Competitive league races are heating up in Greater Cincinnati boys soccer, making movement among this week's teams in The Enquirer's power rankings inevitable.
Ranking the best teams in the city remains challenging, so here are this week's power rankings.
10. Madeira Mustangs (6-1-2)
Last week: unranked
The Mustangs have taken the early lead in the Cincinnati Hills League with a 3-0-1 record, drawing with Mariemont, 2-2.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Walnut Hills (Sept. 17), at Deer Park (Sept. 22.)
9. Ryle Raiders (10-2)
Last week: 3
The Raiders have won nine straight, including key wins over Covington Catholic, Henry Clay and St. Henry.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Mason (Sept. 10), vs. Harrison (Sept. 15).
8. Anderson Raptors (5-1-1)
Last week: 2
Anderson took its first loss of the season to Fairmont last week, 3-0. Anderson had allowed only
two goals in six games heading into that contest against Fairmont (6-1-2)
Upcoming schedule: vs. Turpin (Sept. 17).
7. Turpin Spartans (6-0-3)
Last week: unranked
Turpin is 3-0-1 in a tight Eastern Cincinnati Conference race heading into its big showdown at Anderson on Sept. 17. The Spartans have drawn 2-2 with both Covington Catholic and Madeira in the past week. Senior Sam Harding has 13 goals and two assists.
Upcoming schedule: at Anderson (Sept. 17), vs. Middletown (Sept. 19), at Princeton (Sept. 22)
6. Lakota East Thunderhawks (5-1-3)
Last week: 1
East has four wins and two draws in its last six games, including key wins over Fairfield and Oak Hills, and a 1-1 draw with Lakota West, which kept the Thunderhawks in second place in the Greater Miami Conference.
Upcoming schedule: at Sycamore (Sept. 17)
5. Summit Country Day Silver Knights (6-1-2)
Last week: 7
Summit has won four straight, all by shutout, including a 7-0 win over Seven Hills in a key league battle. Austin Fry has 11 goals and Harlan Smith eight.
Upcoming schedule: at Cincinnati Country Day (Sept. 17), vs. Little Miami (Sept. 19).
4. Fairfield Indians (7-2-1)
Last week: 9
The Indians knocked off Mason, 2-1, in a key GMC team then lost 3-1 to Harrison. Mekhi Waters continues his impressive senior season with 10 goals and four assists.
Upcoming schedule: at Princeton (Sept. 17)
3. Sycamore Aviators (9-2)
Last week: 6
The Aviators have been flying higher than any team in the GMC lately, starting 5-0 with a total score of 21-2. That includes a 2-0 win over Lakota West but they haven’t faced Lakota East, Fairfield or Mason yet. Sycamore has an 8-0 loss to St. Xavier and a 1-0 loss to Moeller but a 2-1 win over Elder.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Lakota East (Sept. 17).
2. St. Xavier Bombers (4-2-2)
Last week: 5
St. X has four wins and a draw in September, including a resounding 8-0 win over Sycamore and two wins over Chicago schools, plus a 0-0 draw with Elder.
Upcoming schedule: at La Salle (Sept. 16), vs. Mason (Sept. 19).
1. Moeller Crusaders (4-1-3)
Last week: 4
Don’t expect much offense when you see the Crusaders play. They have scored only eight goals in eight games but have conceded only four. They have been stringing together solid results, including a 2-0-1 record against the GMC and a draw with CovCath.
Upcoming schedule: at Elder (Sept. 16) vs. Fairmont (Sept. 23).
Others on the radar
Badin, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Covington Catholic, East Central, Elder, Harrison, Highlands, Kings, Little Miami, Mason, Monroe, Norwood, Ross, Seven Hills, Talawanda, Wilmington
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Moeller takes top spot in Sept. 17 boys soccer power rankings
