The Hollis Brookline field hockey team hopes to be smiling in nearly two weeks as they own the top seed in the Division II tourney with a 15-1 record. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

And then there were three.

The local high school field hockey season is over for all but three teams, and all three certainly deserve to be ready to begin the post season this week.

Bishop Guertin will be the first team to dive into the tourney waters, as the No. 8 Cardinals (11-4-1) host No. 9 Timberlane (6-10) on Wednesday in the Division I prelims. Game time is 2 p.m. at Rivier University’s Merrill Field.

Next up will be Souhegan and Hollis Brookline, both teams set to play in the Division II quarterfinals on Friday. HB is the No. 1 seed after a stellar 15-1 season, and will host the winner of today’s Plymouth-Kingswood prelim at 3 p.m.

No. 5 Souhegan (11-5) already knows who it will play in Friday’s quarters – that would be No. 4 Bow (12-3-1), in Bow, also at 3 p.m. as of now.

Not to jump ahead, but if the Sabers and Cavaliers both win, they would meet in the semifinals next Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Exeter’s Bill Ball Stadium.

DIVISION I

Guertin coach Dakota Bilodeau’s main task may be to convince her players that Wednesday’s prelim with the Owls won’t be nearly as easy as their 10-0 season opener was, that game back on Aug. 29.

That being said, the Cards have come out on the other side of a three-game losing streak ready to rock.

“We’re really excited for the postseason,” Bilodeau said. “We saw Timberlane earlier this season, and we know every team improves as the season goes on.”

Just remember, Bilodeau is the perfect coach for this scenario, because she took a lower seeded Bishop Guertin softball team last spring to the Division I finals.

“The playoffs are always unpredictable,” she said, “so we’re focused on being as prepared as possible to play our best field hockey on Wednesday.”

In case you’re wondering, here’s the scoring from the first meeting with the Owls, which was in Plaistow:

Sarah Brunelle scored four goals to lead the way, while Sophie Bilodeau (goal, assist), Carly Green (goal), Abby Lynn (goal), Emily Vincinguerra (goal, two assists), Sophia Harrington (goal), Addison Daddona (goal, assist) and Maddie Harrington (two assists) added to the offense.

A win would have the Cards hopping on a bus and headed to Keene on Saturday for a quarterfinal with the top seeded Blackbirds, who went 15-0-1. That tie? Why, you already know, it was 1-1 with BG back on Sept. 30.

DIVISION II

The Cavaliers have had nearly a storybook season. They don’t give up many shots, have only allowed a miniscule four goals all fall, and have a solid team approach. Nyah Jernberg and Sabrina Hill have been mainstays on offense, but they’re just two of many.

“A big part of our success has been the unselfishness of our players,” Cavs coach Greg Cochrane said. “They support and root for each other on and off the field. We have taken it one step at a time, focusing on the task at hand approach all season.

“That will be our mindset moving forward.”

The Cavaliers only loss this season was to Bow, whom they could see in the semis, a 1-0 contest. But first they need to win in the quarters; they beat 7-8-1 Kingswood 2-0 during the regular season and 9-7 Plymouth 5-1 just last week.

How about the Sabers? The Bow win was dramatic, the game-winner coming off a penalty corner as time expired. Their goals came from Ori Dart and Hanalia Dyksra (assists from Caitlin Ridings, Ella Russell)while Amelia Warecki needed to make 10 saves to preserve a tight win. So this is clearly a 50-50 game.

“Having played Bow recently makes it a bit more interesting as they are fresh in our minds as we are in theirs,” Sabers coach Kelli Braley said. “It’s also an interesting position having a full week to prepare to play and not have to wait to find out the prelim round results.”

Braley, whose Sabers are in the semis or finals regularly, knows the task will be difficult this time to get past the Falcons.

“Keys to our success are going to be communication, having a sense of urgency and execution of the game plan,” she said. “Bow played us very tough a week and a half ago and I expect it will not be an easy win this time either. ”

What has to happen to return to the semis, where the Sabers lost last year to eventual champion John Stark?

“Our offense needs to make sure to capitalize on the chances we give and our defense needs to stay strong when tested,” Braley said, adding that the other key is the midfield being quick in transition and helping to keep possession in the offensive end.

“It’ll be a full team effort to get the win and advance to the Final Four,” she said.

SEMIS, FINALS

The semis in Division II will be next Tuesday at 5 and 7 p.m. at Exeter’s Bill Ball Stadium. The Division I semis are the next night, same place, same times.

The finals are at Bedford’s Bulldog Stadium, but no longer on Sunday as in the past. Instead, they will be on Saturday, Nov. 2. Division I is at 3 p.m. and Division II is 7 p.m.