New year, new rankings.
With the holidays in the rearview, we're about to hit the heart of the high school hockey schedule, so it's time to take stock of where things are at in girls MIAA hockey.
The Tenney Cup saw some of the top teams compete for some mid-season hardware, and Wednesday's finale certainly didn't disappoint. You had Hingham taking down crosstown rival Notre Dame (Hingham) in a dramatic championship, while Malden Catholic also had some late heroics against Duxbury in the consolation.
There were plenty of high-stakes matchups earlier in the tournament, too. Hingham knocked off MC and Archbishop Williams, while NDA took down Duxbury. Bishop Feehan also picked up wins over Sandwich and Milton.
It all led to plenty of movement in the latest top 10, including a new No. 1 team.
Let's dive in.
1. Hingham (6-0-0)
Previous rank: 4
Head coach: Courtney Turner
Next game: at Marshfield, Jan. 8, 7:20 p.m.
The Harborwomen stormed into the top spot after three strong wins at the Tenney Cup. They took down Archbishop Williams, 4-3, Malden Catholic, 3-1, and Notre Dame (Hingham), 2-1, in a public vs. private championship. Before Christmas, they also had dominant shutouts of Hanover, 10-0, and Weymouth, 5-0. Simply, Hingham is rolling right now. Sophomore Callie Crean was the hero in the Tenney championship with the late game-winner, and she scored a pair against Archies. Caroline Doherty continues to dominate. She had a hat trick against MC, padding her lead in Hingham's record books after she recently became their all-time leading goal-scorer in both boys and girls hockey. The Harborwomen are off until next week, but they'll be thrown right back into the fire against Marshfield before Malden Catholic, Norwell/Scituate/Abington and Duxbury.
TENNEY CUP: 9 standout forwards from the final day
2. Notre Dame (Hingham) (3-1-0)
Previous rank: 2
Head coach: John Findley
Next game: vs. Nauset/Monomoy, Jan. 4, 1:50 p.m.
The Cougars had a chance at the top spot but stuck at No. 2 after falling to Hingham in Wednesday's championship. It spoiled a strong tournament, overall, for NDA, who had previously shut out Bishop Feehan, 3-0, and Duxbury, 4-0. Junior Eran Kral (Whitman, Mass.) was a force in net against Duxbury and Hingham. Meanwhile, freshman Jocelyn Gray (Hanover, Mass.) had a hat trick against Duxbury. Morgan Brady (Middleboro, Mass.) scored twice versus Feehan, while Emily Coughlin (Marshfield, Mass.) scored against Hingham and Duxbury. It won't get easier for NDA as they'll face Nauset/Monomoy on Saturday before Canton, Sandwich and Archies.
3. Malden Catholic (5-1-0)
Previous rank: 3
Head coach: Alexa Hingston
Next game: at Pope Francis, Jan. 5, 1 p.m.
The Lancers stayed put at No. 3 after going 3-1-0 since our last rankings, including a solid 2-1-0 showing at the Tenney Cup. They knocked off Burlington, 6-2, before Christmas before opening the tournament with a 6-1 win over Sandwich. After falling to Hingham, 3-1, MC bounced back with a dramatic 2-1 win over Duxbury. The Lancers were on their heels for most of that win but found a way to get it done, thanks to Ava Baker's (North Reading, Mass.) heroics with seconds remaining, as well as solid goaltending from Megan Mullarkey (Wilmington, Mass.). Elle Ferguson (Natick, Mass.), who also scored against Duxbury, had a goal and two assists in the win over Burlington, while Nevin Mustone (Medford, Mass.) had a pair against Sandwich. MC visits Pope Francis next before facing Hingham and St. Mary's.
4. Duxbury (3-2-0)
Previous rank: 1
Head coach: Dan Najarian
Next game: vs. Pembroke, Jan. 2, 6:20 p.m.
The Dragons slid three spots after a 1-2-0 showing at the Tenney Cup, falling to NDA and MC. The bounces didn't go their way against the Lancers in an otherwise strong game. Duxbury's top line with Meg Carney, Zoey Madigan and Addy Harrington is humming. Meanwhile, freshman Ceci Tremante and senior Maeve Gallagher scored in a 4-2 win over Milton to open the tournament, as well as in a 3-1 win over Plymouth before Christmas. Tremante also found the back of the net against MC. A busy stretch lies ahead for the Dragons, who will face Pembroke, Marshfield, Sandwich, Pope Francis and Hingham.
MIAA BOYS CLASH: 13 standouts, takeaways from Arlington’s win over Catholic Memorial
5. PLNR (4-0-1)
Previous rank: 6
Head coach: Michelle Roach
Next game: at Marblehead, Jan. 6, 7:30 p.m.
The Tanners entered into the top five after a 2-0-1 stretch since our last top 10. After battling back to tie St. Mary's, 3-3, they knocked off Woburn, 2-1, and Beverly/Danvers, 5-1. PLNR's top guns are getting it done. Ava Buckley (North Reading, Mass.) scored against SMH before adding a pair against Beverly/Danvers. Meanwhile, Chloe Gromko (Lynnfield, Mass.) had a goal and an assist against Beverly/Danvers after scoring against Woburn, and Daniella White (Peabody, Mass.) had a pair of assists last time out after a crucial late goal against SMH. The Tanners will visit Marblehead next before hosting Winthrop. They'll also visit Longmeadow over this next stretch.
6. Methuen/Tewksbury (4-0-1)
Previous rank: 9
Head coach: David O’Hearn
Next game: vs. Billerica/Chelmsford, Jan. 4, 1 p.m.
The Red Rangers jumped three spots, both due to their own performance as well as the ups and downs for Archies, SMH and Falmouth, who fell out of the top 10. The latest 2-0-1 run for Methuen/Tewksbury includes a comeback tie against Haverhill/Pentucket/North Andover, 2-2, as well as wins over Central Catholic, 1-0, and Winchester, 4-3. MJ Petisce (Methuen, Mass.) scored the equalizer against HPNA with a minute left in regulation. Sophia Barbosa (Methuen, Mass.) came through with her first career goal to power the win over CC. The Red Rangers next face a tough test in a surging Billerica/Chelmsford team before taking on Shrewsbury, Lincoln-Sudbury and Boston Latin.
7. Nauset/Monomoy (4-2-0)
Previous rank: 10
Head coach: Zach Wells
Next game: at Canton, Jan. 2, 5 p.m.
The Warriors also slid up a bit for the same reasons as Methuen/Tewksbury, going 3-0-1 since our last top 10. Blowouts of Barnstable, 9-0, and Walpole, 8-1, bookended a 6-4 win over Needham. The offense went quiet last time out, falling to HPNA, 4-1. Emily Decker had a hat trick over Needham, and Gaby Bassett (Chatham, Mass.) scored as well. Bassett and Carly Brand each had a pair against Walpole, too. The two continue to lead the way for Nauset's attack. The Warriors will look to bounce back from the loss to NDA when they visit Canton, NDA, Marthan's Vineyard and Dennis-Yarmouth over the next two weeks.
HIGH-END MATCHUPS:Â 17 standouts, takeaways from the Pete Frates Winter Classic
8. Haverhill/Pentucket/North Andover (4-0-2)
Previous rank: NR
Head coach: Gary Kane
Next game: at Shrewsbury, Jan. 4, 6:45 p.m.
HPNA stormed the rankings for the first time this year, thanks to some impressive showings against tough opponents. Their highlights so far include a 3-1 win over Boston Latin, a 2-2 tie (and nearly a win) against Methuen/Tewksbury and a big win over Nauset/Monomoy. The Warriors also knocked off Woburn, 2-1, last time out. Mia Kmiec (North Andover, Mass.), Paige Nottingham (Merrimac, Mass.) and Quinn Bennett (North Andover, Mass.) have been on a tear offensively through six games. Kmiec scored twice against Nauset, and each scored against Boston Latin. They'll look to keep rolling at Shrewsbury on Saturday before matchups against Andover, Westford and Billerica/Chelmsford.
9. Bishop Feehan (4-1-1)
Previous rank: NR
Head coach: Mike Cripps
Next game: at Bishop Fenwick, Jan. 4, 6:50 p.m.
The Shamrocks also entered the top 10 for the first time this season. They opened their season with a big 5-1 win over defending champ St. Mary's before beating Bishop Stang, 3-1. After Christmas, they settled for a scoreless draw with Auburn before falling to NDA, 3-0, but they bounced back with wins over Milton, 4-3, and Sandwich, 2-0. Aviva Olitsky (Cumberland, R.I.) has been strong in net, while senior Rivier commit Chloe Bryda (Cumberland, R.I.) has been an offensive force in the early going with seven goals in six games. Sophomore Georgia Murray (North Attleboro, Mass.) has been a big producer as well. Feehan has a chance to keep the momentum up with tilts against Bishop Fenwick, Stang, Auburn and Arlington Catholic over this next stretch.
10. Winthrop (4-0-0)
Previous rank: NR
Head coach: Butch Martucci
Next game: vs. Longmeadow, Jan. 4, 1 p.m.
The Vikings entered the rankings as well after four straight wins to begin their season. They shut out Medford, 7-0, and Bishop Fenwick, 3-0, in addition to 2-1 triumphs over Leominster and Arlington Catholic. Talia Martucci, a Salem State commit, has been fantastic in the early going, scoring in every game thus far. She eclipsed the 100-point milestone in the opener against Medford with a hat trick and an assist. Tegan Pereira has had a productive start, too. Winthrop has a chance to keep it going against Longmeadow before a tough test at Peabody. They'll also visit Medford and Beverly/Danvers.
Dropped out: Archbishop Williams (2-3-0), St. Mary's (2-3-1), Falmouth (2-3-0)
In the hunt: Billerica/Chelmsford (6-0-0), Westwood (5-0-1), Sandwich (3-2-1), Archbishop Williams, St. Mary's, Falmouth
