Just as our first in-season rankings did to our preseason list, this week’s Rhode Island top five has some shakeups — even more than before.
For the second consecutive week, a new No. 1 team has emerged. For the first time, however, a new team entered the rankings.
In my last rankings, I noted that the top five teams had “seemed to already separate themselves.” Disregard that, as an unexpected Division 2 team has cracked the bottom of the rankings.
Here is where things currently stand.
1. Moses Brown (4-0-0)
Previous rank: 2
Division 1
Coach: Frank Fede
Next: vs Bishop Feehan (MA), Jan. 3, 6:00 p.m.
The Quakers are red-hot. Since our last rankings, they posted an 8-2 win over Burrillville and a 6-1 victory against Prout. Joe Magiera is leading Division 1 in points with nine (four goals, five assists) in four league games. Senior Ryan Silva is emerging as a reliable backup goaltender behind star Alan Jaffe. Silva stopped 12 of 14 shots in the win over Burrillville. Moses Brown also defeated Smithfield for a second time this season, 4-1, in a Dec. 29 Crusader Christmas Classic tournament game.
2. Bishop Hendricken (6-0-0)
Previous rank: 1
Division 1
Coach: Mike Soscia
Next: vs La Salle Academy, Jan. 3, 8:15 p.m.
Since we can’t rank two teams at No. 1, the Hawks come in second — but it’s more of a 1A and 1B with them and Moses Brown. The reigning Division 1 state champion’s record is still blemish-free after it rattled off notable wins over La Salle Academy (3-0) and Barrington (7-1). The Hawks also posted wins over New Canaan (CT), Iona Prep (NY), and Ridgefield (CT).
3. Pilgrim (6-1-0)
Previous rank: 4
Division 1
Coach: Mike Boyajian
Next: vs Bishop Hendricken, Jan. 6, 3:00 p.m.
The Patriots have already doubled their win total from last season and have won six straight contests since dropping a one-goal game to La Salle Academy on Dec. 12 in their season opener. Pilgrim knows how to win tight, low-scoring games, with a 3-1 win over Smithfield, a 1-0 win against Prout, and wins over Connecticut high schools Woodstock Academy (4-0), Xavier (4-2), and St. Joseph's (2-1).
4. La Salle Academy (2-4-0)
Previous rank: 3
Division 1
Coach: Shawn Tingley
Next: at Bishop Hendricken, Jan. 3, 8:15 p.m.
At 2-4, the Rams get the benefit of the doubt because they play the toughest schedule in the state. La Salle’s faced a gauntlet of teams from New England and beyond, falling against Bishop Hendricken 3-0, Massachusetts’ St. John’s Prep (4-1), and New Jersey’s Christian Brothers Academy (4-1). The Rams did, however, defeat Maryland’s St. John’s College 7-3. They’ll have a chance to build momentum when they rematch Bishop Hendricken in the new year.
5. East Greenwich/Toll Gate (2-1-0)
Previous rank: NR
Division 2
Coach: Jeff Guisti
Next: vs. Coventry/Johnston Co-op, Jan. 2, 8:00 p.m.
After falling in overtime to Division 1 opponent Burrillville, the defending Division 2 state champions rebounded with two straight victories. The Avengers first defeated South Kingstown 5-1, then knocked off fellow Division 2 power Blackstone Valley 3-2 on the road. Brady Parks has gotten off to a fast start, as expected, with six points (three goals, three assists), while Austen Dufresne is close behind with five points (one goal, four assists). Wyatt Gelzhiser, who has started every game, has been steady between the pipes for East Greenwich/Toll Gate, posting a .910 save percentage so far.
Dropped out: Prout School
