Sean FarrellThere’s no single storyline this week in boys soccer, just a steady churn of teams climbing the ladder and making their case.
Mahwah reaches a season-high No. 5 in the North Jersey Top 25 rankings after staying perfect through five games. Tenafly and West Milford continue their unbeaten runs and inch up to Nos. 6 and 7, respectively. Old Tappan and Ramsey both crack the top 10.
No one made a bigger leap than Wallington, vaulting from No. 24 to No. 13 after road wins over ranked opponents Emerson and Dwight-Englewood. Junior Alex Lyszczarczyk has been the catalyst, leading North Jersey with 17 goals – more than double his total from last season – and emerging as one of the area’s most improved players.
The NJIC Colonial division – the top flight in the conference – has been as good as advertised. Five teams are ranked this week: Glen Rock, Wallington, Dwight-Englewood, Waldwick and Emerson. The first four are locked in a tie for first place, fueling a race that’s been far from predictable.
Lyndhurst joins the rankings at No. 24 after taking sole possession of first place in the NJIC Patriot. The Golden Bears edged defending sectional champion Harrison in double overtime last week, with Robert Dasler Jr. delivering the game-winner.
At the top, Bergen Catholic holds steady at No. 1, followed by Ramapo, Ridgewood and Don Bosco – all with just one or two blemishes on otherwise strong resumes.
Top 25 rankings
- Bergen Catholic 6-1-1
- Ramapo 4-1
- Ridgewood 4-1
- Don Bosco 4-2-1
- Mahwah 5-0
- Tenafly 5-0
- West Milford 5-0-1
- DePaul 1-2-1
- Old Tappan 3-1-1
- Ramsey 3-3
- Glen Rock 5-2
- Fair Lawn 4-0-2
- Wallington 6-2
- Dwight-Englewood 6-2
- Pompton Lakes 6-1
- Clifton 3-2
- Kennedy 4-1
- Wayne Hills 4-1-1
- Emerson 5-3
- Passaic 5-2
- Fort Lee 5-1
- Waldwick 4-4
- Northern Highlands 4-3
- Lyndhurst 7-1
- Bergenfield 3-2-1
(Records through Tuesday.)
