Most years in women hockey, there are a set of heavyweight favorites that coaches circle within the preseason because the possible finalists, together with a string of a next-tier contenders that would make some noise. Sleepers and such observe for not less than considerably of roadmap to TD Backyard.
However these traces blew up final 12 months when two groups seeded within the double digits reached the state finals. And this 12 months, with a degree taking part in area and a big crop of standout underclassmen in main roles throughout the state, that parity continues, particularly in Div. 1.
Defending state champion Hingham misplaced a lot of the star energy that made it an plain power final 12 months, however its massive returning forged is able to step up round proficient newcomers. Senior star defenseman CC Flynn and sophomore Sam McCabe lead a scrappy blue line in entrance of robust returning goalies Izzy McGarr and Izzi Puleo. Callie Crean, Katie Teague and Hannah Lasch fill larger roles up prime, whereas freshman Maggie Pollenz already impresses.
Groups out of the Catholic Central League are a few of its greatest challengers. Archbishop Williams has ambitions excessive, anticipating large years out Emily Fleming, Izzy O’Brien, Kate O’Toole, Catherine Lacey and Julia Murphy in a deep group of forwards. Seniors Kendyl Nolan and Aliya Greenwood anchor a younger however proficient blue line, and goalie Maggie Shea returns. Bishop Feehan options ahead Georgia Murray and goalie Aviva Olitsky as two of the state’s bests at their positions, whereas skating three full traces.
Sophomore Vivienne Melo shines in web once more for reigning state finalist Bishop Stang. A lot of the protection returns, whereas forwards Ashley Smith, Meg Costa and Madi Lewis step up. St. Mary’s (L) core is again to compete with the perfect. Former Peabody/Lynnfield/North Studying coach Michelle Roach moved over to Arlington Catholic and expects the Cougars to be robust whereas constructing a basis.
Iron sharpens iron within the loaded MVC/DCL Giant. Reigning state semifinalist Methuen/Tewksbury returns Dream Group goalie Lydia Barnes, backing star junior Lyla Chapman and an distinctive protection. Senior Ella Duffy and junior Sammy Ryan headline an improved assault as properly. HPNA contends alongside it, that includes a high-powered prime line of Mia Kmiec, Charlotte Woodford and Maddie Bush, a aggressive second line and a younger however robust protection. Billerica/Chelmsford’s prime line of Mia Amato, Kara Gambale and Peyton Fitzgerald has electrical potential with depth behind it, too, and new starter Gianna Cedrone is a goalie to look at.
Boston Latin returns stars Angela Wells (ahead) and Phoebe Niese (defenseman) as two chief playmakers in a scrappy lineup. Shrewsbury has reliable expertise from the web (Adrianna Boucher) out, bolstered by seniors Lauren Albertson and Liv Argentieri on the blue line, and junior forwards Allie Martel and Paige O’Donnell. Andover is aggressive as properly.
Notre Dame Academy (H), with six eighth-graders, is among the posters of youth serving to gas a contender. They’re led by skilled standouts in All-Scholastic goalie Erin Kral, senior defenseman Katie Ryan, junior defenseman Ella Faherty and junior ahead Chase Harmon. Depend on Malden Catholic as a critical risk, anchored by seasoned difference-makers Abbie Poole, Nevin Mustone and Avery White up prime, and Olivia Arsenault on protection. Premier net-minder Addy Cagan returns for a harmful Algonquin group, additionally bolstered by seniors Sara Albanese (protection), Madelyn Glynn (ahead) and Brooke Cutler (ahead).
Out of the Middlesex League, Belmont returns the majority of its core, as main scorer Mackenzie Clarke, Sydney Mun, Gigi Mastrangelo, Mia Smith and Lexi Fici headline the assault and Elsie Lakin-Schultz anchors a deep blue line. Woburn returns to Div. 1 with a powerful junior class, powered by ahead Savannah Powers and defenseman Juliana Ferragamo as two of the state’s greatest. Winchester’s tenacity is a risk to anybody, bolstered by a “grind line” of Junie McCabe, Chloe Goldberg and Josie Chang. Studying is the true deal as properly.
Shawsheen/Bedford/Lowell appears to be like to construct off final 12 months’s breakout, fueled by 100-point scorers Becca Sobol and Violet LoRusso, and a deep lineup of returners. Objectives are laborious to come back by towards Natick, with Bay State Convention MVP Sophia Luoni again in web.
Div. 2 is a little more overloaded on the prime, with just a few of the state’s greatest groups main the group. However early regular-season parity exhibits it’s nonetheless an open race.
Duxbury is a power, chasing a 3rd title in 4 years with a big crop of freshmen combined in with dynamic veterans.
Milton is one in all its hardest challengers, as freshman phenom Mia Cataruzolo bolsters Sabrina Stone and Nayeli Thayer on one of many state’s greatest prime traces. Caera Hart returns in web behind a loaded protection, all hungry to get again to TD Backyard for a distinct ending. Reigning semifinalist Westwood is a powerful candidate for a greater ending, too, returning most of its lineup.
Medfield’s Cinderella run to the title final 12 months was a magical experience, and it feels repeatable with its returning forged.
Head coach Ken Assad raved about King Philip’s potential earlier than his tragic passing in December, which is now a extremely emotional season for a younger however proficient group coming off its first Hockomock League title. Annabelle Curran, Ella Morgan and Stephanie Leblanc are high-level playmakers on the assault.
The Patriot League is crammed with threats. Pembroke’s Hannah D’Angelo, Addi Nee, Peyton Sowersby and Lauren Perry are all again. Maddie Cantor is a significant playmaker for Norwell/Scituate/Abington. Marshfield’s Morgan Murphy is a game-changer in web, and Hanover is off to a aggressive begin.
Burlington is once more a nightly problem, that includes a talented assault headlined by Emma Steiner and Shayla Kocur.
Sandwich is a powerful risk with a big returning crew on the assault. Gaby Bassett is a dynamic scorer again for Nauset, which additionally returns seniors Emily Decker and Julia Kipperman on the assault. Dennis-Yarmouth, Falmouth and Martha’s Winery spherical out a cutthroat Cape and Islands League.
Auburn and a brand-new Grafton program will likely be robust outs.
