There was no shortage of drama at the end of the 2023-24 MIAA Division 1 girls season.
It took three overtimes, but St. Mary's took the win over Notre Dame (Hingham), thanks to Alyssa Norden's game-winner. The win avenged the Spartans' upset at the hand of Shrewsbury the season prior.
In Division 2, Duxbury took care of business again, shutting out Falmouth to repeat.
Heading into this season, though, the landscape appears wide open. SMH and Duxbury lost key players to graduation and prep. Meanwhile, young, up-and-coming teams like Falmouth and Archbishop Williams have strong cores returning.
There likely will be plenty of drama once again.
Here's our preseason top 10.
1. Duxbury
The Dragons are coming off a repeat Division 2 title, capping off a 24-3-0 season that included a dominant plus-82 goal differential. Duxbury lost key forwards and defenders, be it to graduation, prep schools or academies, but Dan Najarian’s group returns more than its fair share of firepower, giving them a shot at a three-peat, whether it’s top scorers in senior Zoey Madigan or junior Addy Harrington or top defender Sami Norton. Senior goalie Carina Perry has big shoes to fill in net after Anna McGinty graduated.
2. Notre Dame (Hingham)
The Cougars were one of the state’s deepest and stingiest teams last season, going 18-5-2 and reaching the Division 1 title game. John Findley’s group graduated key seniors and lost leading scorer Devon Moore (Milton, Mass.) to prep, but there’s still plenty of reason for optimism. Sarah White (Hanover, Mass.) gives NDA an elite option up front to go along with Caroline Hartnett (Hingham, Mass.). Meanwhile, Emma Burke (Braintree, Mass.) impressed as an eighth-grader on the blue line. Erin Kral (Whitman, Mass.) and Caroline Murray (Hingham, mass.) will be tasked with replacing Ava Larkin (Canton, Mass.) in net. NDA is an early favorite in D-1.
LAST YEAR'S CHAMPS: St. Mary’s outlasts NDA (Hingham) in 3OT thriller | Duxbury dominates to repeat as D2 champions
3. Archbishop Williams
The Bishops had their ups and downs last season but caught fire to go on a run to the D-1 semis, finishing 13-10-2. What’s more is Doug Nolan’s squad didn’t graduate a single player from last year’s squad. Archies brings back its all-time leading scorer in Caroline Batchelder (Braintree, Mass.) as well as key upperclassmen like Shea Nolan (Quincy, Mass.). Julie Murphy (Canton, Mass.) and McKenzie Lima-Tower made huge contributions as middle-schoolers, and all four goaltenders, including senior Kate McLeish (Dedham, Mass.), are back. Aliya Greenwood (Dedham, Mass.) gives the team a strong three-zone threat on the blue line as well.
4. Falmouth
The Clippers took the state by storm with one of the most potent offenses (130 total goals) and a roster that featured 11 underclassmen, reaching the D-2 championship. After graduating just three seniors, Brian Ferreira’s team returns plenty of production in top point-getter Riley Devlin and leading goal scorer Casey Roth. Sophomore Maeve Turner is another exciting option, while sophomore Rylin Briggs facilitated plenty of offense from the blue line. They'll need to replace goaltender Aspen Devlin, who is off to the prep ranks.
5. St. Mary’s
The Spartans dominated from start to finish in a 23-3-1 season that ended with a thrilling D-1 championship win. Repeating won’t be easy for Frank Pagliuca and SMH after losing the state’s leading scorer, Bella Freitas (Everett, Mass.), as well as productive defender Vanessa Hall (Saugus, Mass.) to prep. They also graduated goalie Gianna Tringale (Danvers, Mass.) and defenders Kasey Litwin (Swampscott, Mass.) and Reagan Sullivan (Melrose, Mass.). Still, with forwards Alyssa Norden (Peabody, Mass.) and Keira Twomey (Melrose, Mass.), defenders Abby Malcuit (Swampscott, Mass.) and Katy Sarazen (Melrose, Mass.) as well as goalie Megan Donato (Stoneham, Mass.) back in the fold, St. Mary’s remains a factor.
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6. Hingham
The Harborwomen reached the Division 1 quarterfinals last season, finishing 18-6-1. Courtney Turner’s team should again be among the contenders. Holy Cross commit Caroline Doherty, one of the best goal scorers in the state, headlines the forward group alongside Addy Garrity. Forward Hannah Lasch turned heads as a freshman, while junior CC Flynn and sophomore Shea Richardson figure to lead the blue line again. Starting goalie Izzy McGarr is back as well.
7. Malden Catholic
In their first season in Division 1, the Lancers had their best season ever with a program-best 17-4-4 record and a trip to the tournament semis. Despite key losses, Alexa Hingston’s group remains in good hands. Up front, there’s senior Alyssa Jankowski (Medford, Mass.) and sophomore Abbie Poole (Wakefield, Mass.). On defense, clutch captain Ava Baker (North Reading, Mass.) returns for her senior season. Megan Mullarky (Wilmington, Mass.) saw her share of minutes in net last season and should step into an increased role as a senior.
8. PLNR
The Tanners — a co-op of Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading — are coming off a 19-5-0 season and a trip to the D-1 quarterfinals, falling to NDA. Michelle Roach’s squad should be in the mix again after graduating just three seniors. Alyse Mutti gives PLNR a top option in net, coming off the best single season in program history. Meanwhile, leading scorer and senior Ava Buckley is back, in addition to solid contributors in seniors Alexa Pepper and Shirley Whitmore. Junior defender Eleni Spack has a chance to build off a productive junior year.
9. Burlington
The Red Devils had plenty of youth and experience last season, going 19-2-2 and falling in the Division 2 quarterfinals. Despite losing key seniors like forward Shea McDonald and defender Mia Lauder, Rick Sheehan’s group still boasts plenty of talent. Eghth-grader Chloe Rabazzi is an exciting prospect on the blue line, and the same is true of eighth-grade forward Sofia Cleary. Senior forward Caitlyn Tremblay is in line to lead the way. The key will be replacing goalie Isa Fischer, who moved on to prep. Eighth-grader Kiera Brindle has a big chance to step up in the crease.
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10. Nauset/Monomoy
The Warriors were a major factor in Division 2 last season, going 19-3-1 and reaching the tournament quarterfinals. They were a goal away from the semis as well. Zach Wells’ team graduated starting goalie Olivia Avellar as well as top defenders Isabella Roberts and Sienna Reeves. But they bring back Gaby Bassett, one of the state’s top forwards. Carly Brand returns as well. A large junior class should be ready for the next step.
