Playoff soccer is underway in the Granite State and the quarterfinals await on Friday with lots of great matchups in all four divisions. 

 Today we will look at all 16 games being played Friday afternoon and see who has a chance to make the Final Four. 

 Today's column is brought to you by our long-time partners at Great Bay Community College! 

 Make sure to check out their open houses on November 5th at the Portsmouth campus and November 19th on the Rochester campus from 9-11 am. 

 

We will be at a big quarterfinal game this Friday when Coe-Brown travels to take on Pelham. Jay Manzi and Shannon Hargreaves will bring you all the coverage of that one. 

 

Division I

Division II Standings and Statistical Leaders

#9 Concord at #1 Exeter: Not too much of a shakeup in Division I besides Concord going on the road and getting a PK winner in overtime from Avery Fitcher. Like the Crimson Tide said in their post-game interview, the first round hasn't been too kind to them the last two years, but they finally made it over the hump and get Exeter in the quarterfinals. 

The amount of pressure the Crimson Tide were able to put on Alvirne was the key yesterday (Paige McKinley was terrific in net for Alvirne). Will they be able to control possession and generate as many shots as they did on Tuesday will be the question. Avery Fitcher will be marked closely on Friday. 

Megan Gamache will see a lot of action in her box with the number of weapons the Blue Hawks have. Emma Smith had a terrific regular season (30 goals and 12 assists) and her presence alone opens up the field for the Exeter wings. 

Callie Neils gets others involved and is dangerous when she has space to create, the same can be said for Taylor Seaman

The poise Exeter has shown all year will be tough to compete with, especially on their home field, but the nerves should be settled for Concord now that the first-round monkey is off their back. 

#5 Bishop Guertin at #4 Timberlane: The 4-5 matchup always provides an entertaining contest and this game should be no different. Two battled-tested and offensive-oriented teams will square off for a chance in the semifinals. 

The three-headed monster of Isabella Keogh, Sophia Keogh, and Leah Morrier have produced all season long and make it a long 90-minutes of soccer for opposing defenses. 

The defending champs BG found a good stride in October and do a great job of switching fields and are efficient with their set pieces. 

Martha Lord, Brooke Paquette, and Katie Boudreau all do their fair share of damage up front and have bought into the system Winston Haughton has implemented the past two seasons.

This game comes down to whoever's defense has the most success. We know both of these groups can score, but defense will be the deciding factor in this one. 

#7 Pinkerton at #2 Portsmouth: The red-hot Pinkerton Astros travel to take on one of the most composed teams in the state in Portsmouth. 

When Pinkerton took down Bedford two weeks ago, everything changed. The confidence a team can gain from a win like that will carry over to a high-stakes quarterfinal game. 

Pinkerton is a bit younger than in years past, but Emily Hood has done a great job leading this group offensively and will have an impact on the outcome of this game. 

The Clippers allowed just four goals in the regular season, tied for Bedford for the best mark in the division. Haley Coombs does a good job directing traffic in goal and the defense in front of her is one connected unit.

Add in Annie Parker, who is one of the best scorers the division has to offer, and Portsmouth has a great recipe for success. They show up on both ends of the field.

I am interested to see if Pinkerton can get one past the Clippers early, as that may be the key to coming away victorious. 

#6 Merrimack at #3 Bedford: Merrimack has been on the quieter side in Division I, but were consistent from start to finish. They aren't one of the more explosive offenses, but Isabella Saxon and Cara Sullivan do a nice job pacing this group.

The Tomahawks saw a lot of close finishes down the stretch, and they will want to keep this a one or two-goal game, especially with a team as dynamic as Bedford. 

Bedford doesn't have too many dents in their armor and is motivated after a late-season loss to Pinkerton that cost them a top-two seed. This is a tight-knit group that has one goal in mind, and have a good chance to keep it going on their home field. 

 

Division II

Division II Standings and Statistical Leaders

#8 John Stark at #1 Bow: We saw these two square off to cap off the regular season just last week and it was Bow who came out firing with three goals in the first twenty minutes. 

When the Falcons build that kind of lead, it is tough to come back from. Lyndsey and Bella LaPerle twins bring instant energy and once they have hold of momentum they rarely give it back. 

John Stark had high expectations coming into the year and didn't quite meet them. While that was due to some bad luck and injuries, this team is much more talented than an eight-seed. 

Meghan Mefford has produced for this group when it has mattered most and will need another big-time performance on Friday. Head coach Christopher Pike has preached that his team just needs to believe in themselves. If they believe on Friday, they will have a chance. 

#5 Milford at #4 Pembroke: These are two teams who have been in their best form to end the season. 

Pembroke hasn't lost since early September and as I have said most of the season, have been a different group after the Bow win. 

The Spartans have been in this environment many times before, and know what it takes to go all the way. That mental advantage can go a long way in these types of games. 

Jaylin Ladd and Kyla Chase always seem to make the right play for this group and have several options to work with up top. 

Milford has gotten hot late, and their 4-0 statement win over Hollis-Brookline solidified them as true contenders. They fell in the quarterfinals last season, and are determined to get past that hump with the veteran roster they posses

They have competed all fall and will be a tough out even on the road. This one could truly go either way. 

#7 Merrimack Valley at #2 Hollis-Brookline: Merrimack Valley is the only team to hand both Pembroke and Bow a loss all season. It has been a bit of an up-and-down ride for the Pride this year, but they have an impressive resume and a lot of confidence. 

As for Hollis-Brookline, they were arguably the best team in Division II all season. They found a way to pick up big wins and were the most dangerous offensive team (75 goals) for all of the regular season. 

The Cavaliers are crafty, and if you give them enough space to work they can score three goals in the blink of an eye. MV will want to make this a grudge match and will need to set that tone as soon as the opening whistle. 

#6 Coe-Brown at #3 Pelham: The Pythons went from the hunters to the hunted pretty quickly this season. Ashlyn Walsh ran away with the scoring title in Division II (36 goals) and are as dangerous as they come offensively. 

Lexy Brodeur and Lindsey Butler did a great job all regular season applying pressure up front and making plays happen in front of the net. 

Coe-Brown's goal to start the year was to get in the playoff mix, and they are right in the thick of it now. They are an exciting young team that won't have any fear going on the road in the quarterfinals. 

All season long it has been a solid mix of Bella Lapierre, Somer Loto, and Lily Wolf producing offensively. 

Both goalies, Katie Pease of Coe-Brown and Hannah Deschene of Pelham, are capable of keeping the opposing offense in check, and both will be called upon to keep this a close game. 

This should be a fast-paced game and should be one of the more entertaining contests of the whole afternoon. 

 

Division III 

Division III Standings and Statistical Leaders

#8 Campbell at #1 St Thomas: Trinity had their chances on Tuesday, but it was Campbell who came away victorious on their home field, winning in PK's 4-3. 

The Cougars came out of the gates firing, winning their first seven games. They also went on to lose their next eight, and finally snapping that streak with a 5-0 win over Newfound to end the regular season. 

This game will be decided by if we get the Cougars we saw in September or October. 

This St. Thomas team is one of the best not just in the division but also in the state. The determination they possess is second to none. Every game and every win has put them one step closer to where they want to be in a week and a half. 

Maddie Karsonovich and Ella Pottle both finished with 20-plus goals and 12-plus assists. This is a dangerous offensive duo, and have not been slowed down much this season. They will give the Cougar defense all they can handle on Friday. 

#5 Bishop Brady at #4 Raymond: Both of these teams opened a lot of eyes this season and turned into real threats in Division II. 

Raymond came into the season young, but ended the regular season more mature and tested than they maybe thought they would be coming into the year. 

The 0-0 tie with St. Thomas back in September still sits on many people's minds and was a great wake-up call for the division that this group had a chance to make some noise this season. 

Bishop Brady had some bumps to end the year, but for the most part, found a way to win the close games. It was a great turnaround from the season they had last fall. Joe Levesque has already done wonders for this program. 

If their defense from early in the season can come back to form they should be able to hang with Raymond, but the offensive firepower they possess (a Division III best 78 goals) may be too much for the Giants to handle. 

#7 Derryfield at #2 Gilford: Gilford has allowed just two goals over the last month and a half. Since a 7-3 opening game loss to St. Thomas, this team has been one of the best in the division. They cruised through their Lakes Region heavy schedule, and now get a Derryfield team that has been a bit over the map this year. 

The Cougars ended the regular season playing some of their best soccer, and the hope is that carries over into the playoffs as well. 

Allison Kenyon, Millie Caldon, and Anna Coapland are as good as they come, and have sparked the Golden Eagle offense all season long. 

Things were spread out evenly for Derryfield offensively, with Sam Chappell and Teagan Peabody leading the way on that end of the field. 

Both goalies, Ashley Hardner of Derryfield and Margaret Cummings of Gilford, were two of the best in the division all season long. While the Gilford defense has a slight edge in this contest, both will be crucial in deciding this one. 

Gilford hasn't had too many issues on their home field this season, but Derryfield is hoping to shake things up on Friday. 

#6 Hopkinton at #3 Stevens: We saw these two teams play to a scoreless draw a few weeks ago, and they get another shot at each other here in the quarterfinals. 

We knew Stevens would be amongst the best in Division III coming down from Division II, but a 72-goal and 4-goal against regular season marking were dominant. 

Dominant is what the Cardinals have been for most of the year. Hailey Knight and the Stevens defense put up eight straight shutouts to start the season and have kept teams puzzled offensively. 

The offense for this group is just as strong with Madalyn Minckler and Stella Lavertue combining for 33 goals in the regular season. 

As for Hopkinton, this team found its identity in the second half of the season. Their defense has been their strong suit and will be one of the main reasons they have a chance to steal one on the road. 

Stevens is going to get shots off no matter what, but Hopkinton may have found a formula to take this group down in their last meeting. 

Tim St. Pierre and Mike Zahn are two tactical and smart coaches, they will have both of their teams ready for a battle. 

 

Division IV

Division IV Standings and Statistical Leaders

#8 Pittsburg-Canaan at #1 Newmarket: One month ago the playoffs weren't even on the radar for Pittsburg-Canaan, yet here they are in the quarterfinals. 

Jaqueline Giroux, Saidy Placey, and goalkeeper Siennea Grondin fueled a great second-half run that earned them a home playoff game and a quarterfinal appearance. 

While their run was remarkable, facing off with Newmarket is no easy task. The Mules haven't missed a beat this season, and have playmakers at all three levels of the field. Senior Maggie Moore has been the heart and soul of this Newmarket team that wants a shot at another title. 

#5 Woodsville at #4 Profile: Two of the best in the North Country will square off once again for a spot in the Final Four. 

Woodsville ended the Patriot's season in the semifinals last year, and also handed them one of their two losses this year. 

Profile is as unselfish as they come, and it will take a full team effort to get past Woodsville, both mentally and on the field. 

Woodsville was a force to be reckoned with in the North Country. They put on a scoring clinic in the first round with 10 goals and will look for more of that same magic on Friday. 

Paige Smith, Gabby Keysar, Malaya Walker, and Brianna Youngman are all capable playmakers who are experienced in these moments. Even on the road, this team feels confident in their abilities. 

I expect a one-goal game between these two, that may take overtime to decide things. 

#7 Portsmouth Christian at #2 Littleton: The Crusaders stunned many this year, but this is a team that is used to being in the contender conversation in Division IV. 

They tied both Profile and Woodsville this year and took care of business with the rest of their schedule. 

Portsmouth Christian is no regular seven seed and will be one of the toughest matchups for Littleton this season. 

It will be intriguing to see how they handle a scoring threat like Lula Wamberg, who has been one of the best scorers in the division the past few seasons. 

The southern part of the state was very competitive, and the Eagles were on the short end of many of the games against other top-eight teams. This group is tested, and despite the long bus ride, should be ready to go to Littleton on Friday. 

#6 Concord Christian at #3 Sunapee: Sunapee picked up a huge boost of confidence with a 2-1 win over Newmarket to end the regular season. They have won seven in a row, with one of those wins being a thriller with Concord Christian. 

The Lakers have gotten the best of Concord Christian in both matchups this year, ending in a score of 3-2. In both games, Sunapee had control early, but it was the Kingsmen who always seemed to find a run in them in the second half. 

Concord Christian has been on the rise for the last two years, and have a real chance to make a statement on the road. They always say it is hard to beat a team three times in one season, will this be the case on Friday? 

Sunapee is experienced, and Brynn Smith and Elizabeth Tschudin are the best one-two punch in the division. This group has been preparing for this all year.

This could be an instant classic.