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# Field Hockey Notebook: Manchester Central picking up momentum
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/field-hockey-notebook-manchester-central-picking-momentum/
- Published: 2017-09-11T14:58:45.000Z
- Updated: 2017-09-11T14:58:45.000Z
- Description: After taking the state by surprise last season, the Manchester Central High School field hockey is here to stay in 2017. Following a 12-1-1 record in the regular season and an appearance in the semifinals, the Little Green was hoping that same kind of start could begin this year, but it’s been a bit
- Author: Marisa Ingemi
- Tags: Fall Sports, Division I, Division II, Division III, field hockey, Manchester Central, NH High School Sports Insider, notebook, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

After taking the state by surprise last season, the Manchester Central High School field hockey is here to stay in 2017.

Following a 12-1-1 record in the regular season and an appearance in the semifinals, the Little Green was hoping that same kind of start could begin this year, but it’s been a bit more difficult despite high hopes for how far the team might go.

It took Central a bit to get going to open this year’s campaign, going 0-1-1 before finally picking up a 2-1 victory over Keene last week.

With 11 players returning from last year’s squad, coach Bill Lakins has his team ready and more confident than ever that they can make a run again.

“Philosophically, they learned what success feels like,” he said. “They have expectations to play at a high level. With as much fun as they have, they are also smart and driven and are a group built on trust.”

Lakins knew he had a strong leadership group after the first jamboree game in the preseason, when his captains addressed the team on their own.

“I think any concern I had diminished then,” he said. “The game just didn’t go as we hoped, and they met with the team on their own and that set the tone for how they run the team.”

Annie Kew and Cam Casey have led the way so far for the offense with a goal and an assist apiece, while Gabby Leonard has also tallied for the team. Those two are key returners, but Lakins also highlighted the backline as the true strength of the team, led by Abby Berns.

“She’s the Tedy Bruschi of the team,” he said. “She’s our middle linebacker in the midfield.”

That backline is going to win the Little Green a lot of games as the offense adjusts without some of their graduated players.

“The backline jumps out,” said Lakins. “They’re fast and athletic, and just a really skilled group. They communicate well and give confidence to the team in front of them.”

With six players selected to join the roster who weren’t there last season, they have big shoes to fill for the group that reached the final four. One of those newcomers, freshman Grace Mayhew, has already seen meaningful minutes off the bench and received looks in overtime for the Little Green.

“They love the game of field hockey,” he said. “That’s not hard to work with.”

**Players of the Week**

- Katelyn Meuse, Londonderry: With two goals in a 4-1 win over Concord last Friday, Meuse helped the Lancers get in the win column.
- Lindsey Stagg, Derryfield: Four first-half goals from Stagg helped Derryfield power to a 6-0 win over Merrimack Valley.
- Ali Larochelle, Goffstown: Two goals and two assists from Larochelle led the Grizzlies to a 4-1 win against Hollis Brookline.

**Games to Watch**

- Winnacunnet (4-0) at Pinkerton (3-0), Monday, 4 p.m.: A clash of the undefeateds starts out the week, and both teams have been rather dominant so far.
- Derryfield (2-0) at Kennett (3-1), Monday, 4 p.m.: After a 6-0 win over Merrimack Valley last week, Derryfield is in a pretty good place. Kennett lost a tough 2-1 match against Plymouth last week and is looking to rebound.
- Manchester Central (1-1-1) at Timberlane (4-0), Friday, 4 p.m.: A great early season test for the Little Green, and the Owls face one of the stronger opponents they’ll get early in the year in a rematch of last years' D1 semifinal.
- Salem (2-1) at Pinkerton (3-0), Saturday, 10 a.m.: Two wins in a row with a goal total of 11 has Salem feeling pretty good, but the Blue Devils take on an Astros team that has stormed through all their opponents so far.

**Top 15 (record, last week)**

1. Pinkerton (3-0, 1st)
2. Timberlane (4-0, 2nd)
3. Derryfield (2-0, 3rd)
4. Winnacunnet (4-0, 4th)
5. Bishop Guertin (4-0, 5th)
6. Souhegan (4-0, 8th)
7. Windham (3-1, 7th)
8. Manchester Central (1-1-1, 6th)
9. Gilford (3-1, 11th)
10. Lebanon (1-2, 9th)
11. Kennett (3-1, 13th)
12. Bedford (1-1, 12th)
13. Portsmouth (2-0, NR)
14. Pelham (3-0, 14th)
15. Londonderry (1-2, 10th)