Ten Div. 1 boys soccer faculties with title aspirations had been separated within the last energy rankings by lower than 1.4 factors. No. 1 Concord-Carlisle (15-0-1), No. 2 Needham (14-2-2), No. 3 Acton-Boxboro (14-1-2) and reigning champion St. John’s Prep are separated by simply .99.
The fourth-seeded Eagles started their title pursuit slowly, however rallied behind sophomore Garrison Murphy, who led the crew with 12 objectives and three assists. Senior midfielders Shamus Flaherty (eight objectives, six assists) and Jake Vana (six objectives, six assists) have additionally starred, whereas sophomore goalkeeper Matt Droggitis has recorded 10 shutouts in 13 begins.
For Acton-Boxboro, depend on Andrew Yendluri (seven objectives, 4 assists), Millis Lillis (six objectives, two assists) and Andrew Krieger (purpose, six assists) to tempo the assault come crunch time.
Coaches have additionally pointed to No. 10 Franklin (13-0-5) as a menace. Rex Cinelli (Hockomock League MVP) has the Panthers undefeated.
Div. 2
Bedford (9-2-5) and Billerica (16-1-1) are the highest seeds. The Buccaneers had been the lone crew to knock off the Indians (a 3-0 win on Sept. 9). Bedford will lean on Sean Morrison and Sawyer Elliott defensively, whereas juniors Spencer Goss and Leo Natalizio shoulder the load offensively. Billerica turns to final yr’s Merrimack Valley Conference (Small) Player of the Year in Brian Jones (10 objectives, six assists), Ryan Jacob (25 objectives, 10 assists) and Jason Xintaropoulos (12 objectives, 9 assists in-league).
Hingham hope to ship longtime coach Ken Carlin off into the sundown with one last run earlier than retirement. The third-seeded Harbormen are 17-1-0. Watch out for Alessandro Neyra (14 objectives, seven assists), simply named the Patriot League (Keenan) MVP. Jacob Riker (10 shutouts, 0.61 GAA) stars in web.
Sixth-seeded Oliver Ames, the defending champ, misplaced a number of important roster items, however nonetheless cruised to a 14-3-1 document behind Joey Carney (15 objectives, 5 assists) and Ryan Linhares (12 objectives, 15 assists). Diego Rivera and Luke Churchill carry defensive prowess. Hopkinton, Melrose and Wakefield may contend.
Div. 3
It can be simple to purchase right into a situation through which No. 1 Oakmont (16-2-0) and No. 3 Norwell (15-2-2) collide within the state last. The Clippers will try to flip the script on the top-seeded Spartans, a frightening job.
No. 2 Gloucester (14-3-1) ought to problem each faculties for {hardware}.
Despite dropping a number of items from final yr’s star-studded roster, Pembroke (14-2-1) cruised to the fourth seed. With Wil McManus (14 objectives, six assists) and Quinn Reilly (seven objectives, 11 assists), the Titans stay a harmful menace. They additionally boast the Patriot League (Fisher) MVP with Matt McAuliffe (eight objectives, 4 assists) constantly creating performs.
Div. 4
Top-seeded Cohasset (13-3-2) is the early favourite. In a loaded South Shore League, Nathan Askjaer (29 objectives, 14 assists) lit up the scoreboard. Cian Casey (14 objectives, 4 assists) has additionally been a drive.
Cohasset could should deal with fellow South Shore League energy No. 10 Rockland and the Bulldogs’ star duo, Joao Faria and Kaiky Araujo (32 objectives mixed). Eighteenth-seeded Abington might be a sleeper because of the emergence of crew captain Iury Cassemiro.
Second-seeded Lynnfield (14-2-2) stays a contender. No. 3 Hampshire (15-0-3) stood atop the facility rankings earlier than Pioneer Valley League play, and figures to be within the combine with ordinary contenders Hamilton-Wenham and Gardner. Excel and Frontier are additionally highly effective.
Div. 5
Three members of final yr’s Final Four, Sutton, Douglas and Bromfield, are ranked atop the pairings so as.
Could an Eastern Mass. faculty vie for the crown? Chris Parker’s group at Westport (17-0-1) stays undefeated, trying to end what it began because the No. 8 seed.
Predictions
Division 1
Best first-round matchup: No. 14 Natick vs. No. 19 Cambridge Rindge & Latin
Possible upset: No. 20 Ludlow over No. 13 Framingham
One sleeper: No. 15 BC High
Final 4: Concord-Carlisle, Needham, Acton-Boxboro, St. John’s Prep
Champion: St. John’s Prep
Division 2
Best first-round matchup: No. 16 Wayland vs. No. 17 Reading
Possible upset: No. 19 Revere over No. 14 West Springfield
One sleeper: No. 12 Somerset Berkley
Final 4: Bedford, Billerica, Oliver Ames, Wakefield
Champion: Billerica
Division 3
Best-first spherical matchup: No. 16 Holliston vs. No. 17 Greater New Bedford
Possible upset: No. 19 Medway over No. 14 St. Mary’s (L)
One sleeper: No. 15 Newburyport
Final 4: Oakmont, Newburyport, Norwell, Pembroke
Champion: Norwell
Division 4
Best first-round matchup: No. 15 Millbury vs. No. 18 Abington
Possible upset: No. 22 Leicester over No. 11 Lunenburg
One sleeper: No. 18 Abington
Final 4: Cohasset, Rockland, Hampshire, Hamilton-Wenham
Champion: Cohasset
Division 5
Best first-round matchup: No. 31 Pathfinder vs. No. 34 Hoosac Valley
Possible upset: No. 39 Granby over No. 26 Upper Cape
One sleeper: No. 17 Ware
Final 4: Bromfield, Burke, Maynard, Westport
Champion: Westport
Source: www.bostonherald.com