Tabor is consistently one of the most formidable teams on the girls prep hockey scene.
The Seawolves have reached the Elite 8 in six straight seasons and 14 of 15 seasons. Last year, Eric Long's group finished 19-4-2. Some of their better results came against Elite 8 counterparts, like handing Phillips Andover its first loss in February, beating Milton and tying St. Paul's and Loomis Chaffee. They eventually took home the ISL championship over Nobles before falling to the Bulldogs in the first round of the tournament.
"The Elite 8 is the place we like to be. We kind of shoot for that every year," Long said. "It's hard to beat Nobles twice in 10 days. ... We were happy with the ISL crown but obviously disappointed we couldn't make it a little further. But overall, it was a really good year."
Tabor lost six seniors last season, but with some strong returners and additions, expectations remain high.
"We're not going to take any steps back in some areas," Long said. "I guess my expectations are we just pick up where we left off. For some of the players that didn't play as much last year, this is an opportunity for them to earn a little bit more ice time. ... I expect us to be in that top grouping again, barring any major injuries or any anything like that."
An exciting core
Despite last seasons departures, the Seawolves still bring back three of their top five scorers and their top two defenders.
Among the group expected to take a step this season is Lizzy Greeley (Hyde Park, Mass.). Greeley was Tabor's leading goal-scorer last year. The Seawolves will also have Ayla Abban (Duxbury, Mass.) back in the fold. Abban, an Amherst College commit, finished top three in scoring for Tabor last year.
"I think we have a good team and a good core, so I'm excited for the year," Long said.
Long is also excited to see Whitney Dacko (Walpole, Mass.) healthy for a full season after dealing with a thumb injury last winter.
"We didn't see a lot of her kind of into January and early February," Long said. "So I'm looking for her to be healthy and have a great year like she did her her sophomore year, you know, kind of similar numbers."
Juliana Goffredo is someone Long thinks is in line for a bigger year production-wise.
"She's a kid who's going to hopefully really step up," Long said. "She was really good for us. The points didn't come as much as she probably wanted, but she was a really good player for us. Hoping that she can put a few more in for us and be good there."
Ashley Piersol (Marblehead, Mass.) made an impact as a freshman last season. She could be primed for a breakout with a year of experience under her belt.
"She scored some big goals for us and kind of worked her into that top nine," Long said. "It'll be great to see her take that next step this year as a sophomore and contribute a little bit more."
Tabor also has some impact newcomers entering the mix. Grace Stirling comes in as a repeat junior out of Gilmour Academy in Ohio.
"She'll be able to help out right away and really contribute," Long said.
Meanwhile, the Seawolves bring in a pair of goalies, Avery Olson (Rockport, Mass.) out of Northfield Mount Hermon and Elizabeth Jacobsson out of Groton.
"They're both experienced NEPSAC goalies playing at this level and have had success," Long said. "I think there's opportunity for both to play, for sure. The way I tend to run the team, everybody's gonna play in some games. But who plays in the Nobles game, who plays in the Loomis game or the Kent game and who doesn't, it kind of determines the One and the Two."
A defensive identity
Unlike years past where Tabor could have outscored opponents in back-and-forth games, Long thinks the Seawolves' calling card this season will be their defensive mindset.
ELSEWHERE IN PREP: Groton | Williston Northampton | Nobles | St. Paul’s | Kent | Loomis Chaffee | Milton Academy
"With our goaltending, some of our returning D and our incoming D, I feel like our identity is going to be the 2-1 win or the 3-2 win and stressing that on our kids a lot," Long said. "Thinking about some of those ties last year, we were in a good space to put teams away with a one goal lead ... but making a critical mistake at the wrong time, we let teams back in."
Helping on that front will be a pair of standout returners on the blue line, Kaitlin Sullivan (Needham, Mass.) and Adeline Paskowski (Plymouth, Mass). Sullivan earned All-NEPSAC and All-ISL honors last season. The pair makes for a one-two punch Long feels is "as good, if not better than everybody."
"They were so important for us last year and they're both back this year. Both had really good summers and should take a step forward and be even better this year," Long said. "If they stay healthy, I can't imagine we're not one of the best defensive teams in the league. ... They're two of the better D in all of the leagues, so having them back is huge for us."
Among the newcomers on the blue line is sophomore Lucy Sterns (Carver, Mass.) out of Thayer. Long coached Sterns previously as a younger player, and he's eager to see her develop at Tabor.
"She's a great skater. She thinks it really well. So, it's coming all together for her," Long said. "I'm excited to see how she can take that next step in her hockey career."
