It’s solely becoming {that a} member from every of arguably the 2 hardest leagues are set to face off for the Div. 1 women hockey state ultimate at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at TD Garden.
It’s solely extra compelling that it’s a personal faculty versus a public co-op, and that it’s the nightcap of a wild day.
Top-seeded St. Mary’s of Lynn (25-1) has been the consensus alternative all 12 months to succeed in this stage, returning for the primary time since profitable in 2013. Jenna Chaplain (200-point scorer), Maggie Pierce (100-point scorer) and Amanda Forziati type an electrical assault additional bolstered by Gabbi Oakes and Tia Picardi, whereas depth throughout the board is a large energy. Head coach Frank Pagliuca preaches protection, which is even higher: senior goalie Angelina Catino has allowed simply 18 targets by 25 video games.
The Spartans are the favourite, however No. 3 Shrewsbury (20-2-2) is as match as any to problem for the title inside a distinct storyline.
Having by no means reached this stage earlier than, coach Frank Panarelli’s Colonials gritted by two tasking matchups to lastly make it after dropping within the state semifinals final 12 months. Maddie Mrva, Yasmine McKenzie and goalie Risa Montoya anchor a formidable protection, permitting greater than two targets in a sport simply 3 times. Taylor Ryder, Mia Ryder and Katherine Vona have big-play skill, in search of simply sufficient to leap forward and maintain on.
Early risers get an analogous deal with within the Div. 2 title sport at 9 a.m. to kick off the motion, as former and present dynasties collide inside a highly-anticipated ultimate matchup.
Second-seeded Duxbury (23-1-2) is again for the primary time since profitable a fourth straight title in 2014, regardless of rating among the many greatest groups nearly yearly. It squares up with a No. 4 Canton (19-2-4) program that upset it final 12 months amid a run to this sport, now showing for a fifth time within the final six years with only one championship (2020 co-title) to point out for it.
It’s nearly as good of a matchup as any two groups may get, too. Defense ought to rule on this one. Anna McGinty and Carolyn Durand stand as two of the very best goalies within the state, whereas McKenna Colella (Duxbury) and Maya Battista (Canton) anchor blue traces that don’t enable a lot on their All-Scholastic netminders. Both can play quick and bodily. Scoring runs deep for each, too, however the Dragons might need the sting regardless of Audrey Koen’s distinctive 12 months for Canton.
It’ll be few and much scoring between regardless, with a excessive probability for extra time. What a day.
PICKS
Div. 1 – St. Mary’s (L), 3-1
Div. 2 – Duxbury, 2-0
Source: www.bostonherald.com
