D2 Girls Lacrosse Preview: Portsmouth looking to extend record run

With a little piece of the history books already under its belt, the Portsmouth High School girls lacrosse team will be looking to add a little more this spring.

While the Clippers had a new coaching staff and a new cast of players leading the way, they won their fourth Division II championship in a row last season, setting a state record for consecutive titles won by a girls program. This year, Portsmouth will have chance for five, which would tie the overall record of five, set by the Bishop Guertin boys team from 2010-14.

Having most of their lineup returning, the Clippers are a heavy favorite to do just that. A handful teams, led by last year’s runner-up Hollis Brookline, will be trying to stop Portsmouth. Windham, Hanover and Winnacunnet will also likely be in that mix.

The division will have 18 teams for this season, with eight advancing to the postseason.

Favorite

• Portsmouth: The list of players returning for third-year coach JoJo Curro is long and is led by senior midfielders Mia Smith, Ophelia Suttie and Julia Roelofs. Other seniors returning include Arden Griffin (goalie) and Ellie Seefried (attack) while junior Charlotte Marston also returns at attack. Juniors Sally Collins, Avery Ruhnke, Sadie Alati and Maggie Parker are back at midfield as is sophomore Annie Parker. The Clippers also expect freshman Morgan Ruhnke to contribute.

Challengers

• Windham: The Jaguars return a key core of players who will be looking to lead them to the title game for the first time since 2015. The defense will be led by senior Bella Connelly, who moves back from midfield to help a young group that also includes sophomore Paige Carboni and newcomers Livy Rondeau and goalie Annie Mitchell. Senior middies Cecilia Ponzini and Jenna Hollinger also return and they’ll be joined by Emma Kendzulak and Darby Madden. Senior Cali Behling returns at attack along with junior Maria Killian and sophomores Chloe Hall and Sophia Ponzini.
• Hollis Brookline: The Cavs were about 10 minutes away from upsetting Portsmouth in last year’s final, and this year, new coach Linda Haytayan is hoping to get HB back there. The team was dealt a blow just before the start of the season went senior captain Morgan Broadhurst went down with an injury that will keep her out all year. Fellow captains, senior Abigail Ogren and junior Alyssa Hill, will look to lead the way for HB.

Contenders

• Winnacunnet: The Warriors had a young team in 2021 and return 13 players this season, led by its midfielders. That group includes senior Mason Ferry, juniors Abby Wilber, Norah Wilcox and Addie Kinnaly and sophomores Shea Graham and Sofia Nardone. Seniors Palen Kelly and Julia Edgar are back at attack, along with junior Maia Delano and sophomore Clara Nardone. The defense will be led by seniors Claire Rademacher and Madison Slamin who will be joined by sophomore goalie Cadence Oleniak. Winnacunnet will also add five freshman to varsity, including Ella Waddell, Sarah Rademacher, Skyla Mace, Emmy Granger and Lyla Pearlo.
• Hanover
• Oyster River-Newmarket: The Bobcats have a lot of returning players and enough in the program to have a junior varsity team this year. This year’s varsity group features six seniors, including Tess Peuschel and Matteson Haines on defense; Annika Kell at midfield; and Caitrin Ferris and Brooklynn Northcutt at attack, while Paige Spencer will see time all over the field.
• Goffstown: The Grizzlies enter the year with a new coach, as Marisa McLaughlin takes over for Goffstown. She’ll look to senior midfielders Katryn Maley and Kayla Gorospe to lead the way, along with sophomore middies Eva DeMatteis and Nora Erwin. Junior Jocelyn Ashford will be looked to contribute at attack.

Dark Horses

• ConVal: The Cougars have seen a lot of talented players graduate over the last couple of years, but they continue to produce solid teams. While numbers are slightly down, ConVal has a pair of seniors that will lead the way in goalie Sarah Holdredge and midfielder Molly Dishong. Also returning is senior Caitlin Beal at attack, where she’ll be joined by junior Hayden Kaltsas. Junior Eliza Harris also returns on defense.
• Timberlane: The Owls have a solid group returning, including seniors Kendall Morrill, Callie Fitzgerald, Emily Alberti and Molly Blackadar at attack. Also back is sophomore Lily Brien, who will see time at midfield and attack, along with midfielders Rebecca Silva (junior) and Maia Parker (sophomore. The defense will be led by seniors Anna Alberti and Britt Brogna and junior goalie Shaye Fanning, and they’ll be joined by sophomore Jordyn Friel and freshman Ava Stewart. Other newcomers include sophomore middie Anne Quinn and freshman Ella Watts (attack) and Lulu Trasatti (midfield).

Rest of the Field

• Alvirne: The Broncos will have strong leadership with the return of senior captains Emma Fopiano, Halle Miller and Maddy Nicolosi in the midfield. Returning at attack are juniors Elsa Ferullo and Sydney Nicholson and sophomores Ava Biskaduros and Gina Todisco. The defense will be led by senior Jordan Sweeney, junior Katherine Wasden and sophomore Makayla Meehan while sophomore Alex Kruger steps in at goal. Juniors Samantha Rausseo and Abigale St. Laurent and freshman Addison Lemire will also play key roles.
• Coe-Brown: The Bears lost just one senior from last year’s team, but still have a young group, led by middies Riley Jackson (junior), Liberty Cillo (sophomore) and Morgan Koskela (senior). Sophomores Faelynne Johnson and Tobi Buehne will join junior Riley Trahant and senior Kaitlyn Miller at attack while senior Camryn Hildreth and sophomore Ava Telehala will lead the defense. Coe-Brown will also have a handful of newcomers, including Alexis Muse, Maggie Escabi, Olivia Wolthuis, Molly York, Carolyn Clawson, Caitlyn Frost, Alayna DeAngelis, Lily Poulin and Lily Wotton.
• John Stark: The Generals will be led by senior Emma Edwards (defender/attack) and juniors Emma Dobbins (defender/attack) and Riley Davis (attack). Sophomore middies Elizabeth Hatfield, Melody Couturier and Lillean Perkins while sophomore Hanna Corey will see time at midfield and attack. Freshman Ryan Mucci will also see time at attack and middie while Kaycie Rhodes will see time at midfield and on defense.
• Spaulding: The Red Raiders return a handful of players on attack, including juniors Hannah Raab, Sophia Olsen and Rhegan Hart along with sophomores Mollica Gould and Bella Gianotti. Senior Luci Wogan returns on defense along with sophomores Katie McCawley and Julia McCarthy. Joining Spaulding will be Kaylee Sanders, Izzy Orrell, Lilly Hunt, Sage Gates and Sydney Cormier.
• Kennett
• Kingswood
• Man. Memorial-West
• Merrimack Valley
• Pembroke

Playoff Predictions

• Playoff teams (8): Hanover, Hollis Brookline, Goffstown, Oyster River-Newmarket, Portsmouth, Timberlane, Windham, Winnacunnet.
• Final four: Portsmouth, Windham, Hollis Brookline, Hanover.
• Championship: Portsmouth over Windham.