We are approaching the halfway mark of the girls high school hockey season in Maine, and things are beginning to fall into place as to which teams are poised to make a run come tournament time.
Both the North and South divisions boast top-end talent that has emerged as legitimate contenders, headlined by a Yarmouth/Freeport team in the North that appears to be on a mission this winter. In its last six games, David Intraversato’s team has outscored the opposition 39-2.
But teams like Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland/Oxford Hills, Cheverus/Old Orchard Beach/Windham and Biddeford/Thornton/Kennebunk/Wells have proven they can hang with anybody. These teams underwent some minor shuffling in this week’s rankings as a result.
In a similar light, a few teams continue to surprise based on their preseason standing.
A new team has even made its debut in the top 10.
Let’s take a look at where things stand as we reach a pivotal juncture in the season.
1. Yarmouth/Freeport (8-0-1)
Previous rank: 1
North
Coach: David Intraversato
Next: vs Cheverus Co-op, Dec. 30, 4:40 p.m.
If there were any lingering doubts regarding Yarmouth/Freeport’s rule atop the top 10 rankings, they were put to rest with a 1-0 win over Cheverus Co-op last week. Intraversato’s team is rolling, winners in their last six games. Yarmouth/Freeport has been led by the talented Maya Nasveschuk (11-8-19) and Adelaide Strout (10-5-15). It doesn’t look like Yarmouth/Freeport will relinquish this spot any time soon.
2. Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland/Oxford Hills (7-1-0)
Previous rank: 3
North
Coach: Dana Berube
Next: at Winslow Co-op, Jan. 1, 1:30 p.m.
The Red Hornets have leapfrogged into the No. 2 spot, rallying on a three-game winning streak that included payback against Biddeford/Thornton/Kennebunk/Wells and the only team to take down Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland/Oxford Hills this winter. Leksi Langevin is on a tear, posting 13-7-20 to position herself in a tie for the leading scorer in Maine. Circle the Red Hornets’ contest with Yarmouth/Freeport on Jan. 3 as one that will have implications moving forward.
3. Cheverus/Old Orchard Beach/Windham (5-2-2)
Previous rank: 4
South
Coach: Scott Rousseau
Next: at Falmouth/Scarborough, Dec. 30, 12:40 p.m.
Cheverus/Old Orchard Beach/Windham slid from its No. 1 spot in our first rankings but has reminded the rest of the league that it is the three-time defending champion for a reason. While a fourth straight is looking to be more of a challenge as the year progresses, it’s not totally out of the question with Joey Pompeo (5-7-12) and Logan Curry (9-2-11) leading the offense. Scott Rousseau’s team recently played to a big 3-0 win over Biddeford/Thornton/Kennebunk/Wells and will look to keep that momentum after the holiday season.
4. Biddeford/Thornton/Kennebunk/Wells (5-4-0)
Previous rank: 2
South
Coach: Joshua Williams
Next: vs York Co-op, Dec. 30, 2 p.m.
The Tigers are scuffling on a three-game slide against formidable competition, but Williams’ team is hanging tough. A stretch against Cheverus Co-op, Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland/Oxford Hills and Yarmouth/Freeport is not easy, and yet Biddeford/Thornton/Kennebunk/Wells has been in every game. It suffered a 3-0 blanking against Cheverus, lost a 4-2 decision to the Red Hornets and fell to Yarmouth/Freeport (2-1). Corinne Ramunno (8-7-15) continues to light the lamp, while Gabryella Phelan (7-3-10) has emerged as a scoring threat.
5. Brunswick (5-4-0)
Previous rank: 6
North
Coach: Chris Ledwick
Next: at Penobscot, Jan. 3, 12 p.m.
Ledwick’s team is on a two-game skid after falling to York and Cheverus, but Brunswick previously skated to a 9-4 romp over Lewiston and a 5-0 win over the Black Tigers. Solveig Ledwick (17-3-20) is why Brunwick shouldn’t be counted out in the postseason. She is one of the more prolific scorers in the league and has found the back of the net more than anyone else this winter. We’ll know more about Brunswick with how it fares against Penobscot. The Dragons suffered a 6-0 defeat back in November.
6. Gorham (5-3-0)
Previous rank: 5
South
Coach: Dave Grant
Next: vs Penobscot, Dec. 30, 2:50 p.m.
Gorham is on a four-game winning streak and looks like a team that will be dangerous in the second half. The season has been highlighted by a 7-1 romp over Penobscot, with the rematch approaching this week. Grant’s team is led by a three-headed snake in Carlin Galligan (9-8-17), Azalea Grant (4-13-17) and Lia Collins (11-5-16), who sit atop the league in scoring. Galligan and Grant are doing so as blueliners.
7. Penobscot (3-5-0)
Previous rank: 7
North
Coach: Meghan MacDonald
Next: at Gorham, Dec. 30, 2:50 p.m.
Penobscot is looking to rebound after three straight blowout losses against Yarmouth/Freeport twice and Gorham. But we’ve seen that MacDonald’s team is capable, with wins over Brunswick and Lewiston. It will all come down to whether Penobscot can find that stride down the stretch of the winter. Ella Davis (8-2-10) will have a lot to do with that push.
8. York Co-op (2-4-0)
Previous rank: NR
South
Coach: Kevin Aceto
Next: @ Gorham, Dec. 30, 2:50 p.m.
York Co-op was a 3-2 winner over Brunswick and is a sneaky squad to keep an eye on over the next few weeks. It is certainly battle-tested — with losses to Cheverus and Gorham — and has a stretch of games on the horizon that can make or break their season. Falmouth/Scarborough is a benchmark test this week.
9. Winslow/Gardiner/Cony/Lawrence/Messalonskee/Maranacook/Erskine (2-4-1)
Previous rank: 10
North
Coach: Elliot Emberley
Next: vs Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland/Oxford Hills, Jan. 1, 1:30 p.m.
The Black Tigers recently fell to Brunswick and Greely but have wins over Penobscot and Lewiston on their resume. It will be interesting to see the result of their next game with Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland/Oxford Hills, a team that has broken through as a postseason favorite.
READ MORE: The latest Maine boys rankings
10. Portland/Deering/So. Portland/Cape Elizabeth/Waynflete (4-4-0)
Previous rank: 9
South
Coach: Bob Mills
Next: vs Yarmouth/Freeport Jan. 1, 4 p.m.
Portland Co-op recently played to an impressive 4-3 win over York Co-op and has established itself as a competitive presence in the South division. But its upcoming docket of games will not be easy. Yarmouth/Freeport and Cheverus both loom in the opening weeks of January and will act as measuring sticks to see where Millis' team stacks up against some of the best. Look for Mikaela Furt (9-6-15) to make an impact.
