Third time’s the attraction?
There’s an excellent probability a minimum of one workforce will discover out if that’s true by the top of this MIAA area hockey season, however in Div. 1, it’s onerous to foretell which manner.
Coming off consecutive state titles, it could possibly be the primary three-peat for Andover – even after head coach Maureen Noone retired. New coach Bridget Morris has confirmed gamers, led by defensive anchors Rose Memmolo and Scarlett Glass, midfielders Lucy MacLean and Bella DiFiore, and forwards Casey Michael and Mia Batchelder.
Early frontrunner Walpole makes an excellent higher case, seeking to avenge consecutive one-goal losses in that state last. The Porkers characteristic premier gamers in versatile senior Kerin Birch, junior Caitlyn Naughton, Katie Colleran and goalie Abby Johnson, together with Elena Govoni, Izzy Adams and Taylor Carter inside a bunch of 9 returners.
Fellow state semifinalists Wachusett and Shrewsbury have each been ousted by the finalists in consecutive years. Wachusett returns main scorer Emmy Johnson, midfield stars Kaleigh and Lindsey McGurl, defensive anchor Ella Perry and a trio of different starters seeking to beat Walpole. Shrewsbury seeks vengeance over Andover, with Bridget McLaughlin, heart defender Emma Heald, and midfielders Caroline Bis and Maddie St. Pierre anchoring a loaded returning group.
Winchester is primed to make the leap previous back-to-back state quarterfinal exits, guided by expert forwards Ava Paragas and Julia Legere, in addition to standouts Samantha Gal (midfield) and Madison von Mering (protection). Franklin appears nearer than ever to its first state last within the third yr of the newer event format, with star junior Emily Carney, ahead Haley Wernig, ahead Raena Crandall, Lindsay Dennett and Brooke Taylor highlighting a bunch of eight returning starters.
Navigating the remainder of the sphere received’t be simple.
Acton-Boxboro headlines the loaded Dual County League as a title contender behind midfielder Devin Onken, sophomore Sarah Ryan, Cat Holtz, Liette Letorneau and two proficient goalies. Concord-Carlisle contends behind seniors Julia Lambert, Hadley Swenson, Elise Sohn and goalie Siena Triola. Two senior goalies, defender Nina Cecere, junior Ellie Innes and sophomore standout Blair Brennan lead a tricky Lincoln-Sudbury group.
Chelmsford returns seven starters and a few of its high gamers in two-time main scorer Kate Harrison, senior Ava Balan and center-back Jenna Nigro to threaten once more. Kerri Finneran leads a aggressive Central Catholic, whereas senior goalie Alivia Downer and midfielders Eliana Kaplan and Rose Gordon lead North Andover.
Lexington returns elite midfielder Hannah Ward, complemented by Nina Arnold, defender Julia Elefante and ahead Charlotte Cox to make it harmful. Belmont and Arlington ought to be aggressive.
Needham is extraordinarily deep, with high scorer Lily Schmalz and Olivia Alper headlining a roster wealthy with expertise. Premier attackers in speedster Kayla Bohlin and third-year starter Kaitlyn Uller pair with midfielder Sophia Weene to place Wellesley’s eye on the Final Four. Natick is worked up for what center-back Emerson Hebert-Matcaro, center-forward Olivia Norchi and center-mid Abby Tarka lead this yr, as is Braintree over returners Callie Burchill, Alison Curran, Claire Joyce, and Katelyn Chen.
Few groups have a more durable schedule than Bishop Feehan, sharpening star ahead Ava Meehan, star midfielder Kay Murphy, Lily Marchand and Jordi Higgins for a deep playoff run. Last yr’s Cinderella King Philip returns its core of Kelly Holmes, Mara Boldy and Nikki McDonald, whereas Algonquin appears to be like match to show heads behind star junior Lindsey Brown.
Barnstable has a robust returning solid, highlighted by offensive standout Penny Baroni, midfielder Alexa Garthee, and defenders Coralle Figueroa and Bridget Bedenkop. Durfee threatens by returning lead defenders Emily Curran and Paitynn Botelho, and forwards Toni Freitas and Kacey Curran.
Marshfield competes out of the Patriot League behind senior captain midfielders Meagan Condon, Lindsey Rochelle and Mary Tracey. Attleboro returns signature scorer Siobhan Landers. Essex Tech, previously a Georgetown co-op, arrives as a risk with the brand new model behind captains Caitlyn Collins, Brooke Shaughnessy and Ruby Nisenbaum.
There is likely to be extra adjustments in Div. 2 than some other to open up the sphere.
Reading is primed for an enormous yr as an early favourite, returning 12 and several other fourth-year varsity gamers. Myles Lakin is an elite goalie, whereas scorers Autumn Mathews and Ava Goodwin, and defender Natalie Wall lead a balanced group. Westwood, the 2021 state champion, is again ready of energy with versatile scorer Katie Krumsiek, center-back Ava Kelly and Katelyn Fay main seven returning starters.
Hingham drops down from Div. 1 stacked with expertise, that includes ahead Stella Brazis, midfielder Siena Brackett, and defenders Lily Samoska and Anna Kiernan. Somerset Berkley could possibly be in line for an enormous yr behind Karissa Albin.
Last yr’s high finishers are removed from an afterthought. Reigning champion Longmeadow turns to Isabella Mitreska and defender Emily Brais to assist it contend for a repeat. Nashoba graduated a lot of its star energy however shouldn’t be neglected after reaching consecutive state finals. Perennial energy Masconomet hasn’t misplaced within the common season in years, and returners Sophie Doumas, Nora Duval, Savannah Stevens, and Avery Magnifico load it up as soon as once more.
Canton has a bevy of scoring threats in Izzy Digirolamo, Carolyn Schiavo and freshman Shannon Lane, whereas a trio of returning figures make it a critical problem. Oliver Ames returns scoring dynamo Erin Cottam, whereas North Attleboro ought to make some noise as properly.
Camille Perlov is a premier returner for Hopkinton seeking to make noise within the event, whereas the protection of Lauren Strechay, Callie Weston and Ali LePage all return.
Notre Dame Academy of Hingham is at all times a risk. Dartmouth is loaded offensively behind Kallie Rose, Samantha Souza and Grace Haskell, and Scituate ought to compete.
Source: www.bostonherald.com