High school hockey season is upon us.
Last year, it didn't seem like anybody in the MIAA could topple St. Mary's. But that's exactly what Shrewsbury did in the Division 1 championship at TD Garden. The Colonials snuffed out one of the state's most potent attacks with a 4-1 victory.
Other potential favorites, like Notre Dame (Hingham) and undefeated Winthrop, didn't make it to the Garden. That's what helps set the MIAA state tournament apart, though. Anything can and will happen.
This season, the talent pool at the high school level remains strong, and there are plenty of teams that could find themselves in the mix down the stretch. There were a couple of close calls as I rounded out the top 10, as well as the usual hemming and hawing over whether or not I was ranking a team too high or too low.
Either way, those teams will have plenty of opportunity to work their way into or further up the rankings as the season draws on. These are sure to change plenty, and quite possibly in short order.
Let's dive into our preseason MIAA Division 1 girls top 10.
1. Shrewsbury
Head coach: Frank Panarelli
2022-23 record: 21-2-2, won Division 1 championship over St. Mary's
The Colonials found another gear after a strong regular season, putting forth an even better showing in the state tournament. It ended in their first state title, putting a stop to St. Mary's dominance. Panarelli's group is still in a good spot going into this season, graduating just four seniors. They see the return of senior goalie Marisa Montoya (Shrewsbury, Mass.) as well as some key juniors, like blue-liner Yasmine McKenzie (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and forward Mia Ryder (Shrewsbury, Mass.). They've got experience and goaltending — two of the biggest aspects of any good team.
2. St. Mary's
Head coach: Frank Pagliuca
2022-23 record: 25-2-0, lost in Division 1 championship to Shrewsbury
The Spartans were the team to beat from start to finish last season, but they came up just short on the final day of the regular season. Pagliuca's squad lost its share of experience with nine seniors moving on, including Jenna Chaplain (Peabody, Mass.). Nevertheless, SMH still has some key players back in the fold. Senior forward Gabbi Oakes (Boxford, Mass.) is back after 18 points (13 goals) last season. Senior defender Kasey Litwin (Swampscott, Mass.) could take a step after 22 points from the blue line last year. St. Mary's also had a number of youngsters play key roles, including seventh-grader Vanessa Hall (Saugus, Mass.), who had 20 points on defense. Expectations are high for her eighth-grade year.
3. Notre Dame Academy (Hingham)
Head coach: John Findley
2022-23 record: 17-7-0, lost in Division 1 Final 4 to Shrewsbury
The Cougars were poised to challenge St. Mary's as the second seed last year, until they ran into Shrewsbury in the quarterfinals. NDA graduated five seniors, but see many of its top producers return. Headlining Findley's group is Sarah Francis (Scituate, Mass.), who had 24 points (20 assists) on defense last year. Sarah White (Hanover, Mass.; 12 goals and 25 points) could have a bigger season ahead of her. All three goalies, including senior Ava Larkin (Canton, Mass.) are back in the mix. They'll have to overcome the loss of junior Morgan Brady (Middleboro, Mass.), who is off to the prep school ranks at Tilton. She had 16 goals and 24 points last season.
4. Haverhill/Pentucket/North Andover
Head coach: Gary Kane
2022-23 record: 13-7-2, lost in Division 1 Sweet 16 to Billerica
HPNA had arguably the most difficult schedule in the MIAA last year before they fell to Billerica in the Sweet 16. The Hillies' schedule is shaping up to be just as arduous this season, which should help them be battle-tested come the tournament. Kane's team graduated five seniors, but have some important returners that could see more production with more opportunity. There's junior forward Kendall LaRiviere, who had 14 points last year, as well as fellow junior forward Gabriella Locke (North Andover, Mass.), coming off 13 points. Senior Gabby Harty (North Andover, Mass.) will look to build on a 12-point campaign, while junior goalie Julianna Taylor (North Andover, Mass.) is back after finishing with a .950 save percentage and 1.45 goals-against average.
5. Hingham
Head coach: Courtney Turner
2022-23 record: 16-6-2, lost in Division 1 Elite 8 to Shrewsbury
The Harborwomen, like their counterparts down the road, couldn't handle Shrewsbury in the state tournament, falling in the Elite 8. Turner's team lost five seniors, but it's no matter when they return possibly the best player in the state. Junior Caroline Doherty (Hingham, Mass.) is fresh off a 48-goal, 20-assist season, sitting at 116 points on her career. She's back to lead the way for the Harborwomen once again. Junior Addy Garrity (Hingham, Mass.) is also back after 33 points (17 goals) last year. She and Doherty will make for quite the one-two punch. Reese Pompeo (Hingham, Mass.), who had 20 points, is also back in the fold.
6. Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading
Head coach: Michelle Roach
2022-23 record: 18-5-0, lost in Division 1 Elite 8 to St. Mary's
PLNR was as stingy as ever last season before bowing out to SMH in the Elite 8, thanks in large part to goaltender Alyse Mutti (North Reading, Mass.). With her .938 save percentage and 1.08 GAA, she set the program record for wins (18) and shutouts (10) in a single season. Roach's group will rely on her once again. This year will also see the returns of senior Catie Kampersal (Peabody, Mass.), who had 11 goals, and junior forward Ava Buckley (Peabody, Mass.), fresh off a 16-point season. They'll have to account for the loss of forward Angela Fabbo (Peabody, Mass.), who is off to Brooks after 21 points (11 goals) as a freshman.
7. Winthrop
Head coach: Butch Martucci
2022-23 record: 20-1-0, lost in Division 1 Elite 8 to Billerica
The Vikings were on a roll entering the Elite 8 undefeated last year, but they couldn't solve Billerica. Martucci's team lost just four seniors, albeit some pretty impactful ones at that, including Mia Norris (Winthrop, Mass.) as well as Abby, Emma and Julia Holmes (Winthrop Mass.). Norris had 26 points, Abby had 18 from the blue line, Julia had 35 and Emma had 46. Still, there are some impactful juniors and seniors that will step up for the Vikings. Junior Talia Martucci (Winthrop, Mass.) is the leading returning scorer with 15 goals and 28 points last season. Senior forward Sami DiMento (Winthrop, Mass.) is coming off a 16-point run, while Hannah Parker (Winthrop, Mass.) had 18. On defense, senior Adrianna Rizzotto (Winthrop, Mass.) is back after 14 points from the point. Winthrop also sees the return of starting sophomore goalie, Riley Towse. She was the backbone of the Vikings with a .952 save percentage and 0.95 GAA.
8. Methuen/Tewksbury
Head coach: Dave O'Hearn
2022-23 record: 13-6-3, lost in Division 1 Sweet 16 to PLNR
The Red Rangers reached the Sweet 16 last season, but couldn't find a way to solve Mutti and PLNR. With new coach Dave O'Hearn at the helm, Methuen/Tewksbury will look to offset the losses of five seniors, including starting goalie Taylor Bruno (Methuen, Mass.). But the Red Rangers still see the return of junior Breena Lawrence (Methuen, Mass.), who led the way with 17 points last year. Her twin, Liv Lawrence, will help lead the blue line, along with do-it-all defender MJ Petisce (Methuen, Mass.). She had 12 points on defense last year. Some others that will look to build off solid seasons are senior forward Kat Schille (Tewksbury, Mass.), who had 12 points, and sophomore Lyla Chapman (Tewksbury, Mass.). She chipped in six points as a freshman defender last season. Ashe Wogan (Tewksbury, Mass.) saw some experience in goal last year. It'll be key if she can step in for Bruno.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: 10 MIAA girls hockey players to watch this season
9. Pope Francis
Head coach: Chris Connors
2022-23 record: 11-7-2, lost in Division 1 Sweet 16 to Shrewsbury
Count the Cardinals among the teams that ran into the playoff buzzsaw that was Shrewsbury. Pope Francis lost just four seniors from last season's, including captain Kellie Harrington (Pittsfield, Mass.). After 18 points from the blue line, she's now running Division 1 cross country at Stonehill. But Pope Francis had a balanced attack last season, which with seven players reach double-digit points. Six are back, including senior Ivorie Arguin (Amherst, Mass.), who led the way with nine goals and 20 points. Junior Camryn Rogowski (South Deerfield, Mass.) 18 points) and senior Lily Hayes (East Longmeadow, Mass.; 17 points) are back as well. Hayes and Kaitlyn Ondrick (Westfield, Mass.) are committed to UMass Boston. Both junior goaltenders, including Felix Goeckel (Amherst, Mass.), return to the crease.
10. Bishop Feehan
Head coach: Mike Cripps
2022-23 record: 14-8-1, lost in Division 1 Elite 8 to NDA (Hingham)
The Shamrocks made a run to the Elite 8 last season before bowing out to NDA. Cripps' squad lost plenty of experience, graduating eight seniors. But Bishop Feehan has plenty of firepower making its way back for this season, including their top three scorers. Senior Caitlin Kelley (Walpole, Mass.) is coming off a 17-goal, 14-point season, while junior Chloe Bryda (Cumberland, R.I.) had 18 goals and 27 points. Senior Molly Braga (Norton, Mass.) chipped in nine goals 21 points. Double-digit point-getters, like seniors Grace Nelson (Middleboro, Mass.) and Grace Campbell (Wrentham, Mass.) will look to step up, too. Goaltending will be a question mark, though, after Avery Blanchard's (Attleboro, Mass.) departure.
