After a historic run to the Division II state championship for the first time in program history, the MV girls team is in a peculiar spot with a new head coach and change after a large departing senior class.
Heather Frink plans on taking it one day at a time. Game-by-game. Any team can surprise them just like they surprised the division last year.
The team graduated all of its all-state players but is returning an experienced and battle-tested core. Despite the turnover, Frink wants to put them back in title contention.
Returning starters on attack are Abbey Thompson, Lauren Bailey, Lilly Jones, in the midfield Ella Frink, and on defense, Izzy Tucker and Kalli Snow.
“I have inherited an incredible group of talented athletes. We have been working hard in the off-season to build team chemistry in addition to honing our already fundamentally strong foundation with our core of returning players,” Frink said.
A few newcomers have joined for their first-year of varsity lacrosse. Midfielder and attacker Quinn Frink, midfielder Hannah Dubuc and sophomore defender Julia Bumford will be in the mix alongside senior Julia Michael, who is returning after a year off.
The Valley Pride will start the season at Timberlane on Tuesday, April 14. The long road back to the championship lies ahead of them now.
Division I
CONCORD
Coach: Mike Zahn (second year)
Last year: 1-15, did not make tournament.
Returning starters: Leah Foulds, sr., D; Amelia Crumrine, sr., A; Macey Sprague, sr., D; Brook Nelson, jr., M; Sydney Brown, jr., M; Emelia Raimo, jr., D; Malie Ramshaw, jr., A; Tadu Sirois, jr., G; Elizabeth Thompson, jr., D.
Top newcomers: Elliana Wing, sr., M; Ava De Luca, sr., D; Clara McHugh, sr., M; Katelyn Fennelly, jr., D; Anna Edwards, fr., M; Sophie McNair, fr., A; Katie Komorek, fr., A; Mia Gratton, fr., G.
Outlook: “We had 9 more girls try out this year than last year and with more numbers, it just helps make things more competitive within the team. Some new additions this year are athletic girls who can get up and down the field quickly and have good endurance.” – Mike Zahn
Teams to beat: Portsmouth, Souhegan and Pinkerton.
Division III
BELMONT
Coach: Rose Marie Marinace (first year)
Last year: 0-14, did not make tournament, first year of varsity program.
Returning starters: Shelby Mason, sr., G; Gabby Murphy, jr., M; Brooke Varnum, so., M; Augusta Provencale, so., M; Grace Collins, so., M; Lexie Carr, so., A; Brooke Murphy, so., A; Kira Perry, so., D
Top newcomers: Madi McClennon, sr., A.
Outlook: “This is the first year we have a solid core who have played lacrosse and played together. We’ve been doing weekly clinics since November, and played in the Tomahawks winter session in January and February. We were a mixed team with some Laconia players, Bishop Brady players and a few random girls, but came in 2nd in our division—so we are hoping to build on that momentum. This year is about building good habits and teamwork, setting realistic goals. We need to build a positive culture on last year’s core, so that the girls we know are coming up through youth have a team ready to hit the ground.” – Rose Marie Marinace
BISHOP BRADY
Coach: Brooke Deily (first year)
Last year: 3-9, did not make the tournament.
Returning starters: Megan Varley, sr., D.; Kiki Herrington, sr., G; Marcella Tonge, sr., M.
Top newcomers: Bella Ivester, fr., D; Mackenna Richardson, fr., M; Amelia Collie, fr., A; Keeleigh Bott, sr., A.
Outlook: “We are kicking off the season with fresh energy with mostly new and ambitious players as we look to build a new standard for Brady Lacrosse. As a new coach, my goal is to establish a culture of hard work and excellence that sets the tone for the future of this program.” – Brooke Deily
BOW
Coach: Chris Raabe (27th year)
Last year: 14-4, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Leah Gallier, sr., D; Casey Totten, sr., A; Audrey Glennon, sr., D; Kaylee Jacques, jr., M; Gianna Trott, jr., G; Josie Johnson, sr., A; Kayla Croscut, sr., D; Vita Flagg, so., M; Madelyn Hebert, jr., M; Jules Cusson, so., M; Vera Virta, jr., D.
COE-BROWN
Coach: Tom Johnson (second year)
Last year: 10-5, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Avery Keefe, jr., M; Ellie Escabi, jr., M; Morgan Readel, jr., M; Brooke Kozlowski, so., jr; Rose Bean, so., M; Adalynn Moynihan, sr., D; Breanne Peters, sr., D; Mackenzie Silva, jr., D/M.
Top newcomers: Maggie Cardillo, fr., M.
Outlook: “We are excited to head into this season as the majority of our starters have returned and the girls have put in a lot of work in the off-season in preparation of making waves in the division. In reality, we do not even have an official starting mid line this year as the performance level in preseason has risen unilaterally across the board and both lines are interchangeable. The goal is to improve our consistency game to game and build on the success of the last few years to keep pushing up the ladder.” – Tanja Johnson, JV Coach, Varsity Assistant.
Teams to beat: St. Thomas, Bow, Derryfield, Gilford, Hopkinton, John Stark
HOPKINTON
Coaches: Bob Brown and Gus Madden (fourth year)
Last year: 13-3, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Autumn Meier, jr., M; Lilly Chodosh, sr., A; Marcella Guadagno, jr., M; Maeve Owens, sr., M/A; Rylee Magnin, sr., D; Avery Chase, jr., M; Helen Yeaton, sr., D; Lia Chapin, jr., M; Mary Maughan, jr., D; Pippa Lang, so., A; Ryan Barrett, jr., M; Veronica Nylund, jr., A; Clara Brooks, jr., D; Lauryn Vetter, jr., A; Molly Hodgdon, jr., A; Rose Afflerbach, jr., M; Lilly Chodosh, sr., A.
Top newcomers: Emma Pelletier, sr., A; Sadie Pelletier, so., D; Ava Burns, sr., M; Molly Martin, fr., G.
Outlook: “Hopkinton will have an exacting and multidimensional attack led by two 100+ career goal scorers, Maeve Owens and Emma Pelletier. Ava Burns will add to a fast and furious group of midfielders including Autumn Meier and Marcella Guadagno. The Hawks’ defensive stronghold, led by Helen Yeaton and Mary Maughan, will benefit from the relentless work of newcomer Sadie Pelletier. Freshman goalie Molly Martin brings years of experience to backstop the Hawks in net this year. Hopkinton has a deep, talented and speedy roster and expects each and every one of their players to capitalize on their opportunities.” – Angus Madden
Teams to beat: St. Thomas, Gilford, Bow and Derryfield.
JOHN STARK
Coach: Samantha Saunders (seventh year)
Last year: 13-3, reached quarterfinals.
Returning starters: Claudia Dustin, sr., M; Addie DeCew, jr., M; Zoe Lawson, jr., A; Rowin Ledy, jr., G.
KEARSARGE
Coach: Sarah Millard (first year)
Last year: 7-8, reached prelims
Returning starters: Addyson Rossi, sr., A/M; Stella Syversten, jr., G; Leah Stone, sr., A; Kaelan Finnegan, so., M; Katie Walkinshaw, so., M
Top newcomers: Bella Valle, jr., M; Haley Deegan, so., A; Grayson Beck, fr., D.
Outlook: “The senior class is excited to start their season while being great mentors to the underclassmen. Preseason has brought us some cold night practices that bonded us together to get ready for the long spring season ahead.” –
Teams to beat: St. Thomas, Gilford, Concord Christian, Derryfield
PEMBROKE
Coach: Josh Young (second year)
Last year: 2-12, did not make the tournament.
Returning starters: Faith Young, sr.; Laila Al-Shawafi, sr.