Week 5 is all the time a enjoyable one on the highschool soccer calendar, notably right here within the Bay State. For almost all of colleges, it typically serves as a gateway to league play. It may be a blessing for some, or fairly the alternative, pending energy of schedule. From now till the postseason, squads will get to face off with their rivals.
With some nice matchups on the docket Thursday night time, it’s time to make some midseason picks.
Hanover vs. Pembroke
This has been a transition yr of types for these Patriot League squads. Pembroke (2-1) has already matched its win whole from final fall. Whereas Hanover (1-2) has been inside putting distance in all of its video games, the Hawks have come up simply brief twice. Within the final 4 contests between these Fisher Division rivals, Hanover has received all 4, its newest a 48-8 romp to finish October final yr.
Connelly’s choose: Hanover
Murray’s choose: Hanover
St. Mary’s vs. Shawsheen
A really intriguing matchup, as Shawsheen (4-0) seems to increase one of many state’s longest successful streaks (18 video games relationship again to 2023). St. Mary’s (2-2) is coping with key accidents and is coming off a hard-fought loss to Catholic Central League rival Bishop Feehan. This might be a ‘get-right’ alternative for the Spartans, however it looks like fairly a problem.
Connelly’s choose: Shawsheen
Murray’s choose: Shawsheen
Beverly vs. Danvers
Since dropping a defensive tilt to Gloucester (a 15-7 loss) in its season opener, Beverly (3-1) has caught hearth, successful three straight in shootouts. Danvers stays unbeaten (4-0). The final 3 times these Northeastern convention foes have clashed, the Falcons have had the higher hand. Does that development proceed?
Connelly’s choose: Danvers
Murray’s choose: Beverly
Barnstable vs. Milford
The thrill for this rising Barnstable group has been warranted, with stars Kyle Coffin and Jayson Dyer main the Pink Hawks to a 3-0 begin. The most recent win got here in a 41-0 drubbing of Amherst-Pelham from the Pioneer Valley. Milford (3-1) was cruising up till final week, when it fell 28-6 to Bay State Convention powerhouse Natick. This one may simply go both method.
Connelly’s choose: Milford
Murray’s choose: Barnstable
Milton vs. Weymouth
Milton has clearly returned to kind after a bridge yr in 2024, nonetheless good at 4-0 whereas outsourcing opponents by a 156-52 margin (averaging 39 factors per sport). This might be an attention-grabbing contest between Bay State Convention heavyweights, as Weymouth (4-0) is off to certainly one of its finest begins in recent times. One thing should give right here.
Connelly’s choose: Milton
Murray’s choose: Weymouth
Bishop Feehan vs. BC Excessive
BC Excessive managed to safe an elusive victory final week, discovering its rhythm within the floor sport. The Eagles (1-2) had been propelled by the duo of Noah Federico and Elijah Donnelson, as they mixed to hurry for 4 touchdowns throughout an enormous win (28-7) over Everett. Bishop Feehan exorcised a few of its previous demons, toppling St. Mary’s (21-7) on the highway for the primary time because it joined the Catholic Central League in 2020. Xavier Baker (126 yards speeding, landing) was the star offensively for the Shamrocks. This extremely anticipated showdown may present an enormous momentum enhance for both faculty.
Connelly’s choose: Bishop Feehan
Murray’s choose: Bishop Feehan
Bishop Fenwick vs. Archbishop Williams
Bishop Fenwick (1-2) challenged an excellent Gloucester crew to the bitter finish final week earlier than succumbing in a 34-33 conflict. Now the college will face one other check from a Catholic Central League nemesis. Solely an eighth-grader, Hudson Garrity has already emerged as one of many state’s premier quarterback prospects, and has Archbishop Williams off to a blazing 3-0 begin. Till somebody finds a option to include him, it feels onerous choosing towards the Bishops right here.
Connelly’s choose: Archbishop Williams
Murray’s choose: Archbishop Williams
Duxbury vs. Londonderry (N.H.)
One final out-of-state opponent for the Dragons (2-1) earlier than they enter Patriot League play. Duxbury has had per week off to organize, whereas Londonderry has been struggling north of the border, now sitting at 1-3. This might be an opportunity for quarterback Brady Rhinesmith and his teammates to realize some momentum.
Connelly’s choose: Duxbury
Murray’s choose: Duxbury
St. Sebastian’s vs. Hotchkiss
An ideal NEPSAC crossover matchup followers can watch at Boston School’s Alumni Stadium. St. Sebastian’s is contemporary off of a 21-3 highway victory over Belmont Hill, whereas Hotchkiss has dropped every of its final two contests. With 6-foot-6 offensive sort out Marky Wahlbridge (a Michigan commit) main the way in which up entrance, the Arrows (1-1) will look to ascertain a successful streak.
Connelly’s choose: St. Sebastian’s
Murray’s choose: St. Sebastian’s
File retaining
Connelly Week 4: 4-6
Murray Week 4: 8-2
Connelly’s season: 32-14
Murray’s season: 31-15
Mixed season document: 63-29
