Defending-champ Bow one of four to get bye in D2 field hockey playoffs

The Division II field hockey playoffs begin on Wednesday, but defending-champion Bow High School won't start its title defense until Saturday.

The Falcons, along with Lebanon, St. Thomas and Windham, received a bye into the quarterfinals of the 12-team tournament. All four will host a playoff game on Oct. 20.

In Wednesday's preliminary round games, No. 5 Merrimack Valley (9-4-1) will host No. 12 Con-Val (5-7-2) at 3:30 p.m. The teams did not meet during the regular season, and the winner will advance to take  on No. 4 Bow (11-3) in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 2 p.m.

No. 6 Souhegan (9-5) will host No. 11 Goffstown (6-7-1) at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the preliminary round. Souhegan won the only regular-season meeting, 4-0, on Sept. 24. The winner will face No. 3 Windham (11-2-1) in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 2 p.m.

No. 11 Hollis Brookline (6-6-2) will travel to face No. 7 Plymouth (8-6), also at 3:30 p.m. in Wednesday. The teams did not play in the regular season, and the winner moves on to play at No. 2 St. Thomas (12-2) in the quarterfinals at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

No. 8 Kennett (7-6-1) and No. 9 Kingswood (6-6-2) will meet at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the preliminary round. The teams played twice during the regular season, tying 1-1 on Sept. 5, while Kingswood won 3-2 on Sept. 24. The winner will travel to face No. 1 Lebanon (12-1-1) in the quarterfinals at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The semifinals are scheduled for Oct. 24 at Bill Ball Stadium in Exeter, while  the final will be held at 12 p.m. on Oct. 28 at Bedford High School.