A way-too-early look at the 2025 field hockey season

On the one hand, the 2024 season was the second in a row in which all three No. 1 seeds went home with their respective division championships.

But on the other hand, two of those champions – Keene in Division I, Hollis Brookline in Division II – were hoisting the NHIAA plaque for the first time in program history.

And while both beat the defending champion in their division to get the title, both of those runners-up haven’t exactly been there a ton themselves.

Before taking home the D1 title in 2023, Dover hadn’t won a title since 1975, the first one awarded by the NHIAA. And before winning back-to-back D2 titles, John Stark had never played in a championship game in its history.

As for Division III, Gilford became just the third team in the history of D3/Class M-S, and the fifth overall, to win three titles in a row. Derryfield (2010-12) and Berlin (2013-15) each did it in D3, while Concord (1986-90) and Salem (2005-07) both did it in Class L.

With the 2025 season the second of the NHIAA’s two-year cycle, there aren’t expected to be any major changes this offseason to the divisions. It’s possible that either Conant or White Mountains, neither of which had a varsity team this season, could return to play next year.

Here is a way-too-early look at the 2025 field hockey season.

Division I

Keene finished the year undefeated and was the clear No. 1 team from about mid-September to the final. But the rest of the division? It was a lot closer.

Only two games in the standings separated Dover, which was the second seed, and Bishop Guertin, which was the eight seed, with all of the top eight seeds winning at least 11 games in the regular season.  There was a lot of competition at the bottom as well, as the next five teams in the standings all finished with the same record.

Will the same be true for the 2025 season? It seems likely, given that a lot of playoff teams will be returning a lot of experienced players.

While the Blackbirds lost just six seniors, all played key roles throughout this season, but Keene appears to have enough returning to make up for most of those losses. Don’t be surprised to see the defending champs at the top of the standings again next year.

The Green Wave could take a step back after graduating a combined 18 seniors from the last two seasons. Dover has been in the final in three of the last five seasons, and there looks to be a lot of talent rising through the program, it just may take a season to get the experience needed.

Exeter and Pinkerton, the other semifinalists this year, each lose some key seniors from this season, but have plenty returning to be in the mix again. Similarly, Bedford graduates valuable contributors, but should continue to be among the favorites.

Winnacunnet and Bishop Guertin graduate seven and eight seniors, respectively, but could head in different directions. The Warriors should have a lot of players who contributed returning while the Cardinals will have some key holes to fill, a will Concord.

Salem, Windham, Timberlane and Londonderry gained valuable experience making the postseason, while Merrimack and Goffstown were right on the cusp of the playoffs and could make a push.

Too-early playoff predictions (12): Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Keene, Londonderry, Merrimack, Pinkerton, Salem, Timberlane, Winnacunnet.

Players to watch: Eloise Montagano, Bedford; Teagan O’Donnell, Bedford; Mary Lenti, Bedford; Ella Putney, Bedford; Addison Dadonna, Bishop Guertin; Gabriella Gillette, Bishop Guertin; Ayla Saeturn, Bishop Guertin; Amy Desrochers, Concord; Brooke Nelson, Concord; Hannah DeRoy, Dover; Scarlett Gray, Dover; Giana Leonardi, Dover; Dani Caron, Exeter; Lizzy DeLello, Exeter; Olivia Amarosa, Exeter; Amalia Gloss, Exeter; Dylan Valade, Exeter; Emma Eastman, Goffstown; Stella Enman, Goffstown; Olive Thatcher, Keene; McKenna Nelson, Keene; Natalia Gillis, Keene; Scarlett Miller, Keene; Alison Chambers, Londonderry; Eres Delorey, Londonderry; Molly Tharrington, Londonderry; Sienna Schulz, Londonderry; Lexi Padykula, Londonderry; Jackie Hayes, Merrimack; Annabelle Cassetty, Merrimack; Maddie Dratch, Nashua North; Lauren O’Neil, Nashua North; Savanna Basford, Nashua North; Wylie Hart, Nashua South; Keegan Dolan, Nashua South; Meury Navarrete, Nashua South; Jada Vasquez, Pinkerton; Meaghan Shea, Pinkerton; Molly Kuncik, Pinkerton; Gwen Lee, Pinkerton; Ayvree Hamilton, Pinkerton; Reese McCauley, Portsmouth; Rown McNally, Portsmouth; Avery Alibertiy, Salem; Lexi Whipple, Salem; Heather Lee O’Rourke, Salem; Olivia Schoenrock, Salem; Piper Dezan, Salem; Ella Whittaker, Salem; Averie Bolduc, Salem; Aubrey Fitzgerald, Timberlane; Taylor Alperin, Timberlane; Ava Paul, Timberlane; Ella Gallinelli, Windham; Abbie Petrini, Windham; Emme Mulrenan, Windham; Jaidyn Seitzer, Windham; Dana Mcaleer, Windham; Fiona McAfree, Winnacunnet; Amber Morgado, Winnacunnet; McKinley Fowler, Winnacunnet; Mary Koulheras, Winnacunnet.

Division II

While the four teams that made the semifinals will all take some hits due to graduation, a team that wasn’t there looks like it should be the favorite going into next season.

Oyster River loses six seniors to graduation, and while they will be tough to replace, the Bobcats have a large and talented junior class returning that should make up for those losses.

HB will need to replace the core that led the Cavaliers to their first title, and while the foundation is there, it may take a little time to get everyone up to speed. John Stark will have some big holes to fill on defense, but the Generals should be able to be in the mix for another final four run.

Bow should return a solid core that’s now been to the semifinals two years in a row, while Hanover, which was there for the first time since 2019, loses a half-dozen to graduation, there is a talented group expect to be back.

Souhegan will take a big hit from graduation, with 12 seniors moving on, but the Sabers look to have a talented group of younger players coming up to keep them in the mix. Merrimack Valley and Plymouth each appear to have a lot coming back, but both will have to replace a handful of seniors.

Kingswood also looks to return a lot after last year’s postseason run. Pembroke and Lebanon should once again compete for a spot while Kennett, Derryfield and Pelham should also be in the mix after missing the playoffs.

Too-early playoff predictions (11): Bow, Derryfield, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, John Stark, Kennett, Kingswood, Merrimack Valley, Oyster River, Plymouth, Souhegan.

Players to watch: Josie Johnson, Bow; Peyton Vaughn, Bow; Kaylee Jacques, Bow; Kaeyln Samuelson, ConVal; Ava Kosakowski, Derryfield; Joia Collins, Hanover; Sophia Mancini, Hanover; Greta Mancini, Hanover; Grace Healey, Hanover; Ashley Disco, Hollis Brookline; Brooke Bouchard, Hollis Brookline; Paige Shirley, Hollis Brookline; Maddie Barich, Hollis Brookline; Caylin Worthen, John Stark; Paityn Niquette, John Stark; Rowin Ledy, John Stark; Addison DeCew, John Stark; Lauren Bailey, Merrimack Valley; Emma Gaudette, Kennett; Raegan Armstrong, Kennett; Noli Houde, Kennett; Abigail Smith, Kennett; Adaline Ingham, Kingswood, Avery Gilpatrick, Kingswood; Summer Crowell, Lebanon; Savannah Therriault, Lebanon; Claire Kelly, Lebanon; Violet Renda, Milford; Paige Bernier, Milford; Ashlyn Barker, Pembroke; Rowynn Pickering, Oyster River; Eliza Farwell, Oyster River; Nora Rogers, Oyster River; Grey Dowden, Oyster River; Sadie McLeod, Oyster River; Amelia Avery, Plymouth; Ori Dart, Souhegan; Avery Wyborney, Souhegan; Amelia Warecki, Souhegan; Ella Russell, Souhegan; Eme Godin, Souhegan.

Division III

Gilford may have enough returning to become just the second program in state history to win four straight titles, but with the seven seniors who graduate for the Golden Eagles, the gap between them and the rest of the division will be smaller.

Bishop Brady has been a finalist in D3 in five of the last six seasons while Berlin was in the title game two years ago and the semifinals this season, and both have a strong core lined up to return with just a handful of seniors graduating. Both should be in the mix once again in 2025.

Hopkinton graduates a half-dozen seniors but has a young core coming back that will look to help the Hawks improve on their quarterfinal appearance this season. With just two seniors graduating, Stevens should also be among the top teams returning in the division.

Newfound, which made the semifinals, and Newport, which made the quarterfinals, each get hit hard by graduation, losing eight and nine, respectively. Meanwhile, Mascenic, which had a lot of freshmen this year, and Kearsarge, which had a good mix of freshmen and sophomores, could take a step next year.

St. Thomas returned to the playoffs this year, and despite graduating nine seniors, the Saints have plenty returning to get back. Mascoma Valley, Winnisquam, and Sanborn could also be in the mix for a playoff spot.

Too-early playoff predictions (11): Berlin, Bishop Brady, Gilford, Hopkinton, Kearsarge, Mascenic, Mascoma Valley, Newfound, St. Thomas, Sanborn, Stevens.

Players to watch: Emily Smith, Berlin; Emma Rancioes, Berlin; Kennah Scott, Berlin; Mckenna Kelley, Berlin; Marcella Tonge, Bishop Brady; Ella Blanchette, Bishop Brady; Reese Henry, Bishop Brady; Ava Archambault, Bishop Brady; Sage Slocum, Franklin; Grace Southworth, Gilford; Catherine Fay, Gilford; Allyson Onos, Gilford; Madi Breton, Gilford; Autumn Meier, Hopkinton; Ryan Barrett, Hopkinton; Mary Maughn, Hopkinton; Lauryn Vetter, Hopkinton; Ava Nolan-Waddel, Kearsarge; Kiahna Farrey, Mascenic; Brielle Krook, Mascenic; MaKenna Houston, Mascoma Valley; Tori Petty, Mascoma Valley; Anna Emerson, Mascoma Valley; Evie Bennett, Mascoma Valley; Ellie McGrody, Mascoma Valley; Hanna Fellows, Newport; Elizabeth Holden, St. Thomas; Talula Gregg, St. Thomas; Leah Walsh, St. Thomas; Lillianna Clark, Stevens; Callie Demars, Stevens; Elizabeth Benware, Stevens; Taylor Bell, Stevens.

Only 38 weeks until the start of the 2025 field hockey preseason.