VARSITY INSIDER

Vermont field hockey: Varsity Insider power rankings for Oct. 19

Burlington Free Press

CVU goalie Kayla Ferreira dives to deflect a CVU shot during their high school field hockey game at Essex High School on Monday, Oct. 8. 2018. Essex won, 2-1.

The real fun starts Monday.

That's when the title chase in high school field hockey begins and, finally, we get to see if Bellows Falls, winner of 54 straight games and counting, is up to the task of upending the traditional Division I hierarchy.

The Terriers have essentially dominated in a vacuum — the closest anyone has come this year was four goals ... in the opener. Put more simply: No one from outside Chittenden County, home to all of the traditional D-I powers, could hang with Bellows Falls in the regular season; no one from Chittenden County faced the Terriers either. A classic what-if scenario if there ever was one.

And in Division II and Division III the championship races are wide-open. As many as five teams could stake a solid claim in either tournament, making the next two weeks as exciting as it gets.

In the meantime, get ready for the action with the final Varsity Insider power rankings of the regular season and stay tuned for my playoff predi.

This week's rankings

(Through Oct. 4)

1. Bellows Falls (14-0): We may not see this type of domination for a long, long time to come — if ever again — in any sport. Regardless what the Terriers accomplish in the postseason, their 2018 regular season is one for the ages: 110 goals scored and just two conceded. Last week: 1.

2. Colchester (10-0-3): The Lakers have already posted the best regular season in program history. A win or a tie against Mount Abraham on Saturday would make it the first undefeated campaign since 1990, and only their second ever. Last week: 3.

More:Vermont field hockey: Varsity Insider power rankings for Oct. 5

3. South Burlington (12-1-1): Thursday's scoreless tie at Colchester snapped the Wolves' 11-game winning streak. I'm not saying South Burlington won't win the potential semifinal rematch, but the Lakers are the one earning the nod at No. 2 this week. Last week: 2.

4. Rice (8-2-2): Unbeaten in six games — with ties against Mount Abraham and Colchester — the Green Knights are still likely to end up the 5-seed behind Essex, setting up a juicy quarterfinal showdown between squads that split one-goal games this year. Last week: 5.

More:The remarkable rise of Rice star Lisa McNamara

5. Essex (11-3): A 2-1 loss to Colchester costs the Hornets a spot in my top four to finish the season. But as the likely 4-seed when the D-I playoffs begin, they remain as much of a contender as ever. Last week: 4.

More:Thursday's H.S. highlights: Neddo, Essex storm past Middlebury 8-1

6. Mount Abraham (8-2-3): The record says plenty for the Eagles. It's going to take a D-I heavyweight — the likes of South Burlington or Essex — to get the better of them. That keeps them secure in the standings, just outside that lead pack of large-school powers. Last week: 6.

7. Burr and Burton (7-5-1): A seven-game unbeaten run for the Bulldogs went up in smoke in back-to-back road losses to Bellows Falls — when they became just the second team to score on the Terriers this year — and Hartford. Last week: 8.

CVU #20 Lena Ashooh breaks away with the ball during their high school field hockey game at Essex High School on Monday, Oct. 8. 2018. Essex won, 2-1.

8. Otter Valley (9-4): Riding three straight wins, the Otters have banked some momentum for a D-II playoff push. The quality of recent competition, plus the head-to-head result, is what keeps them beneath BBA. Last week: 9.

9. Champlain Valley (6-7-1): Two losses in as many days against Mount Mansfield and Rice push the Redhawks down two rungs this week. Last week: 7

10. Mount Mansfield (4-9-1): The Cougars have gone 3-3 since the last rankings came out, but that includes a quality 1-0 win over Champlain Valley and a pair of 1-0 setbacks against quality sides in Mount Abraham and Essex. I like where they're trending heading to the playoffs. Last week: Unranked.

On the bubble: Windsor (10-3), Rutland (7-5-2), Hartford (6-6-2), Woodstock (7-4-2), Stowe (9-3-1), St. Johnsbury (9-3-1), Lyndon (9-3-1).

More:Vermont field hockey: Varsity Insider power rankings for Sept. 20

Become a member of the Vermont Varsity Insider Facebook group at https://bit.ly/2MGSfvX. Contact Austin Danforth at 651-4851 or edanforth@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @eadanforth.