The following is a team-by-team outlook of the area’s high school girls’ soccer teams.
CONCORD
Division: I
Coach: Phil Tuttle (3rd year)
Last year: 13-4-1, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Allison Yanski, D; Jennifer Graham, D; Ashley Plante, F; Allison Silverstein, M; Sydney Plante, M/D; Autumn Nudd, GK
Top newcomers: Kayli Daigneault, F; Abigail Dickson, M; Chloe Morgan, M/D
Outlook: The Tide graduated a terrific senior class and lost a lot of goals in the process, creating opportunities for new players to step up and make a name for themselves.
“I believe this year will be a year for a lot of new faces to be seen and plenty of opportunity for new players to make their mark on the Concord High soccer program,” Tuttle said. “I’m excited to see how this year shakes out. I know the league is going to look a lot different than the last couple of seasons, but we’re excited to compete again.”
Concord should be solid on the defensive end, as well as in net with the return of Nudd, but scoring could be a struggle early on as players settle into new roles.
Teams to beat: Londonderry, Manchester Central, Bedford, Concord, Exeter
BOW
Division: II
Coach: Jay Vogt (16th year)
Last year: 15-2-1, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Lindsey Burnham, sr., M; Taylor Burnham, sr., D; Emma Wilke, sr., G; Madi Paul, sr., F; Chloe Binder, jr., D; Kristina Pizzi, jr., M
Top newcomers: Gracie Bresson, jr., D; Jocelyn Anderson, jr., M; Makayla Murray, jr., M; Caylin Benson, so., G; Kelly Harris, so., D; Addie Trefethen, so., F; Isabella LaPerle, fr., M; Lyndsey LaPerle, fr., F
Outlook: The perennial D-II powerhouses and 2017 champions are once again loaded with talent and experience, led by Taylor Burnham, who was a First Team D-II selection last year.
“I really like the senior leadership and how this team is interacting with each other,” Vogt said. “We are focusing on some new things and pushing the girls to challenge themselves both individually and as a team. They are excited about the season and are very motivated to have a successful season this year.”
Teams to beat: Hanover, Hollis Brookline, Kearsarge, Milford, Oyster River, Pembroke, Souhegan
Division: II
Coach: Josh Hils (15th year)
Last year: 7-10, reached first round
Returning starters: Katie Messenger, sr., D; Megan Edgecomb, sr., D; Amelia Bracket, jr., D; Kendall Nester, sr., D; Sophie Laird, sr., M; Jayden Boulanger, sr., M; Lian Welch, jr., M; Morgan Burnap, jr., M; Sam Troy, sr., F
Top newcomers: Corrine Fernald, jr., F/M: Alex Elliott, so., GK: Olivia Noni, jr., M; Izzy Myers, jr., F/GK; Becca Scruton, fr., D
Outlook: The Bears bring back 14 players with varsity experience and believe they can compete with the top teams in D-II this fall. Coe-Brown is looking forward to the return of Fernald, who missed all of last season with injury, but was one of the team’s top scorers as a freshman. Fernald will pair with Troy, last season’s top scorer, up top. Senior Lauren Curtin, Boulanger and Myers should also be scoring threats for the Bears, while Welch, Burnap and Laird will all help build the attack from the midfield. Bracket, an Honorable Mention D-II pick last year as a sophomore, will anchor the defense along with Edgecomb, Messenger and Nester.
“They key for the Bears is the ability to play a consistent 80 minutes of soccer,” Hils said.
Teams to beat: Bow, Pembroke, Hanover, Milford, Oyster River
Division: II
Coach: Chris Pike (3rd year)
Last year: 7-7-3, reached first round
Returning starters: Chloe Astholz, sr., D; Chelsea Woodsum, sr., M; Isabella Roy, jr., M
Top newcomers: Presley Gaberseck, so., D; Emaly Roy, so., G; Arden Ulmer, so., M; Madalyn Parker, fr., F; Madison Porth, fr., M; Samantha Veilleux, fr., D
Outlook: The John Stark starting 11 will look significantly different than last year’s group, but Pike isn’t worried.
“This is a fantastic year for players to switch positions and styles of play,” Pike said. “I am really excited about the new potential lineups, seeing people play in new positions and the caliber of new players is really high.”
The defense is certainly undergoing some big changes with Emaly Roy taking over as the starting keeper and Gaberseck taking over as the sweeper. Ulmer will shift into central midfield position, while a trio of freshmen – Porth at outside midfield, Parker at striker and Veilleux as an outside back – could be starters as well.
Teams to beat: Bow, Hanover, Pembroke
Division: II
Coach: Emily Wagaman (2nd year)
Last year: 9-6-2, reached first round
Returning starters: Jordan Busch, sr., F; Ellie Camp, jr., D; Kennedy Geary, jr., D; Caroline Camp, so., M
Outlook: With limited experience back in the fold, the Cougars could struggle out of the gates, but should find their rhythm with a talented roster. Kearsarge returns only four starters and has a lot of positions up for grabs as Wagaman tries to find the right mix.
“This is a group of girls that is very coachable and willing to work hard,” Wagaman said. “I am very excited to see what these girls can do this season.”
Teams to beat: Bow, ConVal, Pembroke, Oyster River, Lebanon, Merrimack Valley, John Stark
Division: II
Coach: Nick D’Agostino (2nd year)
Last year: 9-8, reached first round
Returning starters: Kaylee Magoon, jr., M; Kerrigan McNeil, jr., M; Alyssa Woodman, so., F
Top newcomers: Katelin Locke, sr., D; Emily Philbrook, sr., M; Hayley Kenney, jr., M; Alina Longver, jr., M; Rhiley Tanguay, jr., F; Rylee Boucher, so., M: Hailey Meattey, so., D; Mackenzie McDonald, so., GK; Kendelye Prive, so., D; Kristen Therrien, so., M; Avery Turgeon, so, M; Elizabeth Philbrook, fr., D
Outlook: The Pride has limited varsity experience on the roster. The only returning starters are junior midfidlers Magoon and McNeil, and a sophomore in Woodman, who is coming off a stellar freshman campaign. MV has been trying to make up for that lack of experience with tough practices.
“The team has done a great job competing within the group to better themselves and attempt to be competitive this year,” D’Agostino said. “The girls are learning quickly, but we still have a lot of pieces to the puzzle to complete before taking any training sessions for granted.”
Teams to beat: Bow, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, Pembroke, Oyster River, Souhegan, Kearsarge
Division: II
Coach: Jess Kaufman (10th year)
Last year: 13-2-3, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Jade Pescinski, sr.; Britney Hill, so.; Cierra Hill, so.; Hannah Brown, jr.; Maddie Bailey, sr.; Anna Harlow, so.; Adrienne Dorr, so.; Nicki Nedeau, jr.; Sam Muise, jr.; Iso Gill, sr.; Kaylie Leblanc, jr.
Top newcomers: Lindsey Hawkins, jr.; Hannah Picott, so.; Abby Randall, so.; Kyla Chase, fr.; Brooke Davison, so.
Outlook: The Spartans are hoping to repeat their success from last year, when they went to the final four. PA returns most of last year’s starting lineup and entered the preseason with only three vacant starting spots.
“Any one of the girls on the roster is fit to fill the three remaining starting spots from last year,” said Kaufman, last year’s D-II Coach of the Year. “Sprinkle in a few savvy newcomers and PA is ready to take on any opponent come the opening match.”
Teams to beat: Bow, Milford, Hanover, Oyster River
BELMONT
Division: III
Coach: Mark Dawalga (3rd year)
Last year: 13-3-1, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Katie Gagnon, sr., M; Sana Syed, sr., D; Rebecca Fleming, jr., F; Deanna Bourque, jr., M; Emma Cochran, jr., G; Sierra Bourque, so., F; Kailey Gerbig, so., M/F
Top newcomers: Brooklyn Erlick, so., M; Yelena Rodrigues, fr., M/F; Emma Winslow, fr., M
Outlook: The Raiders have some big shoes to fill this year, having lost four starters from last year’s team, including First Team D-III striker Julianna Estremera, but Dawalga, the 2018 Coach of the Year, is pleased with what he has seen so far this preseason.
“We will lean on our two seniors, Gagnon and Syed, for their leadership,” Dawalga said. “This team has had great team chemistry from day one. We well take it one game at a time and grow as a team. I really believe in this group and we cannot wait for the season to start.”
Teams to beat: Hopkinton, Campbell, Raymond, Bishop Brady
Division: III
Coach: Andrew Mattarazzo (4th year)
Last year: 13-5, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Adrienne Brummett, sr., M; Molly Levesque, sr., D; Mia Stagner, sr., M; Hannah Hicks, sr., D; Lauren Beitler, jr., M; Emily Senko, jr., D; Maddy Rhynhart, jr., D; Sheridan Brummett, so., F; Ashley Brust, so., D
Top newcomers: Kaylee Smith, sr., M; Candice LeBlanc, so., M/F; Ellie Scharpf, so., M; Grace Bemis, so., M; Evelynn, Irizarry, so., M
Outlook: The steadily improving Giants have a thin bench with just 14 players on the varsity roster, but if they stay healthy they can be competitive.
“With a strong core of returning players, I believe we will have a successful season if we can get on the same page early and stay healthy,” Mattarazzo said. “I think with our success over the past three seasons, these girls are now in the mindset to win and compete at the highest level. We will rely on our upperclassmen’s leadership to drive us through the year. I think the girls have grown and matured throughout their years and now they see what they need to do in order to take that next step to contend for a title.”
Teams to beat: Campbell, Hopkinton, Gilford, Belmont
Division: III
Coach: Susan Else (8th year)
Last year: 8-9, reached first round
Returning starters: Madi Jones, sr., F; Morgan Racine, sr., F/M; Gracie Atkins, jr., GK; Lexi McClure, sr., D; Kendra Warren, jr., M; Eva LaValley, so., M; Kaylea Davison, jr., D; Abby VonDette, so., F/M
Top newcomers: Emily Howell, fr., M/F
Outlook: The Hillcats, a playoff team a year ago, will field an extremely young team in 2019 with 14 underclassmen on the roster. Else has eight sophomores and six freshmen to coach up as they join a lineup that features returning forwards Jones and Racine, as well as junior goalie Atkins.
“They have a lot of athletic ability and with playing time, we will gel as a competitive soccer team,” Else said. “We have a solid group of returners to lead us on the field.”
Division: III
Coach: Mike Zahn (2nd year)
Last year: 16-3-1, D-III champions
Returning starters: Eleanor Owen, sr., D; Emily Metzger, sr., F; Caitlin Clark, jr., M; Annie Higginbotham, so., D; Kally Murdough, so., D; Loren Charron, so., F; Jess Carney, so., F; Emily Fleegle, so., G; Lillie Presti, sr., F; Brooke Carlson, jr., F
Top newcomers: “All newcomers to the team,” Zahn said.
Outlook: Ten starters return from last season’s championship team giving the Hawks experience across the field.
“Our strengths will be on field organization, ball movement and speed,” Zahn said. “Weaknesses will be filling in some holes on the field where mistakes are made. The keys will be to make less mistakes than our opponents, stop them from shooting on goal and attacking as a team.”
Teams to beat: Bishop Brady, Trinity, Belmont, Derryfield
Division: IV
Coach: James Kennedy (4th year)
Last year: 4-11-1, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Kianna Vincelette, sr., M; Paige Provencal, sr., M; Becca Smith, sr., GK; Tori Lee, sr., M; Jolene Wood, sr., D; Haylee Gilleney, sr., M; Bryana Morris, sr., D; Madison St. George, so., F; Emma Ramsey, so., D
Top newcomers: Nel Boguszewska, sr., D; Marissa Ware, fr., M; Ryan Wood, fr., D; Arie Prentice, fr., F; Abigail Smith, fr., F; Jazmyn Prince, 8th; D
Outlook: The Panthers return nine starters and will rely heavily on their senior core (Vincelette, Provencal, Becca Smith), who have been with coach Kennedy since seventh grade.
“They are all well prepared to lead this team and look to continue their stellar play and leadership roles from the preseason into the regular season,” Kennedy said.
Elsewhere on the roster, the defense will get a major boost with the addition of senior Boguszewska, who is from Belgium, to pair with starters Wood, Morris and Ramsey. That unit shapes up to be a strong, fast and aggressive one, while Abigail Smith and Prentice look to give striker St. George some options at the forward position.
“Arie and Abby are huge additions to the team this season,” Kennedy said. “Both are fearless and best of all, relentless. They certainly don’t play like freshmen. Last year we lost four games by one goal. Those games could have easily gone our way. We had a really hard time finishing last year so the girls have really been focusing on our play on the offensive third of the field.”
Teams to beat: Woodsville, Newmarket, Sunapee, Wilton, Moultonborough