The regular season wraps up this week and a whole new season begins with playoff soccer right around the corner. 

 Records are thrown out the window for these games, and for all four divisions, we could have a number of teams hoisting a trophy up celebrating with us when it is all said and done. 

 Things are about to get real interesting.

 We will break own all four divisions with analysis and our Top 10 picks across the state. We will also list our contenders, teams not to count out, and potential sneaky teams who could win a first round game.

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: On paper, Timberlane is at the top of the list in DI. They are easily one of the hottest teams in the division and have made a serious case to bring home a state championship. They haven’t lost since their second game of the season in late August. They’ve also knocked off some of the biggest names in the division beating teams such as BG, and Salem. If I was a betting man right now my money would most likely lean toward Timberlane as we enter the playoffs.

2. Bishop Guertin: BG is just as hot, and as scary as Timberlane. They just recently came off a tie against Hanover in their last game which was definitely a shocker, and they will be tested again as they play Bedford this week as well. BG has a near-perfect record with their only loss coming against Timberlane. They have also missed out on seeing some top-level competition in DI these are teams such as Exeter, and Portsmouth. BG is a huge threat to the league when playoffs begin but it is worth noting who they’ve lost to, and who they haven’t seen before heading into the postseason.​​​​​​​

3. Bedford: The reigning champions are still right in the conversation to bring it back home this year. They have had a great season this fall, but have had some interesting hiccups along the road. They’ve had two losses to a solid rival in Portsmouth and were also upset in a loss against Winnacunnet. Later as the season progressed they also tied against Hanover. They have one big matchup left against  BG in their last game of the season. It will be interesting to see how they close out their regular season. However, it should be known that Bedford is a very elite team in DI, and can compete at a very high level. They love to control the pace of a game and make their opponents play them. This is a very scary tactic for teams to face off against in the postseason. ​​​​​​​

4. Exeter: It doesn’t feel right putting the Blue Hawks this low in my playoff preview but it’s hard not to. Exeter started off amazing this season. Being undefeated, and unchallenged in the division before they suffered their first loss against rival Bedford. This was a huge game for Exeter, as they wanted to avenge the loss in last year's championship. It also needed to be shown how they’d match up against the defending champs, and if they could beat them. This loss was a huge blow to the team as they acquired two more losses as the season moved along against Timberlane and Concord. Exeter is still a household name and will have a great playoff run. They have an elite roster with lots of weapons. However ever since the loss to Bedford it appears that a screw is loose, and that could be the opening other teams take advantage of.

5. Portsmouth: Portsmouth is a team that remains under the radar in Division I for no reason. They’re third in the standings and have been consistently solid throughout the entire season. One of the biggest reasons they’ve been successful is that they’ve acquired a lot of 50/50 wins. They have beaten teams that on paper would’ve been a close call. They’ve even beaten teams such as Timberlane, Concord, and Bedford. Those are teams that really pushed them, and if those were all losses Portsmouth would look very different in the standings. They need to keep this up in the playoffs. Portsmouth didn’t face off against half of the top four above. Portsmouth’s only losses came against Merrimack and Salem. Two teams they should’ve beaten. These losses were very out of character and they can’t have this happen. However, these losses came earlier in the season. Portsmouth and their regime have been firing on all cylinders. They have a lot of chemistry on both sides of the field, and a strong keeper in Haley Coombs. Portsmouth is a team that will go far in the playoffs, and have the potential to do more.​​​​​​​

6. Concord: A team that has only gotten better as the season goes on. On paper, they’re not a team that might be a championship favorite. However, they’re a team that can push their opponents to their limit and could easily upset some household names. They’ve recently done this against Exeter who they upset 2-0.​​​​​​​

7. Hanover: Hanover has been able to acquire the wins that were necessary to enter the playoffs. They’re caught right in the middle of Concord and Pinkerton. Hanover knows how to compete, but might not be able to go the distance.

8. Pinkerton: Pinkerton is one game ahead of Salem. If they lose their game against Hanover this week, and Salem wins Pinkerton will go down in the standings. A win against a team like Hanover will be huge for Pinkerton when they enter the playoffs. They might not last as long as the teams above, but they will give teams a challenge.

9. Salem: This was a team that started out very hot, and cooled off at a rapid rate. They got wins against a lot of middle/lower-ranked teams. But that was around the halfway mark. Salem still can beat some of the teams entering playoffs, however, it will not be easy for them, especially with their positioning in the standings. ​​​​​​​

10. Goffstown: Goffstown is a solid team. However, any team that was ahead of them in the standings beat them. They didn’t win any 50/50 games, and this is something that has to change when they enter the playoffs or else they might not make it past the first round.​​​​​​​

 

Could be the last team standing: Timberlane, BG, Bedford, Exeter, Portsmouth

Not a title contender today, but be careful betting against them team: Concord

A playoff-level team who could win a game if they get there: Hanover

 

Division II

Standings & Statistical Leaders

1. Hollis-Brookline: The Cavaliers wrap up the regular season this afternoon with Kingswood as they look to close out the regular season undefeated. They have allowed just three goals all year long. It is hard to find many flaws with this group, as if this type of success continues it will be hard to see anyone handing them their first loss.

2. John Stark: The Generals are playing some of the best soccer in the division, winners of seven straight. They will look to make it eight as their final hurdle of the regular season comes with a matchup against a fellow contender in Bow. Alexis Boudreau has had just four balls get by her during this streak. The offense has done its fair share as well, making for a very well-rounded group heading into the tournament.

3. Merrimack Valley: The Pride make the biggest jump this week after sweeping the season series with Coe-Brown on Tuesday, beating them once again by a score of 2-1

4. Coe-Brown: It is hard to take the Bears out of the top four even after their most recent loss to Merrimack Valley. That was Coe-Brown's first loss in their last seven contests. This team has made a lot of strides this year and still should feel that they are a title favorite heading into the tournament. 

5. Bow: The Falcons will be on the outside looking in for a top-four seed, and should be sitting in the five spot come playoff time after a 0-0 tie with ConVal. The Falcons will take on John Stark to end the regular season, in a matchup we could see again down the line.

6. Pembroke: Pembroke will finish right around the top eight, which could be a favorable spot for the Spartans to make a run back to the Final Four. A lot will be put upon Lalia Al Shawafi in goal, who has had a great sophomore campaign. Bailey Gatchell is a big-game player and will need some postseason production like we saw last season.

7. Milford: The Spartans wrap up regular season play with Pelham this afternoon and could lock up a top-eight seed in the process. This is also a potential preview of the 8-9 matchup in round one depending on the outcome.

8. ConVal: If a tie can give any team momentum, playing a scoreless 90-plus minute game with a team like Bow should have ConVal feeling very good about their group. They also played top-seeded Hollis-Brookline to a 1-0 game. As has been said all year, this team will always be a tough out.

9. Kingswood: The Knights picked up a huge 1-0 win over Pelham on Tuesday and could be in line for a home game in the first round. This group is picking up the intensity at just the right time and has proven to be able to play with some of the stronger teams in this division. 

10. Oyster River: The Bobcats are in need of a win after five straight losses, and scoring just one goal during the skid. A prime opportunity to get back on track awaits this Friday with Lebanon coming to town for a game under the lights. 

 

Could be the last team standing: Hollis-Brookline, John Stark, Coe-Brown, Bow, Merrimack Valley

Not a title contender today, but be careful betting against them team: Pembroke

A playoff-level team who could win a game if they get there: ConVal

 

Division III

Standings & Statistical Leaders

1. St. Thomas: The Saints have looked like the top seed all year long and will be your one seed heading into the tournament. 

2. Gilford: Gilford is right with the likes of a team like St. Thomas and will be as dangerous as any of these top-four seeds. They will get an early playoff game when they travel to Hopkinton on Saturday. Ariah Dewar continues to be sound in net and will be called upon often on Friday afternoon.

3. Hopkinton: The Hawks have a chance for a marquee win to end the regular season on Friday when they host Gilford. They have battled with the St. Thomas's and Stevens's of the division, who they most recently tied in a 3-3 contest on Monday, but a win against a team like Gilford can be a huge confidence boost for a team with title aspirations.

4. Stevens: The Cardinals went toe-to-toe with one of the division's best in Hopkinton. Although a tie, that kind of game shows that Stevens is a legit contender in Division III. They are in line for the fourth seed with an offense that can really spread you out. Payton Ferland has eclipsed the 20-goal mark, with options like Maddy Minckler and Faith Norton lined up alongside here at the top of the pitch.

5. Trinity: Although not a win, the Pioneers get one of their best outcomes with a 1-1 tie with St. Thomas. Defense is their calling card, and certainly was on Wednesday holding the Saints to just one goal.

6. Campbell: The Cougars snapped a three-game skid with a 6-0 win over Monadnock and an 8-0 defeat of Sanborn. They wrap up the regular season at Newfound on Friday and are looking at a top six seed. This team can scrap you out if needed and will be a lurking threat at a possible trip to the Final Four.

7. Kearsarge: Kearsarge are winners of five straight and have found a good groove heading into the postseason. This is a team that wants to control possession and keep games low-scoring, relying on their experienced defense to help win them games in the postseason.

8. Raymond: The Rams should be locked into a home playoff game and are a team that will have everyone in front of them on high alert if they are to meet them in the postseason. 

9. Fall Mountain: Fall Mountain will get some extra rest before the playoffs begin with Hillsborough-Deering forfeiting their last contest of the season. The playoffs will be a test for this team with little to no playoff experience on the roster. The Wildcats always show up and will be no easy out for whoever gets paired with them. 

10. Derryfield: The Cougars are back in the win column with a 3-1 win over Conant last Thursday. The pieces are there for this group. They were a quarterfinal team a season ago and are more than capable of finding themselves there once again.

 

Could be the last team standing: St. Thomas, Gilford, Hopkinton, Stevens

Not a title contender today, but be careful betting against them team: Campbell, Trinity, Raymond

A playoff-level team who could win a game if they get there: Fall Mountain, Prospect Mountain

 

Division IV

Standings & Statistical Leaders

1. Newmarket: The Mules offense worked quickly on Wednesday, scoring two goals in five minutes to kickstart a 3-1 win over Portsmouth Christian. this team was the favorite coming into this season and has looked the part and then some through the regular season. 

2. Concord Christian: CCA will end up as the third seed, but certainly feel like they are one of if not the best team heading into the postseason. Their offense continues to shine, and not many have been able to get a step on them defensively. This is a title-favorite team in Division IV.

3. Profile: The Patriots wrapped up regular season play with a 6-0 win over Division III White Mountains. This team has dominated throughout, and what will be the biggest factor heading into the postseason is will their high-octane offense translate? Evie Burger, Ella McPhaul, Katy McPhaul, and Mya Brown all can go off for a hat trick in any given game. They will need those threats to be there more than ever as the competition steepens. 

4. Portsmouth Christian: The Eagles held Newmarket scoreless in the second half of their 3-1 loss to the Mules which should be something they can hang their hat on going into the postseason. While some of this group lacks playoff experience, the key wins they have gotten throughout the regular season should bode well with their high-power offense led by Jaela and Tatiana Stockbower, and Tatum Smith.

5. Sunapee: The Lakers had arguably one of the toughest schedules in Division IV, playing southern foes in Newmarket, Concord Christian, and PCA, and also squaring off with Woodsville, who they wrap the regular season up with tonight under the lights. Sunapee has dropped two straight and could use a real momentum boost heading into the playoffs. They have taken down the Engineers once before, but Woodsville is looking for a cap-off win of their own. 

6. Littleton: JuJu Bromley netted the winner in overtime to give the Crusaders their fourth straight win in 1-0 fashion over Woodsville. This offense has turned a corner in the last few weeks, and Littleton is playing some of their best soccer to end the year. They will be motivated in the playoffs to avenge their quarterfinal loss from a season ago and take things a step further. 

7. Woodsville: The Engineers could use a big-time win on the road at Sunapee and are more than capable of doing so. Not only is it important seeding-wise, but confidence as well. Eliza Wagstaff produced a 27-save performance in their overtime loss to Littleton, so she should be more than ready to keep Woodsville in the ballgame with a Sunapee team looking to get back in the win column as well. 

8. Lin-Wood: The Lumberjacks are closing in on one of the best seasons this program has seen in recent years. They will need to take care of business with Groveton coming to town today to stay in the mix for the six seed. Abishai and Hadi Corey can produce offense, and they will need more than just the lone goal they produced against the Eagles last week. 

9. Groveton: The Eagles will have a chance to get back on track after their five-game win streak was snapped by Gorham on Tuesday. They travel to Lin-Wood, someone they took down in a very tight and physical contest just last week. They hold a tie-breaker over both the Lumberjacks and Woodsville who all sit at `10-5, so getting this win could be the difference between the sixth or eighth seed. 

10. Gorham: I said the Huskies could use two wins last week, and they got just that with victories over Pittsburrg-Canaan and Groveton in 3-0 fashion at home. They snapped a four-game losing streak and now feel much more confident with the playoffs around the corner.

 

Could be the last team standing: Newmarket, Concord Christian

Not a title contender today, but be careful betting against them team: Sunapee, Woodsville, Lin-Wood, Groveton

A playoff-level team who could win a game if they get there: Gorham, Hinsdale