High school girls soccer

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Yes, two Scorpion U15 ENCLs.

That doesn't mean that much anymore.

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All three programs have seen better days.
The real problem will come at playoff time when they play "real" teams.

Peabody fan here & there definitely is a problem at midfield which I agree could be exposed come tourney time. One of the forwards could/should be playing attacking mid. Also, there are a couple of others who could play the position if given the chance.

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There is nothing big about a win over AB this year.

I thought when they got all their players back they'd be back on track. Something is missing - not sure what it is. Midfield or offense or both. Defense seems pretty solid.

It goes to show that these things are cyclical.

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I thought when they got all their players back they'd be back on track. Something is missing - not sure what it is. Midfield or offense or both. Defense seems pretty solid.

It goes to show that these things are cyclical.

You talking about AB or Peabody?

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You talking about AB or Peabody?

The poster quoted something about AB. Seems like that would be what they meant.

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So any updates about who you think is the top team in the North?

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How could it not be L-S?

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LS 4 Wayland 1 Just checked Boston.com and the leaders link. Hard to believe there aren't any LS girls on the list nor are there any articles about the team recently. High school sports desk must have something against LS. Seems strange since they are 9,0,0

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Can someone explain how the DCL is aligned this year?

Has Bos Latin moved to the "small" division?

Is Weston to only D3 team in the DCL?

[HS Harry]

here is my Top 5 in D1 North:

1. Andover, I have them by a hair over L/S only because of there better "quality" wins over Winchetster and Central Catholic. In past years I would have never considered a MVC team for a top spot,but last year's D1 title by CC has changed that. I'm not sure that they are the best team in the North (or most likely to win a North Title) but for right now they remain my numero uno.

2. Lincoln-Sudbury. I have yet to see them play, but have seen enough of the DCL to know the league is down a little this year. By all accounts this is a great team and certainly will be a favorite come tourney time. I appreciate and understand the arguments as to why they should be #1 (and I can't disagree) but they will need to keep winning (and get a loss by Andover) to get my top spot.

3. Peabody. Despite some pf the foolishness posted previously, Peabody has the best offensive player in the state. I rechecked about the Peabody/ A.B. game and was told that her game winner was exactly why she (and Peabody) is soo dangerous. Peabody's problem is a poor schedule but their core is very experienced and they have enough talent around the field to succeed in the tournament.

4. Central Catholic, They are the defending champ, only lost one game and have plenty of talent... end of story.

5. Newton North, can't get a good idea how bad (or just balanced) the Bay State is this year. NN's loss to Natick shows they have holes but in a pretty wide open D1 North they will be a solid contender. Games against teams like Weymouth Dedham (and Needham) are typically excellent preps for the tourney, even if not the fire-storm of competition that the BS has been in year's past.

Others? keep an eye on Lexington as my 5A pick. Winchester has been OK. Beverly has dropped now that they faced better talent.

D2 is a mess. Hard to rule out the traditional powers like Danvers and Belmont, although both will likely enter the tourney with at least 4 losses. Tewksbury has been good, but in their first game against a good opponent they were beaten, so I'm not ready to annoint them as a favorite. Stoneham has been really good, but they too have some blemishes in the Midd. Same goes for Wilmington. Personally, I think the Cape Ann is way down so teams like Newburyport and Amesbury are question marks. Fenwick has struggled offensively and will enter the tourney as a lower seed, so although I think they are dangerous, they will have to damage from the lower half of a bracket.

Biggest disapointments so far? In D1 A/B is obvious, they are a solid team but it has been a big drop for the Colonials. Masco and Westwood have also disapointed some. In D2 I'd say that Hamilton Wenham and Gloucester expected much more.

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Biggest disapointments so far? In D1 A/B is obvious, they are a solid team but it has been a big drop for the Colonials.

A/B was supposed to be a dynasty I guess. Is that why you're disappointed? Otherwise isn't this just cyclic? Stronger for a few years on the backs of 3 or 4 players, then weaker for a few?

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3. Peabody. Despite some pf the foolishness posted previously, Peabody has the best offensive player in the state. I rechecked about the Peabody/ A.B. game and was told that her game winner was exactly why she (and Peabody) is soo dangerous. Peabody's problem is a poor schedule but their core is very experienced and they have enough talent around the field to succeed in the tournament.
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Biggest disapointments so far? In D1 A/B is obvious, they are a solid team but it has been a big drop for the Colonials. Masco and Westwood have also disapointed some.

Yes, it was a "spectacular individual effort," as a local newspaper put it.

I think you mean Westford instead of Westwood. But I think Westford will rise to the occasion in the playoffs, as it so often does.

[HS Harry]

Here are a few thoughts on a slow, cold Friday morning:

Yes, I meant Westford... must have been thinking about the train station.

The reality of girls high school soccer has been less about cycles and more about dominance. A/B has been tops in D1 North for two graduation "cycles". Sure there are some teams that go up and down, but the very best have retained a consistent level of competitive quality. Maybe not a trip to the finals every year, but always the legitimate capability to get there. So far, A/B has shown that this is a true rebuilding year for them and I'm sorry but considering the school size and soccer demographics in A/B that is a disapointment.

I have discussed this before, but because I no longer have a dog in the fight, I go to HS games to see the best players and teams. I really couldn't care less if L/S or Central Catholic or Peabody win. This is why I tend to bristle at the HS officiating; the tendancy to allow man-handling defense (especially against an opponent's top performer) lessens the enjoyment for me. Trust me I appreciate good man-to-man defense, but I hate watching top players get grabbed, bumped, kicked and pushed all over the field, and the refs let it go.

I've watched about 10 HS games so far this year in all the North D1 and D2 Leagues (except the Baystate) and I really believe that the overall quality is down. It is much more competitive, and I do see greater parity, but the higher teams lack the number of top players that I have seen in the last couple of years. Go to the collge threads and you see the drain of talent that has moved on recently, and although there are some great ones still around, I don't see anybody with 3, 4 & 5 D1 talents on the pitch and that has been the case the last couple of years.

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[QUOTE=HS Harry;635326]The reality of girls high school soccer has been less about cycles and more about dominance. A/B has been tops in D1 North for two graduation "cycles". Sure there are some teams that go up and down, but the very best have retained a consistent level of competitive quality. Maybe not a trip to the finals every year, but always the legitimate capability to get there. So far, A/B has shown that this is a true rebuilding year for them and I'm sorry but considering the school size and soccer demographics in A/B that is a disapointment.

QUOTE]

I don't mean to nitpick but how long is a graduation cycle? Eight years? I don't think A/B made it quite that long but maybe 6. Does anyone know how many years in a row they held the DCL championship?

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Can someone explain how the DCL is aligned this year?

Has Bos Latin moved to the "small" division?

Is Weston to only D3 team in the DCL?

Due to the loss of Arlington and tyngsborough this year.I believe BL has moved to the dcl small. Each team plays the team in their division twice, each of the teams in the other division once, and then two teams from the other division again to take the schedules to 15 games.
Yes I believe Weston are the only D3 team in the DCL.

Does anyone know why the dcl stats are not on the globe website?