Needham girls soccer stands at 10-1-1 and ranks third in Division 1 as the Rockets approach the end of the regular season.
The MIAA power rankings updated Oct. 20, incorporating scores entered by 4 a.m., give Needham an overall rating of 4.5429. Wellesley sits one spot ahead at 9-1-2 with a 4.6401 rating.
The Rockets put together three consecutive victories following a 2-2 draw with Braintree on Oct. 6. They beat Newton North 2-0 on Oct. 8, Westwood 5-0 on Oct. 10 and Brookline 2-1 on Oct. 15, according to MIAA results.
Sophomore Alli Manning scored the first-half winner against Newton North on an assist from senior captain Izzy Marino, MassLive reported. The Westwood victory marked Needham’s fourth game with at least five goals.
The Brookline rematch was closer than the teams’ season opener, which Needham won 5-0 at Cricket Field on Sept. 9. Marino scored twice in that opening victory, while junior Vivienne Laporte contributed a goal and an assist, according to MassLive.
Laporte, a transfer from Worcester Academy, has helped strengthen a roster with only three returning seniors. Manning and sophomore Belen Schreier also scored in the opener.
Laporte added two goals in a 6-0 victory over Weymouth on Sept. 15, the Needham Channel reported.
Needham’s lone defeat came at Wellesley, 3-0, on Sept. 17. The Rockets are seeking another strong tournament position after earning the fourth seed last fall before losing to Belmont in the quarterfinals, according to the Belmont Voice.
The top 32 teams in the final MIAA power rankings qualify for the state tournament regardless of record. Teams ranked below that cutoff can qualify for a play-in game with a record of .500 or better.
