It’s going to be troublesome to duplicate the fireworks produced through the boys soccer playoffs final season. The adjustment to a statewide event format proved troublesome for some packages, as there have been upsets left and proper.
This was very true within the Div. 1 discipline, the place ninth-seeded Brookline went on to seize the state title after embarking a miraculous journey to the finals.
Simply put, nothing is assured for the chalk groups. Often, that results in thrilling tournaments, after all. However, followers ought to have a greater concept of which packages will make noise this time because of some constant developments within the Div. 1 energy rankings these previous few months.
As far again as August, specialists had been pegging Needham (15-1-2) as one of many premier groups within the state. The Rockets completed the common season because the top-ranked squad within the state, and at the moment are a favourite to win the Div. 1 title, with Dilin Meloni (16 objectives, 11 assists) and Kevin Fidurko (eight objectives, three assists) main.
Could St. John’s Prep seize its first Div. 1 championship since 2006? Will Minor, Callum Rigby and Alex Borkland have helped lead a program revival on the Danvers establishment, however the Eagles may face stiff competitors from Needham, in addition to St. John’s (Shrewsbury) and Arlington. Ludlow has emerged as a possible risk from Western Mass.
Jumping to the Div. 2 ranks, Oliver Ames is a candidate to make the Final Four, if not the state title sport. Sophomore Casey Milliken was named the Hockomock League’s MVP after a breakout season (23 objectives, 21 assists), and the Tigers (15-1-2) maintained a stranglehold on the sector’s prime seed at some stage in their marketing campaign.
A handful of candidates ought to problem. Second-seeded Hopkinton and No. 5 Holliston held management of the Tri-Valley League. No. 3 Bedford heads into the event on a streak, having received 4 in a row. Keep a watch out for fourth-seeded Westboro, in addition to No. 6 Melrose.
Pembroke (18-0-0) enters the Div. 3 event as one of many state’s hottest squads. The Titans steamrolled by way of their troublesome schedule like a scorching knife by way of butter. Now, they may look to complete the job. Expect Ethan Sullivan (13 objectives, 23 assists) and Declan Crowley (14 objectives, 14 assists) to play vital roles for Pembroke within the upcoming weeks.
That stated, the Titans aren’t the one workforce coming into the Div. 3 event with an ideal document.
Newburyport additionally heads into the postseason at 18-0-0. While the Clippers might not have been blessed with as excessive of a seed as Pembroke (No. 9 general), they’re a contender. Dedham additionally completed undefeated (15-0-3) en path to claiming the second seed. Medfield and Medway determine to be within the combine, as they’re yearly. Oakmont (15-0-1) will look to proveits unbeaten marketing campaign was no fluke.
Oh, and let’s not neglect about third-seeded Belchertown, which reached the Div. 3 closing final season. Ultimately, the Orioles fell to Norwell, dropping 3-2 in penalty kicks.
By the best way Norwell (13-2-4) comes into the Div. 3 discipline because the No. 8 seed, and will trigger some issues.
A case may very well be made the Div. 4 title could also be captured by a faculty from the Pioneer Valley, with South Hadley, Pope Francis and Hampshire representing the highest three seeds. After shattering his faculty’s program document for objectives (31) in a season João Faria will look to steer No. 4 Rockland again to a state championship look.
Will Bromfield proceed its dynastic run? The Spartans captured three consecutive Div. 4 titles from 2017-19, solely to be flexed to Div. 5 following the pandemic. Then, the varsity merely captured its newest championship in a newfound discipline final season (a 1-0 additional time victory towards Douglas). Right now, it’s actually a debate as to who will step as much as problem Alex Horne’s group. Second-seeded Sutton may make noise, as may undefeated Westport (17-0-1).
PICKS
Division 1
Best first spherical matchup
No. 14 Marshfield vs. No. 19 Milford
Possible upset
No. 22 Brockton over No. 11 Newton North
One sleeper
Brockton
Final 4
Needham, St. John’s (S), St. John’s Prep, Arlington
Champion
Needham
Division 2
Best first spherical matchup
No. 14 Canton vs. No. 19 Nashoba
Possible upset
No. 22 Nauset over No. 11 Billerica
One sleeper
Nauset
Final 4
Oliver Ames, Hopkinton, Holliston, Melrose
Champion
Oliver Ames
Division 3
Best first spherical matchup
No. 16 Latin Academy vs. No. 17 Watertown
Possible upset
No. 24 Old Rochester over No. 9 Newburyport
One sleeper
Gloucester
Final 4
Pembroke, Dedham, Medfield, Medway
Champion
Pembroke
Division 4
Best first spherical matchup
No. 15 Littleton vs. No. 18 Hamilton-Wenham
Possible upset
No. 20 Assabet Valley over No. 13 Monument Mountain
One sleeper
Randolph
Final 4
Easthampton, Hampshire, Rockland, South Hadley
Champion
Rockland
Division 5
Best first spherical matchup
No. 15 Oxford vs. No. 18 Hopedale
Possible upset
One sleeper
Oxford
Final 4
Bromfield, Maynard, Sutton, Westport
Champion
Bromfield
Source: www.bostonherald.com