HS: Winter FAB 50 rankings, Dec. 25

by Sheldon Shealer

December 25, 2018

After six straight years of national title finishes, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) is now on the outside looking in.

Montverde Academy's staggering boys soccer undefeated streak ended last week at 185 matches, and the defeat bounced the program from No. 1 to No. 10 in the FAB 50 -- the program's lowest rank since early in the 2010-11 season.

The 4-2 loss to South Lake (Fla.) last week was a first for the program since the 2009-2010 season, the year before the school major a major investment into the sport by hiring Mike Potempa as head coach. Montverde won the FAB 50 title in 2011, finished second in 2012 and then reeled off six straight through last year.

While the high school team was a high priority in creating the internationally recognized SIMA program, it has taken a backseat the past two years. Last year, Montverde fielded four varsity teams -- each with a different 20 players -- and those teams rotated through the high school schedule, a move that resulted in three ties during its undefeated season. This year, with the addition of the Orlando City Development Academy program to campus, about 20-30 of the top players at the school no longer represent the high school at all. Still, Montverde Academy, with more than 200 players in its soccer program, is able to field highly competitive high school teams. This year, two separate groups -- with different coaching staffs -- rotate through the team's high school schedule.

The loss by Montverde Academy opened the door for Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) to regain the FAB 50 No. 1 ranking. Loyola, which went undefeated at the College Cup Showcase early in the season added a South Torrance Holiday Tournament title to resume for this season. Alief Elsik (Houston, Texas) remains No. 2 with a slew of Texas teams following in the Top 10.

JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) remains No. 1 for the girls, but The Woodlands (Texas) moves up to No. 2.

Now on with the rankings ...

BIG MOVERS: BOYS: Cathedral (Los Angeles, Calif.). Cathedral won the Lotto Sport Western Showcase, beating Servite (Calif.) in the final. Jesus Rios delivered the game-winning goal in overtime for Cathedral. The Lotto event featured eight teams from three states, including for FAB 50 Top 25 teams. All ranked teams reached the semifinals, and Cathedral's win helped the team vault from No. 19 to No. 9 this week. ... GIRLS: Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.). In a week of little movement, Mitty's four-spot jump from No. 18 to No. 14 was the largest of the week by ranked teams. Mitty's move was aided by a victory over Monte Vista (Calif.).

NEWCOMERS: BOYS: No. 46 DeLand (Fla.), No. 47 Corona del Mar (Newport Harbor, Calif.) and No. 48 Plant City (Fla.). ... GIRLS: No. 21 Stanton (Jacksonville, Fla.), No. 49 Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii) and No. 50 Clovis North (Fresno, Calif.).

CLICK BELOW FOR THE COMPLETE WINTER HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS

WINTER FAB 50 RANKINGS: BOYS (Dec. 25) | GIRLS (Dec. 25)

WINTER REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (Dec. 24) | GIRLS (Dec. 24)

WINTER STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (Dec. 24) | GIRLS (Dec. 24)