> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # A way-too-early look at the 2020 girls lacrosse season - URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/a-way-too-early-look-at-the-2020-girls-lacrosse-season/ - Published: 2019-06-21T12:00:54.000Z - Updated: 2019-06-21T12:00:54.000Z - Description: When Mary Squire looked out at the field during the Division II girls lacrosse championship game, she saw a Portsmouth High School team that was relying on a mix of youth and experience to win its third-straight title. While Squire won't be back next season - the Clippers coached announced last week - Author: Joe Marchilena - Tags: Spring Sports, 2020 predictions, Division I, Division II, Division III, girls lacrosse, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44 When Mary Squire looked out at the field during the Division II girls lacrosse championship game, she saw a Portsmouth High School team that was relying on a mix of youth and experience to win its third-straight title. While Squire won't be back next season - the Clippers coached announced last week she was stepping down - there was plenty of reason for her to believe Portsmouth would have a good shot at making it four in a row in 2020. "It’s amazing what our youth program does," Squire said. "I had four freshmen out there on the field, and five most games (in 2019). What those coaches are able to do and how they’re able to support us, we couldn’t do it without that. That’s really a big part of our success." It was a similar story for Bishop Guertin, which won its second D1 title in a row and third in five years, thanks as much to the upperclassmen returning to defend last year's title as the freshmen who stepped onto the varsity roster. "I think we’re seeing a lot of kids being able to come in as freshmen and make an immediate impact because of club (teams) and playing year-round," Cardinals coach Kerry Gobiel said. "How this sport has grown in New Hampshire so much, it’s just elevating everyone's high school team. "The kids are coming in, they’re hungry. They want to be a part of it. They’ve been in the stands watching and they know the caliber of play and the expectations. I think they come in ready to go and they want to make an impact." What other teams might have a shot at getting to the top in 2020? Here's a way-too-early look at next season, not taking into account any player or coach movement that might be coming down the road. ### Division I As it stands now, a championship rematch between Bishop Guertin and Pinkerton would seem likely for 2020. While the Cardinals lose seniors who contributed to two title winners - including Sydney Todd, Emily Santom and Claire Donovan - the core of returning players will be juniors and sophomores. The Astros will lose seniors Kiley Davis and Sidni Dery, along with goalie Dani Martineau, but freshman Lauren Sweeney split time in goal this season and should be ready to go as the starter. Pinkerton will have a lot of hungry upperclassmen, with eight would-be seniors returning. Souhegan will likely see some improvement, as the Sabers graduate just four and should be returning nine juniors, including Savannah Behn and goalie Alex LaBrosse, from this year's semifinalist. Bedford loses a senior class of five, which includes Hannah McCarthy, Sydney Lynch and goalie Hannah Paradis, so the Bulldogs might take a step back next season. Nashua South, which has made the playoffs three straight seasons, had nine juniors on the roster this year, including Kirsten McIntire and Sarah Signorello, and the Panthers had one of the top freshman in the division in Olivia Johnson. Exeter and Londonderry should also return a strong cast from teams that made the playoffs this year. - Our way-too-early prediction for next year's playoff teams: Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Exeter, Londonderry, Merrimack, Nashua South, Pinkerton, Souhegan. ### Division II Portsmouth has enough talent set to return that it should be able to overcome the loss of Squire, although the Clippers will need to find a replacement for goalie Grace Jackson, who was a four-year starter. While Portsmouth got contributions from its younger players, this year's junior class - Sallie Squire, Maddy Roelofs, Corinne Lamond, Anna Smith, Julia Kurowski and Kate Shultz - have been the core of the last two championship teams. Winnacunnet and Hollis Brookline both lost a good portion of their top players, but they also each return enough to expect them to be in the mix for a spot in the semifinals. As long as Maddie McCorkle is suiting up for Hanover, the Marauders should also be a team to watch, while Windham loses just one senior and could have as many as nine on next year's roster. Goffstown had a strong finish to the regular season and loses just four players to graduation, while fellow playoff teams Oyster River and John Stark might take a step back after losing eight and 10 seniors, respectively. - Our way-too-early prediction for next year's playoff teams: ConVal, Goffstown, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, Kingswood, Portsmouth, Windham, Winnacunnet. ### Division III While Hopkinton loses the core of the team that reached back-to-back championship games and won the program's first title this year, the Hawks should return enough talent to be in the mix again in 2020\. But there will be several teams ready to knock the champs down, including this year's runner-up, Derryfield. The Cougars should return three first-team all-state players in Olivia Strong, Lucy Licata and goalie Shawna Lesmesrises, while losing just four players to graduation. Kearsarge and Bow should also be among the top teams, as both have several underclassmen set to return. St. Thomas will take a hit with the graduation of Haley Vienneau and goalie Olivia Kimball, but the Saints had a large sophomore class this year that should benefit from making the playoffs this season. Laconia and Pelham both lose a handful of talented seniors and will have to do a bit of rebuilding in the offseason. Plymouth, Lebanon and Campbell were all knocking on the door to the playoffs this season and could take a step forward next season. - Our way-too-early prediction for next year's playoff teams: Bow, Campbell, Derryfield, Hopkinton Kearsarge, Laconia, Pembroke, St. Thomas. Only 40 weeks until the start of the 2020 girls lacrosse season.