For the last handful of years, Concord-Carlisle (20-0-4) found itself competing atop the MIAA Div. 1 soccer ranks.

However, the Patriots had consistently struggled to take that next big leap. That all changed when the school ran roughshod through its regular season slate before embarking on a deep playoff run. Thanks to goals from Sean Fernandez-Davila and Brady Poor, the Patriots knocked off a perennial state finalist in Needham, completing an unbeaten season while winning their first championship since 2011.

After a miraculous finish by Oliver Ames to capturie the 2022 Div. 2 boys soccer crown, somehow the Tigers (19-3-1) managed to outdo themselves. Despite losing so many vital pieces from that team, the program reloaded, earning a playoff berth as the No. 6 seed. They went right back to the title bout, where Joey Carney sniped a game-ending goal in overtime to deliver the Tigers a second straight championship. It was the fifth Div. 2 title for the team in the past decade.

The Div. 3 field ultimately came down to a pair of South Shore schools who have enjoyed much success in recent seasons. The third-seeded Norwell Clippers faced off with No. 4 Pembroke, each looking to leave a stamp on historic runs for their respective classes. After fighting tooth-and-nail all day, the teams remained deadlocked and the championship contest was decided with a penalty kick shootout. Joshua Kue buried the clinching tally, and the Clippers (20-2-2) stormed the field. For the second time in two seasons, the program had won the title in such a fashion.

When it comes to true surprises, see the Div. 4 tournament. Lynnfield (19-2-2), the No. 2 seed, knocked off undefeated Hampshire in the Final Four, then matched up with a program making its first state final appearance, Monomoy. Dillon Reilly sniped the game-clinching tally late in regulation, as the Pioneers captured the first championship.

After being controlled by Bromfield for most of the last few years, a new champion rose in Div. 5 with Westport winning it all. The Wildcats defeated an annual juggernaut, Douglas, as they earned a heartstopping 1-0 win after a penalty kick affair. Nyzaiah Pacheco emerged as the hero, as he delivered the dagger during a 4-2 shootout. It was Westport’s first state championship in any sport.

The Div. 1 girls soccer tournament always seemed to come down to the same handful of schools each of the previous five years or so, and that trend carried on. Captained by All-American Kaitlyn Lebrun, Natick (22-1-1) rolled into the championship match, where it battled Bishop Feehan. Kira Henderson and Cassidy Moriarty each netted goals as the Red Hawks shut down the Shamrocks, 2-0, and won their second state title since 2021.

Helmed by an All-New England selection in Sydney Comeau, Notre Dame (Hingham) enjoyed its best season since 2013, when the Cougars captured the Div. 2 Eastern Mass. championship. This time around, the school took things a step further by winning the Div. 2 state title (a 1-0 win over Mansfield). Comeau’s tally proved to be the difference in the final.

The Div. 3 girls field came down to neighboring schools Hanover and Norwell. The Clippers dealt the Hawks their first loss, with sophomore Anja Johnson scoring the lone goal of the game as Norwell won its third title since the 2018 season.

The Div. 4 bracket was decided by a Central-West matchup, with top-seeded South Hadley taking on second-ranked Sutton. Playing in their 15th championship appearance since 1990, the Suzies showed poise when challenged. Anna Joseph and Addy Jerome each found the back of the net, as Sutton won its third consecutive state crown, and first since making the leap back up one level.

After falling short to the aforementioned Suzies in title game in 2022, Monson staged a journey back to the Div. 5 final this fall. This time around, the Mustangs (22-0-1) capped an undefeated season with a 4-0 win over Whitinsville Christian. Ciara Monaghan finished an epic year with a hat trick, as her school captured its second championship since 2015.