ESPNBoston.com's boys soccer Top 20

Updated: November 26, 2012, 4:18 PM ET
ESPNBoston.com Staff

Below is our 2012 high school boys soccer Top 20, as of Nov. 26, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents.

Team Name Record Last week's
ranking 		Notes
1. Needham (21-1-3) 2 It helps having an All-American leading the line, but the Division I state champions were a lot more than just Mac Steeves. From front to back, Needham proved that it's the best team in the state this fall.
2. Groton-Dunstable (18-2-4) 11 The Crusaders took home their second consecutive D2 state title thanks to the goals of forwards Nate Pomeroy and Matt Tornaritis. After early-season struggles, Groton-Dunstable turned things around to dominate the Central sectional.
3. Somerville (20-1-2) 14 Like Groton-Dunstable, Somerville was under-ranked for much of the season. The Highlanders were the D1 North champions thanks to the combo of Felix DeBona and Thayronne Miranda. The team's only loss this season was to No. 1 Needham in the state semifinal.
4. St. John's Prep (17-2-2) 6 Prep reached the D1 North sectional final with wins over top-10 teams Masconomet and Acton-Boxborough. Although St. John's could not overcome No. 3 Somerville, it showed tenacity to make it that far against tough competition.
5. Masconomet (18-1-2) 1 The defending D1 North champions made it to the sectional semifinal this season before falling to No. 4 St. John's Prep. Masco had to play Prep without the team's top defender, who was unavailable for the game.
6. Sutton (20-1-1) 9 The Sammies took home their second straight D3 state title and allowed only one goal in five playoff games. The Rothermich brothers, Justin and Kevin, fired Sutton to the title with a goal apiece against No. 18 Watertown in the final.
7. Weymouth (17-2-4) 5 Weymouth lost only two games all season and both were against No. 1 Needham. Striker Mike Lynch eclipsed the 30-goal mark for the season to help the Wildcats reach the D1 South final.
8. Acton-Boxborough (13-2-3) 4 The Colonials will be disappointed to have not gotten farther in the ultra-competitive D1 North sectional. Acton-Boxborough fell in the quarterfinal to No. 4 St. John's Prep, but was still one of the most talented teams in the state.
9. Oliver Ames (15-3-3) 15 The Tigers took a lead twice against No. 7 Weymouth in the D1 South semifinal only to have the Wildcats answer and win the game in OT. Oliver Ames will miss All-American goalie Dave MacKinnon but should be a favorite next season when it drops into D2.
10. Dartmouth (14-3-2) 12 The final score may have been 3-0 in the D1 South semifinal against No. 1 Needham, but the play on the field was much more even. The Indians had two shots cleared off the line by the Rockets, which would have made it a much tighter game.
11. Concord-Carlisle (14-3-2) 8 The Patriots reached the D2 North sectional final before losing in a tight game against North Andover. The loss ended a run of four straight sectional titles for Concord-Carlisle.
12. Ludlow (14-2-5) 3 The Lions were stunned in the D1 West sectional final by No. 14 Amherst. With the program having won 17 state titles, anything less than reaching the championship game will be considered a down season for Ludlow.
13. Medway (19-4-1) NR With a Tri-Valley League and D2 South sectional title, Medway proved that it belonged in the top 20. Reaching the state final against No. 2 Groton-Dunstable despite a number of injuries, including star forward Matt Coakley, was an impressive feat for the Mustangs.
14. Amherst (12-3-5) NR The Hurricanes won their first-ever D1 West sectional title under first-year head coach Mike Rudd. Amherst used a stingy defense to reach the state championship game before falling to No. 1 Needham.
15. North Andover (18-3-2) NR North Andover ended No. 11 Concord-Carlisle's run of four straight D2 North titles and did so despite a rash of injuries that forced a first career start for freshman goalie Paul DeMaio. The Scarlet Knights season ended against No. 13 Medway in the state semifinal.
16. Worcester North (15-3-1) 10 The Polar Bears were stunned in the D1 Central sectional (which proved to be full of upsets) by Leominster. Last year's state semifinalists were one of only two teams to beat No. 2 Groton-Dunstable this season.
17. New Bedford (14-3-2) 7 Early this season, an opposing coach described New Bedford as being a year away from winning the state title. The Whalers will be hoping that prediction is correct after a disappointing loss to Walpole in the tournament's opening round.
18. Watertown (15-3-6) NR Watertown made a stunning run to the D3 state final before losing to No. 6 Sutton. The Raiders won a game in OT and two games in penalties to reach the championship match.
19. Nauset (14-3-3) 16 Star forward Cody Savonen led the Warriors into the second round of the D1 South sectional with a win over Wellesley. Nauset's season ended in a loss to No. 10 Dartmouth.
20. BC High (12-3-3) 13 The Eagles will be disappointed at not making a tournament run after losing to Braintree in the opening round. BC High had the lead against the Wamps, but struggled to find a crucial second goal.

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