Girls prep hockey is officially back.
Just a week into the season, we've already seen several high-end matchups, including some top-10 clashes.
Take New Hampton coming out firing in a statement win over Nobles, or the Bulldogs storming right back with a stout effort against Loomis Chaffee. Meanwhile, BB&N and Dexter clashed in a much-anticipated rematch.
We knew going into the season that it would be a deep, wide-open field this season. The first smattering of games only confirmed that projection. It led to plenty of shuffling in our rankings.
Let's dive into our first in-season top 10.
1. Williston Northampton (1-0-0)
Previous ranking: 3
Head coach: Christa Talbot Syfu
Next game: vs. Cushing, Dec. 11, 4 p.m.
The Wildcats take over the top spot after an impressive win over St. Paul's. Williston's top guns got it done, between a pair of goals for senior Cornell commit Nora Curtis, a tally for sophomore Mia Daley (Lynnfield, Mass.) and a strong outing in net for senior Cornell commit Liv Ferebee. Williston has a tough week ahead, hosting Cushing and Northwood before next weekend's Harrington Invitational.
2. New Hampton (2-0-0)
Previous ranking: 5
Head coach: Craig Churchill
Next game: vs. Governor's, Dec. 11, 4:45 p.m.
The Huskies made a statement early in the season, knocking off Nobles after hanging four goals on the hosts. New Hampton exploded for three goals in the third period for the win. For reference, Nobles gave up three goals just once last season and never surrendered four. Senior UNH commit Julia Loughlin (Scituate, Mass.) scored a pair against the Bulldogs, and junior Katie Usilton's two goals powered a 6-0 win over Milton. Against the Mustangs, sophomore goalie Elizabeth Vincent pitched a shutout in her prep debut. The Huskies will look to keep rolling this week, hosting Governor's before visiting St. Paul's and Thayer.
HEAVYWEIGHT BATTLE: 12 standouts and takeaways from New Hampton's win over Nobles
3. Nobles (1-1-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Head coach: Tom Resor
Next game: at St. Mark's, Dec. 11, 3:15 p.m.
The reigning Elite 8 champs drop two spots after splitting their first two games, albeit with both results coming against top-rate opponents. Nobles fell short of a late comeback in a 4-3 loss to defending Small School champ New Hampton but got back on track in a 1-0 win at Loomis Chaffee. Youngsters Lily Bromley (Carlisle, Mass.) and Alexa Georgantas (Foxboro, Mass.) are off to good starts with a goal and an assist each through two games. The Huskies got to Annika Jonas (Weston, Mass.) in the season-opener, but she bounced back with a 32-save shutout against Loomis. The Bulldogs will face solid tests against St. Mark's and Choate this week ahead of next week's Harrington tournament.
4. Phillips Andover (0-0-0)
Previous ranking: 2
Head coach: Martha Fenton
Next game: vs. Dexter Southfield, Dec. 13, 4 p.m.
Andover's drop is not due to performance. It's just they're still yet to get underway. They'll be thrown right into the deep end when they host Dexter Southfield, who is off to a solid start offensively. Dexter will be eager to prove it's an Elite 8 contender along with the Big Blue. It will be Andover's lone tuneup before heading to Taft for the Patsy Odden Invitational the following weekend.
MASS. STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Standouts from Assabet’s 19U win | Standouts from Lovell’s 16U win
5. Loomis Chaffee (0-1-0)
Previous ranking: 4
Head coach: Liz Leyden
Next game: at Deerfield, Dec. 11, 3 p.m.
After returning stateside from a productive preseason warmup in Prague, the Pelicans scrimmaged Choate and dropped their season opener to Nobles. Loomis ran into a stout goaltending performance, generating plenty of chances but falling, 1-0. The Pelicans won't catch a break in the coming days, visiting Deerfield before hosting Canterbury and Westminster ahead of the Odden tournament.
6. Dexter Southfield (1-0-1)
Previous ranking: 6
Head coach: Maggie Taverna
Next game: at Pomfret, Dec. 11, 4:30 p.m.
In a rematch of last year's Large School championship, Dexter battled back for a 3-3 draw with BB&N. They stormed back with a 5-0 win at Middlesex the next day. Boston College commit Maddie Murphy (Dorchester, Mass.) had a big day with a hat trick and an assist against Middlesex. Five other skaters have also found the back of the net in the early going, including Yale commits Evelyn Doyle (Needham, Mass.) and Sawyer Merrill (Hingham, Mass.). Dexter will look to build momentum against Pomfret as they head into a huge tilt at Andover.
EVENLY MATCHED: 11 standouts and takeaways from Dexter and BB&N's tie
7. BB&N (1-0-1)
Previous ranking: 7
Head coach: Ed Bourget
Next game:Â vs. Brooks, Dec. 11, 3:15 p.m.
After trading blows with Dexter Southfield, the Knights couldn't build on their third-period lead and settled for a tie on the road. BB&N came out firing the next day, though, with a 7-0 drubbing of Pomfret. Williams commit Savana Littlewood (Braintree, Mass.) has had an excellent start with a goal and two assists against Pomfret, following a goal and a helper versus Dexter. Providence commit Izzy King (Bedford, Mass.) has a pair of goals in two games, while six other skaters have found the back of the net. BB&N hosts Brooks before a high-end matchup against Deerfield this weekend.
8. Deerfield (2-0-0)
Previous ranking: 8
Head coach: Brooke Fernandez
Next game: vs. Loomis Chaffee, Dec. 11, 3 p.m.
The Big Green came out of the gates with a pair of wins, knocking off North Yarmouth Academy, 2-1, before outlasting St. Mark's, 3-2. Senior captain Allie Corrieri's (Devens, Mass.) three assists are pacing Deerfield, while newcomer Chloe Cleaves (Riverside, Conn.) has a goal and an assist. Sophie Frost has also found the back of the net in the early going. A tough weekend lies ahead for the Big Green as they'll host Loomis Chaffee and Millbrook before visiting BB&N ahead of next week's Watkins Invitational.
GIRLS PREP PREVIEWS: Groton | Loomis Chaffee | Dexter Southfield | BB&N | Cushing | Nobles | Williston Northampton | Phillips Andover | New Hampton | Deerfield
9. Cushing (3-0-0)
Previous ranking: 10
Head coach: Valerie Bono-Bunker
Next game: at Williston Northampton, Dec. 11, 4 p.m.
Cushing came out firing with three straight wins, putting up at least four goals in each. They opened their season with a 6-0 win over Brooks before taking care of Worcester Academy, 7-2, and Tabor, 4-3. Freshman Bella Freitas (Everett, Mass.) wasted no time making an impact, scoring a pair against Brooks. Junior Stonehill commit Julia Lambert (Wilmington, Mass.) also had a pair in the opener before another multi-point effort against Worcester. The Penguins will face their toughest challenge yet when they visit Williston on Wednesday before hosting Governor's on Saturday.
10. Groton (2-0-0)
Previous ranking: 9
Head coach: Tim LeRoy
Next game: at Tilton, Dec. 11, 4 p.m.
The Zebras drop a spot, but it's not a reflection on them as much as it is Cushing's hot start. Groton took care of Portsmouth Abbey, 4-2, in the opener before an offensive explosion in a 7-1 triumph over Kimball Union. Senior Colgate commit Maddie Cronan (Ashland, Mass.) is setting the pace with six points (two goals, four assists), while Princeton commit Tina Scalese (West Boylston, Mass.) has four goals and a helper. Hazel Hughes (Lancaster, Mass.) is off to a big start, too, with three goals. Challenging matchups lie ahead with a visit to Tilton on Wednesday before a home tilt with Tabor.
In the hunt: St. Paul's (1-1-0), Thayer (3-0-0), Rivers (1-0-0), Kent (1-0-0), Phillips Exeter (1-0-0)
