The craziness of a delay within the bracket releases appears a becoming begin to what has all of the potential to be one of the topsy-turvy discipline hockey state tournaments we’ve had within the new system — particularly in Div. 1.
Reigning champion Walpole (17-0-1), second-seeded, is the favourite to repeat. Its pace suffocates offenses, whereas Kate Schneider and Caitlyn Naughton lead an assault that at all times finds a approach. On the opposite facet of the bracket is a No. 4 Andover (15-2-1) that has rounded into type, suggesting we simply may get a fourth straight state remaining matchup between the Porkers and Golden Warriors.
However within the funkiness of the bracket is a bevy of head-scratchers. Power of schedule slowed down one of many state’s finest assaults in No. 7 Franklin (17-1), which is well-equipped to win a state semifinal rematch over the Porkers. No. 1 Lincoln-Sudbury (14-0-2) has handed nearly each take a look at in its finest season to this point, however a No. 9 Wellesley (11-3-4) that tied the Warriors twice, or a No. 8 Bishop Feehan (14-4) that’s competed with a number of the state’s finest may meet it for a significant upset-watch within the quarterfinals.
Mackenzie Clarke is the sphere’s finest participant most video games, which helps make a loaded No. 5 Belmont (16-2) fairly the scare. All of No. 11 Winchester’s (12-6) losses have come to contenders, making it a harmful sleeper in a possible matchup with No. 6 Central Catholic (15-2-1), which didn’t lose till the final two video games behind bona fide star Kerri Finneran. Both of them shall be actual hassle for No. 3 Algonquin (14-2-2), although the Titans edged out virtually each Central Mass. energy behind their very own star in Lindsey Brown.
No. 10 Wachusett has been in each recreation in opposition to prime groups. No. 14 Harmony-Carlisle and No. 15 Acton-Boxboro closed the common season robust. No. 16 Durfee rides momentum from its finest yr but, whereas a lot of the groups seeded No. 17 via No. 30 have heart-breaker potential.
The late shuffle of Div. 2’s seeding mellowed a little bit of its suspense, but it surely’s removed from boring as many groups flashed their benefit as potential champion.
No. 1 Norwood (16-1-1) is deep past star scorer Shea Larkee, and the Mustangs have rolled on their mission to avenge final yr’s loss within the state remaining. Reigning champion No. 8 Studying’s (13-4) three-game hunch introduced it down within the rankings, however high-powered wins early on present a rematch within the state quarterfinals may flip heads.
Past them, No. 2 Somerset Berkley (17-2), No. 5 Canton (16-2) and No. 6 Hingham (15-2-1) all punched in notable performances to point out they’ve improved from their deep runs within the event final yr. These matchups shall be as cutthroat as any.
No. 4 Nashoba (10-3-5) is an actual menace to make its third Ultimate 4 in 4 years, whereas No. 9 Duxbury (13-5), No. 10 Westwood (9-7-2), No. 11 Malden Catholic (13-2-3), No. 12 Doherty (14-3-1) and No. 13 Hopkinton (9-7-2) are harmful sleepers.
This may lastly be the yr for No. 1 Sandwich (20-0) to interrupt via in opposition to the one group that’s beat it the final three years, set on a collision course to fulfill with No. 2 Watertown (17-0) and its 92-game win streak within the Div. 3 state remaining for the third time in 4 years. It should take a Herculean effort to beat the Raiders’ wits, athleticism and scoring punch from Rachel Egan, however the Blue Knights’ longtime core – led by Khloe Schultz and Quinn Jordan – has the chip and the athleticism to dethrone the three-time reigning champions.
That’s to say Watertown will get previous No. 3 Newburyport (13-3-2), which shocked the state by almost beating the Raiders in final yr’s event. A couple of spectacular wins within the Cape Ann League has it battle-tested.
The Tri-Valley League once more occupies the dialogue, as No. 4 Medfield (13-2-2) is defensively robust and deep. A matchup with No. 5 Dedham (13-3-2) within the quarterfinals could be an all-timer, whereas No. 9 Dover-Sherborn (10-7-1) and No. 12 Medway (5-9-2) received’t be straightforward outs.
A lot of the identical goes for the Cape Ann League, which is stocked with sleepers in No. 7 North Studying and No. 12 Pentucket. No. 6 Dennis-Yarmouth has confirmed powerful as soon as once more, whereas No. 10 Bedford, No. 17 Foxboro and No. 20 Hanover are additionally sleepers to look at.
Maybe essentially the most clear-cut favourite is in Div. 4, as No. 1 Uxbridge (16-2) appears to make historical past as the one different program in addition to Watertown to ever win a minimum of 4 state championships.
It’ll doubtless meet both of the 2 packages hungriest to beat the Spartans within the remaining. No. 2 Monomoy (16-0-2) is deep after solely graduating one participant from final yr’s title recreation loss to Uxbridge, led by dynamic scorer Emery Cappallo and elite midfielder Emily Layton. No. 3 Sutton (18-0) didn’t graduate anybody from final yr’s state semifinal loss to the Spartans, and its equally deep lineup handed every take a look at in opposition to a wealth of high quality groups and contenders.
Ought to No. 5 Manchester-Essex (14-2-2) attain the Ultimate 4, it should be a part of Uxbridge and Monomoy as packages to achieve all 4 Div. 4 state semifinals. Abby Kent and Summer time Demeo anchor a powerful midfield to do it. Don’t depend out No. 6 Lynnfield (12-3-3) from the Ultimate 4, both, after notching notable wins all yr and giving Sutton a troublesome, 2-0 battle.
No. 7 Cohasset, No. 9 Nantucket, No. 10 Hopedale and No. 12 Ipswich shall be scrappy sleepers to be careful for.
PREDICTIONS:
D1
Champion: No. 2 Walpole
Ultimate 4: No. 2 Walpole, No. 4 Andover, No. 6 Central Catholic, No. 8 Bishop Feehan
Sleepers: No. 8 Bishop Feehan, No. 11 Winchester
Potential Upset: No. 20 Arlington over No. 13 Beverly
Finest First-Spherical Matchup: No. 14 Harmony-Carlisle vs No. 19 Chelmsford
D2
Champion: No. 1 Norwood
Ultimate 4: No. 1 Norwood, No. 2 Somerset Berkley, No. 5 Canton, No. 6 Hingham
Sleepers: No. 8 Studying, No. 11 Malden Catholic
Potential Upset: No. 10 Westwood over No. 7 Longmeadow
Finest First-Spherical Matchup: No. 14 Westboro vs No. 19 Minnechaug
D3
Champion: No. 1 Sandwich
Ultimate 4: No. 1 Sandwich, No. 2 Watertown, No. 3 Newburyport, No. 4 Medfield
Sleepers: No. 9 Dover-Sherborn, No. 13 Pentucket
Potential Upset: No. 19 Auburn over No. 14 Marlboro
Finest First-Spherical Matchup: No. 13 Pentucket vs No. 20 Hanover
D4
Champion: No. 1 Uxbridge
Ultimate 4: No. 1 Uxbridge, No. 2 Monomoy, No. 3 Sutton, No. 5 Manchester-Essex
Sleepers: No. 6 Lynnfield, No. 12 Ipswich
Potential Upset: No. 20 Stoneham over No. 13 West Bridgewater
Finest First-Spherical Matchup: No. 15 Northbridge vs No. 18 Southwick
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