Shealer’s Notebook: Who’s No. 1 in 2022?
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As the fall season winds down, the preseason hype starts up for 2022. Today, I take a look at some early favorites for preseason No. 1 for the fall of 2022. GIRLS Bearden (Tenn.) won the state title in 2021,…
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Continue ReadingAs the fall season winds down, the preseason hype starts up for 2022.
Today, I take a look at some early favorites for preseason No. 1 for the fall of 2022.
GIRLS
Bearden (Tenn.) won the state title in 2021, while host the High School All-America Game in December, and easily could be hoisting a national title in 2022. South Carolina commit Brinley Murphy Brinley Murphy F Bearden (TN) | 2023 #58 Nation TN leads a talent crew that is returning from a 23-0-1 season. Nyla Blue, a sophomore, netted the state title-winning goal agains Houston. Breana Mendoza, a sophomore, added a game-clinching state title goal in the 3-1 win. Add in junior Rebecca Roth and sophomore Alivia Stott Alivia Stott null | F Bearden (TN) | 2024 TN , and Bearden has the offense to make another serious run at No. 1 in 2022 after what will be a Top 5 finish in 2021.
Mount Notre Dame (Ohio) plays for the Ohio Division I state title this weekend. The program has not lost a regular season match since 2019. Peyton Kohls, a top prospect, is only a junior. Assuming the club players return in 2022, Mount Notre Dame will have the lineup that could make a state title run, along with a serious bid for FAB 50 No. 1.
Hingham (Mass.), like Mount Notre Dame, is still playing this fall. But looking ahead, the Harbormen should be just as strong in 2022, as long as national recruit Sophie Reale Sophie Reale F Hingham (MA) | 2023 State #102 Nation MA returns.
McDonogh (Md.), similar to the school’s boys program listed below, was merely a collection of young players with one key senior, Kelsey Smith Kelsey Smith F McDonogh | 2022 MD , leading the way to an IAAM A Conference title. While McDonogh won’t be preseason No. 1 material, this could be a squad that makes a run based on its results. This program routinely travels out of state to flex its muscle. It backfired this year in a loss in Pennsylvania, but next year, wins in those types of matches can really elevate a ranking. It’s also fair to note, unlike the teams listed above, McDonogh played 2021 without much match experience since the school did not field a team in the 2020-2021 school year. In fact, for most of the team, the 2021 season was their first high school play. Key returners include Sabba Haghgoo Sabba Haghgoo F MD , Gracie Salias, Addy Mahaney and Remi Schaller.
Rutgers Prep (N.J.) is another program similar to McDonogh in that it might not be No. 1 preseason material, yet, the pieces are there for a real soccer power. Addison Halpern Addison Halpern null | M Rutgers Prep (NJ) | 2025 State #8 Nation NJ , a freshman, has been part of the U.S. Youth National Team ID events and is considered a major college prospect. Melina Rebimbas Melina Rebimbas F Rutgers Prep (NJ) | 2023 State #3 Nation NJ , a junior, already has committed to North Carolina. Combined, they have scored 78 goals in 2021. With a bit more of a challenging schedule, Rutgers Prep could be in for a lofty national ranking.
BOYS
The reality of boys soccer in the fall right now, there is St. Benedict’s (N.J.) and St. Ignatius (Ohio), and then there’s everyone else.
St. Benedict’s is riding a 70-match undefeated streak. St. Ignatius’ undefeated run is in the 60s.
Both teams feature game-changing underclass players.
This one is almost too difficult to call for 2022, but the lean is St. Benedict’s since almost the entire starting lineup returns. Ransford Gyan Ransford Gyan M St. Benedict’s | 2024 State #11 Nation NJ , a sophomore, is an exciting forward who ended as the team’s leader in goals (16) and assists (12) as the Gray Bees only played 13 matches. Current sophomore Philder Fanes and junior Belmar Joseph Belmar Joseph M St. Benedict’s | 2024 NJ were second and third in scoring. Another key returnee will be keeper Marilio Soares, who is exceptional with his feet and did not allow a goal in the run of play this season. Meanwhile, St. Ignatius expects to return Notre Dame commit Nolan Spicer Nolan Spicer 5'8" | M St. Ignatius (OH) | 2023 State #93 Nation OH in the midfield, along with top prospects forward Zsombor Onodi Zsombor Onodi F St. Ignatius (OH) | 2023 State OH and keeper Patrick McLaughlin Patrick McLaughlin GK St. Ignatius (OH) | 2023 State OH .
The good news, the programs are discussing renewing their rivalry next season. Therefore, it might not matter who is No. 1 or 2 to start the season as they might settle the issue on the field. In 2018, St. Benedict’s won the first-ever meeting between the schools en route to a No. 1 finish. In 2019, the teams tied and ended up sharing FAB 50 No. 1 honors that fall.
Martin Luther King (N.Y.) is coached by legendary Martin Jacobson, whose exploits have been featured in documentaries and on 60 Minutes. In his mid-70s, he says retirement is near, but as long as he’s leading this program, MLK should remain a PSAL — and thus national — national power. Looking ahead of 2022, MLK returns Hakim Karamoko Hakim Karamoko F Williston Northampton (MA) | 2023 #85 Nation NY , a man-child in he attack. Karamoko was tabbed as one of the nation’s top ECNL players this past summer and likely will be courted like former MLK star Yaya Bakayoko, who played every match at North Carolina this past fall as a sophomore.
McDonogh (Md.) saw its run of MIAA A Conference titles end at the hands of rival Calvert Hall (Md.), but the experience will serve as motivation for this youthful team. Bryant Mayer Bryant Mayer D McDonogh School (MD) | 2023 MD already has committed to Northwestern. Tyler Tucker Tyler Tucker M McDonogh School (MD) | 2023 MD is a major college prospect, as well. The team fielded mostly an underclass starting lineup en route to a 21-3 season with two losses coming to Calvert Hall. The big issue will be finding a finisher to replace Jacob Murrell Jacob Murrell F McDonogh | 2022 State MD who was directly involved in about 80 percent of the team’s goals.
Marquette (Wis.) is a staple program in the rankings. The Hilltoppers dominate Wisconsin (seven state titles in the past eight years). The team plays a demanding schedule, one that normally provides justification for the ranking of the Midwest teams. Marquette is seldom in the conversation for No. 1, and won’t be next year in the preseason as it graduates a number of key performers this year. However, the Hilltoppers always reload and make a Top 10 push every year under coach Steve Lawrence.