showcase Saturday.
14. TOWSON
Record: 1-0
Preseason ranking: 16
Note: The Generals opened season with a 2-1 road win over Bryn Mawr School. They visit Fallston Thursday.
15. MOUNT HEBRON
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 17
Note: Vikings get going in big way, welcoming No. 3 Archbishop Spalding Thursday.
16. HEREFORD
Record: 2-0
Preseason ranking: 18
Note: Bulls scored five goals in sweeping two games at Arundel Tournament, including a win over then-No. 13 Reservoir in final.
17. MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY
Record: 0-0
Preseason ranking: 19
Note: The Sailors remain in dock until opener at home against Glenelg Country School Sept. 14.
18. RESERVOIR
Record: 1-1
Preseason ranking: 3
Note: The Gators split a pair of games at the Arundel Tournament, topping Manchester Valley, before falling to then-No. 18 Hereford in final.
19. C. MILTON WRIGHT
Record: 0-1
Preseason ranking: 20
Note: Mustangs opened with a tough loss to No. 10 Century. No. 8 Notre Dame Prep looms Wednesday.
20. SEVERN SCHOOL
Record: 1-0
Preseason ranking: Not ranked
Note: Severn hammered longtime girls soccer power Sparrows Point, 5-0, in opener
