The following is a team-by-team outlook of the area’s high school field hockey teams:
CONCORD
Division: I
Coach: Andrew Briers (3rd year)
Last year: 8-7-1, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Maria Armaganian, jr., M; Julie Auld, sr., D/F; Ella Doherty, sr., M; Erin Doherty, sr., M; Kaitlyn McKinnon, so., F; Sam Ossoff, sr., D; Andie Reed, so., D; Alice Rosenberg, jr., F; Felicity Wheldon, so., G
Top newcomers: Emmanuelle Beaujouan, fr., F
Outlook: The Tide have nine returning starters to lead a “determined and dedicated” group of players, according to coach Briers, but improving on last year’s record will not come easy in a strong division filled with talented opponents.
Teams to beat: Pinkerton, Windham, Winnacunnet
BOW
Division: II
Coach: Rebecca Cleary (3rd year)
Last year: 3-11, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Angelica Cericola, sr., F; Elizabeth Guertin, sr., MF; Emma Hilton, sr., MF/D; Megan Lavigne, sr., MF/D; Madeline Soucy, sr., G; Madison Tibbetts, sr. MF/D; Amelia Coe, jr., D; Rylee Constant, so., D; Sarah Guerrette, so., F; Jocelyn Webber, so., MF
Top newcomers: Alexandra Larrabee, fr., F; Anna Tsouros, fr. G; Sarah Vozzella, fr., D
Outlook: The Falcons are looking to improve on last year’s record and look to be in a position to do so with several players who logged significant varsity minutes last year, plus solid talent coming up from the middle school and Bow Athletic Club teams. Guertin, a First Team All-State selection is among the returners.
“Last year’s record did not reflect our talent,” coach Cleary said. “This year we are looking to get the ball in the net more consistently. We have a well-balanced team with very positive energy. Each year preseason decisions are more challenging due to the solid skill base players come with to high school.”
Teams to beat: “Division II is very competitive with several programs making their marks,” according to Cleary.
Division: II
Coach: Dennis Pelletier (4th year)
Last year: 6-9, reached first round
Returning starters: Elizabeth Aubin, sr., M; Olivia Desainde, sr., D; Sydnee Pelletier, jr., G; Delaney Forrestall, jr., F; Meg Girardet, jr., F; Kacie Weston, jr., F/M; Olivia Dame, jr., D; Gracie Bolduc, so., M
Top newcomers: Aubrey Fischer, fr., M; Jackie O’Donnell, fr., D; Courtney Cranshaw, fr., F/M; Reagan Fischer, fr., D
Outlook: The Generals are returning 15 players from last season’s historic season, making the program’s first ever trip to the D-II tournament and just its second tournament appearance overall. Among the veteran players are First Team All-State selection and senior co-captain Aubin and last year’s top scorer, Girardet. Pelletier is coming off a strong sophomore season in goal and has look strong in preseason behind a young, yet talented defensive corps led by co-captain Desainde. John Stark’s program is also bolstered by 10 freshman who have previous field hockey experience.
“I expect us to take another step forward this season,” coach Pelletier said. “We have a lot of talent, and our youth is very strong as well. The girls are working very well together and I feel we will surprise a lot of people this fall.”
Teams to beat: Derryfield, Souhegan, Pelham, Hanover
Division: II
Coach: Jen Colgan (2nd year)
Last year: 5-9-1, reached first round
Returning starters: Emily Blanchette, sr., D; Lauren McLaughlin, sr., M; Molly McLaughlin, sr., D; Taylor Bailey, jr., M; Sadie Barton, jr., F; Caitlyn Fortier, jr., M; Rosemary Ostrowski, jr., G; Alexa Prewitt, jr., F; Reilly Swislosky, jr., F
Top newcomers: Abby Forbes, fr., M; Amanda Parotto, fr., F
Outlook: The Pride returns a large group of upperclassmen, including Swislosky, a First Team All-State selection, and a pair of freshmen that should make an immediate impact on the attack and in the midfield.
“We are going to take our season game by game, focusing on executing the little things so we can be quick with our ball movement and defensive pressure,” coach Colgan said. “The girls plan to bring a competitive energy to every contest, in addition to making smart decisions on both sides of the ball. We plan to improve on our five wins from last year and compete for a successful season in Division II.”
Teams to beat: Souhegan, Hanover, Kennett
Division: II
Coach: Tess Patry (1st year)
Last year: 4-10, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Alex Bonacorsi, D; Alison Corriveau, F; Katherine Jameson, D; Lauren Lehoullier, M
Top newcomers: Sophia Brasely, G; Keelin Cripps, F; Emma Parker, F; Aleesha Jordan, F; Elyza Weingartner, M; Janelle Gagnon, M
Outlook: Coach Patry moves into the head coaching role after serving as an assistant last year and inherits a team that lost nine seniors to graduation, including two goalies, but returns First Team All-State selection Corriveau, a senior who also serves as a tri-captain alongside senior Lehoullier and junior Leah LaCrosse. Those three, plus Rachel Clark, will be a force on the offensive side of the field. Jameson and Bonacorsi provide some needed veteran leadership in the backfield in front of goalies Brasely, a JV call up, and Moses, who is playing goalie for the first time.
Teams to beat: Derryfield, Hanover, Kennett, Plymouth
Division: III
Coach: Kelly Owen (26th year)
Last year: 13-3, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Halle Laramie, jr., F/D; Riley Marsh, jr., F/M; Ashlyn Toupin, jr., M; Kathryn Weed, jr., D; Libbey Hicks, so., M
Outlook: The Giants return an experienced core of players, especially in the midfield and on the attack. Senior Raelyn Roberts and Weed will command a mostly-new backfield for the Giants in front of sophomore goalie Julie Blais. Toupin and Hicks provide some experience in the midfield and will be counted on to generate the ball to the forward line of Laramie, Marsh, junior Jillian Weaver and junior Rebecca Murphy.
“We are looking to bring along girls in some new roles,” coach Owen said. “With the graduation of our backfield our team goal on the field is to attack as a team of 10 and defend as a team of 11. We will continue to be competitive in Division III as this journey as a family/team continues to grow.”
Teams to beat: “Everyone,” Owen said.
Division: III
Coach: Kate Hohenberger (1st year)
Last year: 14-3, D-III runner-up
Returning starters: Avery Barett, Tora Thornley, Fiona Beane, Katie Meserve, Emma Tworek, Caroline Barrett, Kate Bouchard, Julia Baer
Top newcomers: Rose Finlayson, Emma Hall, Natalie Allen, Isabella Holmes, Sophie Holmes, Meg Haley, Madeleine Maughan, Lillian Eckberg, Lily Ogden, Georgia Westbroook
Outlook: After reaching the championship game last year (losing to Mascoma 1-0) the Hawks are looking to have a winning season and make another playoff run. Hopkinton graduated D-III Player of the Year Amelia Thomas and fellow First Team All-State selection Chloe Wood, but still have several talented players who were key to last year’s run to the finals.
“It is clear to me these girls are dedicated to their sport and they play every game with pride,” said coach Hohenberger, an assistant to coaching veteran Patty Connolly and is stepping into the head coaching role this season. “I am exited to see where this team will go this year. I am confident in the talent we have and the depth coming off the bench. Each one of our players brings value to this team and I think we are going to have a great season.”
Division: III
Coach: Chelsea Williams (1st year)
Last year: 7-7-1, reached first round
Returning starters: Eliza Cardillo, so., F; Abby Nadeau, jr., F; Megan Norris, jr., M; Brier Roberts, so., D; Kate Cochran, so., M; Hannah Tockman, jr., D; Marissa Pickman, sr., D
Outlook: Coach Williams inherits a team with a number of young returning starters and a First Team All-State senior goalie in Pickman.
“We’re optimistic about the work ethic that we’ve seen during the preseason and will focus on increasing our opportunities to get the ball in the back of the goal,” Williams said.
Teams to beat: Mascoma, Hopkinton, Newfound, Gilford