It isn’t straightforward navigating by way of the postseason, however Oliver Ames has performed so flawlessly every of the final three years.
The Tigers have gained their final 15 state match video games and they’re going to attempt to preserve that streak stepping into an effort to say a fourth straight Division 2 state title. OA, which is spearheaded by do-it-all playmaker Nick Babanikas and stellar goalie Zack Gilson, will look to finish that monumental quest as the highest seed and will have an attention-grabbing second-round matchup on faucet with No. 16 Sharon, which tied its Hockomock League foe within the common season.
There can be loads of different challengers making an attempt to take the Div. 2 throne. Fourth-seeded Duxbury gained the Patriot League Keenan title and definitely has what it takes so as to add extra {hardware}, whereas No. 9 Hingham, which made it to the state ultimate a 12 months in the past, is able to one other deep run with a senior-laden group.
No group within the Div. 2 area had as many victories as 16-win Masconomet, whereas No. 5 Holliston is a scary matchup for any opponent.
In Division 1, top-seeded St. John’s Prep has a luxurious of weapons at its disposal, together with UMass commit Garrison Murphy, and the Eagles have allowed simply six targets all season. Bay State Convention powers Natick, Needham and Weymouth are undoubtedly battle-tested and have greater than sufficient expertise to be the final squad standing.
Third-seeded Newton South is extraordinarily harmful, whereas Beverly and Lowell aren’t typical No. 16 and 17 seeds, respectively. The Panthers (16-1-1) and Pink Raiders, who notched a second straight unbeaten common season with a 15-0-3 file, face off within the first spherical.
Medfield is atop Division 3 as prolific striker Max Tillmann led the Warriors to a Tri-Valley League Small title for the primary time since 2010. TVL rival and defending state champion Dover-Sherborn, which break up the regular-season collection with Medfield, has its eyes on repeating because the No. 3 seed.
Potent objective scorer Bret Amorosino leads No. 2 Norwell, which turned in a powerful 18-0-1 common season with marquee wins over D-S and Hingham. The Clippers are looking for their second state title in three years.
Patriot League counterparts in No. 11 Pembroke and No. 12 Hanover have the potential to make noise on reverse sides of the bracket, whereas No. 8 East Boston and No. 9 East Bridgewater may create an intriguing second-round matchup.
In Division 4, No. 3 Hamilton-Wenham appears to be like to change into the newest Cape Ann League group to seize a state title and has loads of firepower to tug it off. South Shore League rivals No. 5 Rockland and No. 7 Abington are primed for lengthy match runs, whereas No. 17 Cohasset can’t be counted out regardless of the reigning state champs proudly owning a 6-7-7 file that isn’t as much as their standard lofty normal.
Division 5 is Boston Worldwide’s to lose because the top-seeded Lions attempt to substitute the heartbreak of the final two postseasons with a extra celebratory reminiscence this time round. No. 3 St. John Paul II, together with No. 4 Brighton and No. 5 Rockport may show to be worthy challengers to Boston Worldwide.
Division 1
Champion: Newton South
Runner-up: St. John’s Prep
Sleeper: Lexington
Finest first-round matchup: Lowell at Beverly
Upset particular: Brookline over Saint John’s
Division 2
Champion: Oliver Ames
Runner-up: Longmeadow
Sleeper: King Philip
Finest first-round matchup: Marblehead at Hingham
Upset particular: Marshfield over Dartmouth
Division 3
Champion: Norwell
Runner-up: Medfield
Sleeper: Pembroke
Finest first-round matchup: St. Mary’s (L) at Watertown
Upset particular: Lynnfield over Outdated Rochester
Division 4
Champion: Hamilton-Wenham
Runner-up: Rockland
Sleeper: Cohasset
Finest first-round matchup: West Bridgewater at Ipswich
Upset particular: Cohasset over Maynard
Division 5
Champion: Boston Worldwide
Runner-up: St. John Paul II
Sleeper: New Mission
Finest first-round matchup: Charlestown at Dearborn
Upset particular: Pioneer Valley Christian over Atlantis Constitution
