The EMass girls’ hockey season has kicked off with some familiar names at the top of the Globe’s Top 20 poll. Duxbury, the defending Division 2 champion, and Shrewsbury, the defending Division 1 champion, are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, as they look to repeat their success from last year.
Duxbury returns with a strong core
The Dragons, who finished with a 24-1-2 record last season and defeated Canton in the state title game, have most of their key players back for another run. Senior captain Lucia Rose, who scored the game-winning goal in the final, leads the offense along with junior Avery Littman and sophomore Molly Duvall. The defense is anchored by senior Mae Pittenger and junior Maggie Heffernan, while junior Anna McGinty is a reliable presence in net.
Duxbury coach Dan Najarian said his team is motivated to defend its crown, but also aware of the challenges ahead.
“We have a lot of experience and talent, but we also know that every game is going to be tough,” he said. “We can’t take anything for granted. We have to work hard every day and improve as the season goes on.”
Shrewsbury aims for another Division 1 title
The Colonials, who posted a 21-2-2 record last season and beat St. Mary’s in the state final, are also returning with a strong roster. Senior captain Delaney Couture, who had 40 goals and 32 assists last year, is one of the best players in the state. She is joined by senior Grace Felicio and junior Lily McManus on a potent first line. The defense is led by senior Megan Moran and junior Molly O’Sullivan, while senior Riley MacCausland is back in goal.
Shrewsbury coach Frank Panarelli said his team is focused on the present, not the past.
“We’re not thinking about last year, we’re thinking about this year,” he said. “We have a lot of respect for the teams we play, and we know we have to be ready for every game. We have a lot of depth and balance, but we also have to play as a team and have fun.”
Other contenders in the mix
The rest of the Top 20 poll features some familiar and some new faces. St. Mary’s, the perennial Division 1 powerhouse, is ranked No. 3, followed by Canton, the Division 2 runner-up, at No. 4. Notre Dame (Hingham) and Hingham round out the top six, while Andover, Billerica, North Andover, and Sandwich complete the top 10.
Some of the teams to watch in the lower half of the poll include Archbishop Williams, Peabody, Methuen, Bishop Feehan, and Malden Catholic. Two newcomers to the poll are Nauset and Whitman-Hanson, who are tied for the No. 20 spot.
The EMass girls’ hockey season promises to be exciting and competitive, as the teams vie for the coveted state titles. The fans can expect to see some high-quality hockey and some thrilling games throughout the winter.
