Hopkinton and Kearsarge swept the major Division III field hockey awards and local players in all three divisions stamped their names at the top with individual honors as the state’s coaches released their high school all-state honors this week.
Concord goalie Brooke Nelson won Division I Defensive Player of the Year honors with an impressive 1.625 goals-against average and five shutouts through 16 games. Despite the Crimson Tide’s losing record, Nelson stood tall in goal all year and kept Concord close, as it lost eight one-goal games.
In Division II, junior Peyton Vaughn won the Offensive Player of the Year award. This was her third consecutive season making the all-state list and her second first-team mention. Vaughn was the Falcons’ engine in the midfield all year long.
She led Bow with 29 goals and 19 assists through 18 games. The junior is currently committed to UNH field hockey, following in the footsteps of her coach and mother, Sarah Vaughn.
Division III honors were all local. Chelsea Williams’ leadership of Kearsarge field hockey netted Coach of the Year honors for delivering the program to its first state championship since 1980.
The Cougars’ title-winning season would not have been possible without strong seasons from players across the team. Senior defender Ava Nolan-Waddell stood out above all; her two goals and defensive stops in the state final were crucial to the comeback win over Gilford. For her leadership and composure out of the back, she won Defensive Player of the Year.
Last but not least, Hopkinton senior Autumn Meier was selected the Offensive Player of the Year in D-III. Much like Vaughn for Bow, Meier was an engine in the midfield capable of taking on multiple defenders and sending dangerous passes into the circle, if not shooting herself. Meier committed to Worcester Polytechnic Institute for field hockey earlier this year.
Senior Autumn Meier (L) dribbles away from Gilford junior Susanna Tilley (11) in the Division III semifinal. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Kearsarge senior Ava Nolan-Waddell played an outstanding state championship match against Gilford with two goals and numerous defensive stops. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip
Division I
Offensive Player of the Year: Meaghan Shea, Pinkerton.
Defensive Player of the Year: Brooke Nelson, Concord
Coach of the Year: Jess Brown, Goffstown.
First Team
Concord: Brooke Nelson, sr., goalie.
Second Team
Concord: Ella Chrabolowski, jr., midfield.
Honorable Mention
Concord: Elizabeth Noel, fr., forward.
Division II
Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Vaughn, Bow.
Defensive Player of the Year: Carmen Donis, Plymouth.
Coach of the Year: Kelly Shirk, ConVal.
First Team
Bow: Peyton Vaughn, jr., midfield; Kaylee Jacques, sr., midfield; Madelyn Hebert, sr., defense.
John Stark: Addison DeCew, sr., midfield.
Second Team
Bow: Shire Kelley, sr., forward; Aubrey Merrill, sr., goalie.
John Stark: Karrington Telgen, sr., midfield; Maxine Lundeen, sr., defense.
Merrimack Valley: Hannah Dubuc, so., midfield.
Honorable Mention
Bow: Ainsley Herrick, so., forward; Elise Jacques, jr., midfield.
John Stark: Rowin Ledy, sr. goalie; Sage Lambert, sr., goalie; Madelyn Landrigan, sr., defense.
Merrimack Valley: Abby Crete, fr., midfield.
Pembroke: Julia Emond, sr., defense; Riley Caron, sr., midfield; Daphne Morris, so., goalie.
Senior midfielder Kaylee Jacques dribbles past Londonderry’s defense in Bow’s 4-2 win on Sept. 21, 2026. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
John Stark senior forward Addie DeCew (4) tried to propel the Generals to a win late against Kingswood in the D-II prelims. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Pride sophomore Hannah Dubuc (L) and John Stark sophomore Megan Antognoni (R) battle for possession in the midfield. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Senior Shire Kelley (L) clears the ball against Souhegan’s Emeline Godin in the Division II field hockey state championship Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
John Stark’s goalie Rowin Ledy kept the clean sheet and secured the win for the Generals over Merrimack Valley, 1-0, in 2024. Credit: Chip Griffin / Photos by Chip
Division III
Offensive Player of the Year: Autumn Meier, Hopkinton.
Defensive Player of the Year: Ava Nolan-Waddell, Kearsarge.
Coach of the Year: Chelsea Williams, Kearsarge.
First Team
Hopkinton: Autumn Meier, sr., forward; Ryan Barrett, sr., midfield; Mary Maughan, sr., defense.
Kearsarge: Ava Nolan-Waddell, sr., defense; Reagan Billado, jr., defense; Stella Syvertsen, sr., midfield.
Second Team
Hopkinton: Lauryn Vetter, sr., midfield; Gigi Upton, jr., defense.
Honorable Mention
Hopkinton: Dahlia Perry, jr., forward; Sadie Pelletier, jr., defense; Carlie Leino, so., midfield.
Kearsarge: Adella Monnat, jr., midfield; Payton MacMichael, jr., midfield.
Gilford senior Riley Coutts (L) and Hopkinton senior Ryan Barrett battle for the ball in the midfield during the Division III field hockey semifinals. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Cougar junior defender Reagan Billado (9) carries the ball out against Gilford senior Grace Southworth (L). Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Kearsarge senior Stella Syvertsen provided the crucial assist to junior Adella Monnat with a run on her strong side, down the right, in the second half to win 1-0 in the Division III semifinals. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Hopkinton’s midfield, Lauryn Vetter, dribbles through Newport defender, Hanna Fellows (12). Vetter provided an assist for Emma Brock in the fourth quarter. Credit: Jeff Sullivan—Sullivan Event Photography