GoLocal High School Soccer Coaches Poll: Who’s the Best in Central Mass?

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Monday, September 24, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

There is certainly some high-quality soccer being played in Central Mass these days. Two of the state's three defending champions are located in the region, but several other contenders are hoping to make names for themselves in Central Mass and beyond.

GoLocalWorcester reached out to high school soccer coaches in Central Mass to see who they thought the best team in the region was. Here are the results of our first coaches poll.

1. Algonquin: 3-0-2
2. North: 3-1-0
3. Sutton: 5-0-1
4. Groton-Dunstable: 3-2-1
5. Nashoba: 4-1-1
6. Shepherd Hill: 5-1-1
7. Westborough: 3-1-1
8. Leominster: 2-1-2
9. Bromfield: 3-1-1
10. Shrewsbury: 3-2-1

Game of the Week: Sutton at North, Monday at 3 pm

The Polar Bears came within a goal of knocking off eventual state champion Ludlow last season, and North's impressive bounce-back win over Groton-Dunstable last week proved they will once again be a top team in the region.

Reigning Division 3 state champion Sutton will give North all it can handle and more. The unbeaten Sammies are led by brothers Justin and Kevin Rothermich, and goalie Gordie Smythe has registered four shutouts.

League Game of the Week: Shrewsbury at Algonquin, Saturday at 5 pm

Algonquin come up just shy of a Central Mass title last season against North, but this game will be about setting a good early tone in Midland League A. The Tomahawks got off to a good start in league play with a win over Wachusett, but Shrewsbury is coming off an impressive 2-0 win over Westborough.

Player to Watch: Nate Pomeroy, senior, Groton-Dunstable

After falling to Nashoba and North, Groton-Dunstable bounced back last week with dominating wins over North Middlesex and Fitchburg. Leading the Crusaders was senior forward Nate Pomeroy who accounted for six goals and three assists in those two games, notching his 100th career point in his team's 9-1 win over North Middlesex.

The schedule picks back up for Groton-Dunstable as they face Westborough today. Then, the Crusaders face a stiff road test at Bromfield Saturday.