Baltimore-area boys soccer: Breaking down the Top 15

The top three Baltimore-area boys soccer teams — No. 1 McDongh, No. 2 River Hill and No. 3 Loyola Blakefield — are still undefeated this season and the top six went a combined 11-0 last week to keep those spots in place going into this week.

In the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference, McDonogh (6-0) and Loyola (8-0) have separated themselves from the rest of a capable but inconsistent pack. The teams will meet Saturday at Loyola in the area’s most highly anticipated showdown with game time set for noon.

In the bottom half of this week’s rankings, Towson (6-0-1) and Patterson Mill (4-2-2) entered the poll with big wins over league rivals. The No. 13 Generals enjoyed a 3-0 week that included wins over Baltimore County rivals Dulaney and Perry Hall, while the No. 15 Huskies (4-2-2) beat then-No. 12 Bel Air on Friday in Harford County.

With wins over MIAA A foes Archbishop Curley and St. Paul’s, Gilman moved up four spots to No. 11. The Greyhounds opened this week with a tough 1-0 loss to Loyola.

Here’s a look at some pivotal games this week:

No. 10 Centennial at No. 2 River Hill, Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

Broadneck at No. 12 Severna Park, Thursday, 6 p.m.

No. 14 Calvert Hall at No. 3 Loyola Blakefield, Friday, 4:15 p.m.

No. 1 McDonogh at No. 3 Loyola, Saturday, 12 p.m.