Sep. 12—TOP OF THE CROP

Girls soccer

1: (1) Gilmour 5-1-1

2: (2) Mentor 4-3-1

3: (3) Mayfield 6-1-1

4: (5) Perry 7-0-1

5: (6) Wickliffe 5-0

6: (8) Kenston 2-5

7: (4) Berkshire 5-2-1

8: (9) West Geauga 2-5

9: (NR) Chagrin Falls 2-5

10: (NR) Madison 4-5

Dropped out: Kirtland, Chardon

Watch list: Kirtland (3-4-1), Chardon (3-3), Riverside (2-2), North (2-3-1)

Crop comments: This perplexing roller-coaster ride continues. ... Three 2-5 sides being in the top 10 is unusual, but consider the complicated reality: Kenston just beat previous Crop No. 4 Berkshire, 4-2, before a 7-1 loss at Bay. West Geauga has a head-to-head win over Chagrin Falls. The Tigers rallied late Sept. 7 to beat Kirtland, 2-1, and the Hornets have to drop out because they also previously lost to Chardon. But the Hilltoppers have to go as well because they lost to Madison, 2-1, on Sept. 5. The Blue Streaks were competitive, too, in a 2-0 loss at Mentor on Sept. 9. Although their head-to-head 2-1 defeat to Riverside on Aug. 21 has to be noted, the Beavers haven't really built on that result, either. So Madison gets the nod for No. 10 this week. ... Mayfield, Perry and Wickliffe continue to handle their business. ... Mentor putting up a valiant fight in a 1-0 setback against an outstanding Strongsville side was encouraging. ... Gilmour's 0-0 draw with Twinsburg was a very good result, but a 5-1 loss to Medina Highland was not — no way around it. The Lancers get the benefit of the doubt at No. 1 for now, but it's not as crystal clear as it was to begin the year.

Note: Matches considered through Sept. 11.