A way-too-early look at the 2022 field hockey season

OK, I know what you're saying - what took you so long?

Yes, the season has been done for going on two months now, and yes, it is actually almost 2022. But there was a good reason for waiting until now to share some early thoughts on the next field hockey season.

This school year marks the end of the two-year cycle that the NHIAA operates on, which means there is potential for a shakeup in what divisions in every sport were going to look like going into the 2022-23 school year.

Or, there was that potential for field hockey. From what it sounds like there isn't that much that will be different from 2021, with Laconia moving up to Division II, make it a 20-team league, while the other two have 17 apiece.

But in high sports, a new year means changes no matter what, thanks to graduations and transfers. So here is a way-too-early look at the 2022 field hockey season.

Division I

While Exeter's turnaround to a championship might have been a surprise to most of the state, coaches within the division knew the Blue Hawks would be a contender going into the season. The question is, with 12 seniors graduating, will the Blue Hawks be able to stay there.

With a solid junior class returning, the answer should be yes. Exeter had seven juniors on this year's roster, including Addison MacNeil, who scored both goals for the Blue Hawks in the championship game. Sophomores Isabelle and Garen Steiner and freshman Mackenzie Babine also filled key roles for Exeter this season.

Windham, this year's runner-up and a final participant in all four of its years in D1, should be in the mix again, despite graduating a small (six) but talented senior class. Sophia Ponzini, Kenzie Suech, Ava Sanchez, Ella Reeners and goalie Annie Mitchell give the Jaguars a great foundation to build off.

This season's other two semifinalist - Bedford and Winnacunnet - should also be back among the top teams. Bedford loses seven seniors, but had a junior class of a dozen, many of whom contributed, including all-state performers Sydney Grogan, Eliana Enners and Sabrina Tipping. Winnacunnet also relied heavily on its juniors and sophomores this year and added some valuable experience with its playoff run.

Dover played some of its best field hockey at the end of the season and the Green Wave should return enough to be a contender. Londonderry, Concord and Bishop Guertin lose a good chunk of talent to graduation, but each should return promising underclassmen, while Pinkerton, after missing the postseason, should be in position to improve.

Too-early predictions for 2022 playoff teams (11): Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Keene, Londonderry, Man. Central-West, Pinkerton, Windham, Winnacunnet.

Division II

There are quite a few similarities between the D1 and D2 champs, but the biggest difference for Portsmouth is that many of its key contributors from this season were juniors. That includes all-state performers Mia Edwards, Charlotte Marston and Darla Mahoney along with goalie Samara Buck.

Souhegan, which lost in the semifinals to Portsmouth, will lose a good group of seniors, but should have key returners to build around, including Ella Barrett, Annika Madeja and goalie Annie Raduazzo. Goffstown, which made a storybook run to the final, and Lebanon, which also was in the final four, lose key seniors but gained valuable experience for returning players.

John Stark and Kingswood both turned in successful seasons and should return a big number of players who contributed, while perennial contenders Kennett and Hanover look like they'll be poised for another good year. Hollis Brookline and Derryfield showed improvements during the year and should be in the mix if that progression continues.

Too-early predicitions for 2022 playoff teams (14): Bow, Derryfield, Goffstown, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, John Stark, Kennett, Kingswood, Lebanon, Merrimack Valley, Pelham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Souhegan.

Division III

Hopkinton, the undefeated champs, look like favorite to make it two in a row going into next season. The Hawks will lose a great senior class, but should return a group of sophomores, including Hannah Hoyt, Charlotte Presti and Steph Elrick, that will keep them near the top.

Gilford had just one senior on its roster and should return nine juniors who played on varsity, Lauryn Nash-Boucher and Alysen Pichette. Bishop Brady, which won the previous two titles before finishing as the runner-up, loses one of the top players in the division to graduation in Libbey Hicks, but the Giants should have a lot returning.

Kearsarge, Newfound and Winnisquam will likely return a lot from teams that finished in the top of the standings in 2021, while Stevens, which reached the final four, graduates just one senior.

Too-early predictions for 2022 playoff teams (11): Berlin, Bishop Brady, Gilford, Hopkinton, Kearsarge, Mascoma Valley, Newfound, Newport, Stevens, St. Thomas, Winnisquam.

Only 34 weeks until the start of practice for the 2022 season.