BOYS SOCCER
5. Hamilton (3-1-2)
Big Blue makes an appearance at the five spot following a nice 3-0-1 week. After getting trounced by Badin 6-0, Big Blue shored up the defense, only allowing two goals the last four games while exploding for 15. Coach Jason Parsons has his team ready for a tough week when HHS travels to Fairfield Tuesday and Oak Hills Thursday. Senior Gabe Prado leads HHS with four goals, while fellow senior Franco Flores has three goals and three assists. Senior Adam Hiti leads the GMC with four assists. Junior Christopher Martinez has 2.5 shutouts.
4. Talawanda (7-0)
Brave are off to the best start under coach Jeremy Jones in years, rolling out seven straight wins. Talawanda has feasted on a soft schedule, outscoring the opposition 36-1. Senior Noel Albarran has a whopping 13 goals to lead the Brave, while junior Henry Eckhardt has notched three goals and five assists. Junior Ryder Hooks has seven assists to top the SWBL. Sophomore Sam Hogan and junior Evan Ruehl each have 2.5 shutouts. Brave have a big test Tuesday, tangling with unbeaten Franklin.
3. Badin (5-1)
After opening the season with a loss to Elder, the Rams have rebounded to win five straight. The Rams toppled Monroe 2-0 Tuesday, Badin’s fourth straight win over the Hornets, before traveling to always-tough CHCA, gaining a 3-1 triumph. Juniors Charlie Hall and Shaggy Long each have four goals to lead Badin, while senior captain Nate VonBargen has three. Hall and junior Parker Young lead the GCL with five assists. Junior Jacob Aichele has been strong in goal, totaling 25 saves and two shutouts.
2. Fairfield (5-1-1)
The Indians fell from the top spot after dropping a tough 3-1 road contest at Lakota East. The Indians will get a chance to rebound, hosting Hamilton Tuesday and Mason Thursday. Senior Mekhi Waters sits atop the GMC with six goals, while juniors Louis Ellis and Tim Ellis each have two goals. Senior Carson Leist has 25 saves and two shutouts for the Indians.
1. Lakota East (4-1-2)
The Thunderhawks jumped to the top of the rankings following a great week featuring a 2-0 win over Walnut Hills and a hard-fought 3-1 win over previous No. 1 Fairfield. The road doesn’t get any easier for the Thunderhawks as they take on Oak Hills Tuesday and crosstown rival Lakota West Thursday. Junior Miles Polachek leads East with four goals, while senior Hilary Lanjo has three goals. Senior Nick Maslin tops the GMC with three shutouts.
Games to watch
Tuesday — Hamilton at Fairfield, Talawanda at Franklin, Badin at East Central
Thursday — Hamilton at Oak Hills, Ross at Talawanda, Lakota West at Lakota East, Mason at Fairfield
GIRLS SOCCER
5. Hamilton (4-2)
Under first-year coach Jaime Neumaier, Big Blue are off to their best start since 2018. HHS won four in a row, led by the scoring of Carlee McIntosh. McIntosh has five goals, while senior Ashley Ambrocio-Mendez leads the Greater Miami Conference with four assists. Senior Lyla Malcom has already matched last year’s shutout total with two while notching 29 saves. The Big Blue have a tough road ahead in GMC play, but 10 seniors and some talented underclassmen show hope for the future.
4. Lakota East (4-2-1)
The Thunderhawks maintain their fourth-place ranking by splitting a pair of games. East lost to Ross 4-0 Tuesday but bounced back with a 4-0 win Thursday over Fairfield. Senior Bailey Bacher had two goals in the win over Fairfield, adding to her Greater Miami Conference-leading six. Bacher has also added four assists. Senior Emmaline Slusher remains rock steady in between the pipes with three shutouts and a GMC-leading 46 saves. East has a big week, heading to Ross Tuesday and Fairfield Thursday.
3. Mason (3-1-1)
The Comets continued to battle during a tough opening stretch that saw a loss to state contender Seton. Mason rebounded to open GMC play with a decisive win over Colerain 8-0. Senior Bella Anderson leads Mason with four goals and four assists, while sophomore Liana Kim had a hat trick against the Cardinals, leaving her with four goals and two assists. Junior goalie Ella Krimpenfort has two shutouts for Mason.
2. Lakota West (4-1-1)
Similar to Mason, the Firebirds have faced a brutal opening stretch. West dropped a game to stalwart Olentangy Berlin 2-0 and tied powerhouse Oak Hills 2-2 this past week. West is in the middle of a nice break, traveling to Sycamore for this week’s lone game. Senior Anne Marie Wambugu leads West with six goals, which also has her tied atop the GMC. Junior Remi Schmidt has chipped in two goals and three assists. Freshman goalie Melanie Howard has notched 20 saves this season.
1. Ross (6-0)
The Rams jump to the top spot fresh off a 4-0 win over Lakota East this week. The Rams haven’t missed a beat in 2026, starting the campaign 6-0. Anchored by eight seniors and five juniors, the Rams are ready to challenge again for the SWBL crown. Junior Mady Koeninger had a goal against East to add to her team-leading six, while sophomore Maci Taylor has chipped in five goals. Sophomore Ava Bush leads the SWBL with eight assists while notching three goals. Junior Mia Michel leads the SWBL with five shutouts in goal. The Rams take on Hamilton Saturday and Talawanda Thursday in another big week.
Games to watch
Tuesday — Fairfield at Hamilton, Oak Hills at East
Thursday — Oak Hills at Hamilton, Ross at Talawanda
