Hopkinton girls’ lacrosse’s new co-head coaches Gus Madden and Bob Brown have two things working in their favor this season: They get to take over for the defending Division III champions, and they have the opportunity to coach players they’ve worked with for years through the Hopkinton lacrosse club.
Taking over for Mike Zahn, who led the Hawks to last year’s championship, the duo now has the chance to coach the highest level of lacrosse in the community after spending years at the youth levels. Madden and Brown coached some of their players on their first youth team when they were in second grade.
That familiarity amidst the change in leadership will be a key for a program hoping to follow up its 2022 championship (Hopkinton ended the 16-1 season with a 13-12 victory over Bow in the final) with a similarly successful 2023 campaign. The Hawks lost a few key players to graduation and a couple others who moved over to prep school, but Madden’s still encouraged by what he’s seen from the group so far, despite the variety in experience.
“We have everything from kids that have played club lacrosse for years and years to kids that are playing lacrosse this year for the first time ever,” he said. “Of those new players that have never played lacrosse, we expect them to be contributors by the end of the season. They’re good athletes, and they’re just going to be picking up a new game.”
Hopkinton will be led on the attack by senior captain Rose Finlayson (Second Team All-State in 2022), sophomore Sydney Westover and freshman Maeve Owens. Junior Sarah Chodosh (First Team) will lead the midfield along with junior Katie Brown and freshman Ava Burns; on defense, senior captain Amelia Lynch will guide the way with juniors Elizabeth Trafton and Izzy Afflerbach, sophomore Ryan Lang and freshman Helen Yeaton.
“The freshmen have been really impressive as a group,” Madden said. “They’re going to step right up and be playing regular shifts, if not starting. It’s been really fun to watch.”
Added Brown: “We’re really impressed with our incoming players, and we are all working to build a really competitive team.”
The Hawks open their season on Tuesday at Bow High School against a Falcons team they beat, 13-12, in last year’s championship. Relegated to practicing inside because of poor field conditions, Madden estimated his team probably wouldn’t be able to practice outside until late this week, as they gear up for their big opening matchup.
Looking past that, the goal for Madden, Brown and the Hawks remains the same, despite the coaching change: keep the Hopkinton lacrosse tradition running strong.
“We’re going to write our own story,” Madden said. “This will be our own team. We’ll do the best we can, and we’ll have a lot of fun doing it.”
CONCORD
Coach: Terry Anderson (1st year back, previously served 1998-2012)
Last year: 7-10, did not make D-I tournament
Returning starters: Greta Norton, sr., M; Emma Beaujouan, sr., M; Lily Savoy, sr., D; Taylor Lamb, sr., D; Nadia Hanna, jr., G; Sofia Payne, jr., A; Sophia Branch, sr., D; Sarah Leuci, jr., M; Ally McGonigle, so., M; Ava Philbrook, jr., M; Lilly Merrill, so., A; Lilly Simpson, sr., M
Top newcomers: Emma Pelletier, fr., A/M; Amelia Crumrine, fr., D
Outlook: The Tide were just two wins shy of qualifying for the playoffs last year and are working hard to make the tournament this time around.
“These varsity players are a wonderful group of dedicated, hard-working young ladies that will work as a team for its success,” Anderson said. “Our goal is to enter each game with the desire to win; learn from each game, so that as the season progresses, the next game will be better than the last.”
Teams to beat: Bishop Guertin, Bedford, Pinkerton, Souhegan
Coach: Samantha Weaver (4th year)
Last year: Stark went 5-9 and did not make the D-II tournament, H-D was JV only.
Returning starters: Riley Davis, sr., A; Emma Dobbins, sr., A; Hannah Corey, jr., M/A; Melody Couturier, jr., M; Elizabeth Hatfield, jr., M; Lillea Perkins, jr., M/D; Natalie Lawson, so., D; Ryan Mucci, so., A; Kaycie Rhodes, so., M
Top newcomers: Claudia Dustin, Natasha Chouinard
Outlook: H-D’s JV players from last year have joined forces with Stark, bolstering the depth and talent of the newly formed co-op.
“I’m really excited about this season and having more athletes in the program,” Weaver said. “We have a lot of returning players with varsity experience and a lot of newer players who are picking things up quickly. I think it will take us a little bit to get the chemistry down, but I think once that happens we have the potential to do really well this season.”
Teams to beat: Hanover, Hollis-Brookline, Winnacunnet
Coach: Kylee Yam (2nd year)
Last year: 2-12, did not make D-II tournament
Returning starters: Colby Magoon, jr., M; Abby Forbes, sr., A; Grace Thompson, jr., M; Amanda Parrotto, sr., D; Sydney Bailey, so., M; Kaiya Mercier, so., M; Alyssa Brodeur, so., A; Taylor Gionet, so., G
Top newcomers: Ella Frink, fr., M; Abby Thompson, fr., M
Outlook: “We have a lot more experience this year and the girls are already looking more organized,” Yam said. “Our strength should be having a more in-shape midfield and a more dynamic attack. We might struggle on defense, having only returned one low defender.”
Coach: Sarah Jackes (1st year)
Last year: 9-6, reached D-II quarterfinals
Outlook: After a final four run in 2021 and a spot in the quarterfinals last year, the Spartans are eager to make another deep playoff run.
“We are an athletic and hardworking group,” Jackes said. “This is a year of focusing on our skills, growing our abilities, and enjoying the game of lacrosse. Our team is filled with lots of talent and we will rely on everyone on the roster to contribute. We have some key players returning this year who will help with game experience and leadership. We are excited to see some underclassmen stepping up and making an impact.”
Teams to beat: Windham, Hollis-Brookline
Coach: Alex Sacco (1st year)
Last year: 1-13, did not make D-III tournament
Returning starters: Finley Hollenberg, jr., A; Luiza Detwiller, jr., M; Morgan Casey, jr., M; Anna Beauchesne, jr., A; Lydia Tremblay, jr., A; Grace Tauscher, jr., D; Rhea Ganchi, sr., D; Isabelle Lamm, sr., D
Top newcomers: Gabi Heck, sr., M; Megan Pellerin, sr., M; Morgan Wheeler, sr., D; Kiara Herrington, fr., G
Outlook: Sacco, a 2017 graduate of Bishop Brady, is back at her alma mater after playing for Western New England University. Sacco has an experienced group of upperclassmen to work with, led by captains Casey, Hollenberg and Detwiller, who hope to make it back to the playoffs after winning a single game in 2022.
“I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to return back to Bishop Brady to take over a program that meant so much to me throughout my high school experience,” Sacco said. “We have a strong group of experienced returners as well as some new athletic talent. They are eager to learn and willing to try new things. I am excited for the potential of this team.”
Teams to beat: Hopkinton, Bow, Derryfield
Coach: Chris Raabe (26th year)
Last year: 16-2, D-III runner-up
Returning starters: Lyndsey LaPerle, sr., D; Bella LaPerle, sr., D; Ella Gray, so., A; Mikayla Livingstone, so., M; Kylie McKee, so., M; Olivia Selleck, jr., M; Kate McGovern, so., A; Alex Larrabee, sr., M; Jill Harpring, jr., D; Elena Roy, sr., D; Kendall Murray, jr., M; Kate Labrecque, jr., D; Sidney Roberge, jr., D; Juliette Tarsa, jr., M; Maia Kimball, jr., M
Top newcomers: Marissa Green, sr.; Bridget Hilton, jr.; Lauren Rapp, jr.; Ally Alexakos, jr.
Outlook: The Falcons return 15 players from last year’s team that lost to Hopkinton, 13-12, in the championship, including All-State First Team players Bella LaPerle, Larrabee and Roy, and Second Team picks Lyndsey LaPerle and Selleck.
“Solid core group coming back from 2022 with super speed and a strong lacrosse IQ,” Raabe said. “They’re ready to finish some unfinished business and work hard to prove themselves.”
Teams to beat: “You never know. Prepare your absolute best for every given day,” Raabe said.
Coach: Kristin Cimino (3rd year)
Last year: 4-10, did not make D-II tournament
Returning starters: Riley Jackson, sr., M; Riley Trahant, sr., M/A; Ava Telehala, sr., M/D; Lillian Wotton, sr., M/D; Fae Johnson, jr., D/M; Alexis Muse, so., G; Libby Cillo, jr., A; Carolyn Clawson, so., A/M; Olivia Wolthuis, so., D
Top newcomers: Caitlin Frost, sr., M/A; Lillian Peabody, so,. M; Amirah Rhofiry, so., D/G; Natalie George, fr., A; Adalynn Moynihan, fr., D; Breanne Peters, fr., D; Olivia Frost, jr., M/A; Lillian Poulin, sr., A/M; Gwen Glaser, sr., D/A
Outlook: After not making the tournament in D-II, the Bears are hoping to improve on last year’s record and be competitive in all games this year in D-III.
“The team has a lot of positive energy and they have been working hard at practices so far this season,” Cimino said.
Coach: Janine Muir (3rd year)
Last year: JV only, first year as varsity program.
Returning starters: Megan Muir, jr., M; Taylor Rioux, jr., D; Lauren Winans, sr., D; Abby Owens, so., G
Top newcomers: Sarah Muir, fr., M; Ella Baker, jr., A
Outlook: Coach Muir started the Concord Christian Academy lacrosse program in 2021 with just a few experienced players. Now, after two seasons of playing at the JV level, the Kingsmen are opening their first varsity season. Although it’s the first time in school history CCA is stepping on the varsity lacrosse field, the Kingsmen went undefeated last year playing against a variety of exhibition games against JV and varsity teams and should be competitive this season.
“We have a strong midfield line,” coach Muir said. “They have great stick skills and are tireless runners. They will definitely contribute a great deal to our success this season.”
Megan Muir, a junior who has already committed to playing lacrosse for Anderson University in South Carolina, will anchor the midfield with speed and skill, ahead of an experienced defensive unit led by Rioux and Winans, and Owens in goal.
Teams to beat: Hopkinton, Derryfield
Coach: Katherine Bucklin Stearns (2nd year)
Last year: 7-7, did not make D-III tournament
Returning starters: Valerie Soule, sr.; Adison Whitty, sr.; Maya Spiegel, sr.; Adara Boucher, jr.; Tori Wooten, so.
Top newcomers: Ella Dumais, so.; Nadia Spiegel, so.; Ociee Ilg, fr.; Addyson Rossi, fr.
Outlook: The Cougars graduated nine seniors from last year’s team and look to reload this season. Kearsarge is bolstered by a lot of new, athletic, additions to this year’s squad that has adopted the motto “heart and hustle” this preseason.
Teams to beat: Bow, Hopkinton, Gilford, St. Thomas