We're through the topsy-turvy holiday season, and the girls prep hockey schedule is back to full-throttle.
In our girls prep hockey forecast last week, we took stock of the best teams, which teams have surprised so far, some Elite 8 predictions and some of the best breakout players this season. A lot of the trends we examined have kept up through the return to action coming out of the break, too.
As I wrote in the last rankings before the break and in our forecast, the parity around the NEPSAC this season is off the charts. Anybody can beat anybody so far.
There's also so much hockey left to play this season, and a lot of ranked teams see their schedules get significantly tougher over the next month or so. So much can still change in the coming weeks.
While the top two teams remain the same, there was plenty of shakeup in the rest of the top 10, including in the final spot as Deerfield makes its debut. Kent enters the top three as well after continuing their strong start, coupled with some ups and downs for Tabor and Andover over the last week.
Let's dive into this week's top 10.
1. Nobles (9-0-1)
Previous rank: 1
Head coach: Tom Resor
Next game: vs. Middlesex, Jan. 10, 5 p.m.
The Bulldogs got back to business, rolling past Rivers in a 6-1 win after their tilt with Kent this weekend was canceled due to weather. Five different skaters found the back of the net for Nobles, including Gretta Hulbig (Foxboro, Mass.). She continued her breakout season with a goal and an assist, bringing her to 10 points in 10 games. There's not much else to say about how dominant Nobles has been this season. They hold a plus-35 differential and have allowed fewer than two goals in seven of 10 games (six shutouts).
2. Williston Northampton (7-1-1)
Previous rank: 2
Head coach: Christa Talbot Syfu
Next game: at Berkshire, Jan. 10, 5 p.m.
Williston came roaring out of the break with back-to-back wins. The Wildcats first took down Groton in a tight 3-2 win, thanks to Monique Lyons' (Bedford, Mass.) breakaway game-winner with a minute to go in regulation. They made the most of a long trip to Tabor, too, coming away with a dominant 7-1 win. Six different skaters found the back of the net for Williston against the Seawolves in a big day for the top line of Lyons, Mia Daley (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Nora Curtis, as well as the versatile Violet Carroll (Milton, Mass.).
3. Kent (5-0-2)
Previous rank: 6
Head coach: Sam Ftorek
Next game: at Loomis Chaffee, Jan. 10, 3:30 p.m.
Kent opened the semester with a 2-1 road win over Frederick Gunn. Megan Duplantie (4g, 3a) and Mia Montanari (East Hampton, Conn.; 6g, 1a) are each scoring at a point per game clip. Lauren Ferrari continues to be the Lions' rock in net, too. She's given up fewer than two goals in four of seven games this season. Kent has a big showdown with Loomis Chaffee up next.
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4. Andover (3-2-1)
Previous rank: 3
Head coach: Martha Fenton
Next game: vs. Kimball Union, Jan. 10, 4 p.m.
Andover started 2024 with its second loss in a row, giving up the go-ahead goal late in a 2-1 loss to Choate. The Big Blue responded, though, earning a 3-1 win at Brooks on Monday. Andover's depth will continue to be tested in a big way in the coming games with Molly Boyle (Scituate, Mass.) as well as Caroline and Maggie Averill (Wayland, Mass.) off at the U18 Women's Worlds in Switzerland. KUA is on tap next before a big showdown with St. Paul's this weekend.
5. Tabor (6-2-1)
Previous rank: 4
Head coach: Eric Long
Next game: vs. Brooks, Jan. 10, 3:30 p.m.
Tabor allowed more than two goals for just the second time this season when Williston laid a 7-1 result on them coming out of the break. The Seawolves' offensive output has dipped a bit lately, putting up more than two goals in just one of their last six games (3-2-1). Still, if the top pair of Kaitlin Sullivan (Needham, Mass.) and Adeline Paskowski (Plymouth, Mass) keeps playing like it has been on the balance of the season, they'll be just fine. A get-right game against Brooks is up next.
6. Loomis Chaffee (7-3-0)
Previous rank: 7
Head coach: Liz Leyden
Next game: vs. Kent, Jan. 10, 3:30 p.m.
The Pelicans' win streak is up to six straight after they beat Milton, 3-0, and Berkshire, 5-2. Grace Morin has set the pace with 12 points (seven goals) in 10 games, while Chloe Obser had a big game against Milton with a pair of goals, too. They've kept up their momentum after upsetting Andover in the Patsy Odden Tournament championship before the break. A huge battle with Kent is up next.
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7. St. Paul's (6-3-0)
Previous rank: 5
Head coach: Kelli Mackey
Next game: at Dexter Southfield, Jan. 10, 3:30 p.m.
SPS has been idle since their loss to Nobles in the Harrington Invitational championship. Last weekend's storm canceled a trip to Lawrenceville that would have featured games against Deerfield and the hosts. The Big Red are back at it when they visit Dexter this week before a test at Andover this weekend.
8. Westminster (6-2-1)
Previous rank: 10
Head coach: Sara Ugalde
Next game: at Choate, Jan. 10, 3 p.m.
Westminster kicked off 2024 with a 3-2 win over Taft on the road. Bella Zapata continued her strong freshman year with a goal against Taft. She's up to 11 points (seven goals) in nine games. Adrienne Hall (Simsbury, Conn.) and Sydney Courtmanche (Madison, Conn.) added goals, too. Up next is Choate, who is surging with wins in three of four after knocking off Andover.
9. Groton (6-3-1)
Previous rank: 8
Head coach: Tim LeRoy
Next game: vs. Milton, Jan. 13, 2:45 p.m.
Groton nearly took down or at the very least tied Williston, but gave up a goal late in a disappointing finish. The Zebras bounced back with a 3-1 win over BB&N, which ended a three-game winless streak (0-2-1). Tina Scalese (West Boylston, Mass.; 8g, 9a), Maddie Cronan (Ashland, Mass.; 6g, 7a) and Keira Ley (Wayland, Mass.; 4g, 6a) continue to be dominant offensive forces. Milton is on deck this Saturday.
10. Deerfield (8-1-1)
Previous rank: NR
Head coach: Brooke Fernandez
Next game: vs. Northfield Mount Hermon, Jan. 10, 5 p.m.
Deerfield cracks the top 10 for the first time this season after winning four straight. They earned a pair of 6-1 wins at Lawrenceville this past weekend to begin their 2024 slate. The Big Green knocked off previously ranked New Hampton before the break as well as Loomis Chaffee at the start of the season. Annie Dinges (Woodstock, Conn.; 7g, 5a), Sophie Frost (4, 7a) and Olivia Austen (Darien, Conn.; 4g, 6a) are all scoring over a point per game. They'll look to extend the streak when they face NMH, Middlesex and a hot Exeter team this week.
Dropped out: Thayer (6-3-1)
In the hunt:Â Thayer, New Hampton (5-2-2), Exeter (7-2-0), Choate (7-3-0)
