Norwood, the No. 1 seed in Division 2, had the highest power rating (3.9832) of any division thanks to its heavy schedule. No. 2 Somerset Berkley still poses a major threat, followed by Notre Dame-Hingham and Nashoba. Defending champions Reading are in 8th place after three consecutive defeats this month.

In Divisions 3 and 4, it’s déjà vu, with reigning champions Watertown and Uxbridge once again in a position to hoist a trophy. However, if Watertown wants to win its 22nd title, the Raiders will have to do it from the No. 2 seed. Top-seeded Sandwich (20-0) has had a spectacular season. Newburyport is No. 3 after its wonderful run to the finals last year. Uxbridge didn’t shy away from a tough schedule, with matchups against Andover, Walpole and Algonquin. No. 2 Monomoy is ready for another deep run.

SECTION 1

Favorite: No. 1 Lincoln-Sudbury

Sleeper: No. 5 Belmont

Players to watch: Ellie Innes (Lincoln-Sudbury, Jr.), Mackenzie Clarke (Belmont, Jr.), Lily Marchand (Bishop Feehan, Sr.), Caitlyn Naughton (Walpole, Sr.), Kerri Finneran (Central Catholic, Sr.), Bella DiFiore (Andover, Sr.), Raena Crandall (Franklin, Sr.).

Longest road trip in the first round: No. 28 Barnstable to No. 5 Belmont — 91 miles

Preview: The Round of 16 is expected to feature the fiercest level of competition in the category. No. 1 Lincoln-Sudbury’s road to championship could hit a roadblock against the winner of a competitive matchup between Durfee (No. 16) and King Philip (No. 17). No. 4 Andover could face No. 13 Beverly or No. 20 Arlington.

But the teams that overcome this obstacle will face an even more competitive round of 16. If LS advances to the Round of 16, the opponent will likely be a tough No. 8 Bishop Feehan team. No. 7 Franklin has the chance to have a rematch with Walpole, who ended his tournament in the quarters last year. Algonquin vs. Central Catholic and Belmont or Natick vs. Andover could change the trajectory of the tournament.

SECTION 2

Favorite: No. 1 Norwood

Sleeper: No. 6 Hingham

Players to watch: Shea Larkee (Norwood, Sr.), Haylen Wilson (Hingham, Sr.), Caitlin “KK” Hussey (Duxbury, Sr.), Emily Carr (Somerset Berkley, Sr.), Libby Quinn (Reading, Sr.), Avi Panacopoulos (Malden Catholic, Sr.), Meg Hourihan (Nashoba, So.).

Longest road trip in the first round: No. 17 Scituate to No. 16 Agawam — 122 miles

Preview: Top-ranked Norwood lost in the final to Reading a year ago. The Mustangs could advance to the round of 16 with the winner of a No. 16 Agawam tie against No. 17 Scituate. After that: No. 8 Reading or No. 9 Duxbury. Somerset Berkley could see No. 15 Masconomet or No. 18 Leominster in the round of 16. Canton and Dartmouth could battle to play in the quarterfinals with No. 4 Nashoba or Hopkinton. And although No. 6 Hingham is seeded two spots lower than last year, the team’s path to a Round of 16 matchup against No. 3 NDA-Hingham could be in sight.

SECTION 3

Favorite: No. 2 Watertown

Sleeper: No. 4 Medfield

Players to watch: MK Cronin (Dedham, So.), Rachel Egan (Watertown, Sr.), Morgan Felts (Newburyport, Sr.), Quinn Jordan (Sandwich, Jr.), Maeve Kelly (Medfield, Sr.), Ava Korisianos (St .Mary, Jr.)

Longest road trip in the first round: No. 27 Notre Dame-Worcester to No. 6 Dennis-Yarmouth — 115 miles.

Preview: It’s strange not to see Watertown as the top seed in Division 3, but No. 1 Sandwich’s strength of schedule elevates Kelsy Beaton’s team above the 21-time champions. . . The potential exists for a semifinal between No. 1 Sandwich and No. 4 Medfield, which would be a matchup between two teams with great depth. . . A rematch of last year’s wild Division 3 title game between Watertown and No. 3 Newburyport isn’t possible this year, but the teams could potentially see each other in the semifinals. . . Speaking of Newburyport, Division 3 is loaded with Cape Ann League teams, with the Clippers and neighbors No. 30 Triton potentially meeting in the round of 16. The CAL is also represented by No. 7 North Reading.

SECTION 4

Favorite: No.1 Uxbridge

Sleeper: No.5 Manchester Essex

Longest road trip in the first round: Based on mileage, #31 Smith Academy to #2 Monomoy is a 184-mile drive. But the 85-mile land/sea trip from Westport to No. 9 Nantucket will take 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Players to watch: Amelia Blood (Uxbridge, Jr.), Abby Kent (Manchester Essex, Jr.),. Emily Layton (Monomoy, Sr.), Evie Phelps (Nantucket, So.) Shea Ryan (St. John Paul II, Sr.) Taylor Valiton (Lynnfield, Sr.)

Preview: No. 1 Uxbridge filled its schedule with matchups against the state’s best in every division, making the Spartans extremely proven for the tournament. They are heavy favorites for their fourth straight state title and the only D4 champion since the MIAA expanded to four divisions of field hockey. . . However, No. 2 Monomoy has also been a mainstay in the D4 tournament since 2021, also giving his squad the experience needed to return to a second straight title game. . . No. 5 Manchester-Essex has had its ups and downs this season, but has won its last five games to gain momentum ahead of the playoffs. The Hornets would like to return to the championship game, which they last played in 2022. . . Keep an eye on No. 9 Nantucket, a hungry team building on its growing success in recent years.

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Kat Cornetta can be contacted at [email protected]. Alexa Podalsky can be contacted at [email protected].