Division: I
Coach: Jeff Smith (6th year)
Last year: 8-10, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Ethan Donlon, sr., G; Alex Marceau, sr., D; Liam Connolly, sr., D; Spencer Burgess, jr., M; Brendan Pearl, soph., A; Drew Livingston Jr., A; Brad Hicks, sr., M; Samson Galvin, sr., M
Top newcomers: Chris Picard, jr., A; Matt O’Brien, jr., LSM; Cormick McGonigle, sr., D; Dan Rydel, sr., M; Rob O’Connor, sr., M
Outlook: The Tide return several key players at each position, including Donlon in net, but depth could be an issue as Smith navigates the game with his flow of substitutions.
Teams to beat: Bishop Guertin
Bow
Division: II
Coach: Chris Gaudreau (1st year)
Last year: 7-8, reached first round
Returning starters: Chase Chamberlin, sr., G; Alex Killion, sr., A; Jared Reynolds, sr., A; Brendan Ulrich, sr., M; Matt Harkins, jr., LSM; Skylar O’Reilly, sr., D; Aiden Koorneef, sr., D
Top newcomers: Jack Wixson, M, So.; Thomas Rolla, M, Fr.; Alex King, D, Jr.
Outlook: The Falcons fell one goal short of advancing in the playoffs last season and hope to be back in the tournament this spring. “We are just working hard to try to improve every day,” Gaudreau said. “Up to this point, I’m very happy with the willingness of the players to listen and work hard. Hopefully, we can continue to progress throughout the season.”
Division: II
Coach: Howard Roever (5th year)
Last year: 8-8, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Matt Bennetter, jr., M; Cam Bourque, sr., D; Giuseppe Brown, soph., G; Jacob Fitts, sr., M; Drew McQuarrie, sr., A/M; Parker McQuarrie, soph., A/M
Top newcomers: Kayden Easter, fr., A/M
Outlook: The Generals had to watch seven of their starters, and 12 players in total, graduate last spring. This isn’t new to Roever, who saw similar turnover two years ago and had to retool for last season’s .500 campaign. Stark will be strong on attack with two returning starters in the McQuarrie brothers and newcomer Easter, who Roever described as “a precocious freshman.”
Teams to beat: Derryfield, Hollis-Brookline, Portsmouth, Goffstown, St. Thomas, Windham
Division: II
Coach: Sean O’Brien (17th year)
Last year: 8-7, reached first round
Returning starters: Dylan Arrant, soph., A; Chase Mercier, sr., M; Evan Martin, sr., M; Chris Carmichael, sr., M; Josh Farmer, sr., D; Ryan Neylon, sr., D; Nick Koufous, soph., D; Matt Jarvis, sr., G
Top newcomers: Coby Mercier, fr., A; Ben Davis, sr., D
Outlook: O’Brien is confident this year’s Pride has the talent and depth to make a push in the playoffs. “How far they go will likely depend on how well they gel as a unit and work together and grow as a team,” he said. Jarvis returns for a second season in the crease with Farmer, an All-State First-Team selection last year, protecting him.
Teams to beat: Derryfield, Dover, Portsmouth, Hollis-Brookline, Windham, Bow, St. Thomas
Division: II
Coach: Tim Vasconcellos (6th year)
Last year: 5-10, reached first round
Returning starters: Glenn Dion, sr., A; Chris Arvanitis, sr., A; Brandon Despres, jr., D
Top newcomers: Parker Abbott, jr., D; Austin Wallace, fr., M; Josh Dion, soph., M
Outlook: Vasconcello’s roster took a heavy hit, losing 15 seniors from last year. “Whenever you watch 15 seniors graduate, you know you have some work ahead of you,” he said. “This is an athletic bunch, but not a lot of lacrosse experience. We will have to learn on the fly.” Dion will spearhead the Spartans’ attack. He enters his senior season with 176 career points.
Teams to beat: Derryfield, Goffstown, Hollis-Brookline, Merrimack Valley, Windham
Division: III
Coach: Darren Premo (2nd year)
Last year: 2-12, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Chaz Hacking, Casey Akerman, Hunter Kenney, Tanner Woods, Jake Deware
Outlook: The Red Raiders hope to add a few more wins this season with a young roster.
Teams to beat: Laconia, Pelham, Hopkinton, Monadnock
Bishop Brady
Division: III
Coach: Justin Loring (2nd year)
Last year: 7-7, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Bryce Johnson, jr., A; Kyle Coffi, soph., A; Cooper Nadeau, soph., A; Colby Garcia, jr., M; Rich Sullivan, jr., M; Aidan Plumpton, sr., LSM; Cody Hill, jr., M; Manish Giri, sr., M; Reilly Woodbury, sr., D; Dan Kelly, sr., D
Top newcomers: Keaton Nichols, sr., D; Danny Bryck, sr., A; Colby Morris, jr., LSM; Mark Galvin, fr., M; Adam Michalewicz, fr., M; Kyle Beane, fr., M; Johan Elissaon, sr., M; Joe Monaghan, sr., M; Jacob Marshall, fr., G; Tony Wright, sr., M;
Outlook: Loring will have a familiar starting lineup in his second season with the team. The Giants lost just five seniors and almost the entire group of starters returns this year. Last season ended in a positive way, despite missing the playoffs, with a 7-6 overtime win against Lebanon. “I have told the kids that we are probably the only team other than Laconia to enter the season on a winning note,” he said.
Teams to beat: Laconia, Trinity, Pelham, Kearsarge, Plymouth
Coe-Brown
Division: III
Coach: Ryan Hanavan (3rd year)
Last year: 2-12, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Shane Fillion, sr., D; Mitchell Wade, jr., M; Jack Percy, jr., A; Ben Heyliger, jr., M; Ben Watson, jr., M
Outlook: The Bears hope to continue to build on momentum this spring. Sophomore Zac Sheehan will take over goaltending duties with Fillion and sophomores Dominic Cronshaw and Levi White running the defense. Heyliger and Ben Watson will lead the offensive midfielders along with help from senior Corbin LeBlanc, freshman Jacob Radwan, freshman Dawson Dubois, sophomore Dakota West, and juniors Colby Tessier and Derek Elwell. Percy will lead the attacking unit with help from freshman Daniel Strum, junior Samuel Godwin, and sophomores Ryan Whitcher, and Kyle Thorne.
Division: III
Coach: Deacon Blue (5th year)
Last year: 11-5, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Derek Amoth, sr., G; Sage Dubois, sr., D; Jacob Ashcraft, sr., D; Gerry Donahue, jr., D; Kiernan Byrne, soph., D; Henry Yianakopolos, sr., M; Prince Mansah, sr., M; Carter Quiet, jr., M; Joe Cullinan, sr., A; Sam Schuster, sr., A; Liam Flanagan, sr., A
Top newcomers: Carter Haley, soph., D; Colby Quiet, fr., M; Paul Molnar, soph., M; Sam Thompson, soph., A
Outlook: The Hawks have most of last year’s team back, which gives Blue peace of mind. “This brings a sense of continuity and should help us keep our momentum and build on lessons from last year,” Blue said. “Our attack, defense and goalie positions look particularly strong, and we will seek to utilize those members of our team to their full potential.”
Teams to beat: Kearsarge, Laconia, Trinity, Pelham
Division: III
Coach: Kevin Driscoll (3rd year)
Last year: first year as a program
Returning starters: Jacob Mulsow, soph., D; Sam Wilber, jr., D; Andre Sturgeon, jr., LSM; Brendyn Marsh, jr., M; Nick Spicuzza, jr., M; Garrett McCarthy, jr., A; Ryan Hale, soph., A; Brett Burns, soph., A; Christian Marsh, soph., M
Top newcomers: Liam Brown, fr., M; Clayton Hornkohl, soph., G; Ryan Kelly, sr., M; Noah Robinson, fr., M; Patrick Mohan, fr., D
Outlook: Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough arrives with a young roster for its first varsity season. A new team doesn’t mean the lineup is void of experience as Driscoll has nine starters from last year’s JV program. Hornkohl is new in the crease but he will have an experienced group of defensemen in front of him led by Muslow, Wilber and Mohan.
Teams to beat: Laconia, Hopkinton, Monadnock, Pelham, Plymouth
Division: III
Coach: Zach Matthews (3rd year)
Last year: 12-3, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Jakob Arnold, sr., G; David Benjamin, sr., D; Sam Kelly, sr., D; Justin Norris, sr., M; Leland Heckel, sr., M; Gunnar Nurme, sr., M; Tate Nurme, soph., A; Tom Gallo, sr., A
Top newcomers: Patrick Lee, soph., D; Isaac Braun, sr., LSM
Outlook: The Cougars are fortunate to have several returning players from last year. Matthews expects Norris will lead the team offensively, while Benjamin and Arnold will anchor the back end.
Teams to beat: Laconia, Hopkinton, Pelham, Monadnock, Plymouth