The MIAA area hockey state event has begun, launched Wednesday with preliminary spherical play and a pair first-round matchups. It ends the weekend of Nov. 15, when state finals take the stage at Burlington Excessive.
Listed here are the storylines and different notes to look out for throughout all 4 divisions:
Legacy test
Eyes widened for good cause when four-time reigning Div. 4 state champion Uxbridge realigned into Div. 3, which four-time reigning champion Watertown has managed. A possible assembly between the No. 1 Spartans (18-0) and No. 5 Raiders (15-2) within the state semifinals carries historic implications.
Uxbridge’s 5.3253 score within the energy rankings far exceeds the earlier excessive (2023 Walpole, 4.0675). Solely a few mountains haven’t been climbed by this all-time group, however going through the winningest program in state historical past (Watertown) – and doubtlessly second-seeded Sandwich (15-1-2) within the closing – provides it an opportunity to.
Watertown is the underdog, however a grasp of technique and preparation. Don’t rely it out from discovering a approach to go on one other title run.
Champs out to repeat
There’s each cause to consider Walpole (No. 1 in Div. 1) and Somerset Berkley (No. 3 in Div. 2) may go the space once more.
Pace, athleticism and championship expertise is everywhere in the area for the Porkers (16-1-1) seeking a three-peat. Senior Kate Schneider is a significant offensive risk with depth round her. Twins Emily Hagan and Grace Hagan are game-changers, as are Kendal Cusack, Nadia Michienzi, Ella Dacey and freshman Eva Karacalidis. Walpole has allowed a couple of aim simply as soon as (Uxbridge).
Somerset Berkley (17-1) attracts scrutiny for a boy on its staff, as junior Ryan Criminal is a extremely expert and athletic difference-maker. Dynamic play from Addie Finlaw and Ella Vaught enhances him, whereas midfielder Emma Cormier and Meg Costa anchor a powerful protection. Earlier, the Blue Raiders snapped Watertown’s historic win streak at 103 video games and handed Sandwich its solely loss.
Banging on door
New heights are inside attain for teams that fell simply quick final yr. High-seeded Monomoy (12-5-1), a two-time reigning Div. 4 finalist, is now the favourite. Emery Cappallo and Sam Clarke, each 100-point scorers, and goalie Maddy Swett stand out.
The one program Sandwich misplaced to within the Div. 3 state event every of the final 4 years is Watertown. It voted to remain in Div. 3 for an additional probability, and a 1-1 tie with Walpole within the common season finale exhibits it may well play with one of the best within the state as soon as once more.
D2 up within the air
Although No. 1 Hingham (16-1-1) is loaded with multi-year starters and big-game expertise after consecutive Closing 4 appearances, Div. 2 is perhaps the one division the place there isn’t a transparent favourite.
No. 4 Canton (13-1-4) has one of many state’s finest scoring tandems in Shannon Lane (35 objectives, 15 assists) and Carolyn Schiavo (20 objectives, 15 assists). No. 2 Nashoba (17-0-1) ran via a troublesome schedule. No. 5 King Philip (14-4), No. 7 Masconomet (16-0-2), No. 8 Newburyport (14-3-1) and No. 9 Studying (10-5-3) gas what might be a chaotic end.
No. 10 Westwood (six-game win streak) may flip heads.
Loopy 8’s
Newburyport – anchored by ahead Olivia Wilson, midfielder Riley Lombard and defender Olivia Kreuz – is certainly one of a number of threatening eight-seeds.
We gained’t have a Walpole-Andover Div. 1 state closing for the primary time in 4 years, however the No. 8 Golden Warriors (15-1-2) may meet the Porkers within the state quarterfinals. Caroline Samaras (19 objectives, 9 assists) leads 4 gamers with at the least 20 factors, whereas midfielders Chloe Broderick and Avery Pitts have stood out.
Div. 4’s No. 8 Manchester Essex (13-4-1) rides a nine-game unbeaten streak, led by senior star Abby Kent (Holy Cross). Div. 3’s No. 8 Scituate (12-6-2) has been robust towards robust groups.
Chasing Walpole
Perennial contender No. 2 Franklin (13-2-3) earns its highest seeding behind an elite protection that would anchor a run to its first closing, that includes four-year beginning goalie Devon Barry. The Panthers have misplaced to Walpole in every of the final two state tournaments.
Third-seeded Wellesley (17-1) hasn’t misplaced because it was blown out by Walpole within the opener, 6-1. Senior midfielder Kayla Bohlin (28 objectives, 22 assists) and Sienna Snyder (17 objectives, 16 assists) lead a well-balanced assault, whereas the protection has allowed simply 5 objectives within the streak.
Stellar midfield and defensive play anchors a No. 5 Winchester (15-3) worthy of a visit again to the Closing 4, and wins over Watertown and Belmont give it a particular really feel. Walpole beat Winchester within the state semifinals final season and 6-1 earlier this yr.
Different D1 notes
No. 6 Belmont (15-3) is a powerful candidate for its first Closing 4 look with depth round UConn-commit Mackenzie Clarke. No. 4 Lincoln-Sudbury (11-2-3) proved its power with a number of signature wins, together with one over Franklin.
No. 7 Harmony-Carlisle, No. 9 Acton-Boxboro, No. 10 Hopkinton, No. 11 Natick and No. 12 Bishop Feehan all have signature showings and will make noise. The winners of No. 13 Attleboro-No. 20 Beverly and No. 15 Lexington-No. 18 Waltham might be pesky.
Div. 3 sleepers
The one variable that makes No. 3 Dover-Sherborn (15-2-1) and No. 4 Medfield (13-5) “sleepers” is their blowout losses to Uxbridge within the common season. The Tri-Valley League standouts, together with No. 6 Medway (9-5-2), are prime candidates to crack the Closing 4 – which Medfield hasn’t accomplished since 1997.
Cape Ann League powers didn’t fare nicely within the energy rankings, however No. 10 Lynnfield (14-1-3) and No. 26 North Studying (10-5-3) may meet within the second spherical to make sure league illustration within the quarterfinals. No. 9 St. Mary’s of Lynn (17-0-1) has stymied opposing assaults towards a difficult schedule.
No. 12 Gloucester, No. 14 Foxboro and No. 22 Auburn are different potential sleepers.
New throne
There might be a brand new champion in Div. 4.
No. 2 Dennis-Yarmouth (13-5) misplaced twice to Monomoy within the common season, however a 3rd matchup in an all-Cape and Islands League championship might be hassle — if each get there.
No. 3 Cohasset (12-3-1) has appeared worthy of a title run. Central Mass. standout No. 4 Sutton (12-3-3) might be hassle for Monomoy if Manchester Essex or No. 9 West Bridgewater (12-4-3) isn’t first.
No. 6 Hopedale, No. 7 Quabbin, No. 11 East Bridgewater and No. 18 Ipswich are different candidates to make some noise.
Picks
D1
Champion: No. 1 Walpole
Closing 4: No. 1 Walpole, No. 2 Franklin, No. 3 Wellesley, No. 5 Winchester
Sleepers: No. 8 Andover, No. 13 Attleboro
Potential upset: No. 19 Shrewsbury over No. 14 Westboro
Greatest first-round matchup: No. 15 Lexington vs No. 18 Waltham (Monday, 4 p.m.)
D2
Champion: No. 4 Canton
Closing 4: No. 1 Hingham, No. 2 Nashoba, No. 3 Somerset Berkley, No. 4 Canton
Sleepers: No. 8 Newburyport, No. 10 Westwood
Potential upset: No. 21 Marshfield over No. 12 Dartmouth
Greatest first-round matchup: No. 15 NDA (H) vs No. 18 Barnstable (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.)
D3
Champion: No. 1 Uxbridge
Closing 4: No. 1 Uxbridge, No. 2 Sandwich, No. 3 Dover-Sherborn, No. 5 Watertown
Sleepers: No. 9 St. Mary’s (L), No. 10 Lynnfield
Potential upset: No. 22 Auburn over No. 11 East Longmeadow
Greatest first-round matchup: No. 7 Hanover vs No. 26 North Studying (Saturday, 1 p.m.)
D4
Champion: No. 3 Cohasset
Closing 4: No. 1 Monomoy, No. 2 Dennis-Yarmouth, No. 3 Cohasset, No. 4 Sutton
Sleepers: No. 8 Manchester Essex, No. 18 Ipswich
Potential upset: No. 20 Northbridge over No. 13 Westport
Greatest first-round matchup: No. 15 Clinton vs No. 18 Ipswich (Friday, 4 p.m.)
