Thursday Thoughts returns this week to break down and rank contenders in all four divisions.

 Will Manzi will share his thoughts on Division, while Lance Legere has you covered for Divisions II, III, and IV.

Our column today is brought to you by our friends and partners at Kane Insurance!

 

Division I 

Standings and Statistical Leaders

1. Exeter: Exeter still hasn’t lost, therefore they remain the top dog. Their 6-0 win over Merrimack last Thursday featured another Lauren Roeder hat trick, her third on the season. Her season-long dominance has mirrored her team’s symmetry. Exeter has outscored opponents 20-0 in its last three games. Winnacunnet is next in a rivalry game, and you might want to save the date on that one: Friday, 9/27/24.

2. Bedford: After a run of dominance to start the season, the last few Bedford games have been true tests of the Bulldogs’ grit. Their response has been impressive: They defeated Londonderry (9/20) and then Goffstown (9/24) both by a score of 1-0. Proving they can win the nail-biters is huge for their confidence, and those are two formidable foes they beat as well. The Bulldogs’ eight wins are the most in Division I.

3. Bishop Guertin: The Cardinals could possibly be stuck underneath Exeter and Bedford for the remainder of the season, considering they lost to Exeter already won’t play Bedford. They are a legit top-three team nonetheless. They trounced Spaulding 6-0 and Alvirne 7-0 most recently, their fifth and sixth consecutive wins. Ava Seuch’s two goals against Alvirne boosted her season total to eight, third best in the division. BG has a +32 goal differential. The Cardinals will take on Windham today.

4. Winnacunnet: Nick O'Brien's Warriors got back on track after a loss to Bishop Guertin and a tie against Pinkerton, as they beat Concord 3-2 last Thursday. They have some dominant wins, and the BG loss was only 1-0. The Warriors have an impressive goal differential of +23 and have shut out five opponents this season. They are gearing up for a monstrous matchup with Exeter in their next game, a chance for a huge win.

5. Hanover: The Bears have rattled off four in a row and skyrocketed to #5 on this list. Bumpsie Loughman has been the main offensive contributor. They’ve beaten everybody except the two teams nobody has beaten (or even tied with) Exeter and Bedford. Their next game is against Merrimack this afternoon.

6. Nashua North: Losing to in-city rival Nashua South was a heartbreaker, but it's hard to think any less of North with the way they’ve been playing. They have enjoyed success behind the stellar senior season of Alli Frye, our D1 Girls Soccer Player of the Week nominee for this week. Frye has been the driving force offensively, the Titans' most consistent scorer. They’ve only lost two games this season, both by just one goal. They have convincing wins against Portsmouth and Londonderry. Next up is Exeter on Saturday. Exeter plays the night before too… Watch out for an upset there.

7. Goffstown: The Grizzlies will be no stranger to the kind of close, nail-biting games so common come playoff time. The last five Goffstown games have been decided by a score of 1-0. The first three ended with the Grizzlies on top, but their last two games haven’t gone their way, losing 1-0 against both Salem and Bedford. They’ve got to be feeling decent giving Bedford a scare. They’re seventh this week, but they can compete with any of the teams in front of them.

8. Pinkerton: The Astros are proof that all teams’ resumes are built differently at this point in the year. Three wins, two ties, and just one loss make up the Pinkerton resume, a solid one for sure. A number of Pinkerton players have impressed as of late, as they are getting a wide range of contributors. They will take on Alvirne this afternoon.

9. Nashua South: The Purple Panthers' rivalry win over Nashua North was their third win in a row. They have won five of their last six as well.  The only loss in that span was 2-1 against Hanover, a legitimate opponent. They look ahead to Manchester Central / West as the calendar flips over on Tuesday, October 1st.

10. Portsmouth: The Clippers are doing their best to remain mysterious here with their third tie in a row. If their goal is to make it impossible for anyone to tell how good they are based on results, they are excelling. Despite a low number of wins, they make this list because the two losses they took were both 1-0 road losses to South and North respectively, and took place in a span of three days. Portsmouth hasn’t faced a multi-goal deficit all season and has yet to allow more than one goal in a single game as well. Next up this afternoon: Dover.

 

 

Division II

Standings and Statistical Leaders

1. Hollis-Brookline: The Cavaliers are on pace to eclipse the 100-goal mark in the regular season alone, that is how dominant this group has been. The schedule beefs up a bit over the next few weeks, but there has yet to be a team on the same level as them currently.

2. Coe-Brown: The Bears get their biggest test of the year so far with Bow coming to town on Friday. Ellie Escabi and Bella Lapierre have scored five and four goals in their last two games and Sadie Scruton has recorded two consecutive shutouts. It will need to be a full-team effort on Friday afternoon.

3. Bow: Bow has picked up quality wins over Oyster River (8-0) and Milford (2-1), two games that should help prepare them for a difficult opponent in Coe-Brown on Friday.

4. John Stark: The Generals looked like a complete team in their 2-0 win over Kingswood. Freshman Avery Pellerin is a real boost of energy in the midfield and her fit in this lineup has John Stark looking like a real contender.

5. Oyster River: Kate Michaud returned from injury and helped the Bobcats to a 3-1 win over Keene with her first two goals of the season. Having her back in the lineup will be a big boost for an Oyster River team staying in the top four mix.

6. Merrimack Valley: The Pride found their footing offensively with five goals against Pelham on Tuesday. They will need that kind of production when they take on Pembroke this Saturday.

7. Milford: If there is such thing as a "good loss", the Spartans' 2-1 defeat to Bow should be seen as one. Milford has stayed right around the .500 mark with the tough schedule they have endured so far and it won't got any easier heading to John Stark on Friday. One thing is for sure is that this group will compete. Molly Miles has done a great job in net, allowing just three goals in their last three games.

8. Kingswood: The Knights had their chances against John Stark and were able to pin them in their own end at times, but they weren't able to find the back of the net on Wednesday. Marina Roy came up with some quality saves, but the Knight offense will need to try and find a rhythm, with a chance to do just that on Saturday against Kennett.

9. ConVal: The Cougars have won two straight and look to be coming into form. Eliza Bull (one goal) and Allison Burgess (one goal, one assist) were able to propel this group to a 2-1 win over Pembroke and will look to do more of the same on Saturday when they travel to Pelham.

10. Pembroke: The Spartans have dropped two straight and face another tough challenge with a trip down the road to Merrimack Valley. Teams have been able to hold their offense in check and keep most games low-scoring. Let's see if this team can break through on Saturday.

 

Division III

Standings and Statistical Leaders

1. Gilford: The Golden Eagles remain perfect after two hard-fought wins over Prospect Mountain (2-0) and Fall Mountain (2-1). Their attention shifts to Kearsarge, a defense that is as stingy as they come in this division. Clara Thompson has been another bright spot offensively with both goals in the win over the Timberwolves last Friday.

2. St. Thomas: Two consecutive 1-0 wins for the Saints over Conant and Belmont were a bit more low-scoring than we are used to with this group, but Genna Bolduc has been rock solid in net as she is yet to allow a goal this season. A trip to Derryfield on Friday will be an interesting score to look out for.

3. Raymond: The Rams dominance has continued, scoring 14 goals in their last two games. It will be interesting to see what they can do on the road tonight against Prospect Mountain.

4. Hopkinton: The Hawks have won six straight and are hoping that momentum can make it seven when they face Stevens on Saturday afternoon. Avery Loew has been impactful in between the posts, recording three shutouts during this streak.

5. Campbell: This Cougar offense is a lethal one, evident by their 11 goals against Newfound last Friday. Six different players found the back of the net in that game. This group has the patience to move the ball, and the speed to strike whenever necessary. This offense will be tested when Fall Mountain comes to town on Friday.

6. Fall Mountain: While it ended in defeat, it was good to see the Wildcats battle all the way to the end with a team like Gilford. They are just the second team to get a goal by the Golden Eagle defense this season. A trip to Campbell on Friday is another opportunity for this group to test themselves amidst this difficult stretch of the schedule.

7. Stevens: The Cardinals are almost back at full strength with the return of Faith Norton. A trip to Hopkinton will be challenging, but a game this group will be prepared for.

8. Kearsarge: The Cougars defense has ramped things up, especially in their 1-0 win over rival Stevens. Joleigh Root found the back of the net in the first 15 minutes and Maelle Jaques did her job in net recording 11 saves. Kearsarge is on the rise with that marquee win.

9. Prospect Mountain: Can the Timberwolves contain a high-powered Raymond offense? That will be the question tonight when they take on the Rams. Holding a team like Gilford should tell you it is a possibility, but they will need a goal or two of their own to pull off the upset.

10. Conant: Conant gave St. Thomas all they could handle last Friday in a 1-0 defeat and played Trinity just as well in a 1-1 tie. Violet Bennett has done her job in net with 59 saves. The Orioles could use a win in a big way, and have the chance to do so on the road at Belmont this Saturday.

 

Division IV

Standings and Statistical Leaders

1. Concord Christian: CCA must have enjoyed the long bus ride home because it was a victorious one after a 5-0 win over Woodsville on Monday. Makayla Baglio (x2), Emma Smith, Lilli Carllile, and Faith Dudley all found the back of the net, showing just how many weapons this offense possesses. They should be ready to go for a big one with Profile next Monday.

2. Profile: The Patriots have kept things rolling, winning three straight, and now gear up for a trip down the road to Littleton on Saturday morning. This game always proves to be a good one, and the Patriots will need a full team effort to avenge their lone loss this season. Things won't get any easier as they travel to Concord Christian on Monday. This is arguably the biggest week of the season for the reigning champs.

3. Newmarket: The Mules passed two more big tests this week with wins over Derryfield (3-0) and PCA (4-0). Kaya Dobberstein has been a brick wall in net while AJ Mulligan has been a main contributor offensively with two goals and four assists in her last two contests.

4. Portsmouth Christian: The Eagles jumped on Sunapee early and never looked back in their 2-0 win last Thursday in a very quality win for this group. They were blanked against Newmarket, but the firepower and toughness is their for Derek Summers' group.

5. Sunapee: The common trend in the three losses for the Lakers this year is that they did not find the back of the net in either contest. This is another stepping stone for this group as they prep for Woodsville on Friday, which starts a sizeable homestand for the next two weeks.

6. Lin-Wood: The Lumberjacks snapped their two-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over Moultonborough. This group has looked a year older and more mature this season. They will look to make it two straight wins when Lisbon visits on Saturday afternoon.

7. Woodsville: The Engineers bounced back in a big way with a 3-2 win over rival Littleton behind a Reilly Chase game-winner with five minutes remaining. This is a gritty group, and they will have to hope that grit travels as they take on a hungry Sunapee team on Friday night.

8. Groveton: Injuries have plagued this group for most of the year, but Kandrah Savage saved the day with her 22-save performance in a 1-0 win over Lin-Wood last Friday. They followed that performance with a 4-0 win over Lisbon on Wednesday and now set their sets for revenge over rival Colebrook on Saturday.

9. Littleton: The Crusaders have dropped two straight to Gorham and Woodsville and get another rivalry matchup with Profile on Saturday. This was their "get right" game two weeks ago. With the schedule ramping up, this feels like a must-win for Littleton.

10. Pittsburg-Canaan: The Yellow Jackets broke a two-game skid with a 2-1 win over Gorham and now get a week off to prep for Profile. This team can use their physicality to their advantage, something they will need to use to try and contain a lethal Patriot offense.