Mount Notre Dame debuts at No. 1 in girls soccer
Unlike the boys Fall FAB 50 rankings which are dominated by two programs, the girls chase for No. 1 is wide open.
Eight different girls fall programs have claimed FAB 50 No. 1 final rankings over the past decade, and none of them are in the Top 10 to start 2022. Instead, a group of frontrunners have emerged -- teams that are coming off big seasons, with lots of returners and major college talent.
The preseason No. 1 nod goes to Mount Notre Dame (Ohio) in a close call over Bearden (Tenn.), which starts at No. 2. Both teams are coming off undefeated state title showings in 2021. Both teams return more than half of their starters, and both teams feature major college prospects. If either team turns in a perfect season it would make a compelling case to finish as the overall No. 1. Of course, there are quite a number of teams that can enter the race for No. 1, such as Noblesville (Ind.), Freehold Township (N.J.) and Westfield (N.J.), the teams that round out the preseason Top 5.
Unlike other preseason soccer rankings that are largely a list repeating last year's final rankings, PrepSoccer.com assesses the elite teams based on returning players, strength of schedule and reasonable expectations for the upcoming season. This sort of detail, with capsules on the top 25 teams, allows the FAB 50 to shed a spotlight on the real projected top teams this year.
