By no means within the energy rankings period has the sudden been so – anticipated – in MIAA women hockey.
The thrill time period amongst coaches has been “extensive open” when speaking about each the Div. 1 and Div. 2 state title races. That shone brightest within the final week of the common season, scary one long-tenured head coach to achieve out amid the peak of the insanity.
“That is going to be a wild (state) match,” the textual content learn. “Seeding shouldn’t be gonna matter. It’s gonna be about matchups.”
The highest 4 seeds have loads to really feel assured about, however the path a Div. 1 Remaining 4 feels unpredictable.
No. 1 Notre Dame Academy of Hingham (13-2-3) has one of many state’s high goalies and defenses. Targets have been laborious to come back by generally, although, and each No. 8 Bishop Stang (15-4-1) and No. 9 HPNA (14-2-4) have showcased equally stingy defenses that would arrange a down-to-the-wire end in a possible quarterfinal matchup. Bishop Stang additionally returns a number of gamers who upset the Cougars final 12 months in a run to its first state ultimate.
No. 16 Belmont (11-6-3) and No. 17 Shrewsbury (10-7-3) navigated two of the state’s more durable leagues and are harmful sleepers. No. 24 Braintree (9-7-4) additionally hung with high groups extra this 12 months than its seeding suggests.
Two of probably the most harmful scrap-it-out groups duel within the first spherical for an opportunity to stun No. 2 St. Mary’s of Lynn (17-3-2) early within the second. The Spartans have a deep assault and their younger protection has performed composed a lot of the 12 months, however No. 15 Natick (12-7-3) and No. 18 Winchester (12-8-1) each confirmed a capability to outplay high groups. Just a little puck luck may gasoline a shock run.
No. 7 Hingham (15-5-1), which is the reigning state champion, performed a stacked schedule and beat three of the 5 groups it misplaced to. One of many two it couldn’t is in Div. 2 (Milton), and the opposite as an extra time loss to NDA. The Harborwomen are a robust candidate to repeat if they’ll get previous a pesky No. 26 Waltham (11-8-1) and a red-hot No. 10 Studying (13-2-5), on a nine-game unbeaten streak.
Few groups have the attacking depth No. 3 Algonquin (20-1) boasts with Div. 1’s second-most objectives per sport (4.43). A 2-1 win over NDA confirmed its legitimacy as a title menace. Doubtlessly down the street, although, is the state’s high protection in No. 6 Methuen/Tewksbury (18-0-2), anchored by Dream Staff goalie Lydia Barnes and a robust returning solid from final 12 months’s Remaining 4 journey. No crew had extra ties or tight losses in opposition to top-10 groups than No. 14 Malden Catholic (7-11-2), which is way extra harmful than its report. No. 11 Woburn (15-5) has a propensity for large wins, however is on upset watch in opposition to a No. 22 Pope Francis (8-8-5) taking part in its finest hockey proper now.
Maybe probably the most loaded of the 4 quadrants is No. 4 Bishop Feehan’s (15-7), as all however one crew is from the Catholic Central League or MVC/DCL – arguably the state’s two hardest leagues. That is what the Shamrocks ready for with the state’s fourth-toughest opponent score, capped by a 13-2 mark down the stretch.
Nonetheless, a 3rd matchup probably looms with No. 13 Arlington Catholic (9-9-2) and its stalwart protection. Much more harmful is a possible third assembly with No. 5 Archbishop Williams (13-7-1) that’s lastly wholesome and hit a latest stride. No. 12 Billerica/Chelmsford (13-5-3) already beat Archies, has a dynamic goaltender and a robust high line as a premier sleeper.
Don’t doubt the upset potential of the others, both, particularly Div. 1 scoring chief No. 20 Acton-Boxboro (13-5-3), No. 21 Brookline (9-7-4), No. 27 Winthrop (10-4-3) and No. 28 Boston Latin (7-14-1).
The Div. 2 area appears to be like just a little extra top-heavy, however the title race shall be simply as thrilling down the stretch.
Westwood (19-1) is rightfully seeded No. 1 as one of many extra full groups. Scoring stability helped it end the common season with a top-10 assault in Div. 2, whereas sturdy crew protection and elite goaltending helped it end with the highest GAA (0.70). It’s already avenged its solely common season loss within the final two years (Hingham), and now hopes to avenge final 12 months’s upset loss within the state semifinals. A possible rematch with reigning state champion No. 9 Medfield (13-8) and goalie Kamryn Perachi shall be one to circle within the quarterfinals regardless of two routs within the common season — if Medfield can finest a tricky out in No. 8 Nauset (12-8).
No. 2 Milton (20-1-1) is correct on the Wolverines’ heels, that includes arguably the most effective high line and premier velocity down the lineup as a significant menace to return to TD Backyard – and win this time. However No. 15 Marshfield (8-12) matched up intently with it within the regular-season finale and has upset potential in what could be a rematch from final 12 months’s Remaining 4. No. 7 Dennis-Yarmouth (12-6-2) or No. 10 Norwell/Scituate/Abington (11-6-1) will even be powerful.
No. 3 Duxbury (14-7-1) has extra losses than a typical 12 months its contended, nevertheless it leads the division in opponent score by a large margin. The Dragons have one of many state’s best players in Addy Harrington and the depth round her to make a harmful bid for a 3rd state title in 4 years. No. 14 Sandwich (7-13-1) is a stronger menace whereas No. 6 Auburn (15-3-2) is harmful, too, however No. 11 Falmouth (14-7) is an upset watch to it first.
It’s been an inspirational run from No. 5 King Philip (19-2-1) to date, overcoming the tragic passing of head coach Ken Assad and making a reliable case as a title contender. It leads the state in objectives scored and has a number of notable wins, together with one over Duxbury. No. 4 Pembroke (17-3) has the scoring punch to maintain up with it in what could be a high-flying quarterfinal whereas No. 12 Canton (11-7-2), No. 13 Hanover (14-6) and No. 20 Walpole (8-9-2) are all sleepers.
PREDICTIONS
Div. 1
Champion: No. 5 Archbishop Williams
Remaining 4: No. 2 St. Mary’s (L), No. 5 Archbishop Williams, No. 6 Methuen/Tewksbury, No. 9 HPNA
Prime Sleepers: No. 12 Billerica/Chelmsford, No. 14 Malden Catholic
Potential Upset: No. 14 Malden Catholic over No. 3 Algonquin
Finest First-Spherical Matchup: No. 15 Natick vs No. 18 Winchester
Div. 2
Champion: No. 1 Westwood
Remaining 4: No. 1 Westwood, No. 2 Milton, No. 3 Duxbury, No. 5 King Philip
Prime Sleepers: No. 11 Falmouth, No. 12 Canton
Potential Upset: No. 15 Marshfield over No. 2 Milton
Finest First Spherical Matchup: No. 16 Dedham vs No. 17 Martha’s Winery
