In nine days, the NEPSAC's brackets for the Elite 8, the Large School tournament and the Small School tournament will be unveiled.
We've kept track of some of the top teams all throughout the season with our weekly rankings. But it's time to take stock of each team's position as the postseason nears.
Which teams are locks to make it? Who are the strongest contenders? What will teams on the bubble need to do to make the Elite 8? Who needs to be perfect the rest of the way?
All season, there seem to be a few tiers I've grouped teams in. There are the favorites, which have consistently been Nobles and Williston. Phillips Andover has worked its way toward that tier in recent weeks, too. In the next tier of teams capable of making a run are Loomis Chaffee, Deerfield and Kent. Behind them is the most crowded group, the bubble. Be it Tabor, St. Paul's, Choate, Westminster and others, each has dealt with ups and downs. But they're not completely out of the running for the Elite 8.
The Elite 8 is determined using the JSPR algorithm, which is different from the RPI, an important note. If you're a college hockey observer, think of it as the PairWise.
Let's take stock of the top 12 squads in the JSPR. Each of these teams were picked according to the projected final JSPR as of Friday, Feb. 16.
Nobles (20-0-4)
Why they'd be in:Â The Bulldogs haven't lost a game this season, determined to deliver Tom Resor a title in his final season behind the bench. They've tied three of their last four, which ended a 19-game win streak. Nobles has been the best team in girls prep hockey wire-to-wire so far this season. They have critical wins over other playoff contenders like Loomis Chaffee, Choate, Westminster and St. Paul's (twice).
Why they can make a run: No team in the NEPSAC can boast the talent on the blue line that Nobles does. The Bulldogs have four all-world defenders in Boston College commit Olivia Maffeo (Canton, Mass.), Yale commit Sophia Levering (Westwood, Mass.), BC commit Jaime Griswold (Concord, Mass.) and Middlebury commit Ainsley Gray (Wellesley, Mass.). Anya Zupkofska (Braintree, Mass.) has been excellent when called upon in net with a .96 save percentage. Breakout seasons for Calleigh Brown (Foxboro, Mass.) and Gretta Hulbig (Foxboro, Mass.) lead a deep forward group that dominates on the forecheck. All of it has led to a plus-97 (111-14) differential, the best in the region
Williston Northampton (17-2-1)
Why they'd be in:Â The Wildcats have at times been just as dominant as Nobles. After a frustrating Harrington Tournament, Williston opened 2024 with 11 straight wins. Both losses and their tie could have easily been wins, too. They've bounced back tremendously from both blemishes. They followed a 3-1 loss to St. Paul's at the Harrington with a 7-0 win over Milton. This week they rolled Worcester, 12-0, after falling to Andover, 1-0. They've been up to the test in wins against potential Elite 8-caliber opponents like Kent, Westminster, Choate, Tabor, Groton, and SPS.
Why they can make a run: The Wildcats know what it takes to win, gunning for a three-peat. Christa Talbot Syfu's team boasts the most explosive player in girls prep hockey in Monique Lyons (Bedford, Mass.). The Brown commit leads the region with 47 points (24 goals) in 20 games. Linemates Nora Curtis (37 points) and Mia Daley (Lynnfield, Mass.; 24 points) are also over a point per game. Zola Piekarski (Concord, Mass.; 20 points) has been a key secondary contributor, and Violet Carroll (Milton Mass,; 24 points) has been terrific on the blue line. They're potent, and they've been resilient through injuries, too. Goaltender Olivia Ferebee was at her best in the playoffs last year as well.
Phillips Andover (15-3-2)
Why they'd be in:Â Andover struggled around the holidays, but since then, they've gotten to their game. The Big Blue are unbeaten in 11 straight and have won 12 of 15 (12-2-1) since the calendar flipped, putting themselves right back into the upper echelon of the Elite 8 picture. They're fresh off a tie with Nobles after beating Williston. Martha Fenton's group has other quality wins over Tabor (twice), Deerfield, New Hampton and BB&N.
Why they can make a run: There's a belief, especially in pro sports, that teams need the experience of losing in order to know what it takes to win. Andover has that after last season's heartbreak to Williston in the Elite 8 championship. And right now, nobody in the NEPSAC is hotter. There's elite headliners, whether it's junior Yale commit Molly Boyle (Scituate, Mass.) and freshman Maggie Averill (Wayland, Mass.) on defense, or sophomore Caroline Averill (Wayland, Mass.) up front. Goaltender Avery Rodeheffer (New Haven, Conn.) has gotten better as the season's progressed, too. Peyton Kennedy (Sudbury, Mass.) and Sarah Powers (Lynnfield, Mass.) have been consistently impactful as well.
Deerfield (16-4-2)
Why they'd be in:Â From the start of December through the end of January, Deerfield was on a heater. The Big Green won 12 straight to put themselves into the mix for the Elite 8. Brooke Fernandez's squad also boasts wins over Loomis, New Hampton (twice) and Choate. They've cooled off of late, though, going 1-3-1 in their last five. A strong finish against Hotchkiss, Williston and Loomis will go a long way in solidifying their standing as a higher seed.
Why they can make a run: Deerfield's offensive output has proven to be among the best at various points this season. Their 84 total goals are third to Nobles and Williston, making for a plus-53 (84-31) differential. Harvard commit Annie Dinges (Woodstock, Conn.) is an explosive player, sitting tied for fifth in scoring with 32 points (19 goals) in 22 games. Freshman Olivia Austen (Darien, Conn.) and sophomore Sophie Frost are also at or over a point per game. Junior Campbell Krotee (Darien, Conn.) is a strong option in net with a .93 save percentage.
STRETCH RUN: 5 storylines to watch in final month of girls prep hockey
Loomis Chaffee (17-4-1)
Why they'd be in: Liz Leyden's Pelicans had a rocky 1-3-0 start to their season. But Loomis caught fire at the Patsy K. Odden Tournament, beating Andover in the championship, as part of a nine-game win streak through Jan. 20 and a 16-game unbeaten streak (15-0-1) through Feb. 9. They are 16-1-1 since Dec. 11, beating Choate, Andover, Kent, Tabor and Westminster in that span. They might have the toughest schedule to finish the regular season, though, hosting Williston before visiting Andover and Deerfield.
Why they can make a run: Depth and resilience seem to be the calling cards for the Pelicans this season. Some key players have missed games at various points this season, but it hasn't stopped them. They have experience winning a trophy from the Odden, too. Nine different skaters have hit double-digit points. Ellie Lachance (West Hartford, Conn.), Chloe Obser and Lindsay Stepnowski (South Glastonbury, Conn.) all have over 15 points. Sophomore Annie Schwarz (Fairfield, Conn.) has taken a step this season, leading the way with 10 goals. Senior Leila Fournier (West Kingston, R.I.) has taken the reins in goal with a .95 save percentage. Catie Collins (South Burlington, Vt.), Megan Hosman and Carly Dann (Hanover, NH) are strong headliners on defense.
Kent (10-3-2)
Why they'd be in:Â The Lions recovered from a three-game skid in January to win five straight, including a big 6-1 win over Choate. Two of those losses were to Loomis and Williston as well, which helps. They held their own in a pair of ties against Tabor and Andover at the Odden Tournament, which followed a win over Westminster. They host Frederick Gunn before Westminster next week. A win over the latter will be important for their Elite 8 standing.
Why they can make a run: Kent has experience from last year's Elite 8, reaching the semifinal. Sam Ftorek, in his first season at the helm, can rely on senior goaltender Lauren Ferrari, who has a .92 save percentage this season. It will also bode well if the Lions' top three scorers rise to the occasion. Sophomore Renee Bishop leads the way with 23 points (six goals) in 15 games. Senior RPI commit Mia Montanari (East Hampton, Conn.) is right behind with 20 points. Her 15 goals in 15 games lead the team. Senior Dartmouth commit Megan Duplantie is also over a point per game with 18 (six goals) in 15 games. Quinnipiac commit Sophie Rousseau (Kent, Conn.) leads the defense.
Tabor (14-6-3)
Why they'd be in:Â Tabor struggled in January, losing to Williston, Andover, Thayer, Loomis (all quality losses, for what it's worth) and Milton. They also tied New Hampton and Hill School for a 3-5-2 month. Since a three-game skid from Jan. 17-24, they've recovered nicely, winning seven of eight and five in a row. That upswing includes wins over Westminster and St. Paul's. The Seawolves also have nice wins over Choate and Groton earlier this season. A road game at Nobles this weekend offers a massive challenge. But Tabor has chances against St. George's and Berkshire next week to shore up their spot in the top tournament.
Why they can make a run: Eric Long's group seems to be finding its game again at the right time. They're scoring four goals per game throughout their win streak, giving up no more than one goal-against in that span, too. A stout blue line is led by senior Holy Cross commit Kaitlin Sullivan (Needham, Mass.), who is enjoying a massive offensive breakout with 22 points (eight goals) in 25 games. Junior defender Adeline Paskowski has been terrific in her own right, putting up 20 points (five goals) in 23 games. Senior Amherst commit Ayla Abban (Duxbury, Mass.) continuing her career season (17 goals, 25 points) will be hugely important as well.
BIG-TIME CLASH: 8 standouts from Nobles' 1-1 tie with BB&N
St. Paul's (13-8-0)
Why they'd be in: Kelli Mackey's team has lost two straight, one to Tabor and one to Exeter, but they've proven capable against other top teams this season. The Big Red have big-time wins over Williston, Andover, Deerfield, Groton, Thayer and New Hampton. The bulk of their losses has also been against contenders, whether it be the one to Tabor, two to Nobles or one to Williston. Those likely don't hurt their standing much as other defeats would. They have their work cut out for them against Exeter and Tilton this weekend. SPS taking care of business against those stingy foes as well as Proctor next week will be important with several teams breathing down its neck.
Why they can make a run: St. Paul's has experience from winning the Large School tournament last season. They have one of the region's more dangerous players in Yale commit Cami Bell (Barre, Vt.). She's tied for sixth in the NEPSAC with 19 goals and can dominate shifts at any given moment. A breakout season from junior Maude Niemann (12 goals, 16 points) has been huge to take some of the scoring load off Bell's shoulders as well. Colby commit Ally Martiniello (Salem, NH) rose to the occasion last postseason, and she's been one the best goalies in the NEPSAC this year with a .94 save percentage.
Choate (15-6-0)
Why they'd be in:Â The Wild Boars are on the outside looking in right now, but that can change quickly. This weekend and next offer ample opportunity to make a run out of the Large School tournament and into the Elite 8 with games against Taft, Hotchkiss and Cushing. Like Deerfield, Choate rocketed into the Elite 8 picture earlier this season, picking up massive wins over Andover and Westminster. Each of their losses has been to higher-seeded teams (as things currently stand) as well, be it Loomis, Tabor, Williston, Nobles, Deerfield or Kent. Laura DiCarlo's group also made a statement with a 2-1 win over Loomis last weekend after falling to Williston.
Why they can make a run:Â The Wild Boars have proven capable of bouncing back all season, and they can build momentum entering the postseason in their final stretch of games. They've benefitted from balanced production with six skaters reaching double-digit points and four scoring at least seven goals. If top producers in Sacred Heart commit Norah Morris and Trinity commit Caroline Holm (Cheshire, Conn.) can catch fire, and if Manhattanville commit Elsa Haakonsen (Trumbull, Conn.) can keep up her strong pace in net, Choate could cause some chaos.
Westminster (13-7-2)
Why they'd be in:Â The Martlets had a good start, beating Loomis before showing well at the Harrington with a close loss to Nobles and a tie with Williston. They're on the outside looking in right now after a stretch of four losses in six games (1-4-1), which included Tabor, Loomis, Williston and even Canterbury, plus a tie with Deerfield. Each of their losses, aside from Canterbury, have come against Elite 8-caliber opponents though, with Kent and Choate also among them. If Westminster can have a strong finish against Berkshire, Lawrenceville and especially Kent, plus some help from those around them, they could sneak into the Elite 8. If not, they're set up well for the Large School tournament.
Why they can make a run: Sara Ugalde's team has been balanced at the top of its lineup. Adrienne Hall (Simsbury, Conn.) and Middlebury commit Olivia Gordon (Avon, Conn.) have 18 points each. Undersized freshman Bella Zapata has impressed on the top line with 14 points, while two-way threat Talia Ondy (Newtown, Conn.) is having a breakout season with 13 points. The key, however, likely lies with Sacred Heart commit Julia Matyas in net. She has been fantastic this season with a .93 save percentage.
Groton (14-5-2)
Why they'd be in:Â A pair of rough stretches earlier this season have the Zebras on the outside right now. Last season's Small School runner-up had an 0-2-1 run around the holidays, tying Berkshire and falling to Millbrook and Williston. They also dropped games to St. Paul's and Middlesex to finish January. Helping Groton's case, though, are wins over New Hampton and BB&N, a tie with Nobles and a quality loss to Tabor. They'll need a lot of help around them if they want to sneak into the Elite 8, but they're likely headed for the Small School tournament again. If they catch fire over their final stretch against St. George's, St Mark's and in particular Thayer, they'll have plenty of momentum going into the postseason.
Why they can make a run: Tim LeRoy's team could wreak some havoc if they were in the Elite 8 picture, but they're in a position for a strong showing in the Small School tournament. Chief among the reasons is Tina Scalese (West Boylston, Mass.). A truly foundational player, Scalese is on track to lead Groton in scoring for a third straight season. She's tied for third in the NEPSAC with 39 points in 21 games, and her 21 goals are fourth. Her linemate, Colgate commit Maddie Cronan (Ashland, Mass.) is dangerous with 32 points on the season as well. Harvard commit Keira Ley (Wayland, Mass.) is a tremendous rangy, two-way option on the blue line with 16 points. Meanwhile, Veronika Hadamovsky (Groton, Mass.) could be an X-factor with her .95 save percentage.
LATEST RANKINGS: Phillips Andover moves into top 3, Tabor returns
New Hampton (12-5-6)
Why they'd be in:Â The Huskies have been in the mix throughout the season, thanks to wins over St. Paul's and even Small School contender Tilton. They have quality ties to Tabor, Thayer, BB&N and Nobles as well as quality losses to Groton, Deerfield (twice), Andover and SPS. If they could have turned some of their six ties into wins, they may just have been a lot higher in the picture. Like Groton on the outside, the Small School tournament is most likely for New Hampton. But their remaining schedule offers a chance to get rolling with Proctor, Brewster and Kimball Union left on the docket.
Why they can make a run: The defending Small School tournament champions know what it takes to win it all at this time of year. Craig Churchill's group has plenty of options to turn to for offense. Eight skaters have at least double-digit points this season with senior forward Julia Loughlin's (Scituate, Mass.) career season (13 goals, 24 points) leading the way. Junior defender True Thompson has a point per game with 23 (six goals) in 23 contests, and junior forward Kennedy Walker (nine goals) is at the 20-point threshold, too. Senior goalie Vera Lee has been strong again with a .92 save percentage as well.
