A few head-turning results last week prompted some changes to the rankings, including Byram Hills continuing its expeditious ascent and Pelham earning its debut. As well, Mamaroneck quietly creeps into the top five.
The three teams at the top have been in place since the preseason, though the order has changed a bit, but the rest of the list is and probably will continue to be fluid.
Records are as of the morning of Sept. 29.
Girls soccer power rankings
1. Rye (5-0-2)
They rebounded last week from a scoreless tie with Pelham and dominated Ursuline with sophomore superstar Harkin Brown scoring four goals. The Garnets still are ranked No. 6 in the country according to United Soccer Coaches. Last week: 1
2. Pleasantville (8-0)
The Panthers are doing what they have in each of the last three regular seasons — look
like a speeding locomotive. Except now they also have the cachet of a win over Albertus Magnus. Sophomore Samantha Schultz is approaching 100 career goals and Pleasantville faces Hen Hud and Edgemont this week. Last week: 2
3. Albertus Magnus (6-2-2)
The Falcons had decisive wins over Ursuline, John Jay-East Fishkill and Scarsdale recently, but did take a 3-1 loss to New Jersey’s Paul VI last Saturday. The roster isn't at full strength right now so that climb during the regular season is more difficult with an incredibly challenging schedule. Last week: 3
4. Arlington (5-1-2)
Their week included a dominant win over Carmel in which the reconfigured offense rang up a season-high five goals, followed by a scoreless tie with Somers, showing that it's still a work in progress. The Admirals will face rivals Ketcham and John Jay-East Fishkill this week before gearing up for a sectiona final rematch with North Rockland. Last week: 4
5. Mamaroneck (5-0-2)
They had a relatively light week with only one game, but it was a 5-0 victory over Carmel. The Tigers have a decent test upcoming, visiting a feisty White Plains squad on Tuesday. Last week: 6
6. Harrison (6-3)
The loss to Byram Hills will rankle them, particularly because they generated 25 shots on goal and were still shut out. It does cost them a spot in this ranking, but the match was more a testament to Byram Hills than it was a letdown for Harrison. The Huskies also bounced back with a rout of Rye Neck. Last week: 5
7. Byram Hills (8-0)
The Bobcats are rocketing up the ranking, and they make another jump after a 3-0 win Harrison, one of the Class AA favorites. Byram Hills lost the possession battle and withstood a barrage but capitalized on its chances. Coming off a five-win season, they might be the biggest breakout team of the fall thus far. Last week: 10
8. Clarkstown South (7-0)
The Vikings continued to roll last week with decisive shutout wins over Suffern and Pearl River. They'll face Nyack and Tappan Zee this week before an intradistrict battle with Clarkstown North next Monday. Last week: 7
9. North Rockland (2-1-4)
They're still scuffling a bit, trying to get untracked offensively, and played to a scoreless tie with Pearl River last week. But there still is faith in the defending Section 1 Class AAA champs to get rolling. And they'll have to soon, facing rival Arlington next Monday. Last week: 8
10. Pelham (4-1-2)
The Pelicans make their debut in the ranking despite closing last week with a disappointing loss to Eastchester. But they'd been knocking at the door after an upset of John Jay-East Fishkill. Pelham has two of the most notable ties this season, drawing even with Mamaroneck and Rye. Last week: N/R
On the bubble: John Jay-East Fishkill (5-3-1), Clarkstown North (4-1-1), Scarsdale (4-3-1), Tuckahoe (5-1-1), Eastchester (5-2-1)
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Byram Hills, Pelham making moves in the Sept. 29 girls soccer rankings
