Handful of teams could be fighting for supremacy in D3 girls lacrosse

For the third time in four years, the Laconia High School girls lacrosse team enters the season as the defending Division III champions.

But although the Sachems return a solid core for the 2019, they are far from the only team with a shot at taking home this year's title.

In fact, D3 might be more wide open than its ever been this year, with five or six programs looking like they could still be standing on June 4.

Favorites

• Hopkinton (15-2 in 2018): The runner-up in the division a year ago, the Hawks saw 33 girls try out for the team this spring, the highest number in program history. Hopkinton returns a quartet of all-state performers, led by Amelia Thomas on defense and Amelia Bassett and Lyndon Flanagan on attack. Midfielder Ellie Morral returns after missing all of last season with a knee injury and will be joined by juniors Ellie Owen and Sofia Locke. Sophomore Lilia Klinger and freshman Annie Higgenbothem will join junior goalie Elizabeth Berliner on defense.
• Laconia (14-3): The Sachems won their third title in four years last season but lost a trio of talented players, including Rebecca Howe. But Laconia returns one of the top players in the division in senior midfielder Skyler Tautkus while senior Sydney Stevens also returns on attack. Senior goalie Hannah Dow is also back to lead the Sachems' defense.

Challengers

• Derryfield (15-2): The Cougars lost just three players to graduation from last year's final four team, but they are still a relatively young returning group. Seniors Jess Carr, Maggie Cissel and Sydney Socha will be joined by junior Olivia Strong as captains. A pair of sophomores, midfielders Lucy Licata and goalie Shawn Lesmersies, will also be key contributors for Derryfield.
• Kearsarge (11-6): The Cougars had a slow start to the season after winning the title in 2017 and graduated seven players from a year ago. Keasarge will be led by a pair of senior midfielders in Brie Von Beren and Emilie Webster. Junior goalie Marissa Pickman and juniors Lexi Phyllides and Molli Mayo will anchor the defense while senior Ally Wilson will be joined by freshman Caroline Camp on offense.
• Pelham (10-5): The Pythons are looking to finish in the top four this year after ending up at the No. 5 seed in each of the last two seasons. Pelham's success will begin and end with senior Jill Schwab, who leads the Pythons' offense. Also back on offense are senior Cam Perry, junior Abby Paitchen and sophomore Joelle Leblanc.

Contenders

• Bow (13-3): The Falcons graduated 10 players from last year's final four team, but return six seniors, including Charlotte Ulrich, Lindsey Nelson and Zoe Jukoski on attack. The defense will be led by seniors Kimberly Gosselin and Julia Landcastle while sophomore Meaghan Danahy steps in at goalie.
• Campbell (5-9): The Cougars enter their fourth year as a varsity program having taken a couple of steps each year, as they went from being winless in 2016, to two wins in 2017 and five a year ago. Campbell will be led by senior midfielder Jocelyn Theriault and senior defender Autumn Thompson. Junior midfielders Emma Montenero and Kate Stoncius will also be looked to for leadership. The Cougars will also get a boost from freshmen Bailey Bourque, Elayna Montenero and Josie Oberto.
• Lebanon (5-9): The Raiders will be led by a strong senior class of eight players, including defenders Libby Stone and Anna Wolke. Lebanon should be strong on offense, as Katie Berthasavage, Emma Hansen, Zoe Soule, Clara Cole and Ashlyn Taber all return while sophomore Lena Nowell will be back for her second year in goal.

Dark Horse

• St. Thomas (4-10): The Saints have missed the playoffs the last two seasons, but a young squad teamed up with an experienced goalie could get St. Thomas into the postseason picture. Senior Olivia Kimball returns in goal to lead the Saints and she'll be joined on defense by sophomore Kylie Youngclaus and freshman Amanda Behre, each of whom are three-sport athletes. Brooke Chandler and Sarah Leahy are a pair of sophomores who will look to lead the offense for St. Thomas.

Rest of field

• Belmont (1-13)
• Bishop Brady (8-6)
• Gilford (9-6)
• Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough (3-11)
• Milford (5-9 in D2)
• Pembroke (4-10 in D2)
• Plymouth (3-11)
• Trinity (0-14)

Playoff Predictions

Playoff teams: Laconia, Hopkinton, Derryfield, Kearsarge, Pelham, Bow, St. Thomas, Campbell.

Final four: Laconia, Hopkinton, Derryfield, Pelham.

Championship: Hopkinton over Derryfield.