Yearly previous to the beginning of the CIAC tournaments, GametimeCT picks the groups we expect will attain the championship matches in discipline hockey.
This fall, we’re making these picks earlier than the season begins to see how we do as soon as November rolls round.
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A lot can occur between from time to time, however right here is an early take a look at who we expect would be the final groups standing when the mud settles on the 2026 season.
The CIAC discipline hockey championships will probably be held Saturday, Nov. 21 at Wethersfield Excessive College.
Class L
2025 championship:Darien 1, Staples 0
2026 championship prediction: Staples over Ludlowe.
Here is why: A FCIAC group has gained Class L each season since 2012 and that ought to not change this yr. The FCIAC had all 4 semifinalists the previous two seasons. Glastonbury is the one non-FCIAC group to succeed in the Class L semifinals since 2019 and it has finished it thrice. The previous three seasons, the championship recreation has been between Darien and Staples and each carry again a great deal of expertise to once more be thought of favorites. May this be the yr New Canaan or Ludlowe breaks by way of? Each groups have returning expertise that might make a run. Ludlowe, which has by no means reached a CIAC title recreation, misplaced in a shootout to Staples final yr within the Class L semifinals and brings again one of many state’s finest gamers in junior Lily McClay in addition to seniors Coco Biggs and Georgia Pecknold.
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Class M
2025 championship: Branford 1, New Milford 0
2026 championship prediction:
Branford over Wilton.
Here is why: Wilton has been a Class L semifinalist yearly since 2021, reaching finals in 2022 and 2023. The Warriors misplaced to Darien within the semifinals by one purpose in every of the final three seasons. Now that they’ve dropped all the way down to Class M, they need to be thought of among the many favorites. It won’t be a simple path for Wilton with defending champion Branford returning Lilly Panuccio in purpose, Jessica Radziunas within the midfield and Ellie Meyran at ahead, atop a gifted roster. Others to look at embody: runner-up New Milford, that includes Cienna McNamara, in addition to perennial energy Guilford with 25-goal scorer Zoe Tsoukanelis, Hand, Cheshire, Pomperaug and Simsbury. All are able to making deep runs within the state match.
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Class S
2025 championship: Immaculate 3, Granby Memorial 2
2026 championship prediction:Â North Branford over Granby Memorial.
Here is why:
North Branford made four-straight finals from 2019-23, profitable titles the final three years of that run. The Thunderbirds haven’t reached the finals the previous two seasons however have an excellent quantity of expertise returning, together with Aubrey Weld and Siena Podzikowski. Defending champion Immaculate ought to compete for the title once more together with runner-up Granby Memorial with its standout ahead Camryn Santa. Shepaug Valley, Canton, Nonnewaug and Barlow might all make some noise in Class S.
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This text initially printed at 2026 CIAC discipline hockey predictions: Selecting state champions earlier than the season begins.