On day 3 of our spring sports previews we take a look at the boys and girls tennis teams who both are coming off tournament appearances in 2015 in both team and individual competition and are looking for more success this season. Here’s what you need to know.

Boys Tennis:

2015 record: 15-4

Tournament: Lost to Barnstable in D1 South Semifinals

Notes: The boys captured the Herget title in 2015 during their run to the D1 South semifinals, and also had some success on the individual side with two doubles pairs qualifying for the sectional tournament. The boys will be looking to repeat as Herget champs this season and also make it even deeper into tournament on both the team and individual side

Girls Tennis:

2015 record: 9-10

Tournament: Lost to Brookline in D1 South first round

Notes: The girls team was able despite a tough record to make it into the team sectionals where they won their preliminary round match before falling to top seeded Brookline in the first round. The girls will look to compete for a Herget title and a much deeper run in the tournament this year not only on the team side but the individual side as well.

On day 2 of our spring sports preview we take a look at both the boys and girls lacrosse programs who both have had tremendous amounts of success over the years and are looking to continue that into this new season. Here’s a brief look at both teams.

Boys Lacrosse:

2015 record: 10-8

Tournament: Lost in D1 South First Round to Xaverian

Notes: The Raiders had some struggles a year ago but were able to earn a berth in the tournament and battled higher seeded Xaverian to a one goal loss in that tournament contest. Under head coach Rocky Batty the Raiders have always been one of the perennial powers in the Bay State Conference and will look to return to those heights this season and compete for the league title and a high seed in D1 South.

Girls Lacrosse:

2015 record: 15-1-1

Tournament: Lost in D1 South Semifinals to Westwood

Notes: The Raiders enjoyed a tremendous amount of success a year ago winning the Bay State Herget title and two tournament games before losing to perennial power Westwood in the sectional semifinals. Under second year head coach Michelle Cook the Raiders will look to capture another league title and continue to be one of the top girls programs in the state as they have built themselves into over the years.

For the first of 4 spring sports previews we take a look today at the Softball and Baseball teams who are both looking to compete for Herget division titles and tournament berths this season. Here is a little about what to look forward to from each team.

Softball

2015 record: 8-10

Tournament: Missed tournament

Notes: The 2015 edition of the Raiders started out strong but due to some mid-season struggles missed the state tournament. This years team guided by head coach Emily Hunt will look to get over that tournament hump this season as well as competing for the Herget title.

Baseball

2015 record: 12-10

Tournament: Lost to Mansfield in D1 South Quarterfinals

Notes: The Raider baseball team struggled out of the gate last season but bounced back in a big way the second half of the season to make the state tournament once again, and then was able to beat Catholic Memorial in the first round before falling to Mansfield. The team led by head coach Rob Kane will once again look to be at the top of the Herget division as they return a solid core from last years squad.

Even though it may not look like it outside, today is the first official day of spring sports across the state of Massachusetts, and your Raider teams will begin gearing up for what is sure to be another exciting season. Wellesley Sports Blitz will be previewing all the spring sports teams all week long beginning tomorrow so keep an eye out for that, as we shake off this snow event and get ready for another fun season of Raiders athletics!

Today was a big day in Raider nation as for the third straight year the girls ice hockey team skated at TD Garden with the D2 state title on the line as the Raiders squared off with the Cougars of Notre Dame Academy. Would it be third times the charm, let’s find out!

Result for 3-20-16

Girls Hockey: Notre Dame 3 Wellesley 1

Girls finish 18-3-2, congratulations on a terrific season and best of luck to the seniors in their future endeavors!

In today’s Raider Friday Trivia question I asked you the reader what team did the girls hockey team beat to win their last state championship? The answer is… Reading. The Raiders knocked off the Rockets in the D2 finals back in 2006 by a final score of 2-1. Now with that being said it’s a good time to remind everyone that the Raider girls will skate at the TD Garden for the third straight year on Sunday as they look for their first title since 2006 when they take on Notre Dame Academy at 11 am!

It is that time of week again, time for another super installment of Raider Friday Trivia! For today’s question you may sense a theme based on past posts this week. Anyway here’s the question. What team did the Wellesley Girls Hockey program defeat to win their last state title. Answer later tonight!

http://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/010050589D7B2E8D?SREF=TWEventKeyword

If you want to buy advanced tickets for Sunday’s girls hockey state title game click the link above or go tdgarden.com

 

Yesterday we took a look back at Wellesley’s road to the Garden, now it’s time to take a look at the team they will be playing the Cougars of Notre Dame Academy. Here’s a little of what you need to know about the Cougars heading into Sunday’s matchup.

Record: 18-4-2 (First Catholic Conference)

Goals Scored: 102

Goals Allowed: 43

How they got here:

Beat Mansfield/Oliver Ames 11-3 in D2 Preliminary Round

Beat Winchester 2-1 in D2 First Round

Beat Tewksbury/Methuen 8-2 in D2 Quarterfinals

Beat Matignon 9-3 in D2 Semifinals

Notes:

This will be the first ever trip for the Cougars to the TD Garden and despite their 9th seed in the tournament this team packs quite the punch offensively. The Cougars have not only scored over 100 goals up to this point but are averaging 7.5 goals per game in the tournament alone. This team certainly has depth as evidenced by the fact that one of their top scorers is only an 8th grader (Gabrielle Roy). Defensively the team has been lead in net by senior Caroline Bell.

The MIAA just released the game times for Sunday’s hockey state championship games and the Raider girls will take to the ice at 11 am for their D2 state title game vs. Notre Dame Academy. The weekly schedule has been updated.