Unbeaten Andover favorite to win state field hockey tournament

The highly anticipated statewide tournament is underway and so far the outlook is almost how most imagined. While most of the top dogs are right where they should be, we should all expect to see a fair share of upsets as the power rankings system has kinks to work out.

Let’s break down what to look for.

In Div. 1, top-seeded Andover (16-0-1) gets even better as skilled senior Lily Farnham returns from injury to join an already deep squad bolstered by one of the best players in the state in Emma Reilly. The matchup many would’ve liked to see is still in play, as No. 2 Walpole is unscathed and primed to meet Andover in the final. No. 3 Concord-Carlisle sprinted through elite teams to show off its own title hopes, while No. 4 Franklin was a reversed goal against Walpole away from an undefeated record.

Adversity-riddled No. 11 Acton-Boxboro has the history and talent to present a lot of problems, while Shrewsbury (8) and Wachusett (7) each look good in search of a deep run.

The Middlesex League looked dangerous, driven by No. 5 Winchester’s contender DNA and No. 10 Arlington’s sleeper-to-watch feel. No. 6 Wellesley is the only team to beat Concord-Carlisle this season, and No. 18 Newton North floats around the top, too.

No. 12 Bishop Feehan is a feel-good story with its best season yet, while No. 24 Doherty already produced a big upset.

The only team to blemish Andover’s record this year is Masconomet (tie), leaving the undefeated No. 1 Chieftains well-suited to clinch the Div. 2 state title. No. 6 Danvers can ride its strong defense to potentially meet them in the final for a rematch of two previous close losses.

No. 2 Falmouth led a Cape and Islands League well-rewarded by strength of schedule and are geared to take on any challenger. The Tri-Valley League is formidable, led by No. 3 Westwood and No. 5 Holliston. Threats from the Hockomock League are too, anchored by a rolling No. 10 Canton.

Opposing coaches have raved about No. 7 Reading’s athleticism, leaving it and No. 11 Dartmouth looking like two of the stronger upset threats.

All No. 8 Longmeadow has done is win despite facing adversity with one of its best players, looking to overcome a No. 9 Bishop Fenwick squad out of a strong Catholic Central League. Notre Dame of Hingham has shown its knack to knock off top opponents, meeting a formidable No. 4 Nashoba group that has only lost to Wachusett. Don’t underestimate No. 21 Grafton, likely ranked too low.

No. 2 Watertown has blown most of their competition away to look like the favorite once again in Div. 3. Top-seeded Sandwich is as good as any team to match it, though.

No. 3 Pentucket’s tough nonleague schedule prepared it well and No. 4 Triton joins to headline a cutthroat Cape Ann League. The TVL’s presence is felt here too, bolstered by Small co-champions No. 10 Dover-Sherborn and No. 12 Dedham.

No. 5 Swampscott is hoping its grit within the NEC can translate, while No. 13 Hanover shows off upset power. No. 6 Foxboro will be a problem as it rebounds from an early-season slump. No. 9 Austin Prep is another feel-good story and should be taken seriously against a No. 8 Dennis-Yarmouth that held its own within the C&I League.

The Div. 4 field has a little more room for parody, though No. 1 Monomoy represents a strong title power and No. 2 Manchester-Essex fell just short of another CAL title.

No. 6 Cohasset looks like the team to beat after withstanding a brutal schedule. It’ll have to overcome a No. 3 Uxbridge group that stomped over most of its competition, standing with No. 5 Sutton as the only two undefeated teams in Div. 4.

No. 4 Ipswich won the CAL Baker and is bolstered by experienced foreign-exchange students as a true contender, while No. 7 Lynnfield also threatens.

No. 8 Littleton could be the scariest eighth-seed across all four divisions and No. 13 St. Mary’s figures to impress in its first postseason.

 

PREDICTIONS

Division 1

Final Four: Andover, Walpole, Wellesley, Winchester

Final: Andover-Walpole

Winner: Andover

Division 2

Final Four: Masconomet, Nashoba, Reading, Westwood

Final: Masconomet-Westwood

Winner: Masconomet

Division 3

Final Four: Watertown, Sandwich, Pentucket, Triton

Final: Watertown-Sandwich

Winner: Watertown

Division 4

Final Four: Monomoy, Manchester-Essex, Sutton, Cohasset

Final: Monomoy-Cohasset

Winner: Cohasset

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3qbAnQH