The playoff picture is starting to become more clear. With one week of regular season soccer left, we will see how teams finish out the season to try and get a home playoff game, stay in the top four mix, or even try and sneak into the playoffs as a whole. 

We will break own all four divisions with analysis and our Top 10 picks across the state. We will also list our player and coach of the year candidates as the regular season starts to wrap up.

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 Nashua Community College!

 

Division I 

Standings & Statistical Leaders

Player of the Year Candidates: Martha Lord of Bishop Guertin, Lauren Roeder of Exeter, Leah Morrier of Bedford, Annie Parker of Portsmouth

Coach of the Year Candidates: Megan young of Exeter, Michelle Winning of Bedford, Jeff Bauman of Timberlane, Winston Haughton of Bishop Guertin

1. Timberlane: Timberane just continues to add more wins to their already impressive record. But they acquired their biggest win of the season when they beat a top team in Division I in Exeter. This is a giant win for Timberlane. They’ve already proven to be in the top four here in DI but now they’re showing everyone we can beat a team that was predicted to go all the way. Timberlane is red hot and they aren’t cooling off anytime soon.

2. Bishop Guertin: BG Continues to do more of the same, and what that is, win. BG is on a ten-game win streak. They still have a huge matchup against Bedford on their schedule which is a true test of where they could finish in their playoff run. Another thing to keep in mind is their only loss of the season comes to Timberlane. That team is a huge question mark for their future if they face off.

3. Concord: This might seem like a high placement for the Crimson Tide.  However, to me, Concord is the epitome of how anything can happen in DI. They have been winning a lot of games and in defeat, they have pushed their opponents to their limit. However this week they defeated Exeter in another huge win. Concord is a team that floats around the middle of the pack but competes so hard that nothing is impossible for them. Teams need to make sure they defeat teams like Concord or else they could cause more problems for the entire division. Concord is a great team that’s playing to its full potential and could just be a wild card in the playoffs coming rather soon.​​​​​​​

4. Bedford: The Bulldogs have bounced back from the loss against Winnacunnet with two straight wins against South, and Merrimack. They have three games left this season, with their biggest challenge coming in their final matchup on the 19th. As Bedford prepares to enter the playoffs you have to believe they’re making all of their tweaks, and fixing what needs to be fixed before they enter the postseason. In the preseason I predicted Bedford ending up back in the championship game. Will they make it there? We will have to wait and see as time goes on.​​​​​​​

5. Portsmouth: Portsmouth is another team that continues to keep playing well in recent times. They have a record of 11-2 and haven’t lost in seven games. The Clippers have seemed to hit their groove around mid-way through the season, and have a strong chance of winning out this season. Something to keep in mind is that they have not, and will not see what it’s like to play against Exeter and BG before playoffs. Those are two teams that are huge names in DI. Portsmouth has a high probability of seeing them in the playoffs. So hopefully they have good game film, or scouting done so they aren’t walking onto the field blind.​​​​​​​

6. Exeter: Well it is very strange to put Exeter this low, but unfortunately for them, something is broken. They played fantastic in the regular season, but as of late, they’ve been hurting. They’ve lost back-to-back games against Timberlane, and Concord. This is now three losses in total. This is very strange, and something I didn’t see happening at all. But it’s even more important to know Exeter is struggling very late in the season. There’s something wrong with them, and they need to find it very quickly. Exeter was my pick to win it all this year, but if they don’t fix what’s going on soon they could be upset by a team that is ready to go.​​​​​​​

7. Hanover: This is a team that is searching for consistent wins. They are in a scary place which is on the verge of being cut off from playoff contention. They are very close behind Concord in terms of their record, but they need more wins to secure that spot. Hanover is relying on acquiring some more wins and praying on the downfall of the teams beneath them. They are capable of competing but need to do it on a more consistent basis.​​​​​​​

8. Salem: Salem is arguably the scariest spot you could be at the time of writing. They are also on the brink of not being welcomed into the playoffs. They have two teams that are only one game behind them in the standings. Salem has to keep winning, that's all they can control at this time. They’re no longer in a spot where they can do anything else. This final stretch for them is the most important stretch of their season. They need to win, or else we won’t be seeing Salem in the playoffs.​​​​​​​

9. Winnacunnet: This is another team that has suffered with consistency. They are in a tough spot and need to hope they can find a way to clean up what went wrong this season at the buzzer. Their lack of consistency has hurt them greatly. They realize this now more than ever and have no choice but to find consistent wins. Winnacunnet is trailing right behind Salem and can squeeze their way in there. But it won’t be easy.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​10. Pinkerton: Pinkerton is one game behind Winnacunnet, and two games behind Salem. They have three games to make things happen for their season. They have Bedford as one of their matchups which is a very tough matchup for them. They later play Hanover, a team that they could upset. There’s a lot of moving parts to the outcome of their season. Certain teams need to start losing, and they need to start winning. Pinkerton had a tough time getting things going this season. Hopefully for their sake in the final hour, the stars can align.

 

Division II

Standings & Statistical Leaders

Player of the Year Candidates: Somer Loto and Bella Lapierre of Coe-Brown, Melody Couturier of John Stark

Coach of the Year Candidates: Edmond Marceau of John Stark, Hagen Wegmueller of ConVal, Josh Hils of Coe-Brown

1. Hollis-Brookline: This is your likely one seed come playoff time. An undefeated team and the top goal/goals against differential leader (62) in the division, this team has been in a sense unstoppable. We will see if this type of momentum carries into the postseason, but with the results they have had, there is no reason to think that it shouldn't.

2. Coe-Brown: The Bears got the best of rival Oyster River 1-0 on Tuesday night in a physical contest. That marked their sixth straight win, and with three regular-season games left, Coe-Brown is looking at a top-four seed. This group continues to click. Bella Lapierre is one of the best goal scorers in the division, while Somer Loto and Lily Wolf continue to keep the offense on a string.

3. John Stark: It has been big win after big win for the Generals. A 1-0 win on the road at Pembroke and a 3-0 win at home over Pelham has extended John Stark's win streak to five games. Melody Couturier has been a huge source of offense while Alexis Boudreau has been a brick wall in net. 

4. Bow: The Falcons were due for a marquee win and got just that on Friday against Merrimack Valley, sweeping the season series with the Pride. Bow is a tough team to face just with the experience they have. That offensive punch we have seen in years past has shown itself in spurts this year, but this postseason it will be their ability to control the ball in the midfield that can be their calling card.

5. Merrimack Valley: Besides their two losses to Bow, MV has been one of the best teams in the division. They have produced more offensively than they did a season ago, and pairing that with an already sound defense has made the Pride a real contender. 

6. Pembroke: The Spartans' tough fortunes finally came to an end with a 4-2 win over Kennett. With a 6-7 record, this is a team that will officially be an unwanted matchup for many in the first round. 

7. Milford: Milford is playing their best soccer of the season at just the right time. This group has been a bit under the radar, but their recent play shoots them right back into the Top 10. A four-game win streak will be put to the test against undefeated Hollis-Brookline team this afternoon.

8. Oyster River: The Bobcats gave Coe-Brown all they could handle on Wednesday. While they have lost four straight, a close game with a contender should give this team a much-needed boost for a big-time matchup with Pembroke today.

9. ConVal: The Cougars trailed 2-0 at the half against Lebanon before mounting a comeback 3-2 win in overtime. This was a huge win for a team that has been competitive throughout the regular season. We will see what this group is really made of as they finish out the regular season with Coe-Brown, Bow, and Pembroke.

10. Kingswood: Hello Kingswood! The Knights picked up a big-time 1-0 win over Laconia this past Saturday. Kylie Rapoza has been a goal-scoring machine for Kingswood as they look to cross off their preseason goal of getting into the playoffs. 

 

Division III

Standings & Statistical Leaders

Player of the Year Candidates: Maddie Karsonovich of St. Thomas, Millie Caldon of Gilford, Keegan St. Cyr of Hopkinton

Coach of the Year Candidates: Dave Smith of Kearsarge, George Tsitsonis of Fall Mountain, Allen Lajoie of Campbell

1. St. Thomas: Everyone has been throwing their best punch at the Saints these last few weeks, winning their last two games 1-0 over Campbell and 2-0 over Raymond. St. Thomas has still come out on top in all of these games, but is good for them to get some competitive "playoff-like" games before the real postseason starts in two weeks. 

2. Gilford: The Golden Eagles have not skipped a beat. This team will be ready for revenge come playoff time, and have a real chance to make it back-to-back titles. 

3. Hopkinton: Keegan St. Cyr continues to pour in goals, eclipsing the 30-goal mark in an 8-1 win over Sanborn where she put away four and assisted on three others. This group looks destined for a long playoff run. They will get an opportunity for a playoff-esque match on Monday when they travel to Stevens.

4. Stevens: The Cardinals have a chance to add a marquee win on Monday in their regular season finale against Hopkinton. This will be a contest of two high-level offenses, but should be a one-goal game by the end of it all. Faith Norton continues to play hero for Stevens, notching another overtime game-winner, this time in a 3-2 win over Campbell. Audrina Pelton will be tested against the Hawks but should be ready for the challenge.

5. Trinity: Trinity finishes the season with Conant and two road trips to St. Thomas and Derryfield. This defense will get a final tune-up for what could be a chance for a real run in the playoffs. The Pioneers put emphasis on getting out to run and being more of an explosive team up front, If that can come into play here in the next few weeks this team gets even more dangerous.

6. Campbell: The Cougars have dropped three straight, but all to quality opponents. They played the top-seeded Saints to a 1-0 contest and lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Stevens. While this group is 8-5, they should head into the final stretch feeling that they can compete with the contenders of this division.

7. Kearsarge: Kearsarge has gotten red-hot, winning four straight contests. Adara Boucher has been crucial throughout this win streak, most notably recording 16 saves in a 2-0 win over Bishop Brady. This defense can keep the Cougars in a multitude of games come playoff time. If Ellie Wimer, Carly Grant, and Maddie Thorpe can shake loose for a goal or two, this team will have a fighting chance every time they take the field.

8. Raymond: The Rams will be in the mix for a home playoff game in round one, and many teams will want to avoid this group in round two if at all possible. They have been a sleeper team all season, and will once again be that feisty group come playoff time no one wants to play.

9. Fall Mountain: Fall Mountain will look to end the regular season on a high note with Mascoma Valley and Hillsboro-Deering at home. This is a team with quarterfinal potential. Their offense continues to hum, with Aubrey Thomas (12) and Avery Ducharme (11) both eclipsing the double-digit goal mark.

10. Derryfield: The Cougars have dropped five straight, but have a chance to turn things around before the playoffs with Conant and Trinity at home to end the regular season. They've had battles with teams like Hopkinton, only losing that contest 3-2, so we know this team has what it takes. If things can click this group can get back to .500 before the regular season concludes.

 

Division IV

Standings & Statistical Leaders

Player of the Year Candidates: Ella McPhaul of Profile, Clare Tuohy of Sunapee, Tatiana Stockbower of Portsmouth Christian, Olivia Blackadar of Newmarket

Coach of the Year Candidates: Derek Summers of Portsmouth Christian, Chris McClure of Lin-Wood, Sarah Leclerc of Groveton

1. Newmarket: The Mules wrap up the regular season with three straight road games. A trip to rival Sunapee and a championship rematch with PCA (in a game we plan to cover) will be good opportunities for this group to get ready to once again begin their title defense. 

2. Concord Christian: The Kingsmen had to pull one out in overtime on Wednesday to take down PCA 4-3. They swept the season series with the Eagles and now are winners of five in a row. This group has been on a mission to get back to the Final Four, and it looks like they could do just that.

3. Profile: The Patriots picked up a statement 6-2 win over Woodsville, showing that the North Country will once again run through Profile. This offense remains among the best in the division and should be ready for another deep playoff run.

4. Portsmouth Christian: Despite an overtime loss to CCA, that can be viewed as a "good" loss if there is such a thing as one. This team found the net three times and battled with one of the best in the division, proving that they are very much capable of winning it all. The focus now shifts to next week where they wrap up the regular season with two playoff opponents in Sunapee and Newmarket.

5. Sunapee: The Lakers continue to shuffle things around to try and find the right formula for another deep playoff run. Friday's contest with Newmarket will be a good chance to see where this group measures up to be with the rest of the division. The same goes for a rematch with Portsmouth Christian on Monday.

6. Woodsville: The Engineers remain in the mix for a home playoff game, a field that this program has used to their benefit for many years. Getting a home game. They round out the year with Colebrook at home and trips to rival Littleton and Sunapee to finish off the regular season. Coming out of this stretch 2-1 is the best-case scenario for a group that will be a hard out come playoff time.

7. Groveton: The Eagles have been the surprise of Division IV. They have rattled off five straight victories, outscoring opponents 23-12 over that stretch. Delaney Whiting has been one of the best goal scorers in the division, while Aspen Clermont facilitates things for this Groveton offense. This team will have two big road tests in Gorham and Lin-Wood to end the season, but they are playing their best soccer at just the right time.

8. Lin-Wood: The Lumberjacks dropped a very close contest to a Groveton team on the rise. They will get a chance to avenge that loss next Thursday, but first have to get through Moultonborough and Profile. Destiny Ciarleglio has been crucial in net. Her 27 saves helped the Lumberjacks pick up their first season sweep of Littleton in over six years. 

9. Littleton: The Crusaders had their bumps this season, but two straight wins over Gorham, the first coming in overtime 2-1 and then a 5-3 victory at home, has them back on track to finish out the regular season on a high note. This team knows what it takes in the playoffs, and having players like Addie Pilgrim, JuJu Bromley, Lauryn Corrigan, Kiera Charest, and Adison Hadlock come back a year older and more experienced will only help Littleton down the stretch as we head for the postseason.

10. Gorham: The Huskies have lost four straight, but they have been right in the thick of it with teams like Profile and Littleton over the last two weeks. They wrap up the year with Pittsburg-Canaan and Groveton. If they can grab two wins there they can head into the playoffs with a boost of confidence and a chance to possibly get to the quarterfinals.