Bedford takes over top spot in this week’s NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll
Only a week into the regular season and chaos has hit the NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll.
Only a week into the regular season and chaos has hit the NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll.
Of the 10 teams in the preseason poll, half lost at least one game in the opening week, leading to a complete shakeup of teams that left one team standing on solid ground.
For the first time, Bedford sits in the No. 1 spot in the poll after collecting seven first-place votes as one of only two teams to appear on every ballot. Dover, which dropped from the top spot, came in second but more than 30 points behind the Bulldogs.
Bedford plays twice this week, heading to Merrimack on Monday before hosting Windham on Wednesday, while the Green Wave play three times, going to Exeter on Monday, then hosting Pinkerton and Salem on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
Keene moves into the poll, jumping all the way up to No. 3. The Blackbirds, who received one first-place vote, travel to Winnacunnet on Monday and then host Timberlane on Wednesday. Bishop Guertin climbed three spots to No. 4 this week, as the Cardinals host Concord on Monday and go to Salem on Wednesday.
Pinkerton, which received two first-place votes, moved up a spot to No. 5, and the Astros will host Goffstown on Monday before playing at Dover. Winnacunnet jumped into the poll at No. 6, and has home games against Keene on Monday and Manchester Memorial-Central on Wednesday.
Exeter, which collected two first-place votes, and Concord tied for No. 7 this week. After hosting Dover on Monday, the Blue Hawks go to Nashua North on Wednesday and then host Portsmouth on Friday. Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide go to Bishop Guertin on Monday and then host Nashua South on Wednesday.
Two teams from Division II finish out the poll, as Oyster River held on to the No. 9 spot and John Stark dropped to No. 10. The Bobcats go on the road twice, with games at Milford on Tuesday and Pelham on Thursday, while the Generals host Bow on Monday and Lebanon on Wednesday before going to Hollis Brookline on Thursday.
Here is this week’s NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll. These are the top 10 field hockey teams in the state, with record, first-place votes/points (T=tie), and last week’s ranking.
- Bedford (3-0), 7/110, 5th
- Dover (2-0), 77, 1st
- Keene (2-0), 1/68, NR
- Bishop Guertin (2-1), 54, 7th
- Pinkerton (2-0), 2/50, 6th
- Winnacunnet (3-0), 49, NR
- T-Exeter (2-1), 2/48, 2nd
- T-Concord (3-0), 48, NR
- Oyster River (3-0), 47, 9th
- John Stark (2-0), 42, 4th
Dropped out: Windham, Souhegan, Londonderry.
Others receiving votes: Hollis Brookline (3-0), 32; Bow (3-0), 13; Windham (1-2), 12, 3rd; Gilford (1-0), 3; Salem (1-2), 3; Londonderry (1-2), 2, 10th.
The coaches poll is voted on by field hockey coaches from around the state and members of the media. If you would like to sponsor the poll, send an email to nhhighschoolsports@gmail.com.
