Division: I
Coach: Bonnie Proulx (2nd year)
Last year: 8-7-1, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Julia Ek, sr., D; Rebecca Proulx, sr., D/M; Bailey Jackson, sr., D; Lauren Mullen, sr. F; Emily Otto, sr., D; Isabelle Dunn, jr., F; Sydney Fishwick, jr., M; Carly Torrance, so., F; Olivia Branch, so., M
Top newcomers: Megan Martel, fr., G; Jessie Reed, sr., F
Outlook: The Crimson Tide has reason for optimism with nine starters returning from last year’s quarterfinal team. The Tide has eight seniors on its 16-deep roster, where the only freshman is Martel, who arrives at one of the few spots of need. Concord also gets a boost from the return of senior midfielder/defender Delia Barry, who missed last year with an injury.
“We’re excited for the return of our core team … and we’re optimistic for a return to the postseason,” Coach Proulx said.
Teams to beat: Winnacunnet, Bishop Guertin
Division: II
Coach: Kim Kenney (22nd year)
Last year: 5-10, reached first round
Returning starters: Lauryn Masse, sr., D; Madyn Kenney, sr., M; Raegan Baillargeon, sr., D; Grace Montgomery, sr., F; Jess Mulleavey, sr., F; Meg Dougherty, jr., F; Colleen Easler, jr., F; Kylee Warren, jr., G; Chloe Rattee, jr., D
Outlook: “Last year we didn’t get to the ball with any urgency and we didn’t finish games strong. We also struggled to put the ball into the net,” Coach Kenney said, commenting on last season. “We have many returning players so we are making some changes in our daily practices to address those issues. Our goal this year is to only lose games because we were beaten by a better team and not because we couldn’t keep up.”
Teams to beat: “Every year I worry about every team I see on my schedule. I don’t think that will ever change,” said Coach Kenney.
Division: III
Coach: Kelly Owen (22nd year)
Last year: 6-7-2, reached first round
Returning starters: Lauren Roy, jr., M/F; Ciara Labbe, sr., M
Outlook: With only two returning starters from last season the Giants will be looking for returning and new players to try various positions as they come together as a unit and hope to earn another tournament berth.
Teams to beat: Berlin
Division: III
Coach: Tracy Berube (2nd year, 12th overall)
Last year: 6-6-4, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Hallier Lothrop, sr., D; Kirsten Wiesner, sr., F; Claire Mulvaney, sr., F; Lyndsey Wheeler, sr., G; Cassie Meaney, sr., F; Sara Anoli, sr., G; Riley Hicks, sr., D; Lizzie Pizzi, sr., D; Saara Bliss, sr., F; Dominique Biron, jr., F; Sonya Delorie, jr., F; Shannon Ford, jr., F; Jennie Ess, jr., F; Dillon Hicks, jr., D; Laura Hoeker, jr., F; Brenna Novakoski, so., F; Courtney Baera, so., G
Outlook: With 17 returning varsity players, the majority of whom have played together for several years, the Falcons hope to use that experience and chemistry on the field to their advantage and make a run in the playoffs.
Teams to beat: “Any team in D-III can be competitive,” according to Coach Berube.
Division: III
Coach: Deb Georgevits (4th year)
Last year: 2-12, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Hailey Haskins, sr.; Lauren Pelletier, sr.; Anna Sylvestre, sr., D; Jess Cilley, sr., G; Zoe Kaplan, sr., F/M; Anna Doherty, sr., D/M
Top newcomers: Emma Lapierre, fr., D; Lauren Marsh, jr., F
Outlook: The Golden Tornadoes have a core group of six seniors and some underclassmen who have seen varsity minutes and a group of girls playing the sport for the first time. “The challenge is to increase skill and mesh together as one cohesive unit,” Coach Georgevits said. “We want to play smart and use our resources wisely.”
Teams to beat: Hopkinton, Berlin
Division: III
Coach: Kate Hohenberger (1st year)
Last year: 11-4-1, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Emmy Campbell, sr., G; Lilly Hoffman, jr., F; Chloe Wood, so., M; Lyndon Flanagan, so., F
Top newcomers: Avery Barrett, fr., F; Katie Meserve, fr., M
Outlook: The Hawks lost some strong key players to graduation and have a new coach, but strong leadership from captains Campbell and Hoffman and some talented underclassmen gives Hopkinton plenty of reasons to be positive about the upcoming season. “This can be difficult for any team, but these girls are taking it head on,” Coach Hohenberger said. “I feel we will be competitive and we will continue to grow.”
Division: III
Coach: Dennis Pelletier (1st year)
Last year: 0-13, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Mercedes Camacho, sr., F/M; Emily Durica, sr., D/F; Haley Decotis, sr., D/M; Taylor McDonald, sr., D; Miranda Palmisano, sr., D; Melina Jackson, jr., G; Olivia Fatcheric, jr., M
Top newcomers: Rebecca Wetherbee, fr., F; Olivia Desainde, fr., M; Elizabeth Aubin, fr., F; Skyler Rousseau, fr., F
Outlook: The goal for the Generals is rebuilding after a winless season. Seven returning starters, led by second-team All-Staters Camacho and Decotis, allow for a sense of familiarity and experience among the players, while 11 freshmen in the program ensure that the Generals will have an abundance of talent to try to mold into varsity contributors.
Teams to beat: Berlin, Gilford, Monadnock, Hopkinton, Winnisquam
Division: III
Coach: Dianne Chadwick (3rd year)
Last year: 8-7, reached first round
Returning starters: Devi Kraashaur, F, sr.; Vica Hensken, F/M, sr.; Annie Tilley, D; Kirstin Westerberg, M/D, jr.
Top newcomers: Marissa Pickman, G
Outlook: The Cougars lost nine players from last year’s playoff team, but they still bring back a strong core of talent that’s spread evenly across the field. Kraashaur and Hensken will lead the forward line. Westerberg, a three-year starter, anchors the defense along with Tilley. And sophomores Jordan Pollard and Chase Lennon bring skill and stamina to the midfield.
Division: III
Coach: Aimee Monterio (1st year)
Last year: 0-13-1, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Carley Songen, sr., F; Kelly Wagner, jr., M; Michaela Dupuis, jr., D; Taylor Monterio, jr., M/D; Alyse Cleasby, so., F
Top newcomers: Ciera Clark, jr., F/M; Josie Stotlar, so., G
Outlook: The Spartans begin the process of building up the program after a winless season, and it starts with molding the five returning players into leaders for the younger ones. “Our field hockey team has not had a successful past,” Monterio said. “And we are looking to change that.”
Division: III
Coach: Cherie Snow (6th year)
Last year: 8-6-2, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Molly Tinker, sr., F; Samantha Wood, sr., D; Cora Kelley, sr., M; Erin Atherton, sr., F; Jenna Roy, sr.
Top newcomers: Kaylee Tierney, jr., D; Meghan Cote, fr., F
Outlook: The Bears only graduated one senior from last year’s team that made a quarterfinal run, and have large returning senior and junior classes to lead the team. The Bears are hoping that leadership and experience will push the squad further into the playoffs this season. “They have strong skills and knowledge of the sport and what I expect which will allow us to be very competitive,” Coach Snow said. “Our goal is to make it to the final four. I am excited for this season and to watch the team grow and develop even more.”
Teams to beat: Berlin, Newfound, Gilford, Hopkinton