A way-too-early look at the 2023 girls lacrosse season

The upcoming school year will be the start of another two-year cycle for the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association, which means it's time for some teams to move about the divisions.

For girls lacrosse, there isn't much change, but the movement of one team opens up two divisions in a way that probably hasn't happened since 2015.

Portsmouth's move to Division I changes the landscape not only for that division, but also for the one its leaving, Division II. The Clippers have won five titles in a row in D2 and haven't lost to a division opponent since the 2016 championship game.

With a large number of players expected to return, Portsmouth immediately puts itself in the mix with Bishop Guertin, Bedford and Pinkerton as a title contender. And with the Clippers leaving D2, that division also becomes a lot more wide open.

Meanwhile, Division III could look a lot like it did in 2022, with the teams behind Hopkinton and Bow closing the gap.

Division I

Bishop Guertin has won the last four titles, including a 13-7 win over Bedford in this year's championship, but the Cardinals graduate one of the most talented senior classes in state history. There is a strong junior class returning, particularly on defense with Maddy Hartsock and Kate Daley back, but Bishop Guertin will have some big holes to fill.

That could be enough for Bedford to finally pass Bishop Guertin next season. The Bulldogs have had their season ended by the Cardinals in four straight years - twice in the final, twice in the semifinals - but they will return a loaded senior class, led by Sydney Grogan, Regan O'Brien, Sabrina Tipping and Eliana Enners.

And then there's Portsmouth. While the Clippers lose a great senior class, they've got plenty expected to return to be in the mix, including Avery Ruhnke, Charlotte Marston, Sadie Alati, Sally Collins and Maggie Parker, who were all juniors this year. The biggest question mark though might be who steps in at goal for Portsmouth.

Pinkerton was superb on defense in Katie Blair's first season as head coach, but the Astros graduate five starters on that side of the ball, including goalie Lauren Sweeney. Pinkerton doesn't lose a lot of players on offense, but the Astros do lose their top two, meaning the underclassmen who were role players this year will have to step up.

Souhegan loses just six to graduation, but all six played key roles this year, and the Sabers could take a step back before the underclassmen are ready to step up. Nashua South will have to replace some key seniors, but the Panthers had a lot of freshmen and sophomores getting minutes this year, they could be poised to take the next step.

Dover should also be a team to watch next year, as the Green Wave should have a large returning core of players who helped them to an 11-win season in 2022. Londonderry loses a strong senior class, but like South, the Lancers played a lot of underclassmen this year, giving them valuable experience moving forward.

Exeter, Concord and Merrimack should also be in the mix for playoff spots.

Too-early prediction for playoff teams: Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Dover, Londonderry, Nashua South, Pinkerton, Portsmouth, Souhegan.

Players to keep an eye on: Sadie Alati, Portsmouth; Mackenzie Babine, Exeter; Ella Benzekri, Nashua South; Maggie Berry, Dover; Sophia Branch, Concord; Elliott Brown, Nashua North; Meghan Daileneas, Londonderry; Kate Daley, Bishop Guertin; Maddie Eder-Linell, Bishop Guertin; Eliana Enners, Bedford; Sydney Grogan, Bedford; Maddy Hartsock, Bishop Guertin; Natalie Heimarck, Souhegan; Lyla Kimball, Souhegan; Samantha Koellmer, Dover; Ashleigh Leone, Londonderry; Hannah Lisauskas, Pinkerton; Maren Lowell, Nashua South; Charlotte Marston, Portsmouth; Olivia Matthews, Bedford; Regan O'Brien, Bedford; Karina O'Donnell, Nashua South; Maggie Parker, Portsmouth; Tess Prunier, Bishop Guertin; Lauren Redfern, Bishop Guertin; Julia Rowley, Dover; Avery Ruhnke, Portsmouth; Morgan Ruhnke, Portsmouth; Hailey Schnider, Pinkerton; Chloe Stone, Salem; Sabrina Tipping, Bedford.

Division II

With Portsmouth gone, the division looks to be wide open, with Hollis Brookline, Hanover, Windham and Winnacunnet jumping to the top of the list of favorites. The Cavaliers and Warriors reached the title game during the Clippers' run, while the Bears and the Jaguars have been to the final four multiple times.

All four teams don't lose much to graduation, but the players they do lose were key contributors. For HB, there should be a strong returning senior class, led by Alyssa Hill, Paige Mello and Bella Haytayan. The Cavs also had a lot of freshmen contribute, but their biggest question will be how to replace Halle Bardani in goal.

Windham went into this year breaking in a young bunch of players with a handful of seniors mixed in the lineup. In 2023, with many of those younger players, led by Maria Killian, Chloe Hall and Annie Mitchell, returning, the Jaguars should take another step forward. Winnacunnet appears to be in a similar situation, although the Warriors will have a few more players on defense to replace next season.

Hanover had just three seniors on its roster in 2022, but replacing all three will be tough. The Bears do potentially return a big senior class and had some sophomores and freshmen contributing this year.

Goffstown and Oyster River-Newmarket could both surprise again next year and put themselves in the mix, as the Grizzlies and Bobcats will look to improve on 11-win seasons in 2022. Goffstown loses just four players to graduation and had a big freshmen class this year while ORN had just five seniors and also saw an increase in freshmen numbers.

Pembroke also made a surprise run to the playoffs and loses just five seniors, while the Spartans should return a big number of underclassmen. Timberlane loses some key pieces from a team that came up just short of a playoff spot, but the Owls have a nice mix of underclassmen who gained experience this year who should be returning.

John Stark had a younger roster this season that should return and compete for a playoff spot.

Too-early prediction playoff teams: Goffstown, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, John Stark, Oyster River-Newmarket, Timberlane, Windham, Winnacunnet.

Players to keep an eye on: Mackenzie Cook, Oyster River-Newmarket; Maia Delano, Winnacunnet; Nora Erwin, Goffstown; Shea Graham, Winnacunnet; Chloe Hall, Windham; Sadie Higgins, Hanover; Alyssa Hill, Hollis Brookline; Sabrina Hill, Hollis Brookline; Lily Hunt, Spaulding; Maria Killian, Windham; Grace Manning, Manchester Central; Kate McCawley, Spaulding; Annie Mitchell, Windham; Waverly Oake-Libow, Oyster River-Newmarket; Maia Parker, Timberlane; Emy Przybylski, Oyster River-Newmarket; Livy Rondeau, Windham; Sophie Royal, Oyster River-Newmarket; Rebecca Silva, Timberlane; Ireland Stark, Hollis Brookline; Olivia Wheeler, Manchester Central; Abby Wilber, Winnacunnet.

Division III

Hopkinton and Bow were tops in the division in 2022, and although both should have a strong group of returning players, each may have lost enough for a few teams behind them to close the gap.

The Falcons have a small, but talented group of juniors set to return, led by All-American Alex Larabee. Still, Bow will have to find a way to replace nine seniors from a group of sophomores and freshmen, some of whom where able to contribute this year. Meanwhile, the Hawks lose just five seniors from this year's title team, while bringing back a strong sophomore class that includes Sarah Chodosh and Hannah Hoyt.

Gilford looks like the team with the best chance to get past either of the top two, as the Eagles had just two seniors in 2022 and got contributions from many of the eight freshmen on the roster, including Olivia Keenan and Lilly Winward. Derryfield also had just two seniors on its roster and should return a big junior and sophomore class, along with a few freshmen who contributed.

While St. Thomas didn't have as much success in 2022 as Gilford and Derryfield, the Saints are in a similar position, losing just three seniors. St. Thomas had a large number of sophomores and freshmen who should be returning, including Megan Leahy.

Campbell made its first postseason appearance, but will lose a strong senior class of seven to graduation. There should be enough experience returning to keep the Cougars on the right side of the playoff picture. Pelham also loses some key seniors, but the Pythons always seem to find a way to get one of the eight playoff berths in D3.

Lebanon could take a step back after graduating 14 seniors from this year's playoff team, while Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough had a good balance of players, with a number of underclassmen potentially returning to get the Lakers into postseason contention. Kearsarge and Laconia could also compete for a playoff spot next year, along with Coe-Brown, which moves down from D2 for the next cycle.

Too-early prediction for playoff teams: Bow, Campbell, Derryfield, Gilford, Hopkinton, Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough, Pelham, St. Thomas.

Players to keep an eye on: Kristina Castellano, Campbell; Rania Chaudrhy, Campbell; Sarah Chodosh, Hopkinton; Gina Cookinham, Gilford; Rose Finlayson, Hopkinton; Abby Guerrette, Campbell; Hannah Hoyt, Hopkinton; Riley Jackson, Coe-Brown; Lily Kfoury, Derryfield; Olivia Keenan, Gilford; Isabella LaPerele, Bow; Lindsey LaPerle, Bow; Alex Larabee, Bow; Megan Leahy, St. Thomas; Lilly Losey, Derryfield; Christina Nadeau, Derryfield; Sophie Rose Riopel, Derryfield; Elena Roy, Bow; Olivia Selleck, Bow; Lezi Shute, Gilford; Katie Viele, Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough; Kelci Waters, Milford; Lily Windward, Gilford; Madeline Zahn, Hopkinton.