Longtime Shrewsbury head women hockey coach Frank Panarelli can recite how every star aligned for his program to safe its first Div. 1 state title in a particular 12 months.
Panarelli acknowledges that the dominoes won’t fall the identical approach this time. Realignments have shifted a number of of the state’s finest packages into Div. 1, and packages throughout the board have improved. This is probably essentially the most extensive open the sector has been for the reason that pandemic.
And but, Shrewsbury nonetheless ranks among the many contenders, anchored by senior Risa Montoya’s return in web. Senior defenders Bridget McLaughlin and Kealy Fay are again behind key returning forwards Mia Ryder (junior) and Paige Umile (senior).
The St. Mary’s of Lynn workforce they topped at TD Garden seems to be so much completely different, however once more like a formidable energy. Eighth-grader Vanessa Hall and Kasey Litwin anchor 4 returning defensemen.
Notre Dame Academy of Hingham boasts high quality depth as an early title favourite. Juniors Sarah White and Devon Moore lead a well-balanced assault, whereas seniors Sarah Francis and Lucy DelGallo are top-tier defenders. Premier forwards Caroline Doherty, Addy Garrity, and Reese Pompeo, in addition to returning goalie Izzy McGarr, return for a gifted Hingham group.
Out of the packed MVC/DCL Large, Billerica/Chelmsford incorporates a high ahead in Giovanna Gulinello, and junior goalie Hailey Graybeal received’t be permitting a lot. The similar goes for defensive energy Methuen/Tewksbury behind key blueliners MJ Petisce and Lyla Chapman, and main scorers Breena Lawrence and Kat Schille each return. A brand new-look HPNA can also be within the combine behind a top-tier goalie in Julianna Taylor, whereas Kendall LaRiviere, Gabby Harty and Gabi Locke take the lead on a deep assault, and Paige Nottingham stands out on protection.
Lincoln-Sudbury strikes up, boasting level machines Harper Friedholm, Ally Quinn and Torrey Winrow in entrance of high defenders Anna Leverone and Tatum Friedholm. Star goalie Allie Batchelder is again in web for Andover in its first 12 months of Div. 1, complemented by a troublesome protection and skilled scorers Rose Memmolo and Scarlett Glass.
A younger however reloaded Archbishop Williams workforce additionally strikes up and might be prepared for rivalry off a visit to the Final Four, led by forwards Caroline Batchelder and Shea Nolan in entrance of high defender Alexis Galvin. Malden Catholic added former Matignon and St. Mary’s standouts Mia Moretti (protection), Taylor Daley (goalie) and Abbie Poole (ahead), constructing a deep roster alongside Ava Baker (protection), Alyssa Jankowski (ahead) and Antonia DiZoglio (ahead).
Wellesley, Winchester, Framingham and Barnstable are different aggressive former Div. 2 groups.
Well-balanced Pope Francis returns its entire defensive core and high two traces, as Lily Hayes and Ivorie Arguin lead up entrance and Kaitlyn Ondrick stars on protection. Bishop Feehan is wealthy offensively via stars Caitlin Kelley, Chloe Bryda and Molly Braga, whereas Alison Stiles is a defensive fixture.
Alyse Mutti returns in web for Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading, highlighting an skilled group bolstered by forwards Catie Kampersal and Ava Buckley. Winthrop graduated simply 4 and is stacked with scoring threats Sami DiMento, Talia Martucci and Hannah Parker in entrance of returning goalie Riley Towse.
Braintree challenges with standout goalie Eva Surrette behind senior blueliners Callie Burchill, Maggie Carey and Kate Lee. Arlington at all times places a aggressive group on the ice. Belmont joins Watertown in a co-op and can play powerful. Arlington Catholic, Needham and Reading received’t be simple outs. Waltham options 100-point scorer Angalisa Caceda.
Under the brand new realignment, Div. 2 doesn’t have fairly the identical energy it did final 12 months. Many coaches felt one of the best competitors was once in Div. 2, however now it’s reversed.
Yet Duxbury stays, making a robust case because the state’s high workforce coming off its first Div. 2 state title beneath head coach Dan Najarian. And now that the Dragons’ practically decade-long title drought is over, there’s compelling causes for them to repeat and produce again the dynasty of outdated.
Dream-teamer senior Anna McGinty returns in web. Senior Reese Porter and juniors Maddie ‘Mad-Dog’ Greenwood, Meghan Carney and Zoey Madigan lead a loaded assault. Cammy Holloway, Sami Norton, and sophomores Alannah Gallagher and Lucia Rose are returning defenders.
Canton has made the state closing in all however one of many final six tournaments. It graduated key cogs, however seniors Tori Carr and Devan Spinale lead a robust protection in entrance of a brand new beginning goalie whereas sophomore Izzy Cusack and Anna Lehan return as scoring threats.
Falmouth’s slew of 30-point threats up entrance in Avery Johnsen, Casey Roth and Riley Devlin, in addition to high defenseman Gabby Ferreira, lead a younger group able to contend. The similar goes for Sandwich in its first 12 months of a co-op, that includes a strong defensive group via Darby Rounseville, Callie Kent, Quinn Jordan and Maddie Butler.
Nauset returns premier expertise at every place and substantial depth, led by Olivia Avellar in web, Gaby Bassett, Sophia Boucher and switch Carly Brand up entrance, and Sienna Reeves on protection. Martha’s Vineyard additionally figures to be aggressive.
Pembroke brings again nearly everybody round junior 100-point scorer Jen Birolini. Forwards Maria Cantino and Hannah D’Angelo come off large years and the defensive core is undamaged in entrance of returning goalies. Star ahead Kelly Holmes will assist King Philip compete, aided by Nikki McDonald up entrance and Mara Boldy on the blue line. Dedham and Norwood look to be robust out of the Tri-Valley League.
Tournament hero Emily Johns headlines a big returning solid for Algonquin. Longmeadow drops all the way down to Div. 2 and may compete. Star goalies Lila Chamoun (Milton) and Isa Fischer (Burlington) are again in web, anchoring each groups. All of Walpole’s high scorers return.
Players to Watch
Forwards
Gaby Bassett, Nauset
Caroline Batchelder, Archbishop Williams
Jen Birolini, Pembroke
Angalisa Caceda, Waltham
Caroline Doherty, Hingham
Harper Friedholm, Lincoln-Sudbury
Addy Garrity, Hingham
Maddie Greenwood, Duxbury
Giovanna Gulinello, Billerica/Chelmsford
Lily Hayes, Pope Francis
Kelly Holmes, King Philip
Emily Johns, Algonquin
Avery Johnsen, Falmouth
Caitlin Kelley, Bishop Feehan
Talia Martucci, Winthrop
Shea Nolan, Archbishop Williams
Abbie Poole, Malden Catholic
Casey Roth, Falmouth
Sarah White, NDA (H)
Defenders
Ava Baker, Malden Catholic
Tori Carr, Canton
Sarah Francis, NDA (H)
Vanessa Hall, St. Mary’s (L)
Kasey Litwin, St. Mary’s (L)
Bridget McLaughlin, Shrewsbury
Paige Nottingham, HPNA
MJ Petisce, Methuen/Tewksbury
Darby Rounseville, Sandwich
Alison Stiles, Bishop Feehan
Goalies
Olivia Avellar, Nauset
Allie Batchelder, Andover
Lila Chamoun, Milton
Isa Fischer, Burlington
Hailey Graybeal, Billerica/Chelmsford
Anna McGinty, Duxbury
Risa Montoya, Shrewsbury
Alyse Mutti, Peabody/Lynnf./NR
Eva Surrette, Braintree
Julianna Taylor, HPNA
Source: www.bostonherald.com