Division: I
Coach: Phil Tuttle (2nd year)
Last year: 13-5-1, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Autumn Nudd, jr., GK; Grace Devanny, sr., M; Allison Silverstein, jr., M; Sydney Plante, jr., D; Ashley Plante, jr., F/M; Karley Richards, sr., M; Nicole Toler, sr., M
Top newcomers: Mary Martinson, fr., M; Jennifer Graham, fr., D; Tyler Harrington, fr., F/M; Lillian Reinstra, so., M
Outlook: The Tide enters this season in terrific shape, returning most of its front six as well as goalkeeper Nudd. Devanny, one of Concord’s impact returners, is looking to build off her 21-goal campaign a year ago and help the team breakthrough for a state championship. “It should be another solid year for us,” Tuttle said. “Many of our returning players were able to get a taste of the semifinals last year and are set on getting back there once again.”
Teams to beat: Manchester Central, Bedford, Exeter, Pinkerton
BOW
Division: II
Coach: Jay Vogt (15th year)
Last year: 19-1, D-II champions
Returning starters: Kimberly Gosselin, sr., D; Lauren Goyette, sr., M; Amanda Marshall, sr., M; Kayleigh Marshall, sr., M; Miah Munro, sr., F; Taylor Burnham, jr., D
Top newcomers: Maddie Green, jr., M; Annaliese Kaufman, jr., D; Maddie McSweeney, jr., GK; Nicole Sartorelli, jr., D; Tess Thomas, jr., D; Ally Boone, fr., D; Madison Roberge, fr., D; Stephanie Gosselin, fr., D
Outlook: The defending champs bring back a solid group of experienced players to go along with a nice nucleus of incoming freshmen. Vogt is already impressed with the team’s work during preseason and is excited to see this year’s group come together. “The seniors are already displaying great leadership and along with the rest of the team, are establishing a great atmopshere and team spirit,” Vogt said.
Teams to beat: Milford, Merrimack Valley, Pembroke, Oyster River, Souhegan, Hanover, John Stark, Kearsarge
Division: II
Coach: Josh Hils (14th year)
Last year: 5-10-2, reached first round
Returning starters: Makenzie Daly, sr., GK; Emily Olofson, sr., M; Olivia Farrar, sr., D; Shealyn Bedell, sr., M; Megan Edgecomb, jr., D; Amelia Bracket, sr., D; Corinne Fernald, sr., M/D; Sophie Laird, jr., F; Jayden Boulanger, jr., M; Emily van Gerena, sr., GK/D
Top newcomers: Lian Welch, so., D/M; Kendall Nester, jr., F; Mary Thoms, jr., M; Maddie Tortorella-Lewis, jr., D
Outlook: With 17 players returning from last year’s team, the Bears are hungry to prove themselves. Laird, Boulanger and Bedell provide a balanced attack and the return of Troy from injury, as well as the improvement of Morgan Burnap at midfield, allow the Bears the ability to score from multiple positions. The entire starting back line of Farrar, Olofson, Bracket and Edgecome (a third-year starter) return to lead an experienced and deep defensive unit that is buying into the system of a new assistant coach, Will Titus. “His impact is evident in the defensive philosophy and approach,” Hils said. “The experience is there for a run into the playoffs.”
Teams to beat: Bow, Pembroke, Hanover, Merrimack Valley, Souhegan
Division: II
Coach: Chris Pike (2nd year)
Last year: 11-5-2, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Kaitlyn Brown, sr., D; Ali L’Heureux, sr., GK; Hannah Marquis, sr., D; Autumn Nelson, sr., D; Sara Nikias, sr., M; Olivia Sohl, sr., D; Aria Ulmer, sr., M; Chelsea Woodsum, sr., M
Top newcomers: Presley Gaberseck, fr., D; Arden Ulmer, fr., F
Outlook: The Generals are hoping to build on last year’s run and they have 18 players on the roster with varsity experience to do so. Stark will have to come up ways to replace the production of six seniors from last year’s team, but coach Chris Pike sees loads of potential across the roster. “Each (senior) can be replaced with a seasoned and skilled player from the existing roster and we can field a solid team once again this year,” Pike said. “Players just need the confidence to fire off shots as we relied heavily on three seniors last year.”
Teams to beat: Bow, Hanover
Division: II
Coach: Emily Wagaman (1st year)
Last year: 11-7, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Kaylyn Storozuk, sr., F/M; Corryne Blair, sr., D; Hailey Lacombe, sr., D; Jordan Busch, jr., M; Gabby Paquette, sr., D; Maya Stadler, sr., M; Payten Hebert, sr., GK; Emily Folcik, sr., F/M; Emilie Webster, sr., F
Top newcomers: Caroline Camp, fr., F/M; Ellie Camp, so., D; Kallee Selby, so., F/M
Outlook: Coming off a quarterfinals appearance, the Cougars return a bevy of experience with 14 seniors. “I am very excited with the potential I see in this group of athletes and look forward to see how the season will unfold,” Wagaman said.
Division: II
Coach: Nick D’Agostino (1st year)
Last year: 12-5, reached first round
Returning starters: Asia Hanson, sr., D; Madison Merchant, sr., GK; Emily Knouse, sr., F; McKayla Palhof, sr., M; Kylie Marquis, sr., D; Kylie Curtin, so., F; Kaylee Magoon, so., F
Top newcomers: Cassidy Considine, jr., GK; Nicole Considine, jr., D; Elizabeth Laroche, jr., D; Hannah Costello, jr., D; Theresa Irving, jr., F; Lauren Pettingill, jr., F; Emily Koufos, so., M; Alyssa Woodman, fr., F
Outlook: The Pride returns seven starters and 13 players overall from last year’s playoff team. First-year coach D’Agostino believes the experience blended with some talented newcomers should help balance out a competitive roster.
Teams to beat: Bow, Hanover, Souhegan, Oyster River, Kearsarge
PEMBROKE
Division: II
Coach: Jessica Kaufman (9th year)
Last year: 7-10, reached first round
Returning starters: Hannah Serafin, sr., D; Kayla Paquin, sr., F; Maddie Bailey, jr., M; Hannah Brown, so., M; Nicole Nedeau, so., D; Jade Pescinski, jr., F; Morgan Ranfos, jr., M
Top newcomers: Kaylie Leblanc, so., D; Lexi Provencher, jr., F; Maddy Laflamme, jr., F; Sam Muise, so., M
Outlook: The biggest change for the Spartans this season comes in goal where Young takes over the starting duties after spending the past two years as the backup. Paquin returns to pace Pembroke’s attack and Kaufman considers her to be pivotal piece. “She may be one of the smaller players in the division, but the power of her attack has been huge for Pembroke over the last three years,” Kaufman said. The other big returner is Serafin at center back, which should help solidify things on the defensive side. “I see more depth on the bench than in past years and this will be needed go the distance in Division II,” Kaufman said.
Teams to beat: Bow, Oyster River, Hanover
BELMONT
Division: III
Coach: Mark Dawalga (2nd year)
Last year: 12-4-3, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Kaitlynn Delisle, sr.; Julianna Estremera, sr.; Elizabeth Fleming, sr.; Kaitryn Gagnon, jr.; Sana Syed, jr.; Emma Cochran, so.; Gabrielle Day, so.; Rebecca Fleming, so.; Morgan Hall, so.; Madison Lima, so.; Morgan Rule, so.; Molly Sottak, so.
Top newcomers: Miah Bailey, sr.; Deanna Bourque, so.; Sierra Bourque, fr.; Alexis Donovan, fr.; Kailey Gerbig, fr.; Jada Edgren, fr.
Outlook: Expectations are high in Belmont, and for good reason. The Raiders went to the 2016 final, reached the semifinals last year and return plenty of experience from those two tournament runs. “I really believe in this group of upperclassmen, they know how much work it takes,” Dawalga said. “The girls are excited to get this year going.”
Teams to beat: Fall Mountain, Raymond, Hopkinton, Campbell
Division: III
Coach: Andrew Mattarazzo (3rd year)
Last year: 14-3-1, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Abby Santis, sr., D; Jane Bradley, sr., M; Molly Levesque, jr., D; Mia Stagner, jr., M; Lauren Beitler, so., M; Emily Senko, so., GK/M
Top newcomers: Adrienne Brummett, jr., M; Sheridan Brummett, fr., F; Maddy Rhynhart, so., D; Sarah Sponenberg, so., M; Hannah Hicks, jr., D
Outlook: A semifinal team a season ago, the Green Giants will have their hands full trying to replace 14 seniors.
“We are returning a good amount of starters and adding some key players that should hopefully put us back in contention in the division,” Mattarazzo said. “I believe with the right amount of work and the girls coming together, we will have a solid team to compete again this year.”
Teams to beat: Fall Mountain, Hopkinton, Raymond, Belmont, Campbell
Division: III
Coach: Rob Meyers (1st year)
Last year: 10-8, reached first round
Returning starters: Shelby Cole, jr., M; Hannah Perkins, sr., GK; Maddi Rector, jr., F
Top newcomers: Callista Carpenter, so., M; Abby Jarvi, fr.; Reece Sadler, fr.
Outlook: The Golden Eagles graduated 16 seniors from last year’s team and have limited varsity experience on the roster this fall. But Meyers likes the work ethic, togetherness and intelligence he’s seen so far from his side during the preseason.
Teams to beat: Belmont, Fall Mountain, Raymond
Division: III
Coach: Susan Else (7th year)
Last year: 10-8, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Izabella Warren, sr., F/M; Halie Hurd, sr., F; Maddie Jones, jr., F; Morgan Racine, jr., M; Gracie Atkins, so., GK; Kaylea Davison, so., D; Lilly Edsall, so., D; Zoe Kemp, so., M; Lexi McClure, so., M; Kendra Warren, so., M; Cassidy Wightman, so., M
Top newcomers: Maggie Carter, fr., M/D; Emily Ferguson, fr., D/GK; Isabelle Hollenbeck, fr., M/D; Abbie Johnson, fr., F/M; Serenedy Kelly, fr., M; Alicia Keane, fr., M; Eva LaValley, fr., M; Kimmie Nadeau, fr., M; Abbie VonDette, fr., M/D; Emily Wilkins, fr., D
Outlook: The Hillcats graduated six seniors, including four starters, but are bolstered by the addition of 12 freshmen and the return of their top scorer Warren. Warren is 20 goals shy of tying the H-D record for career goals.
“I think we’ll be strong offensively,” Else said. “Many of the girls have been playing together and have already gelled as a team. I believe that this ability has been one of the keys to the team’s success over the past three years.”
Defense is an area where the Hillcats are rebuilding, as three of the four starters that graduated played on the back line.
Division: III
Coach: Mike Zahn (1st year)
Last year: 13-4-1, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Amelia Bassett, sr., GK/D; Grace Clark, sr., M/F; Amelia Fitzgerald, sr., M/D; Megan Ellsworth, sr., M
Top newcomers: Annie Higginbotham, fr., M; Jessica Carney, fr., M/D; Kally Murdough, fr., D
Outlook: The strength of the Hawks this season will be possession soccer. “We can knock the ball around pretty well,” Zahn said. “We showed great composure to possess offensively in preseason (games) against Concord High and Merrimack Valley.” Morrall returns after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year, and the Clark sisters are expected to “expose some defenses in their combination play,” according to Zahn.
Teams to beat: Raymond, Fall Mountain, Belmont
Division: III
Coach: Elizabeth Pion (1st year)
Last year: 4-11-1, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Tayor Ambrose, jr., GK; Reagan Buhman, jr., D; Katelyn Bousquet, jr., D; Georgie Ducsai, jr., D; Mollie Durand, jr., F; Makenna Edgar, jr., F; Alyssa Floyd, sr., M; Julia Gintof, sr., F; Sammy Kernen, jr., M; Helen LaRowe, jr., D; Becca Leberman, jr., D; Olivia Pendergast, jr., M
Top newcomers: Lydia Clapp, jr., M/GK
Division: IV
Coach: Jayme Kennedy (3rd year)
Last year: 10-7, reached first round
Returning starters: Destinee Ellis, sr., M; Peyton Shaw, sr., D; Kira Wood, sr., M/F; Paige Provencal, jr., M; Jolene Wood, jr., M; Kianna Vincelette, jr., D; Bryana Morris, jr., D; Rebecca Smith, jr., GK; Madison St. George, fr., F
Top newcomers: Tori Lee, jr., F; Emma Ramsey, fr., D; Gwen Clough, jr., M
Outlook: The Panthers return nine starters to a team that hit a couple of key milestones last year, winning 10 games and hosting a playoff game. Despite nine returners and a roster that includes eight juniors, Pittsfield graduated two top scorers from last season that combined for 33 goals. The Panthers will look to a trio of strikers in St. George, Kira Wood and newcomer Lee to find the back of the net. Juniors Vincelette and Morris will anchor the defense in front of Smith, a four-year starting goalie. Jolene Wood will be moving into a new role in the midfield while Provencal and Ellis “have been working really well together all summer and preseason,” according to Kennedy, who expects big things from them.
“We will need to play fearlessly and do whatever it takes to put the ball in the net this year,” Kennedy said. “Our bench is very young and inexperienced but they will get better in time while playing with the older girls,” Kennedy said.
Teams to beat: Newmarket, Epping, Moultonborough, Sunapee