Today we unveil our latest update to Grande Sports Academy TeamRank, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, and we release the latest standings for U16, U17 and U18 Girls. Next week, we will update the younger age groups on the Boys side. We will update our National Top 25 of each age group at least once per month.

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The start of the 2015-16 ECNL season has already produced some upsets, and ECNL newcomer clubs Jacksonville FC and Tophat SC are taking off in almost every age group.

Hawks spread the wealth at U16

The top three of So Cal Blues, Michigan Hawks, and Solar Chelsea, respectively, all fared well to open the 2015-16 ECNL campaign. The Blues earned just a draw, but against No. 15 Slammers, while the Hawks and Solar each came away with 2-0 records. The Hawks in particular had goals from five different players on opening weekend: Virginia pledge Alexa Spaanstra, Morgan Kloosterman, Abby Gardiner, Iowa verbal Diane Senkowski, and Emaly Vatne.

Tophat SC began this season ranked No. 9, but is quickly moving up thanks to a 3-0-1 record in its freshman ECNL campaign. U.S. YNT vet and IMG Academy 150 Class of 2018 No. 3 Rachel Jones already has four goals for the Hatters to help them jump three spots to No. 6.

Jacksonville FC, who debuts at No. 25, also began with a 3-0-1 record which included a draw with Tophat. The core of the team that finished fifth in the National League’s Red Division in 2015 returns this season to ply its trade in its new league.

More: Commitments | IMG Academy 150 Rankings

JFC loaded at U17

The one-two punch of West Coast FC and De Anza Force will be hard to beat throughout the season in this age group. Both teams have started 2015-16 campaign with victories and continue to remain the top two in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25.

Although brand new to the ECNL, No. 16 Tophat SC and No. 10 Jacksonville FC are two of the key players in the southeast region in this age group. Jacksonville, in particular, is off to a perfect 4-0 start, including a 1-0 defeat of Tophat, and has amassed 18 goals in just those four matches. Jacksonville’s spark is due in part to the addition of more than a few players from surrounding clubs, now that JFC is a member of the ECNL. IMG Academy 150 prospects Amanda McGlynn, Jacqueline Schaefer, Madison Murnin, and Katie Ralys all transferred back to their home club from Orlando City FC, and Florida commit Reagan Glisson recently moved to the area from Atlanta, choosing JFC as her new home.

Top teams remain at U18

The top two of PDA and Crossfire Premier have not begun their senior campaign, but are poised for strong seasons once high school ends, and remain on the top of the standings.

Tophat SC, once again at this age group, has made a strong showing to begin its first season in the ECNL, and debuts in our standings at No. 25. Forward Treva Aycock, a newcomer to the veteran Tophat squad, has scored six of her team’s 15 goals and will be a nice addition for Furman in 2016.

Next Thursday: U13, U14, and U15 Boys

Grande Sports Academy TeamRank is the comprehensive team-ranking system devised by TopDrawerSoccer.com to provide an objective and common-sense approach to determining which elite youth soccer teams are the best in the nation.

The rankings, updated monthly, are primarily results-based, with a nod toward the league and championship competitions that emulate how excellence is determined in leading soccer nations around the world.

Tournaments are also included but at a reduced value due to the many mitigating factors involving such events, including attrition and guest players.

A final layer of executive evaluation is provided to account for variables that often impact results, thus ensuring that the monthly lists are not subjective, but are not purely mechanical.