Once again, it’s tournament time in girls’ hockey.

With talent well-spread, it’s a little harder to pinpoint the contenders, which should make for a great postseason.

In Division 1, Arlington Catholic, Austin Prep, and Duxbury look to be the forerunners.

Top-ranked Arlington Catholic (17-1-1) has only conceded nine goals this season, the lowest in the state. The Lady Cougars are a team that wins by committee, with all three lines generating offense.

On the back end, senior Erin Healy is their anchor, a two-way defender who is very smart when it comes to joining the attack.

Veteran seniors Juliana Dolan, Eileen Flynn, Michaela McLaughlin, and Abby Knight are a tough task for any team to contain on offense.

Right on their heels is No. 2 Austin Prep (18-2-0). Also the Cougars, their only two losses this season came at the hands of Arlington Catholic.

They have a game-changing goalie in Caty Flagg, who can swing momentum at any given notice. Senior Jaimee Cooke is a shutdown defender with a cannon of a shot. Senior Kylie Currier (10-7—17) and junior Annie Richards (8-7—15) drive the offense.

Last year, Austin Prep’s playoff run came to an end in the semifinals with a 3-0 loss to reigning champion Reading. For the 10 returners, they’ll be looking for revenge.

Duxbury is a team that should never be overlooked in the postseason.

The SEMGHL Coastal cochampions return nine upperclassmen from a squad that made it all the way to the semifinals last year. They’re sharp in all three zones, almost impossible to crack.

Some might count out Reading after graduating a deep squad and losing Ali O’Leary. But the Rockets have firepower stockpiled and return most of their defensive core that did not allow a goal in last year’s tournament.

Billerica and Haverhill/North Andover are nearly equal, as both teams feature brick-wall goalies and shutdown defense. Beverly/Danvers, Woburn, and Needham have prolific offenses. A classic battle between defense and offense is brewing.

Division 2

Notre Dame (H), Wellesley, and Milton are the forerunners.

Notre Dame could contend in the upper division with one of the tougher schedules, having played both Arlington Catholic and Austin Prep very closely despite some deceptive scores. These Cougars are very well-rounded and seniors Caroline Hocking and Erin Morrissey have typically driven their offense, although eighth-grader Gabrielle Roy has emerged as their ace. Roy is a speedy forward with excellent stick skills.

Between the pipes, senior goalie Elizabeth Bell never seems to get rattled. Defender Julia Schiffmann has an accurate shot from the blue line.

Wellesley (15-2-2) made it all the way to the finals last year before falling to Falmouth in overtime. The Raiders rebounded with ease, going on a 16-game unbeaten streak before losing to Milton at the end of the season.

The team is deep with Kiely Noonan, Sophie Vernon, and Carley Boyle returning for another shot at the title.

Milton is a team with a scary amount of concentrated firepower — forwards Elena Kapolis, Julia Scannell, and Laura Hill have at least 50 points apiece — but defense is not a strong point.

Methuen/Tewksbury has some prolific scorers in its ranks, but the younger team might find trouble as it runs into the traditional powerhouses. Senior defender Kat LeFebre will look to lead the way.

Shrewsbury and Winchester will sneak up on some teams. Burlington, Medfield, and Plymouth should make a run. Don’t count out Falmouth as well.