This shift in power has been in the works for several years. M&D, SW and Heros 2021 teams were all very good nationally and dominated the club tournaments for years. TLC's 21 team was also very good for years but suffered multiple defections. However, several very good players remained on TLC (girls going to JHU, Denver, OSU, Vandy...).

GCS has the Heros 21s. NDP has several SW 21s and nearly all of the TLC 21s (the very good goalie is at RPCS). SPS has several of the SW 21's and several of the M&D 21s. Those M&D 21s not being at McD is the difference between those two teams this year. It sounds like the younger M&D Black players are all at McD so this aberration is likely temporary.

SPS and NDP have the best concentration of seniors in the IAAM and that is why those two teams will likely meet in the finals.