The race to the playoffs is heating up and things continue to get interesting across all four divisions. 

 Games are in "must-win" territory now for many teams as the standings start to take shape.

We will break own all four divisions with analysis and our Top 10 picks across the state.

Jay Manzi will bring you insight on Division I while Lance Legere will cover Division II, III, and IV.

 

 Our column today is brought to you by our partners and friends at White Mountains Community College!

 

Division I 

Standings & Statistical Leaders

1. Timberlane: Who can stop Timberlane right now? I’ll answer that, absolutely no one. Right now Timberlane is hotter than they’ve ever been. They have been on a nine-game win streak beating teams with ease. Leah Morrier has been playing superb soccer all season long and has scored (at the time of writing) 18 goals. She has had huge help from Ali Harb, and Brooke Langlois who have also been playing outstandingly. Timberlane will face their biggest challenge to date in the Exeter Blue Hawks this week. That is a game that the entire division will have invested interest in. But as of now, Timberlane is hotter than pavement on a summer day.

2. Bishop Guertin: BG is in the same category as Timberlane. They’re another team who continues to win and win a lot. This week they got wins against Dover, Nashua South, and Salem. They have been playing a fantastic brand of soccer from the beginning of the season to the present. Martha Lord has been an absolute star for the Cardinals. She alone has 16 goals to her name. Also, she has had big help from Zoe Hourton-Sosa, and Ava Suech. BG is a very scary team right now in DI. They also have a very strong chance of winning out the rest of the regular season. Their biggest challenge will come in their last game of the season against Bedford. That home game for BG will be a big factor in how they enter the playoffs.

3. Bedford: What a few games Bedford has had. In arguably the biggest story of the week Bedford secured the only win the division has seen against the Exeter Blue Hawks. They trailed by one for a portion of the contest but eventually scored back-to-back goals to secure yet another win against Exeter. I’m convinced that they just might have Exeter’s number. The Bulldogs were riding high until they suffered a huge upset loss against Winnacunnet. This was very shocking especially off the momentum of the win on Saturday. It’s a very tight race to the top of the division. Teams such as Timberlane, BG, and Exeter only have a single loss. Bedford would’ve been in a four-way tie for first if they didn’t lose to Winnacunnet. Losses like this are crucial.

4. Exeter: Welp, it’s official. There is no longer an undefeated team in DI after Exeter suffered their first loss against Bedford. This is such a tough loss for Exeter. This is a team they really wanted to, and needed to beat. They ended their season last year in the championship being bested by the Bulldogs, and they were bested again on Saturday. This is still a phenomenal team. This is their only loss so far this season, and immediately bounced back with two straight wins against Hanover, and Merrimack. However, this Bedford matchup was very telling, and will question even more if Exeter can finally beat Bedford. There is no doubt both teams will play a significant role in the playoffs, however, will they face each other? And if they do, can Exeter finally crack the code?

5. Portsmouth: The Clippers are gaining a lot of momentum at the time of writing. They currently have a five-game win streak. Their weapons are only continuing to thrive as well. Names such as Annie Parker, Sylviah Guarracino, and Ailish Honda have been huge for the Clippers. They’re also being anchored by Haley Coombs in Goal who has only allowed three goals in five games. The Clippers have left most of their toughest matchups in the past. They could easily be another team to win out and maintain only two losses heading into playoffs. Only time will tell however as anything can happen with a month left of action.

6. Concord: Concord has bounced back from both of their defeats last week against top-level competition in Portsmouth, and Bedford by acquiring two victories this week. They beat Manchester Central-West and Nashua South. These are games they should’ve won, however, Concord could easily see a lot more Ws if they play at the caliber they’ve been playing at all season. Concord loves to compete, and they’re going to need to keep that up for the second half of the season. ​​​​​​​

7. Hanover: This is a team that knows how to win. They know how to play well and challenge all their opponents. However, they have a hard time doing it consistently. They’ll ride a hot streak where they secure multiple wins, and then lose a tough one. They take three steps forward, and then they take one step back. Hanover needs to learn how to win and win consistently. They have left some of the toughest challenges in the division in the past. They need some more wins before heading into the playoffs and now is the time. ​​​​​​​

8. Winnacunnet: Winnacunnet was a team I considered putting on my list last week. But this week they made it. This week they are on here because they took it to Bedford, and they got the biggest win of their season. What a win for the Warriors. This team has struggled to get off their feet. Right as they get going they hit a setback with a loss against a solid opponent. But they have always competed in those losses. The only game they lost that was out of the question was a 4-0 loss to BG. But they haven’t lost by more than a goal in any other defeat. This just might be the fire to help. ​​​​​​​

9. Salem: Salem had two tough losses this week. But the teams they faced are some of the best DI has to offer in BG and Timberlane. Salem is floating around the middle-lower end of the pack. with a lot of the teams above them tied for a specific spot in the rankings, it throws their future in the air. They need to start to secure more wins in closing this year. Once these teams land in their specific home in the standings, teams like Salem are in jeopardy.

10. Pinkerton: I don’t know how to get a read on Pinkerton. They have had a season full of ups, and downs. They have stretches where they are very cold, and have a hard time securing a win. Then in contrast they will get hot and win a few straight. At the point of writing Pinkerton is on a two-game win streak with victories over Dover, and Manchester Central-West.  Pinkerton could still make the playoffs but they're going to need to find what keeps them consistent. Right now they’re hot, and they could easily stay that way. But if history is an indicator Pinkerton might struggle as the season continues.​​​​​​​

 

Division II

Standings & Statistical Leaders

1. Hollis-Brookline: It has been commanding win after commanding win for the Cavaliers. No one has had the answer to their division's best offense, and no one has scored a goal on them in nearly three weeks. 21 goals for and zero against in that stretch. Hollis-Brookline has the makings for a deep run.

2. Coe-Brown: Bella Lapierre picked up her third hat trick of the season in a dominant 4-1 win over Pembroke on Tuesday. The Bears have rattled off four straight wins and are carving out a top-four seed as the regular season starts to wind down. A matchup with Oyster River next Tuesday could be a deciding factor and is a game we plan to be at.

3. John Stark: The Generals are quiet no more after a 4-2 win over Bow last Friday, solidifying themselves as one of the best teams in the division. John Stark finishes the regular season with all playoff opponents, so things could change, but this group has won the tough games and has shown to be a real threat.

4. Bow: The Falcons had dropped two straight before a win over Kennett on Wednesday. This was arguably one of the tougher stretches of the season for Bow with Pembroke, Merrimack Valley, Coe-Brown, and John Stark in a span of four games. Coming out of that 2-2 is the best-case scenario and now their attention turns to a trip to MV. Controlling the midfield will be important in this one, let's see who comes out on top.

5. Merrimack Valley: The Pride have tallied off four straight victories since their late September loss to Bow. Revenge will certainly be on their mind, and so will seeding as multiple teams hover around the top four. With just one loss on the season, MV is in good shape, but they need to take care of business on Friday night.

6. Oyster River: Allowing an offense like Hollis Brookline's just three goals can be seen as somewhat of a win for the Bobcats. This is a group that had an offensive explosion against Pelham last Saturday with seven goals, and they will need more of that production with Milford this Friday and a date with rival Coe-Brown next Tuesday.

7. Pembroke: It has been a tough go of things for the Spartans dropping two straight contests to Merrimack Valley and Coe-Brown. Things don't get much easier with John Stark on Friday, but it is certainly a chance to respond in a big way. This group is experienced and has one of the best goalies in the division in Laila Al Shawafi. The pieces are there, now it is time to execute down the stretch and keep their playoff chances alive and well. 

8. Lebanon: The Red Raiders sit at .500 and have been a pain in a lot of teams sides over the last few weeks giving everyone a great test every time they take the field. This group has a chance to propel up the standings over the last few weeks, and this is an opportunity they won't squander. 

9. Laconia: The Sachems' hot start has cooled down with three straight losses. Their offense has been quieted, but Renee Bergeron, Kathleen Carmignani, Ava Currier, and Madeline Mousseau shouldn't be left off the board for too much longer. 

10. Pelham: The Pythons make a return to the Top 10 after rattling off two straight victories, and finding an offensive rhythm with 13 goals for and just one against. The champs have the experience and a big-game player in Ashlyn Walsh who has been tough for opposing defenses to contain. 

 

Division III

Standings & Statistical Leaders

1. St. Thomas: The Saints had one of their toughest challenges of the season on Tuesday, going all the way to overtime in a 1-1 draw with Hopkinton. This was a great test for a group that has handled business for the most part this season. They are the cream of the crop in this Division, but there are certainly some teams making up ground. The playoffs should be quite a fun few weeks. 

2. Gilford: The Golden Eagles let up their first goal in nearly a month on Tuesday in their 5-1 win over Campbell. The offense has been lethal, and while she may not see many shots in some games, goalkeeper Ariah Dewar has kept teams in check and will be a valuable piece to that team come playoff time. 

3. Hopkinton: The Hawks battled St. Thomas to a 1-1 tie on Tuesday, and the most interesting wrinkle in that one was Keegan St. Cyr getting the start in goal. The leading goal scorer in Division III held the Saints to just one goal in the first half and contributed up front to help Hopkinton earn the tie and a huge momentum boost going forward. A corner kick goal coming off the head of Lizz Holmes got Hopkinton back into the contest. It is great to see set pieces getting finished like that, and it is even better to capture it on camera for the highlights. 

4. Stevens: The Cardinals picked up a 2-0 win over Fall Mountain, another revenge-type win after the Wildcats handed them their lone tie of the season earlier in the year. This offense is dynamic and continues to get different contributors stepping up each game. It has been said a lot in the podcast, but things are much more spread out after this group relied heavily on the offensive production of  Maddy Minckler last season. Her numbers are still great, but this team has a chance to have multiple double-digit goal-scorers. 

5. Trinity: Despite dropping a 1-0 contest to St. Thomas, the Pioneers should have confidence in holding the top team in the division to just one goal. This defense is for real and showed to be in a 4-1 win over Derryfield. 

6. Campbell: The Cougars had a great showing in tough conditions last Friday, and have since gone 1-1, defeating Raymond and losing to Gilford on Tuesday. What stood out most about this group is their speed on the outside, something they will need to keep taking advantage of. The schedule ahead is a ringer, with St. Thomas on Friday and Stevens at home next Tuesday. These can be viewed as measuring stick games to see where this energetic offense stands amongst two of Division III's best. 

7. Kearsarge: The Cougars are back in the win column with two straight victories and the offense finding the back of the net four total times, two in each contest. Kearsarge has run into the injury bug but has responded well. Maddie Thorpe has scored in two consecutive games, something this team hopes carries over in their trip to Conant this afternoon. 

8. Raymond: The Rams had won five straight before a 2-1 loss to Campbell on Saturday. This is a team that competes with the top of the division and is a group many hope to avoid in the first round of the playoffs. 

9. Derryfield: Derryfield continues to struggle as they have now dropped five straight contests. Things have dried up a bit offensively, but they are staying right in games with their play on the defensive end. Snapping out of this funk will be a must with the playoffs right around the corner. The Cougars will try and bounce back with a game against Bishop Brady on Friday.

10. Fall Mountain: The Wildcats have reopped two straight, but were right in the thick of both games with Kearsarge and Stevens. With another year of experience, these are games this group can be on the winning side of next season, but this is a great sign of growth for a relatively young program still. 

 

 

Division IV

Standings & Statistical Leaders

1. Newmarket: The Mules faced off with rival Sunapee and looked dominant, walking away with a 5-0 win. This offense has been on a different level, and so has Jillian Long, recording two consecutive hat tricks in wins over Epping and Hinsdale. Olivia Blackadar joined the party with a hat trick of her own in a win over the Lakers. This group looks sharp with no signs of slowing down.

2. Concord Christian: Concord Christian once again got the best of Sunapee last Thursday, by the same 5-0 score they had in their first meeting with the Lakers. This Saturday should be a great showdown in a Final Four rematch with Portsmouth Christian. 

3. Profile: The Patriots picked up their lone blemish of the season so far with a 1-1 tie to Littleton last Saturday. They have since responded with two big-time wins, especially in the goal department scoring over their last two contests. A near week off to prep for a North Country showdown with Woodsville should do Profile well in one of their biggest games of the season. 

4. Portsmouth Christian: PCA continues to surge on the offensive end, and that will be put to the test with two straight match-ups with Concord Christian. Tatiana Stockbower continues to orchestrate things in the midfield while Jaela Stockbower (22 goals) and Tatum Smith (20 goals) have made the jump head coach Derek Summers was hoping they would. Ella Walsh will face one of the best offenses the Eagles have seen all year in CCA. The senior goalkeeper should be up for the challenge. 

5. Sunapee: Three straight losses for Sunapee, the last two being held scoreless, has been a bit surprising for a Sunapee program that always is in the mix. This team has had to deal with a lot of injuries ranging all the way back to the preseason. The schedule has not done them any favors, but they will continue to make do with the hand they have been dealt and try and get out of this funk. With four losses already this could make the Lakers a tough-out come playoff time if they are a lower seed. There are a lot of younger players stepping into some bigger roles who could develop over these next few weeks for another playoff run. 

6. Woodsville: After three straight losses the Engineers took care of business with a 5-0 win over Gorham at home. Trips to Profile, Littleton, and Sunapee still loom, but this group is ready for the challenge. Kate Vasconcelos, Allee Rowe, and Makayla Walker have been an impactful offensive tandem in the North Country, and one that can pick up some marquee wins to end the regular season.

7. Lin-Wood: The Lumberjacks proved once again that they are for real with yet another victory over Littleton, this time 2-1, marking their fourth win in a row. Abishai Corey has been on a tear, recording three straight hat tricks before Wednesday's contest with the Crusaders. Lin-Wood started to build real momentum last season, and that has carried right over to this fall with this group in the mix for a home playoff game.

8. Littleton: The Crusaders showed real poise going on the road and tying Profile after falling to the Patriots 4-0 the previous Saturday. Lin-Wood has had their number this season, but this is a group that has experience and these close games will pay off to hopeful playoff success in the near future. 

9. Groveton: The Eagles have adapted to the winning ways Sarah Leclerc was preaching coming into the preseason, with the Eagles in the mix for a home playoff game. Offensively is where this team has exploded since the month of September began, but their defense will be needed with Lin-Wood coming to town next Tuesday.

10. Gorham: The up-and-down season has continued for the Huskies, and the schedule does not get easier with two straight matchups with Littleton over the next week. Staying around the .500 mark should be the goal. An athletic offense like this one has the ability to break through and pull off an upset, but they have to put their heads down and put the work in to do so.