Newton North bought the glass slipper to suit at simply the appropriate time final 12 months to show in an inconceivable run to a Division 1 state title because the No. 31 seed.
The Tigers will hope a few of that magic carries over this fall with standout defender Peter Reale, Giga Bat-Erdene, Lorenzo Grimaldi and Owen Knapp all again and with that Cinderella expertise below their belts.
However repeating as champions might be a monumental problem for Newton North given the completely loaded Div. 1 discipline.
Simply navigating the Bay State Convention might be powerful sufficient as Needham, which defeated Newton North in its season opener, boasts a particularly skillful bunch led by Avery Brodsky, Matteo Neretti and Austin Williams. Weymouth has revenge on its thoughts after exiting within the first spherical final season and the sturdy duo of Mason Fasoli and Gabe Rey, who mixed to attain 21 targets in 2024, will assist the Wildcats attempt to perform that mission.
St. John’s Prep has an immense quantity of expertise at its disposal with three-year starter and All-State goalie Matt Droggitis again together with James Minor serving to anchor the Eagles protection. St. John’s Prep additionally will get a lift with UMass commit Garrison Murphy returning after lacking most of final season with an damage.
Mark Whitehouse takes over at BC Excessive for legendary coach Billy Ryan and can look to Killian Doherty, Ethan Pham and Ryan Daley to make his first season a profitable one. Xavieran will problem within the Catholic Convention as properly with the Hawks spearheaded by middle midfielder David Carreiro and goalie Alex Todorov.
Newton South’s protection appears to be as sturdy because it was a season in the past, when the Lions allowed solely seven targets. Star middle again Oliver Helmling returns whereas Ronen Heimlich and Callum Morgan function sparks for the offense. Harmony-Carlisle figures to be a contender but once more with the proficient Cooper Balfour and Mike Jantzen paving the way in which.
Lowell might be within the combine with Ikaro Da Silva returning in web whereas perennial Middlesex League powers Arlington, Lexington and Winchester can by no means be counted out.
In Division 2, Oliver Ames takes purpose at a four-peat and has a terrific shot at engaging in the feat as a result of stellar all-around play of Nick Babanikas and a terrific goalie in Zack Gilson. Josh Braz Ferreira provides the Tigers an offensive punch, too.
Hockomock League rival Mansfield, which is coming off one in every of its finest seasons, will attempt to knock OA off its throne. The Hornets will go as midfielder Brandon Gardner goes whereas Troy Lasbury-Casey is a top-notch keeper.
Hingham appears to get again to the state remaining with a deep 15-player senior class that includes Patriot League All-Star Spencer Coppola whereas Ryan Murtagh and Jack Monroe are anticipated to make invaluable contributions within the midfield. Wakefield, which made runs to the Last 4 every of the final two seasons, might be within the combine as properly.
Dover-Sherborn appears to stay atop Division 3 because the Raiders return seven starters, together with All-State midfielder Caio Dos Santos. Brothers Wesley and Winston Bunn are key playmakers again for D-S whereas Hamilton Tsen is a defensive anchor.
Medfield will deal with D-S and already took down the Raiders in an early-season matchup. Max Tillmann is barely a sophomore however a rising star, and the dynamic play of Sebastian Brooke and Jackson Dodge will drastically help the Warriors.
Norwell comes off of a second straight state remaining look and the Clippers have gone an astounding 75-7-10 since 2021. Bret Amorosino, Ben Garland and Noal Simmons are crucial items for the Clippers as they need to cope with the commencement of 17 gamers from final 12 months’s workforce.
Dedham suffered quite a lot of turnover as properly however do have Joe Vaughan again within the defensive midfield whereas Dighton-Rehoboth eyes a 3rd straight journey to the state semifinals after graduating 13 seniors.
In Division 4, Cohasset celebrated its first state title final season however the Skippers now have to determine how you can exchange the 16 gamers that graduated from that squad. Connor Thornton and Mike Giglio will assist resolve that difficulty.
Lynnfield made back-to-back runs to the state remaining but in addition misplaced a wealth of expertise alongside the way in which. However the Pioneers retained All-State midfielder Rocco Scenna, who compiled 17 targets and 15 assists final season and is one in every of 4 starters returning.
East Boston has what it takes to be a harmful workforce because of the well-balanced play of Helio Spinola and David Alas.
The Boston Metropolis League must also be well-represented in Division 5 with Boston Worldwide, TechBoston and Dearborn all able to making deep runs.
