It's time for the biggest week of the year in girls prep hockey: the playoffs.
The Elite 8 leads the all-out sprint that finishes the season in the NEPSAC. The quarterfinals begin on Wednesday, and the semifinals are on Saturday. A champion will be crowned at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Taft School.
Williston Northampton enters the tournament as the wire-to-wire No. 1 seed during the regular season, coming in at 21-1-1. Loomis Chaffee is the No. 2 seed at 22-2-1. Meanwhile, Dexter Southfield (18-2-4) is No. 3, and Nobles (23-5-1) is No. 4.
So, how does every team stack up in this year's tournament?
Here's a team-by-team breakdown.
1. Williston Northampton (21-1-1)
Record against teams in the Elite 8: 7-0-1Â
The Wildcats, last year's runners-up, took over the No. 1 spot in our first in-season rankings back on Dec. 10, and they never looked back. Christa Talbot Syfu's team was undefeated until the final week of the regular season, when they fell to Deerfield, 2-1.
What makes Williston's season so impressive is they did it all against good, quality teams. Their opponent's winning percentage is the second-highest in the field. They have shutout wins over the likes of Nobles, BB&N, Cushing (in addition to another win over Cushing), Phillips Andover and Loomis Chaffee. They battled Dexter Southfield to a scoreless tie and took care of quality teams in the Large and Small School fields, like Rivers, Tabor and Berkshire.
The Wildcats, who won the Harrington Tournament over BB&N, were simply on their own level for the majority of the season. Their 18 goals against are by far the least of any NEPSAC team this season, and they boast the best differential in the region (plus-92). Williston is even more battle-tested entering the playoffs as their final four games came against Andover, Loomis, Deerfield and BB&N.
WHY EACH TEAM COULD WIN: Girls Large School breakdown | Girls Small School breakdown
There's no shortage of impactful producers, both younger and older, among the forwards, including five point-per-game producers. Senior Holy Cross commit Violet Carroll (Milton, Mass.) leads the way with 41 points (13 goals). Sophomore Mia Daley (Lynnfield, Mass.; 16 goals) and senior Cornell commit Nora Curtis (15 goals) each have 31 points. Junior Zola Piekarski (Concord, Mass.) has 27 points (14 goals), and sophomore Brooke Schlutter (25 points) leads with 18 goals. Five other skaters have hit double-digit points, too.
On defense, senior Amherst commit Malaya Anabe and senior Alyssa Frazier (Berlin, Vt.) lead a defensive core that excels at shutting other teams down and moving the puck quickly. Junior UNH commit Catie Putt (Norfolk, Mass.) and junior Holy Cross commit Nina Coffee (Old Lyme, Conn.) have been strong, too.
In net, senior Cornell commit Olivia Ferebee gives the Wildcats an edge. One of the region's best goaltenders, Ferebee holds a .968 save percentage. She's surrendered just 10 goals all season.
2. Loomis Chaffee (22-2-1)
Record against teams in the Elite 8: 3-2-1Â
After dropping a coin-flip, season-opening 1-0 loss to Nobles, the Pelicans caught fire. They went on a 21-game unbeaten streak, which came to an end in a loss to Williston last week. It also ended a 14-game winning streak. Liz Leyden's team bounced back from the Williston loss with a win over Phillips Andover. Loomis' resume this season also includes wins over Cushing, BB&N and Deerfield (twice) as well as a tie with Andover (and shootout win for a second-straight Patsy K. Odden Tournament title). They've also beaten Large School contenders like Tabor and Phillips Exeter.
There's plenty of firepower up front for the Pelicans, and it starts with junior Harvard commit Lindsay Stepnowski (South Glastonbury, Conn.), who has 37 points (19 goals). Junior Yale commit Annie Schwarz (Fairfield, Conn.) is behind her with 33 points (10 goals). Senior RPI commit Chloe Obser (13 goals; 29 points) and junior Ellie Lachance (West Hartford, Conn.; 11 goals, 28 points) round out the forwards scoring a point-per-game or better. Megan Duplantie (11 goals, 17 points) is among six additional skaters in double-digit points.
On defense, junior Penn State commit Megan Hosman's 24 points (eight goals) leads a strong, mobile and stingy group. Senior Princeton commit Catie Collins (South Burlington, Vt.) and junior Cornell commit Carly Dann (Hanover, N.H.) are also do-it-all presences. Junior Hattie Willard is a shut-down option, too.
In net, junior Adeline Roper (Kennebunk, Maine) has stepped into the starting job seamlessly with a .944 save percentage, including six shutouts. Freshman Emily Hosman has been good when called upon, too.
3. Dexter Southfield (18-2-4)
Record against teams in the Elite 8: 3-0-2
After losing the Large School championship last year, Dexter came out firing. They were undefeated until a one-goal loss to Small School No. 1 New Hampton last week. Dexter boasts wins over Phillips Andover, Nobles, Thayer and Cushing as well as ties with BB&N, Thayer and Williston. Maggie Taverna's group also has wins over Large and Small School contenders like Tabor, Exeter and St. George's.
Senior Boston College commit Maddie Murphy (Dorchester, Mass.) has been on a tear this season with 30 points (nine goals) on defense. Senior Emma Peterson (Westwood, Mass.; 12 points) and junior MacKenzie Sutherland (West Roxbury, Mass.; 11 points) have also made solid offensive contributions from the blue line. Elsewhere, senior Boston College commit Alaina Dunn (Walpole, Mass.) is a strong shut-down presence, while freshman Maggie Chudzinski (Needham, Mass.) is a talented prospect.
MIAA BRACKETS: Division 1 girls | Division 2 girls | Division 1 boys | Division 2 boys | Division 3 boys | Division 4 boys
Up front, junior Yale commit Evelyn Doyle (Needham, Mass.), a strong two-way center, paces the forwards with 20 points (11 goals). Junior Yale commit Sawyer Merrill (Hingham, Mass.) also has 14 points (seven goals). Dexter's benefitted from balanced production throughout the lineup with 11 total skaters in double digits for points.
They have two quality options in the crease as well. Sophomore Annabelle Aitken (Winchester, Mass.) boasts a .966 save percentage with four shutouts. Her resume includes starts against Williston, Exeter, Cushing, Thayer and Andover. Meanwhile, junior Addie Sutherland (West Roxbury, Mass.) holds a .932 save percentage with five shutouts. She's started against BB&N, Nobles, Thayer and New Hampton.
4. Nobles (23-5-1)
Record against teams in the Elite 8: 4-2-1Â
The defending champions, Nobles is firmly in the mix, per usual. Tom Resor's squad rattled off a 15-game win streak that ended with a tie with Andover on Feb. 19. The 16-game unbeaten streak ended in a loss to Thayer on Feb. 21. The Bulldogs have beaten Elite 8 foes in Loomis Chaffee, Cushing, Groton and BB&N. They've also knocked off high seeds in the Large and Small School brackets like Tabor, Rivers and Exeter.
Nobles boasts one of the most high-flying, deep offenses in prep with four skaters over 30 points for the season, three more over 20 points and five others in double digits. They hold a plus-86 differential, which is second only to Williston. Their 121 goals-for are second only to Cushing.
Freshman Alexa Georgantas (Foxboro, Mass.) leads the way with 21 goals and 40 points (fourth in the NEPSAC), building off a good eighth-grade season. Junior Yale commit Gretta Hulbig (Foxboro, Mass.) is right behind her with 38 points (17 goals). Meanwhile, senior Northeastern commit Molly MacCurtain (Reading, Mass.) has 37 points (11 goals), and senior Amherst commit Calleigh Brown (Foxboro, Mass.) has 33 points (13 goals).
On defense, freshman Francie Ames paces a young, new-look group with 14 points (seven goals). Sophomore Ava Decourcey (Rockland, Mass.) and freshmen Nora Shea (Braintree, Mass.) and Reese Engel (Westwood, Mass.) are all intriguing puck-movers. Senior Williams commit Laney Mead (Bedford, Mass.) and junior Providence commit Maddie Jaeger (Westwood, Mass.) have key experience.
Between the popes, sophomore Annika Jonas (Weston, Mass.) has been excellent in her first season as the starter. She boasts a .950 save percentage with eight shutouts. Jonas has faced 538 shots this season, the 10th-most in the NEPSAC and the second-most in the field.
5. Phillips Andover (15-4-4)
Record against teams in the Elite 8: 1-3-3Â
After the Big Blue dropped their season-opener against Dexter, they caught fire. Andover rattled off a 12-game unbeaten streak from Dec. 19 to Jan. 31. Since, they're 5-3-3 entering the postseason. Martha Fenton's squad boasts wins over Cushing as well as Large and Small contenders like Tabor (twice) and New Hampton. They've tied Loomis, Nobles and BB&N in addition to losses against Williston, Loomis and Deerfield.
PREP BRACKETS: Girls Elite 8 | Girls Large School | Girls Small School | Boys Elite 8 | Boys Large School | Boys Small School
Senior Emily Mara (Winchester, Mass.; 14 goals), a Boston College soccer commit, and fellow BC commit Sarah Powers (Lynnfield, Mass.; 12 goals), a junior, each have 23 points this season. Junior Princeton commit Caroline Averill (Wayland, Mass.) has 15 points (five goals) as well. Senior Middlebury commit Peyton Kennedy (Sudbury, Mass.) and juniors Keira Bruen (West Roxbury, Mass.), a Cornell commit, and Lilly McInerney (North Reading, Mass.) round out a deep top six.
On defense, sophomore Maggie Averill (Wayland, Mass.) is one of the region's most productive blue-liners with 21 goals (11 points). Senior Yale commit Molly Boyle (Scituate, Mass.) is a do-it-all presence, and sophomore Kimee Duplessis (Framingham, Mass.) and Sienna Glass (Andover, Mass.) have taken strides since their debut seasons.
In the crease, freshman Marie Lee (Southboro, Mass.) has stepped up between the pipes of late, holding a .913 save percentage.
6. BB&N (18-8-2)
Record against teams in the Elite 8: 2-5-2Â
Last year's Large School champions, the Knights have turned things around since an up-and-down January. They've won nine of their last 11, including wins over Cushing, Tabor, Exeter and St. George's as well as losses to Nobles and Williston. The loss to Williston ended a five-game win streak. Ed Bourget's group also has wins over Groton, Rivers and Deerfield as well as ties with Dexter and Andover. They also reached the Harrington Tournament final, losing to Williston. BB&N has the highest opponents' winning percentage of any team in the Elite 8, too.
Senior Yale commit Hannah Weyerhaeuser (Cambridge, Mass.) has been on fire since the new year, enjoying a career season. She has 15 goals and 25 points in 18 games since Jan. 1, sitting at 35 points (16 goals) overall. Three other skaters have over 20 points, while four others have eclipsed double digits. Senior Providence commit Izzy King (Bedford, Mass.; 27 points) is tied for the team lead with 16 goals, and senior Williams commit Savana Littlewood (Braintree, Mass.) has 14 goals (24 points). Brown commit Anika Singh (Lexington, Mass.) has 21 points (six goals).
On the blue line, senior Harvard commit Emi Biotti (Cambridge, Mass.) has 24 points (11 goals). Northeastern commit Lexi Mara (Winchester, Mass.) and Providence commit Brenna O'Reilly (Burlington, Mass.) round out a strong, tough defensive core.
Senior Eva Mai Whyte (Natick, Mass.) and sophomore Barbara Ma (Cambridge, Mass.) have split time in the crease this season. Whyte has a .922 save percentage, and Ma holds a .941 mark.
7. Cushing (24-7-1)
Record against teams in the Elite 8: 2-7-0Â
The Penguins have the most productive offense in prep with 131 total goals, the most in the NEPSAC. After missing the playoffs entirely last season, Valerie Bono-Bunker's team put the region on notice with a torrid 19-2-0 run through the first two months of the season that included beating Groton for the Watkins Tournament title. They've lacked consistency since Jan. 29, going 6-5-1, but enter the playoffs with three straight wins. Cushing's resume includes additional wins over BB&N, Groton, Deerfield, Tabor, Berkshire, Rivers, St. George's and Exeter. They've also tied New Hampton while their losses have come against Loomis, BB&N, Nobles, Dexter, Andover and Williston (twice).
There's no shortage of firepower up front, and their top three lines all contribute. Freshman Bella Freitas (Everett, Mass.) is tied for second in the NEPSAC with 24 goals and 42 points. Behind her, junior UNH commit Madi Soderquist (Woburn, Mass.) has 37 points (20 goals). Junior Stonehill commit Julia Lambert (Wilmington, Mass.) has 18 goals and 29 points. Senior Stonehill commit Brooke Harb (Atkinson, N.H.) and sophomore Brooke Fallon each have over 20 points as well.
MVP CANDIDATES: 18 players who could win MVP in the girls Elite 8
Senior St. Anselm commit Taylor Buckley (Woburn, Mass.) leads a blue line with a blend of youth and experience. Seniors Lilly Tewksbury (Barre, Vt.; Endicott), Kenzley Goode (Nashua, NH; Keene State) and Gabby Woods (Maynard, Mass.; UMass Boston) add to that experienced core.
In net, Junior RPI commit Sadie Bellissimo has faired well in her first season as the starter, facing a heavy workload and posting a .940 save percentage with six shutouts. She's faced the fourth-most shots in the NEPSAC and the most of any goalie in the field (794).
8. Groton (17-4-2)
Record against teams in the Elite 8: 0-3-0Â
The Zebras, the back-to-back runners-up in the Small School tournament, have been red-hot of late, winning four straight and 11 of 12 since Jan. 22. That run, coupled with a win over Thayer on Feb. 26, vaulted them right back into the Elite 8. Tim LeRoy's squad has also taken down Deerfield, New Hampton, Tabor and Rivers. Their losses include Cushing, BB&N and Nobles, and they have a tie against Berkshire.
Junior Princeton commit Tina Scalese (West Boylston, Mass.) is in the midst of a fourth straight point-per-game season, leading the way with 24 goals and 37 points. Her linemate, senior Colgate commit Maddie Cronan (Ashland, Mass.), has at least 34 points for a third straight year, sitting at 34 points and matching a career-best 15 goals. Jaelyn Trudell (Andover, Mass.) rounds out the potent top line, while senior Hamilton commit Hazel Hughes (Lancaster, Mass.) has also been a good producer.
On defense, sophomore Tatum Friedholm (Sudbury, Mass.) and junior Oona Kathan (Arlington, Mass.) each have 11 points. Junior Sydney Nelson (Lowell, Mass.) is a steady presence on the blue line, and junior Jamie Noonan (East Bridgewater, Mass.) is a high-end skater.
Between the pipes, sophomore Nora Wilson (Weybridge, Vt.) has had a strong first year as the starter, posting a .943 save percentage with seven shutouts. She's been a key part of Groton's second half run, with six clean sheets in eight appearances since Jan. 25.
