Field Hockey Preview: Teams across the state ready to get back to routines

While teams from across the state will enjoy a return toward normalcy this fall, there are some minor changes for field hockey as the 2021 regular season gets underway.

A year ago, the NHIAA had approved increasing the maximum number of games a team could play, going from 14 to 16, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the restrictions that came with it, that didn't matter much a year ago. This fall, some teams have scheduled the extra games and the season begins a couple of days earlier than in past years.

After last year saw the format of games changed from two halves to four quarters, this year, players in New Hampshire will no longer be required to wear goggles.

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As for on the field, the defending champions from each division - Windham, Kennett and Bishop Brady - should be among the top contenders again, along with perennial powers like Winnacunnet, Pinkerton, Souhegan, Derryfield and Gilford, to name a few.

Here's a look at what teams have coming back in all three divisions.

Division I

Concord

• The Crimson Tide are coming off a final four appearance and a run to the title game two years ago, but Concord will have a new head coach, as Nicole Armaganian takes over after serving as an assistant. Defense should lead the way early, as goalie Rhyden Wheldon returns along with starters Sophia Branch, Andie Reed and Katlyn Spinney. Also back on defense are Lily Savoy and Madison Raymond. Emma Beaujouan, Jordan Cromwell and Isabelle Sawyer will lead the offense while Nadia Hanna, Ally McGonigle, Brynn Reed and Greta Norton join the varsity.

Dover

• The Green Wave returns seven starters that helped them reach the final last season for the first time since 1985. Senior captains Meghan Fitzgerald and Olivia Dulac return at midfield while senior captain Trixie Williams is back at forward. Also returning up front are sophomore Audrey Carter and seniors Emma Sprague and Caroline Schultz. On defense, sophomore goalie Hayley Tosh is back along with junior Molly Goodridge, sophomore Rylen Gray, senior Amayah King and junior Elena Goud. Juniors Julia Rowley (forward), Allie Hebert (forward) and Gabby Patterson (goalie) will be looked to to contribute, along with sophomores Alexis Silvia (forward) and Leah Joyce (midfield/defense) and freshmen Leyden Churchill (forward), Erin Lynch (forward), Gabrielle Anderson (midfield/forward) and Kaela Robins (defense).

Exeter

• The Blue Hawks have great numbers, with 80 girls out for field hockey this fall, and they'll be led by seniors Clara Gorman (goalie), Maisie Veader (forward/midfield) and Hanna Garrity (midfield/defense). Fellow senior Izzy Alacorn also returns while juniors Lindsay Ducharme, Ainsley Grant, Bree Henderson, Peyton King, Addison MacNeil and Maddie Mason will also contribute. Sophomores Garen and Izzy Steiner will be key for Exeter as well.

Keene

• The Blackbirds return five starters from a year ago, including seniors Eliza Ballaro (forward) and Claire Stroshine (defense) and juniors Katie Harrington (forward), Bella Venezie (goalie) and Megan Goodwin (forward). Also returning are senior Molly Raffensberger (midfield) and juniors Gwennie Walier (forward), Kaylyn Trubiano (forward) and Lindsay Marshall (forward). Keene will also look to newcomers Alex Contaldi, Avery Allaire, Sofia Miller and Tessa Pearson to contribute.

Londonderry

• The Lancers will look to replace 11 players who graduated from last year's team. Senior Tara Wright, junior Meghan Daileanas and sophomore Taylor McKinnon return at midfield while junior goalie Kathryn Martin is back along with senior Sarah Tsetsilas on defense. Londonderry has a handful of players returning on offense, including seniors Katie Doherty, Caroline Leone, Audrey Lidster, Rease St. Gelais and junior Lauren Laudani. Sophomores Ashleigh Leone and Lilah Melia could have an impact on midfield and defense, while junior Julia Senus will be key at forward and junior Kenzie Urquart will step in at midfield and on defense.

Merrimack

• The Tomahawks feature a positive and hard-working group that includes nine starters. Sophomore goalie Natalia Gonzalez leads the defense along with seniors Morgan Flett, Elise Fasano, Jordan Jacoby and Julia Bell. Senior Kailey Daddona and sophomore Hannah Daddona will lead the way at midfield while senior Paige Rivet and sophomore Avery Hui return at forward.

Nashua North

• Senior forward Keira Sice, senior defender Madlyn Phillips and senior goalie Maddie Goulet will look to lead the Titans this season. Also returning on defense are seniors Mary Holland and Meadow Turmel and sophomore Sarah Weintraub and junior goalie Addie Hebert. Senior Kaylyn Crear, junior Ava Soucy and sophomore Kaitlyn Frye return at midfield. Joining Sice at forward will be seniors Reagan Belanger and Luciana Rodriguez and sophomore Rachel Riddell. North will look for a boost from newcomers Aarika Roy (sophomore, forward), Molly Ducharme (freshman, midfield) and Julia Saucier (freshman, defense).

Nashua South

• The Panthers strength to open the year looks to be on defense and in the midfield. Returning on defense are starters and seniors Olivia Laro and Ruthie Mosly and junior Lizzie DeRusha. Also back are senior Morgan Preston and junior goalie Kaitlyn Tello. Seniors Soleil Dubois, Nora Palkon, Kaitlyn West and Bella Walsh are also back along with junior Madison Berthiaume at midfield. Senior Amanda Crocco returns at forward, with Walsh and West also seeing time up front. Junior Krista Reid, sophomores Roseanne Shhiju and Nyah Musa and freshman Maren Lowell will join the forward group while junior Brady Murray and freshman Karina O'Donnell will be in the mix in the midfield. Junior DJ Pires will also see time on defense.

Pinkerton

• After having the season cut short a year ago, the Astros bring back a handful of starters, including seniors Quinn Mailloux and Peyton Knowlton. Other starters include sophomores Ava Bennett, Lark Johnson and Abby Shawley while Jackie Dubray (senior), Alli Carney (junior) and Paige Murray (sophomore) return with varsity experience. Junior Sophia McAdams, sophomores Natalie Paradzick and Izzy Murphy and freshman Jaelyn Crossman will also see key time for Pinkerton.

Windham

• The Jaguars lost just five seniors from last year's title-winning team and will be led this year by senior captains Amy Lanouette (midfield) and Ava Milner (defense). Also returning for the Jaguars are senior Cecilia Ponzini (forward), junior Mackenzie Suech (forward) and sophomore Sophia Ponzini (midfield).

Winnacunnet

• The Warriors enter the year with one of their youngest teams in recent memory, with eight players graduating from a season ago. Leading the way will be Hannah Ritchie (senior, forward), Abby Wilber (junior, forward) and Abaynesh O'Connor (senior, midfield). Junior Maia Delano and senior Leila Husson will also see time at midfield while Jen Frost (sophomore) and Grace Vander Els (junior) will step in at forward. Hayden Adams, Amelia McAfee, Marissa Abrams, Annika Savage and Mazie Snell will also be looked to to contribute for Winnacunnet.

No information was submitted from the following D1 teams: Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Manchester Central, Manchester Memorial, Salem and Timberlane. 

Division II

Bow

• The Falcons have a handful of players returning at each level, led by junior goalie Anna Tsouros on defense. She'll be joined by returners Rylee Constant (senior) and Elena Roy (junior) while seniors Madeleine Kropp and Jocelyn Webber and sophomore Maia Kimball are back at midfield. Sarah Guerrette (senior) looks to lead the offense along with Trista Day. Katerina Burke, Sabrina Bernard, Josefine Jaques, Madelyn Mcleod, Ava Wing and Solange Douct will also see time on varsity.

ConVal

• After not playing last season due to the pandemic, the Cougars return to D2 with eight players back with varsity experience, including goalie Mackenzie Anderson. Joining her on defense will be Natalie Tremblay and Sarah Holdredge. The midfield will be led by Laramie Wilson, Eliza Harris and Makennah McPherson. Molly Dishong and Hayden Kaltsas will led the forward group.

Goffstown

• The Grizzlies graduated 10 players from a team that played a schedule full of D1 teams a year ago. Leading the way will be seniors Makayla Strickulis, Grace Murphy, Bethany Dubreuil, Maggie Jorczak and goalie Jaiden Lacerte. Sophomores Alexis Brown, Ava Jones and Sam Dery and freshman Avery Brisiel will see plenty of action as well.

Hanover

• The Marauders return a dozen players, including senior captains Mia Edmonds, Stella Pinto and Olivia Trummel. Also back is senior goalie Olivia Evans along with seniors Natalie Reyrer, Jessie Lichtenstein, Gail Morse and Taylor Vettori. Hanover also had a handful of experienced juniors returning, including Sadie Higgins, Janina Li, Reilly Loughman and Emily Perras.

John Stark

• The Generals will try to replace six players who graduated from a year ago, including all-state goalie Sydnee Pelletier. John Stark will have a solid foundation to build off with the return of senior midfielder Grace Bolduc and junior defender Jackie O'Donnell.

Lebanon

• The Raiders have a handful of seniors returning to the starting lineup, including Molly Smith, Amalia Hickey, Clara Smyrski, Sally Tretter, Molly Schutzius and Claire Thibodeau. Also returning is senior Lilly Gogan, who missed time with an injury. Junior Mikayla Thornton is also back along with juniors Keira Houdegbe, Meagan Thomspon and Ashlee Blashock, who each got varsity experience a year ago. Sophomore Lindsey Stark and freshmen McKenzie Ray and Abby Gallagher will be looked to to contribute on varsity.

Merrimack Valley

• Seniors Emily Thomas and Sadie Barnard return to lead the defense for the Pride and will be joined by junior Liberty Spaulding. Sophomore Julianne Geurtin will see time on defense and at forward and freshman Taylor Gionet steps in at goalie. Junior Abby Forbes will be key at midfield while junior Kalee Keyse will see time there and at forward. Senior Emma Parris and junior Amanda Parrotto also return at forward. They'll be joined by sophomore Grace Thompson and freshman Alyssa Brodeur. Junior Alliya Eddy and freshman Kaiya Mercier will step in at midfield.

Milford

• Forward Allison Demmons is the lone returning senior for the Spartans this year, but she'll be surrounded by plenty of players, as Milford's numbers are strong in the other three classes. Juniors Amaya Torres, Camie Hopkins, Gabriella Forrence, Kassandra Sickler, Nora Breton and Shelby Miles are back along with sophomores Addyson Pare, Aliah Gagnon, Chloe Houston, Emma Kreatz, Mairead Kirby, Maura St. Onge and Myia Cederberg. Junior Heather Whittier joins varsity along with sophomore Camila Guarin and freshmen Lauren Jasper, Amanda Faria, Chloe Marchand and Kate Seale.

Oyster River

• The Bobcats enter the year with eight seniors on the roster, including captains Ashley Harvey (forward) and Annika Kell (midfield). They'll be joined by Brooklyn Northcutt (midfield), Jenn Newick (defense), Eli Donovan (midfield), Lilly Henderson (forward), Zoe Boyd (midfield) and Nadia Pavlik (defense). Juniors Clio Gorndahl (forward), Jordyn March (forward) and Annika Baumgardt (midfield) will be looked to to contribute while freshmen Brooke Edmond (goalie), Olivia Andersen and Mia Weglarz join the varsity.

Portsmouth

• The Clippers will look to senior Alexis Dumont and junior Mia Edwards to lead the way early in the season. At forward, senior Calli Wright and juniors Charlotte Marston and Darla Mahoney return. Junior Samara Buck steps in at goalie while senior Kyra Brummage and sophomore Samantha Ruel will also contribute.

Souhegan

• The Sabers graduated 14 players who helped them reach the D2 title game in back-to-back seasons. To start the season, they'll lean on returning seniors Cari Mastergeorge (defense), Karina Kruchynska (midfield), Miya Chorney (midfield) and Cali Bishop (forward) along with junior goalie Annie Raduazzo.

No information was submitted from the following D2 teams: Derryfield, Hollis Brookline, Kennett, Kingswood, Pelham, Pembroke, Plymouth and Sanborn. 

Division III

Bishop Brady

• Coming off back-to-back division titles, the Giants return five starters, including seniors Libbey Hicks (midfield), Samantha Weir (defense), Michaella Savary (defense) and Julie Blais (goalie). Junior Margaret Sheehan, a starter at midfield, also returns, along with juniors Danielle Lacourse, Isabella Cochrane and Chloe Smith-McCarty. Bishop Brady has four sophomores with varsity experience back, including Laura Yap, Carly Fuller, Hellen Gendron and Kylee Potter, while sophomore Mieke Rentsch also joins the varsity.

Conant

• The Orioles return six starters from last year and several other players with varsity experience. Five of those starters are seniors: Bella Hayes (forward), Olyvia Middleton (midfield), Chelsea Dupuis (midfield), Emily Muilenberg (defense) and Tessa Spingola (goalie). Also returning on defense is sophomore Graecen Kirby, who started last year, and fellow sophomores Maicee Peard, Katy Weidner, Natalie Lambert and Hailey Dubois. Junior Rylee Herr and sophomores Ella Weinhold and Abby Quill return at midfield and sophomores Maddie BErgeron and Megan Newtorn return at forward.

Gilford

• The Golden Eagles will be a young team again this season, as they return just one senior - midfielder Shea Brown. Returning on defense are juniors Jordyn Byars, Kayla Gallagher and Lauryn Nash-Boucher and sophomores Maddie Guest, Megan Hughes and goalie Caroline Guest. Junior midfielders Avery Totten, Taryn Wernig and Emily Watson return while juniors Aly Pichette and Lexi Shute and sophomores Bella Lesniak, Ellie Nicolas and Addy Wernig are back at forward. Junior Alexandra Fray and freshmen Cala Blackey, Olivia Kennan, Ava Lien, Addi Normandin and Lilly Winward join the varsity.

Kearsarge

• The Cougars strength to start the season looks to be on defense, with several returners, including senior goalie Ayla Frenkiewich. Also back are senior starters Kate Dawson and Paige Hoegler, along with senior Eliza Cardillo and junior Sydney Pollard. Kearsarge also has a handful of players back at midfield, led by senior Kate Cochran. Also returning are seniors Annie Chambers and Marissa Montagna and sophomore Tori Montagna, who will also see time at forward. Seniors Carly Esposito and Devin Phyllides also return up front.

Mascenic

• The Vikings have eight players returning with varsity experience, including juniors Leah St. John, Maddie Damery and Millie McClain on defense. They'll be joined by goalie Carly Pelkey. Also returning at midfield are senior Olivia Shaw and junior Lexis Vautour while seniors Bella Knisley and Emma Lampinen and junior Jade Traffie are back at forward. Mascenic also had a strong freshmen class, led by Lorelai Shippee, that should contribute on varsity.

Mascoma Valley

• The Royals return a solid core as they look to get back to the final for the fourth time in five years. Leading the way on defense is senior goalie Emilie Conrad and sophomores Haley Miller and Zoe Barrett. Seniors Morgan Towne and Chloe Crate are also returning starters, along with junior Carmen Zani and Kylie Rogers. Senior MacKenzie D'Amicis and sophomore Kara Miller also return with varsity experience while Taylor Mansfield will join them.

Newfound

• The Bears have several returning starters, but will be shuffling the lineup from a year ago. Seniors Cassie Zick and Maggie Bednaz both return and will move to midfield, where they will be joined by senior Lindsey Lacasse. Sophomore Isa LaPlumme will also moving to midfield while junior Sofia Wucher and freshman Elle MacDonald will split time between midfield and forward. Sophomore Savannah Bradley and freshman Adi Dolloff will lead the way at forward. Senior Mackenzie Jenkins returns to lead the defense along with junior Matti Douville while freshman Ali Normandin steps in at goalie. Sophomore Electra Heath and freshman Skylar Lacasse will see time on defense while Casey Bush and Kenzie Desroshers will also be looked to to contribute.

Stevens

• The Cardinals have a trio of returning starters, including senior Bri Frisbee (forward), junior Sara Faro (defense) and sophomore Cameron Ferland (defense). Also back are junior Richelle Girard (forward) and sophomores Izabela Eitapence (midfield) and Daniella Varela (forward).

No information was submitted from the following D3 teams: Berlin, Franklin, Hopkinton, Laconia, Littleton, Newport, St. Thomas, White Mountains, Winnisquam. Monadnock will not field a varsity team this season.