Beyond the top 10, there are plenty of compelling teams across the girls prep landscape.
You've got Groton, fresh off its first Elite 8 appearances as a program. How could you forget New Hampton? The Huskies are back-to-back-to-back Small School champions, after all.
St. Paul's, meanwhile, figures to be a playoff team once again, and the same goes for Berkshire, Kent and even Thayer, despite some key turnover for the latter. Speaking of turnover, there's BB&N, where the new-look Knights will remain a challenging out, in addition to a slew of teams yet to be mentioned.
Like we said in our top 10 rankings, this is the hardest time of year to rank teams. So much remains unknown.
What we do know is that these next 15 will more than likely be in the mix for playoff spots across the NEPSAC tournaments. There are other teams not mentioned that will be, too.
Let's dive in.
11. Groton
Head coach: Tim LeRoy
2024-25 record: 17-5-2, lost to Williston Northampton in quarterfinals of Elite 8 tournament
Groton has its sights set even higher after reaching the Elite 8 for the first time last season. The Zebras will rely on their superstar in Tina Scalese (West Boylston, Mass.) to lead the offense again, along with returners Jaelyn Trudell (Andover, Mass.) and Elle Nannene (Acton, Mass.). Tatum Friedholm (Sudbury, Mass.) is in line to take the next step on an experienced blue line that includes Oona Kathan (Arlington, Mass.), Jamie Noonan (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and Sydney Nelson (Lowell, Mass.), while Nora Wilson (Weybridge, Vt.) is coming off a strong first season as the starter. Keep an eye on newcomers like Ava Barbour, as well as Charlotte and Caroline Matusovich (New Gloucester, Maine).
RANKINGS:Â Who is on top of the first girls prep top 10 entering 2025-26?
12. St. Paul’s
Head coach: Kelli Mackey
2024-25 record: 16-14-1, lost to Thayer in quarterfinals of Large School tournament
A year removed from an Elite 8 appearance and two from a Large School title, the Big Red are primed to contend again, despite graduating a handful of key forwards. Erin Flaherty (Boston, Mass.), last season’s leading scorer, and Tess Mulkerron (Concord, Mass.) headline a young crop of forwards that showed well. Kelsey MacPherson (Hopkinton, Mass.) will provide a boost as well after a standout eighth-grade MIAA season. Veteran defenders Chelsea Bell (Barre, Vt.) and Maggie Berleth (Manchester, N.H.) will be steady presences on a blue line that includes exciting youngsters like Maddy Humber (Concord, Mass.) and newcomer Emma Burke (Braintree, Mass.). Paige MacPhee aims to build on a solid year in the crease, too.
13. New Hampton
Head coach: Craig Churchill
2024-25 record: 22-6-4, beat St. Mark’s in championship of Small School tournament
The new-look Huskies don’t plan on resting on their three-straight Small School titles as expectations remain high, despite graduating a chunk of high-end experience. New Hampton is eager for Kelsey Baker (Concord, Mass.) to take the reins up front, along with Emma MacPherson (Scituate, Mass.) and Ella Fischetti, while experienced Merritt Fitch (Winchester, Mass.) and Kiara Drake (Ridgefield, Conn.) will be key additions. On the back end, Addy Peel (Scarborough, Maine) will shoulder more responsibility, as will Roxie Merrick. Elizabeth Vincent gives the Huskies a strong, reliable backbone in net.
14. Berkshire
Head coach: Lisa Marshall
2024-25 record: 14-8-2, lost to Kent in quarterfinals of Large School tournament
The Bears made big strides as a young roster last season, reaching the Large School tournament. Marshall’s squad returns its top four leading scorers and nine of its 11 leading point-getters from a year ago. Maddy McCready, Cora Davidson and Alex Gregorek are among the forwards expected to set the pace offensively, while Gabby Ogunnupe brings a big, productive presence to the blue line. Katie Hurley has the chance to take over the full-time gig in net as well.
15. Thayer
Head coach: Michael Flynn
2024-25 record: 20-6-2, lost to Tabor in semifinals of Large School tournament
The Tigers will have a new look this season after graduating four skaters to the Division 1 ranks, including star Morgan McGathey (Braintree, Mass.). Nevertheless, Thayer returns a talented group with several young players who already have key experience on the varsity. Maddy Call (Dedham, Mass.), Lydia Kealty (Norfolk, Mass.) and Abby Macauley (Avon, Mass.) lead the forward returners, while newcomer Jenna Henley (Whitman, Mass.) will provide a boost. Abby DeAnzeris (Needham, Mass.) headlines a strong blue line that will get a jolt from newcomers Shea Richardson (Hingham, Mass.) and Lilly Busconi (Milton, Mass.). Two quality goaltenders in Coleen Wallace (Duxbury, Mass.) and Madison Hayes (Foxboro, Mass.) will buoy the Tigers as well.
PREP PREVIEWS: Nobles | Exeter | Cushing | Tabor | Groton | New Hampton | Andover | Dexter Southfield | BB&N | Williston Northampton | Loomis Chaffee | Thayer
16. Kent
Head coach: Elena Gualtieri
2024-25 record: 13-10-1, lost to Deerfield in semifinals of Large School tournament
The Lions are looking to build on a solid run in the Large School tournament in Gualtieri’s first season as coach, bringing in 11 new players. Olivia Machan, Chloe Pittinaro, Ainsley Moffitt and Anika Berry will bolster the depth up front, as well as Penelope Davies and Kate McKiernan (Glastonbury, Conn.) on defense. Delia Logan (Hanover, Mass.) and Aspen Devlin (Falmouth, Mass.) each have experience in the crease, too.
17. BB&N
Head coach: Jori Balsam
2024-25 record: 19-9-2, lost to Loomis Chaffee in semifinals of Elite 8 tournament
A new era begins at BB&N under first-year coach Jori Balsam. With it comes a new look for the Knights, who graduated much of last season’s core. Veteran forwards Anika Singh (Lexington, Mass.) and Kate Glantz (Burlington, Mass.) are ready to take the reins, while Molly Halloran (Belmont, Mass.) is poised for a larger role. On defense, Aislin VanVliet (Belmont, Mass.), Zoe Beck (Lincoln, Mass.) and Aggie Grant (Brookline, Mass.) are among the returners to watch on a blue line that sent three to the Division 1 ranks. Barbara Ma (Cambridge, Mass.) could be in line to take hold of the crease after faring well in a timeshare last season.
18. Governor’s
Head coach: Claudia Barcomb
2024-25 record: 14-13-2, lost to St. Mark’s in quarterfinals of Small School tournament
Gov’s returns many of its top contributors from last season, including its top two scorers in Brooke Carlson (North Andover, Mass.) and Lana Hardin (Tyngsboro, Mass.). Parker Roenick (Exeter, N.H.) and Ella McDonald (Winchester, Mass.) could see increased roles as well. On the blue line, Megan Carlson (North Andover, Mass.) brings skill and skating alongside Lauren Dockray (North Andover, Mass.), Joey Calderara (Windham, N.H.) and Lucia Peraza (Hanover, N.H.). In net, Governor’s knows it can rely on Liz Luong (Framingham, Mass.).
19. Frederick Gunn
Head coach: Daniel Allen
2024-25 record: 14-12-1, lost to New Hampton in quarterfinals of Small School tournament
Although Gunn graduated nine seniors, Allen’s group still returns its four leading scorers from last season in Maria Gilshannon (Woodbridge, Conn.), Sofia Cuozzo (Guilford, Conn.), Izzy Blake (Martha's Vineyard, Mass.) and Brianna Boulanger (Danbury, Conn.). They bolstered that group by adding Maddie Caramante (Greenville, Conn.) as well. On the blue line, they'll look to Sophia Dadd (Ridgefield, Conn.), Briana White (Watertown, Conn.) and Raven Bennett (Morris, Conn.). In the crease, standout newcomer Moira Landsverk is expected to make an instant impact.
BOYS PREVIEWS: Belmont Hill |  Milton | Tilton | Berkshire | Deerfield | St. George’s | Brunswick | Winchendon | Salisbury | Choate | Nobles | Kent | Holderness | Dexter Southfield
20. St. George’s
Head coach: Taylor Ham
2024-25 record: 12-12-2, lost to New Hampton in semifinals of Small School tournament
The Dragons bring back plenty of firepower up front, including Maddie Lahah (North Attleboro, Mass.), who has been one of prep’s most productive skaters in recent seasons. Carah Ford (York, Maine), Cora Buzzard (Branford, Conn.) and Sophie Procaccini (East Walpole, Mass.) are sure to be key producers as well. Continuity in net with Kalyssa Bayne between the pipes will be key for St. George’s as well in Ham’s first season behind the bench.
21. Milton Academy
Head coach: Liz Keady Norton
2024-25 record: 10-13-2, lost to Deerfield in quarterfinals of Large School tournament
The Mustangs nearly ended Deerfield’s championship run before it even started, taking the eventual champs to overtime of the quarterfinals. Mary Quatrale (Pembroke, Mass.) brings size and skill to the forward group, while Ruth Chen, McKenna Ruland and Clara Ryan (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) make up a skilled, young defensive core. Milton will rely on Ava Scannell (Arlington, Mass.) between the pipes.
22. St. Mark’s
Head coach: Kerstin Matthews
2024-25 record: 11-13-3, lost to New Hampton in championship of Small School tournament
After coming oh-so-close to a championship last March, St. Mark’s brings back a core with key playoff experience, along with exciting newcomers. Maribeth Fitzgerald (Boylston, Mass.) will be among the leaders of a forward group, while Caroline Kreuz (Worcester, Mass.) is poised to take a step. Jocelyn Gray (Hanover, Mass.), a former MIAA standout at Notre Dame (Hingham), will provide a jolt as well. On the blue line, Abbey Deroeve (Charlestown, Mass.) is a key addition from Thayer to watch alongside returners like Shae Webber (Mendon, Mass.) and Bridget Fitzgerald (Boyslton, Mass.).
23. Lawrence Academy
Head coach: Nikki Petrich
2024-25 record: 10-16-0, lost to St. George’s in quarterfinals of Dorothy Howard Small School tournament
The Spartans are looking to build off a playoff appearance in Petrich’s first season as coach. The forward group is now in Courtney Shifrin's (Southborough, Mass.) and Kate Tarr's (Nashua, N.H.) hands after LA graduated a trio of productive seniors. On the blue line, seniors Kailey Hannon (Littleton, Mass.) and Mairead Carey (Stow, Mass.) bring experience, while Olivia Doucette (South Hamilton, Mass.) will be vital in net, coming off a strong sophomore season.
BOYS RANKINGS:Â Who leads the preseason top 10?
24. Choate
Head coach: Laura Troy
2024-25 record: 11-11-1
The Wild Boars fell just short of a spot in the Large School tournament last winter, but Troy’s group has the pieces in place to return to the postseason after graduating just three seniors. Annie Forker (Stratford, Conn.), Natalie Beach (Darien, Conn.) and Maggie Swanson (Fairfield, Conn.) are expected to headline the forwards, while defenders Kate Tortorella (Westport, Conn.), Sophia Lind (Madison, Conn.), Karli Charron (Darien, Conn.) and Juliana Iannace each can impact the game in all three zones. Noel Schaab (Sherman, Conn.) could be one of the top goalies in prep as a senior.
25. Brooks
Head coach: Michael Burns
2024-25 record: 4-19-3
The Bishops are aiming to improve on last season as they bolster a young roster with an influx of talent. In his second season at the helm, Burns will lean on returning experience like Elsa Wood (Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass.) and Angela Fabbo (Peabody, Mass.). Incoming youngsters like Cassie Ling (Needham, Mass.), Shelby Buckler (Natick, Mass.), Natasha Godfrey (Scarborough, Maine) and Ashley Long should provide boosts as well. With a clean bill of health, Brooks expects Ella Puleo (Newburyport, Mass.) to give them a foundation in the crease.
