It was all about Hingham in the MIAA last season.
The Harborwomen were one of the state’s highest-scoring teams, passing every test en route to the top seed and a dominant Division 1 championship win over Bishop Stang to cap a 24-1-1 season. Caroline Doherty’s hat trick in the state final was the perfect way to finish a decorated career.
In Division 2, Medfield took the tournament by storm as the 13th seed, finishing a Cinderella run with a shutout against Milton in the state championship, thanks in part to Kamryn Perachi’s heroics in net.
Entering this season, there’s no shortage of teams with cases to make as contenders. While Hingham will have to account for key losses, the Harborwomen retain a strong core. Usual suspects like Notre Dame (Hingham), Duxbury, Malden Catholic and more figure to remain factors. Meanwhile, Milton and Methuen/Tewksbury could be primed to atone for playoff heartbreak.
You can count on plenty of drama, as always. Here’s our preseason top 10.
1. Hingham
Repeating will be easier said than done for the Harborwomen, who graduated offensive forces Doherty and Addy Garrity, while defensive standout Shea Richardson moved on to the prep ranks. Hingham remains in good hands, though, under coach Courtney Turner. Shutdown blue-liner CC Flynn is set to lead the back end, while both goaltenders, Izzi Puleo and Izzy McGarr, are back. Up front, Hannah Lasch and Callie Crean are ready to take the keys to the offense.
LAST YEAR’S CHAMPS: Hingham overpowers Bishop Stang in D1 | Medfield shuts out Milton in D2
2. Archbishop Williams
The Bishops (18-5-2) graduated longtime stalwarts, including goalie Kate McLeish and forwards Shea Nolan and Caroline Batchelder, but coach Doug Nolan returns plenty of key contributors from last season’s team. Sophomore forwards Izzy O’Brien and Julie Murphy are poised to pace the offense along with others like McKenzie Lima-Tower and Emily Fleming. On the blue line, Archies will lean on the likes of Aliya Greenwood and Kendyl Nolan, while Maggie Shea and Anna Donovan will have opportunities in the crease.
3. Duxbury
A year removed from back-to-back Division 2 titles, it’s time for a new core to take the reins in Duxbury after the Dragons (17-7-2) graduated nine seniors. Dan Najarian’s squad still has the pieces in place to be a force, though. Leading scorer Addy Harrington figures to lead a forward group that includes Shae Martin and Ceci Tremante, who impressed as a freshman. Defensively, Alannah Gallagher is in line for more responsibility on the back end. The Dragons will also need to account for graduating Carina Perry and Brynn Scott in the crease.
4. Methuen/Tewksbury
The Red Rangers got hot at the right time last season, reaching the D-1 semis as the No. 6 seed to finish 19-2-3. Methuen/Tewksbury has a shot to build on that run, with returners in place to account for graduating forward Bree Lawrence and defender MJ Petisce. First and foremost among that group is standout goalie Lydia Barnes, along with defenders Lyla Chapman and Lauren Ryan. Up front, Sammy Ryan, Sarah Marano and Emily Barbosa will be key. Ryan Sheehy takes over as interim head coach after being an assistant under Dave O’Hearn for the past four seasons. O’Hearn passed away in the offseason after battling cancer. He was 47.
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5. Milton
Although the Wildcats came up short in the D2 final, Milton has a shot to take momentum from last season’s 20-4-2 run, despite graduating stalwarts such as Molly Murphy and Maggie Mullen. Matt Lodi’s group returns plenty of contributors from last season, including leading scorer Sabrina Stone. She’ll lead the way up front with Nayeli Thayer and Noelle Gorham, while Mairin Hart headlines the blue line. In net, Caera Hart is poised to build on a terrific freshman season.
6. Malden Catholic
The Lancers, fresh off a 17-3-4 run to the Division 1 quarterfinals, remain a factor despite graduating crucial contributors, including defender Ava Baker. Top forwards Nevin Mustone and Abbie Poole will set the pace for Alexa Hingston’s squad, along with Megan VanDorpe. On defense, Olivia Arsenault and Casey Kelley will be tasked with leading a new-look blue line. MC will need to replace Megan Mullarkey in the crease as well.
7. Notre Dame (Hingham)
The Cougars will have a new look this season after graduating several key forwards and losing top scorer Jocelyn Gray to the prep ranks, along with defender Emma Burke. They'll also have a new voice in Bill Burke behind the bench. Nevertheless, you can always count on NDA being in the mix. Coming off a 14-4-3 record, NDA will lean on returning goalie Erin Kral after a standout season between the pipes. Defenders Kaitlyn Ryan and Ella Faherty will be key to the Cougars’ success as well. Abigail Gropman has a chance to step up among the returning forwards.
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8. Bishop Feehan
Save for all-time leading scorer Chloe Bryda, the Shamrocks return much of the same roster that went 17-6-2 last winter, reaching the D1 quarterfinals. Georgia Murray returns to lead the forward group after she put up the most productive season in program history. She’ll be alongside Annie Lough, Mia Zammiello and Mackenzie Bryda. On the back end, Mike Cripps will look to Izzy Cox, Julia Carey, Kaelyn Quinn and more. Goalie Aviva Olitsky is poised to lock things down in net again, along with Gina Zollo.
9. St. Mary’s
Just one season removed from a dominant year and a D1 title, the Spartans battled through ups and downs last winter, finishing 9-12-2. But Frank Pagliuca’s team returns big pieces, including leading scorer Alyssa Norden as well as Keira Twomey and Emma Doucette, who impressed as a sixth-grader. Shaye Denning, Kaylee Dinkel and Camdyn Driscoll are among the skaters to watch on a young blue line. Meg Donato and Avery Sico, meanwhile, proved to be reliable options in net last year.
10. Waltham
Chris Watson’s squad could take a leap in Division 1 after a 13-6-2 run last year, graduating just one senior. Molly Whittier will lead the way up front after a dazzling eighth-grade season, while senior Sophia LaFauci will be a key producer again. On the back end, Waltham will look to productive defender Ava Anderson, along with Juliana Fry. Miyana Bahl is expected back for her senior season in the crease after a standout junior season.
