Andover and Walpole have developed the most effective rivalries in area hockey. The Golden Warriors and the Porkers have confronted off within the Div. 1 championship in 4 straight seasons, every profitable twice.
“Each single yr, we’ve an excellent quantity of children returning,” Walpole coach Jen Quinn stated. “I very not often find yourself having to utterly begin over. I feel I’ve six returners from final yr, which is only a good quantity. So then, you depend on these children to set the tone, and maintain everybody shifting in the fitting route.”
Quinn’s group welcomes again a number of stars, together with Babson Faculty commit Kate Schneider, one of many state’s main scorers final yr (32 objectives, 17 assists). The Porkers additionally return Kendal Cusack (12 objectives, 13 assists) and Caroline Handwerk (14 objectives, seven assists), together with sisters Emily and Grace Hagan. Nadia Michienzi is one other promising participant.
Andover’s Bridget Morris is getting into her seventh yr with this system, and her third as head coach. The Golden Warriors convey again 10 gamers from final season. Main the best way might be group captains Ella Sewall, Avery Pitts, and Shannon Paul (a Bentley commit). Junior Chloe Broderick is anticipated to tackle a key position as effectively, together with sophomore Caroline Vaughan.
May these two juggernauts conflict in a state ultimate for a fifth straight yr?
“It’s humorous, as a result of I strive actually onerous to not suppose that far down the road,” Morris stated. “I attempt to suppose (about) what they’ll do to get higher from at present, to tomorrow, to the following sport, to the following sport. So, I can say that it could take an excellent quantity of labor to get there, however it’s not essentially unattainable with the group that I’ve proper now. They’ve been round for some time. They’ve actually solely seen state finals, in order that they definitely are keen to do the work, and have performed collectively that lengthy.”
Wellesley is anticipated to be within the combine out of the Bay State Convention, following an unforgettable journey to the Ultimate 4 because the No. 9 seed final yr. The Raiders might be led by Williams Faculty commit Kayla Bohlin, who registered 40 factors (19 objectives, 21 assists) a yr in the past. Sophomore Sienna Snyder (10 objectives, seven assists) is one other chief.
The Belmont Marauders have been off to a sizzling begin, led by UConn commits Mackenzie Clark and Elsie Lakin-Schultz.
Lincoln-Sudbury, the highest general seed in Div. 1 final season, noticed its marketing campaign finish in heartbreaking vogue to King Philip within the Spherical of 16. The Warriors return key items, equivalent to Windfall commit Elise Cecere and senior Blaire Brennan (a Trinity commit). They will even have Sabrina Tibbert again, together with Avery and Emerson Acquaviva.
King Philip will see essential junior contributors like Ella Morgan (28 objectives, 12 assists final season) and Tayla McDuff (9 objectives, 15 assists) pacing the cost. Courtney Lewis (seven objectives, 5 assists) and Abbey Pompei (six objectives, 4 assists) will even be key gamers to observe.
Different Div. 1 colleges to observe embody 2024 semifinalist Winchester, powered by Sam Gal (Windfall commit) and Stella DeChristoforo. Acton-Boxboro, Bishop Feehan, Harmony-Carlisle, Franklin Hopkinton and Natick might be threats as effectively.
The Div. 2 area will not be a simple one for colleges to navigate. Final fall, Somerset Berkley claimed its newest crown with a 2-1 victory over Norwood within the ultimate.
It was the third title in program historical past for the Raiders, and their first since profitable back-to-back Div. 1 crowns in 2018 and 2019. Jen Criminal’s group might be propelled by Ryan Criminal, Addie Finlaw, Julie Pacheco and Ella Vaught.
For the Mustangs, it’s a brand new period… in some capability. Norwood welcomed again Allison Penza as its head coach following a 12-year hiatus from this system. On the time, again in 2013, Penza was trying to concentrate on spending time together with her household. Now the previous Villanova grad is again, as she replaces her former assistant, Allison Doliner. Penza will depend on Ally Mannering, together with an skilled midfield.
“There was just a little bit (of rust),” laughed Penza. “Going into preseason, there was just a little bit getting again into the highschool side of it. I’ve been used to teaching anyplace from second- to eighth-grade, so there positively was a transition. However like I stated, the assistants which have come again, in addition to our two volunteer coaches – they’ve been nice. They’ve been actually useful, easing that transition. As soon as we obtained by preseason, I sort of felt like I by no means left. I really feel like I’ve gotten again into the swing of issues, which has been good.”
Canton made the Ultimate 4 in 2024; Bucknell commit Carolyn Schiavo and junior Shannon Lane (102 factors final yr) compose one of many highest-scoring tandems within the state.
Patriot League member Hingham returns key cogs equivalent to Colby Faculty commit Ryan Hallisey (10 objectives, 21 assists) and defensive standout Kaitlyn Manning behind Susan Petrie, now getting into her twentieth season as head coach.
May we see Studying make a return to prominence? The 2023 Div. 2 champion Rockets return Kendall Graves (a UNH commit), together with Dani Bowers and Leah Jackvony.
Another colleges to observe embody Masconomet, in addition to Newburyport, which made the leap as much as Div. 2 after a Div. 3 ultimate look final fall.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Avery Acquaviva (Lincoln-Sudbury), Emerson Acquaviva (Lincoln-Sudbury), Isabella Bogovich (Winchester), Dani Bowers (Studying), Blaire Brennan (Lincoln-Sudbury), Chloe Broderick (Andover), Elise Cecere (Lincoln-Sudbury), Mackenzie Clarke (Belmont), Ryan Criminal (Somerset Berkley), Kendal Cusack (Walpole), Stella DeChristoforo (Winchester), Charlotte DeSchepper (Acton-Boxboro), Addie Finlaw (Somerset Berkley), Ella Fowler (Hopkinton), Sam Gal (Winchester), Kendall Graves (Studying), Emily Hagan (Walpole), Grace Hagan (Walpole), Ryan Hallisey (Hingham), Caroline Handwerk (Walpole), Jordi Higgins (Bishop Feehan), Leah Jackvony (Studying), Elsie Lakin-Schultz (Belmont), Shannon Lane (Canton), Riley Lombard (Newburyport), Cassidy Lyons (Canton), Ally Mannering (Norwood), Kaitlyn Manning (Hingham), Mia Marques (Masconomet), Tayla McDuff (King Philip), Ella Morgan (King Philip), Shannon Paul (Andover), Julie Pacheco (Somerset Berkley), Emma Penza (Norwood), Avery Pitts (Andover), Sarah Ryan (Acton-Boxboro), Ella Sewall (Andover), Carolyn Schiavo (Canton), Kate Schneider (Walpole), Savannah Stevens (Masconomet), Sabrina Tibbert (Lincoln-Sudbury), Caroline Vaughan (Andover), Ella Vaught (Somerset Berkley), Olivia Wilson (Newburyport)
