Below are the round two matchups and semi-finals for NE Prep. Our New England scouts have shared their opinions on each game and predictions on who will win. All games will be played at Dexter Southfield. Goodluck to all teams.
Elite 8
#6 Deerfield vs #5 Loomis Chaffee. 4 pm: Both Deerfield and Loomis win in the semis by one goal. Loomis took care of one seed Nobles in OT 5-4, and Deerfield wins 3-2 in regulation. Loomis has now shown, in both playoff games, their ability to score goals with a minimum of 5. Deerfield is deep and play a fast game. Both these teams are better than what their rank showed. They also split the two-game season series, with both being low-scoring, close games. This is going to be a battle. NZ Predicts: Split Decision
Large School
#2 Choate vs #1 Phillips Exeter. 11 am: Classic #1 vs #2 matchup. Exeter took care of BB&N with ease, with a 5-1 win. Maria Gray had a two-goal night. Choate won a close one against Taft, 3-1. These teams have not played each other this year and will need to get familiar with one another early. NZ Predicts: Split Decision
Small School
#7 New Hampton vs #1 Groton. 1:30 pm: New Hampton is no stranger to the small school playoff and championship game. They bring years of experience, and yes, they were the 7th seed, but they know exactly what it takes to compete and win in this game. They beat Cushing 4-2 to get back with help from Katie Usilton. Groton took care of long-standing rival St. Mark’s 2-0. Both goals came from Jaelyn Trudell and Nora Wilson absorbs the shutout. These teams have played once, and Groton was the winner of that one. NZ Predicts: Split Decision