It's a big year at Nobles.
The Bulldogs are gunning for their fourth straight berth in the Elite 8. They've appeared in the title game two of the last three seasons, winning in 2020. Entering last year among the favorites, they bowed out in the semifinals to eventual champion Williston Northampton.
Coach Tom Resor feels his team's ceiling was higher.
"Last year, we had a great season but goal scoring was challenging for us," he said. "We created a lot of opportunities, just didn't see the puck didn't go in as much as we would have liked."
Nobles' offense had its ups and downs last season in Resor's eyes, even with a 23-6-0 record. They were 14-0-0 when scoring more than two goals and 9-6-3 when scoring two or fewer. They fell to Williston, 1-0, in the semifinals.
Resor believes goal scoring becomes tougher each season with the continually improving depth and goaltending across the game. It will be all hands on deck for the Bulldogs' returners.
"I think there's a good challenge for us to see what we can you know what we can do up front," he said.
Lots of opportunities up front
The Bulldogs graduated seven seniors after last season, but still bring back plenty of experience. That's especially true on defense, where they'll have four senior captains.
But opportunity is afoot for the returning forwards. Nobles' leading goal-scorer and reigning ISL MVP Brooke Manning (Marshfield, Mass.) is off at Harvard.
"There's a lot of opportunity for our returning forwards to see a bunch of them step up, but I think we'll have depth," Resor said. "I just don't know, you know, where will that offense come from on a consistent basis? So that's sort of the big question."
Junior forward Molly MacCurtain (Reading, Mass.), a Northeastern commit, will be among those expected to lead the way. She had five goals and 11 assists last season.
"I think she's been sort of a playmaker for us, a setup person for the kids who have graduated," Resor said. "Now, I think she'll be one of our go-to kids."
The Bulldogs will also lean on junior forward Calleigh Brown (Foxboro, Mass.), who had seven goals and 10 assists, along with MacCurtain.
"I think those two really as juniors will get a lot of opportunities," Resor said. "We'll sort of depend on both of them, especially right off the start."
Resor also has high hopes for Gretta Hulbig (Foxboro, Mass.). She stepped into a key supporting role as a freshman last season with 12 points (four goals).
"She played a big role for us last year in all areas," Resor said. "She's another one coming into the season that we I think have high expectations for."
Nobles is also looking for Meghan Loeber (Weston, Mass.), a Connecticut College commit, junior Sage Albright (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) and sophomores Addy Keaveney (Westwood, Mass.), Ashley Loeber (Weston, Mass.) and Rachel Zhao (Wellesley, Mass.) to take additional steps with another year under their belts.
"I think those are the ones that are also going to be expected to contribute," Resor said. "I think they give us the depth and ability to play a fast, aggressive style that we like to play."
Olivia Maffeo slides back to defense
Maffeo (Canton, Mass.) is a defender by trade. The Jr. Eagles standout blue-liner is a Boston College commit as a defender. But in the last two seasons, the Bulldogs needed her prowess as a forward. It hasn't been an issue for Maffeo and her skill set, leading the team with 35 points (15 goals) last year.
"She's one of those kids that is very fluid, and so going up or back, it's sort of almost positionless," Resor said. "Where some kids just are more comfortable at one or the other, for Olivia, it's easy for her to fit in wherever she is."
Resor doesn't think sliding her back to her natural position will be an issue offensively. It should help with moving the puck up the ice quickly and playing to the desired up-tempo style.
"I think with the way we want to play and the way the game is played now, creating offense from the back end is important," he said. "I don't think we'll lose much from her offensively, even though she will be playing defense."
Breaking the puck out with pace will be a key for Nobles in Resor's eyes.
"Last year, even though we actually created a lot of great opportunities on offense, there were times when we just got bogged down in our zone because of good teams putting pressure on us," he said. "So, I think this year, I hope that we can be a little bit tighter defensively and take advantage of the breakout opportunities when they come."
Experienced returners, like seniors Sophia Levering (Westwood, Mass.), Jaime Griswold (Concord, Mass.), a BC commit, and Ainsley Gray (Wellesley, Mass.), will help in that department. The Bulldogs are also eager to see the steps junior Laney Mead (Bedford, Mass.) and sophomore Maddie Jaeger (Westwood, Mass.) take, too.
"I think they'll give us depth for them to be able to really, jump into play more and try to create a five-person offense," Resor said.
Perhaps most important is the return of Anya Zupkofska (Braintree, Mass.), a Brown commit, in goal. The Bulldogs are confident in her counterpart, Annie Spring (Concord, Mass.), when her number gets called. But Zupkofska leads the way once again. She had a .950 save percentage, a 0.94 goals-against average and 10 shutouts last year.
"She's been our star the last two years, a tremendous All-New England goalie, and so we expect a lot out of her," Resor said. "Anya has been our go-to goalie, and we'll start off that way."
Resor's final season
After 21 years behind the bench for Nobles' girls program, this will be Resor's final season as coach. In that span, he has helped guide the Bulldogs to 10 NEPSAC titles.
He began his now 37-year stint at Nobles coaching boys hockey after beginning his career at Lawrence Academy in 1983. After 40 years of living in a rink, he believes it's time to move on.
"I've loved it," Resor said. "Now, just I thought it was time for me to step aside and time for someone else to be able to do it."
Even if it's bittersweet, Resor is excited for the season and what lies ahead.
"I think this year, we've got a good core of kids, and we've got a great schedule lined up," he said. "I'm really looking to just enjoying it. Every day we get to go to the rink and either practice or play."
