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Valor Christian leads spring soccer rankings after signature win

(Courtesy of Paul DiSalvo)

One way to vault up the rankings: beat the top-ranked team.

That’s exactly what Valor Christian (Colo.) did Saturday, coming back from a halftime deficit to defeat Broomfield (Colo.) 2-1 and deal the Eagles their first loss in three years.

After Broomfield opened the scoring with a first-half tally, Valor Christian responded with two second-half goals. Oregon commit Ajanae Respass continued her hot start to the season with an equalizing goal and an assist on Peyton Parsons’ game-winning score.

Both Respass and Parsons have led the Eagles’ explosive offense, which is averaging over five goals per game. Respass has a team-high 11 goals in nine games plus five assists, while Parsons is second on the team with eight goals and leads the way with seven assists.

With their statement win over Broomfield, Valor Christian has climbed from fifth in last week’s JWS high school soccer rankings to No. 1 this week.

(Note that these rankings do not include teams from Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina, as those states are already in or close to their postseasons.)

1. Valor Christian (Colo.), 10-0

Valor Christian went undefeated in the regular season last year before losing in the 5A semifinals. The Eagles hope to avoid that fate this spring.

2. Triad (Ill.), 15-0

The Knights just keep winning, extending their unbeaten streak to 41 games (40 wins, one draw) and their winning streak to 39 matches.

3. Naperville Central (Ill.), 11-0-1

The Redhawks’ defense continues to shut down opponents. The offense just couldn’t find the back of the net in a scoreless tie with Naperville North on Monday.

4. South County (Va.), 8-0-1

The Stallions have not lost since 2019 and appear primed for another deep postseason run.

5. Broomfield (Colo.), 11-1

The Eagles rebounded from their loss to Valor Christian, their first defeat since 2019, with a resounding 8-0 win Monday.

6. Bentonville (Ark.), 14-0-2

The Tigers tied defending 6A state champions Fayetteville 2-2 on Tuesday.

7. Legacy (Colo.), 12-1

A loss to Broomfield is the only blemish on the schedule for Legacy, which has reeled off three consecutive wins since that defeat.

8. Gretna (Neb.), 16-0

The Dragons capped an undefeated regular-season with another shutout win, their 14th of the season. Gretna hasn’t allowed a goal since March 29.

9. Colonial Forge (Va.), 9-0

The Eagles tied last year’s Class 6A runners-up Patriot in a preseason scrimmage. Since then, Colonial Forge has won nine straight and outscored opponents 51-3.

10. Valley (Iowa), 10-0

The Tigers are averaging 3.6 goals per game and squeaked out a 1-0 win Tuesday over Dowling Catholic.

11. Broken Arrow (Okla.), 11-1

Broken Arrow won a district championship with a 1-0 win Tuesday, handing Owasso, No. 24 in last week’s rankings, its first loss of the season.

12. Colgan (Va.) 10-1-1

The Sharks have won six consecutive games since a scoreless draw with South County on March 31.

13. St. Thomas Aquinas (Kan.), 11-0

The Saints defeated Blue Valley Southwest 3-1 on Tuesday in a rematch of last year’s Class 5A state championship game, which St. Thomas Aquinas also won.

14. O’Fallon (Ill.), 13-1

Since losing to Triad, O’Fallon has outscored its opponents 23-4 in five consecutive wins.

15. James Island (S.C.), 15-0-2

The Trojans, who have not lost in over a year, have four players who have scored 10 goals or more, led by senior Lilli Ray’s 17 goals.

16. Yorktown (Va.), 9-1

The Patriots have won their last two games by a combined score of 16-0.

17. Bloomfield Hills Marian (Mich.), 5-0

A 13-day break did not slow down the Mustangs, who recorded an 8-2 win Tuesday.

18. Chapin (S.C.), 18-1

Goalkeeper Peyton Henderson stopped a penalty kick to preserve the shutout, and the Eagles recorded a 2-0 win Friday to claim a region championship.

19. Lyons Township (Ill.), 12-0

Runners-up to O’Fallon in 3A last season, the Lions are gearing up for another postseason run.

20. Blue Valley West (Kan.), 7-1

It was an eventful week for the Jaguars, who won the Blue Springs South High School Tournament in Missouri but lost to sub-.500 Blue Valley Northwest on Tuesday.

21. Grandview (Colo.), 11-1-2

Grandview’s 1-0 loss to Valor Christian earlier in the season doesn’t look so bad anymore. Incredibly, that was just one of two goals the Eagles have given up this season.

22. St. Dominic (Mo.), 12-2

The Crusaders were shut out Tuesday in a 2-0 defeat to Liberty (Wentzville) but have outscored opponents 41-2 in their 12 wins.

23. Fort Zumwalt South (Mo.), 15-1

Since a 2-1 loss to Eureka, the Bulldogs have won four straight games by a combined margin of 18-3.

24. Pine Creek (Colo.), 12-0

The Eagles have outscored opponents 75-3 this season.

25. Wade Hampton (S.C.), 16-1

The Generals won their first region championship since 1989 last week and then followed that with two more shutout victories.

Phillip Suitts is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports. He has worked at a variety of outlets, including The Palm Beach Post and Southeast Missourian, and done a little bit of everything from reporting to editing to running social media accounts. He was born in Atlanta but currently lives in wintry Philadelphia. Follow Phillip on Twitter @PhillipSuitts.

Australia, Manchester City Rising Star Mary Fowler Ruptures ACL

Manchester City star Mary Fowler of Australia warms up before the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and Korea Republic before her ACL injury.
Manchester City confirmed the Matildas star's season-ending ACL injury earlier this week. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australia and Manchester City forward Mary Fowler exited last Sunday’s FA Cup semifinal with a confirmed ACL injury, cutting short what had been a promising season for the young international star.

“Mary will remain under the care of the club’s medical team and start her rehabilitation,” City said after the team’s 2-0 loss to crosstown rivals Manchester United.

“It’s never easy when something like this happens, especially when you’ve been working so hard and feeling good,” Fowler added.

Fowler scored six goals in 17 WSL appearances for Manchester City this season, coupled with a league-leading seven assists. She joined City in 2022 from French side Montpellier, signing a four-year contract with the English team.

The news adds to City’s mounting injury tally, as the fourth-place team enters the UK league’s home stretch with Vivianne Miedema, Bunny Shaw, and Alex Greenwood on the sidelines. Additional unavailable players include Jill Roord, Laura Blindkilde-Brown, Aoba Fujino, Rebecca Knaak, and Lauren Hemp.

Manchester City star Mary Fowler (R) of Australia Kim Hyeri (L) of Korea Republic compete for the ball during the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and Korea Republic before tearing her ACL.
Fowler scored 16 goals over 64 appearances for Australia. (Andy Cheung/Getty Images)

Fowler injury leaves 2026 Asian Cup fitness in question

Fowler's recent ACL tear has broader implications than club play.

Australia is set to host 2026 Asian Cup, with the 22-year-old striker expected to lead the Matildas' frontline at the tournament. However, with a lengthy rehabilitation process ahead, Fowler might not be available to represent her country when the Asian Cup kicks off next March.

“This is tough news for Mary and for all of us who know the dedication and passion she brings to her craft,” Matildas interim head coach Tom Sermanni said in a national team statement. “She’s an exceptional talent and a much-loved member of our team, and we know she’ll meet this challenge with the same courage she brings to the pitch.”

“Everyone in the Matildas and Football Australia family – players, coaches, and support staff – will be right behind Mary as she takes the first steps toward her comeback,” he continued.

Fowler debuted for Australia's national team in 2018. She went on to score 16 goals over 64 appearances.

Conference Realignment Stacks SEC, Shakes Up NCAA Softball

Oklahoma's Nelly McEnroe-Marinas scores during a 2025 NCAA softball game.
New SEC team Oklahoma dropped to No. 4 in this week's NCAA softball poll. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN/USA TODAY NETWORK)

NCAA conference realignment drastically altered this year's college sports landscape, affecting volleyballbasketball, and, now, softball, as former titans lose ground while others rise to the occasion.

After years dominating the Big 12, four-time reigning NCAA softball champions Oklahoma are now riding the ups and downs of the stacked SEC.

The Sooners recorded a loss to unranked Missouri and fell twice to then-No. 10 Tennessee last month, before dropping two of three games to then-No. 22 Alabama this week.

With the now-No. 17 Crimson Tide's victories, Oklahoma fell two spots to No. 4 in Tuesday's ESPN/USA Softball rankings update.

Similarly, after adding a pair of weekend losses to then-No. 5 Tennessee alongside earlier stumbles against ranked SEC foes Florida and Mississippi State, former Big 12 standout No. 1 Texas took a tumble, with the 2024 runners-up Longhorns sliding to No. 3 this week.

While those wins earned the Vols a boost to No. 2, a dark horse SEC squad took over the sport's No. 1 spot on Tuesday, when a 12-game winning streak lifted the Texas A&M Aggies atop both the SEC table and the national rankings for the first time in program history.

Texas A&M softball celebrates a three-run blast from freshman second baseman KK Dement during a 2025 SEC softball game.
Texas A&M is the No. 1 NCAA softball team for the first time in program history. (Evan Pilat/Texas A&M Athletics)

SEC solidifies itself as top NCAA softball conference

The fall of NCAA softball's recent giants from the sport's elite spots isn't due to a decline in Oklahoma's or Texas's play, but simply a result of the intense level of competition and talent in the SEC.

The conference now lays claim to all of NCAA softball’s top four teams — plus seven of the Top 10.

With the college softball postseason looming next month — not to mention the eight-team Women's College World Series beginning on May 29th — the SEC is proving itself the conference to beat in the 2025 title hunt.

Texas softball's Leighann Goode tries to tag out LSU's Tori Edwards during a 2025 SEC game.
No. 3 Texas hopes to bounce back by sweeping No. 9 LSU this weekend. (Mikala Compton/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK)

How to watch SEC softball this weekend

While No. 1 Texas A&M will take the weekend off after closing out a three-game series against Missouri early Friday afternoon, both No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Oklahoma will be battling in SEC series.

The Longhorns hope to sweep No. 9 LSU after claiming a 7-3 series-opening win on Thursday. Friday's first pitch between the pair is at 5:30 PM ET on SECN+, with Saturday's final game beginning at 12 PM ET on ESPN2.

The Sooners will kick off their own three-game slate against No. 15 Mississippi State at 5 PM ET on Friday, streaming live on SoonerSports. The pair will close out the series with a Sunday doubleheader beginning at 3 PM ET, with both games airing on SECN+.

NWSL Rivalries Kick Off Weekend Lineup with Cascadia Clash

Seattle's Jordyn Bugg defends NWSL rival Portland's Payton Linnehan during a 2024 Cascadia Clash match.
Portland will look to build on their first 2025 win in a Cascadia Clash against NWSL rivals Seattle. (Soobum Im/Imagn Images)

With a trio of old and new rivalries on deck, the 2025 NWSL season's fifth matchday promises budding top-table rivals, a bicoastal clash, and one of the league’s longest regional feuds.

Plus, with only two points separating the No. 5 and No. 12 teams in the standings, clubs will be focused on securing all three points as they strive to keep up with the season’s three remaining undefeated teams.

While the NWSL’s official Rivalry Week is still months away, this weekend’s key matchups provide some sneak-peek showdowns:

  • Seattle Reign FC vs. Portland Thorns, Friday at 10 PM ET (Prime): In the first Cascadia Clash of the season, the Thorns — fresh off their first 2025 win — face a Seattle team trying to turn around a two-game losing streak.
  • Angel City FC vs. Gotham FC, Friday at 10:30 PM ET (NWSL+): A classic East Coast vs. West Coast battle sees Gotham chasing Angel City up the table, as LA tries to keep their unbeaten streak alive against one of the league's more dangerous rosters.
  • Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit, Saturday at 5:05 PM ET (ION): The Pride downed the Spirit at the 2024 NWSL Championship before Washington enacted revenge in the 2025 Challenge Cup, with both powerhouses now aiming for regular-season bragging rights.

As NWSL teams push for early-season positioning, this weekend’s action promises to up the stakes by tapping into rising tensions and rivalries — both old and new.

Angel City hires new coach in Bundesliga's Alexander Straus

On Thursday, Angel City announced that the club officially filled its head coaching vacancy, hiring Frauen Bundesliga manager Alexander Straus to take over the LA team after his current season leading Bayern Munich ends on June 1st.

After more than a decade coaching in the club and youth national system of his home country Norway, Straus took charge of Bayern Munich in 2022, leading the German team to back-to-back league titles.

His 2024/25 squad is on track to claim a third straight Bundesliga trophy, and recently exited the competitive UEFA Champions League tournament in the quarterfinal round.

Following manager Becki Tweed's firing in December, ACFC tapped Sam Laity to serve as interim head coach as the club conducted an extensive global search for the permanent position.

"When we set out to hire our head coach, we looked for specific characteristics such as a dominant style of play, a proven winner at the highest level, a focus on player development, a collaborative mindset, and a leader in high performance," said ACFC sporting director Mark Parsons in a club statement. "Alex fits this profile at every measure."

Still undefeated entering the fifth matchday of the 2025 NWSL season, Angel City will continue under Laity until Straus's arrival.

The interim manager will then shift into an assistant coach capacity as Straus leads the 2022 expansion franchise as it hunts a second-ever postseason berth.

UWCL Powerhouses Face Off in 2024/25 Champions League Semifinals

Chelsea's Lauren James dribbles away from Barcelona's Aitana Bonmatí during their 2023/24 Champions League semifinal.
Chelsea takes aim at defending Champions League victors Barcelona in this weekend's semifinals. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The 2024/25 UEFA Women's Champions League semifinals begin this weekend, as four powerhouse clubs familiar with the UWCL spotlight kick off their first matches of the two-leg round.

France's Olympique Lyonnais, Spain's Barcelona FC, and England's Arsenal and Chelsea will battle it out, with just two tickets to the winner-take-all May 24th final in Portugal on the line.

"The coolest thing about big tournaments and high-stake games is you might be expecting something, and you get something completely different," Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Lindsey Heaps told reporters this week. "That's when you see the best teams come out, and they're able to adjust."

Lyon's Lindsey Heaps and Melchie Dumornay celebrate teammate Tabitha Chawinga's goal during the 2024/25 Champions League quarterfinals.
Lyon will face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in Saturday's 2024/25 Champions League semifinal. (Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Champions League semis pit WSL against European elite

Arguably topping the four-contender list are defending champs Barcelona, with the Spanish side hunting a fourth UWCL title in five years. First, however, they'll have to contend with a stacked Chelsea team hungry to lift a first-ever Champions League trophy — one that could clinch a historic quadruple.

Meanwhile, with both the men's and women's sides reaching this season's Champions League semifinals, Arsenal will square off against eight-time champions Lyon in a quest to claim their first UWCL title in over 18 years.

Both WSL titans are chasing history against their European opponents, with Arsenal still the only UK team to ever win Champions League.

The Gunners will kick off the round by hosting Lyon in their 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium.

"Playing at the Emirates, and the hunger and the belief that we have as a team at the moment, we're going to go and play our game to the best we can," said Arsenal manager Renée Slegers.

With an estimated 40,000 tickets sold for the pivotal clash, Emirates provides an environment even Arsenal's opponents look forward to competing in.

"You always want these kind of crowds and this kind of atmosphere," Heaps said of the Saturday matchup. "Even if it's against you, it's the best thing in the world."

How to watch the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League semifinals

The first-leg matchups of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League semifinals kicks off on Saturday, when Arsenal hosts Lyon at 7:30 AM ET.

Then on Sunday, Chelsea will travel to Barcelona to take on the reigning champs at 12 PM ET.

Both matches will air live on DAZN.

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