The ESPN RISE FAB 50 preseason poll lists Neuqua Valley's varsity boys soccer team seventh overall in its preseason rankings.

Here's the listed reason why:

Bret Hruby, a forward, was an all-state performer last year and returns to lead a team with high expectations in 2008.

Hruby graduated and is now playing for the University of Illinois-Chicago, but it was a nice shout-out nonetheless.

Having watched only one team from outside of Illinois -- namely Middleton of Wisconsin on Saturday -- I can't say one way or the other whether Neuqua (2-0) deserves the national nod or not.

Good thing the rankings will be updated every Tuesday.

If Neuqua survives the Best of the West Tournament next week, which The Sun plans on covering each day, the Wildcats should maintain their high standing despite the gaffe.

Four-year varsity soccer player Tim Zimmer, of Naperville Central, will play on scholarship at Northwestern next year.

Zimmer, a defender, will join Benet alumnus Jack Hillgard, the East Suburban Catholic Conference Most Valuable Player in 2005. Hillgard was a junior that year.

On both ends of the field, Zimmer helped the Redhawks win the DuPage Valley Conference outright last year.

Naperville Central junior Chris Prince scored a team-high three goals in a 7-0 season-opening win against Minooka on Tuesday. He also added two assists for an eight-point game.

Not a bad way to start the season -- good thing he was allowed to play.

Prince, a member of the Fire Academy, ended his training season with the developmental team just in time last month.

The academy is a program designed to develop the best young talent in the Chicago area as part of MLS's Home Grown Talent Initiative. In the future, perhaps as soon as next year, this program could overlap the high school soccer season, keeping kids from playing for their schools.

The reigning Sun Boys Soccer Player of the Year, Bret Hruby, will next ply his trade in the big city for the University of Illinois-Chicago.

"The goal for me is to play and have a starting position by the end of the year," said Hruby, a forward for Neuqua Valley last year, in an email to The Sun. "It's not going to be easy; it's not even going to be close to easy. But as long as I try my hardest -- you know -- I think I can do it."

Four other Neuqua grads are on the roster as well: Junior midfielder Tim Walsh, sophomore defender Maurice Charles, redshirt freshman midfielder Alex Loncar and freshman defender Asa Carson. Walsh transferred from Division II Tampa.

Senior defender Pat McMahon , a Benet grad, also plays on the team.

The Neuqua contingent seems to have the Flames in good shape for their schedule, but how well will Neuqua move forward without Hruby's scoring ability?