Division II

Division II field hockey playoffs get underway with preliminary round

Here is a look at Tuesday’s Division II preliminary-round matchups and the teams that are waiting for the winners in the quarterfinals.

No. 9 Kingswood (7-8-1) at No. 8 Plymouth (9-7)

The Knights are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021, when they were the seventh seed and reached the quarterfinals. Kingswood got off to a slow start this year, dropping its first four games, and was 3-7-1 after a loss to John Stark on Oct. 2. The Knights won four of their final five games, outscoring opponents 17-4, to climb into the postseason.
This will be the first postseason appearance for the Bobcats since 2017, when they were the seventh seed and reached the quarterfinals. Plymouth started the year with six wins in its first eight games, including a 1-0 win over Kingswood on Sept. 6, but when 3-5 in the next eight. That includes dropping the final two games of the season by a combined 12-2, which was more goals allowed by the Bobcats than in their first 14 games total (11).

No. 10 Pembroke (5-9-2) at No. 6 Hanover (9-6-1)

The Spartans are in the playoffs for the third year in a row after missing out for the previous 10 seasons. Pembroke opened the season strong, going 3-1-1 over its first five, but after back-to-back wins to close out September, the Spartans were winless for October, going 0-5-1. That included a 3-1 loss to Hanover on Oct. 15.
The Bears have been led offensively by twins Sophia and Greta Mancini, with Sophia having a hand in 27 of the team’s 46 goals, including scoring 18 of them herself. Meanwhile, Greta Mancini had two goals and sevens assists on the year and Joia Collins had 10 goals and 10 assists, as Hanover ended the year with four straight wins, outscoring opponents 20-3. Sophomore Grace Healey also gave the Bears a spark on offense, scoring nine goals to go with three assists. Eva Bell has led the Bears’ defense from the midfield and has been a catalyst for setting up the offense while goalie Gwen Riordan has come up big for Hanover this season.

No. 11 Lebanon (5-9-2) at No. 6 Merrimack Valley (10-5-1)

The Raiders were able to get into the playoffs by winning four of their final seven games after a rough start to the regular season. During that stretch, Lebanon scored 21 goals, and the Raiders are 5-3 this season when scoring more than once. Mackenzie Ray, Summer Crowell and Norah Burns have led the way for Lebanon offensively while Drew Kantor, a new addition to field hockey this season, has fit in at the midfield. Goalie Meg Cheevers has led the Raiders defensively, along with Claire Kelly and Savannah Therriault.
The last time the Pride were the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, in 2019, they made it to the semifinals. To do that again, Merrimack Valley will have to beat a Lebanon team it just played last Friday on the road and defeated 4-3. The Pride stumbled a bit down the stretch, with a tie to Kennett and a loss to Kingswood that dropped them out of a first-round bye.

Kingswood/Plymouth winner at No. 1 Hollis Brookline (15-1)

The Cavaliers earned the top seed with a balanced scoring attack led by Nyah Jernberg (14 goals, nine assists) and Sabrina Hill (12, 11), and have averaged 3.9 goals per game this season. Addison Marchant (nine defensive saves), Ashley Disco and Brooke Bouchard have been strong in the midfield for HB while freshman Paige Shirley has played big minutes for the Cavs defensively.
HB got wins over both Kingswood (2-0 on Sept. 23) and Plymouth (5-1 on Oct. 15) this season.

No. 5 Souhegan (11-5) at No. 4 Bow (12-3-1)

The Sabers dropped their first two games of the season and were 5-4 on Sept. 27. Souhegan then won six in a row before dropping the regular-season finale to Hollis Brookline; during that streak, the Sabers outscored opponents 12-2. Ori Dart led the team in goals in the regular season with 11, but Hanalia Dykstra (eight goals, one assist) and Eme Godin (eight, nine) give Souhegan some other options offensively. The defense has been strong behind the play of Isabelle Brandt, Avery Wyborney and Lily Goerlich, while Cahlin Kilbane has stepped up for the Sabers this season.
The Falcons looked like they had a shot at the top seed in the division at the start of October, having won 11 of their first 12 games. But Bow was just 1-2-1 to finish the regular season, including a scoreless tie against Derryfield in the finale. That stretch also included a 2-1 loss at home to Souhegan on Oct. 11.

Pembroke/Hanover winner at No. 2 Oyster River (15-1)

The Bobcats bounced back from their only loss of the regular season with six straight wins to end the year. During that stretch, they scored 21 goals while allowing just two. For the season, Oyster River has 69 goals and 31 assists, coming from 13 of their 15 rostered players who aren’t goalies. The Bobcats have defended 64 penalty corners this season and allowed just three goals.
Oyster River got wins over both of its potential playoff opponents, beating Pembroke (3-0 on Sept. 16) and Hanover (4-0 on Oct. 8).

Lebanon/Merrimack Valley winner at No. 3 John Stark (13-3)

The two-time defending champions lost as many games in the regular season this year as they had in the previous three combined. The Generals were still able to grab the third seed despite that. When John Stark is able to get its offense going, it’s been very good, going 10-0 in games the Generals have scored more than a goal. John Stark is 3-3 when scoring a goal or less.
The Generals have wins this year over both potential opponents, beating Lebanon (6-2 on Sept. 11) and Merrimack Valley (3-2 on Sept. 16).

Preseason:

Playoff teams (11): Bow, Derryfield, Hollis Brookline, Hanover, John Stark, Kennett, Kingswood, Lebanon, Merrimack Valley, Oyster River, Souhegan.
Final four: Hollis Brookline, John Stark, Oyster River, Souhegan.
Championship: John Stark over Oyster River.

Now: