Fall Sports

Division III field hockey tournament begins with everyone chasing Gilford

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

No. 9 Newport (6-7-1) at No. 8 St. Thomas (6-5-3)

The Tigers started off the year with four wins in their first five games, but since then, they’ve gone 2-6-1. The two wins came in Newport’s final four games to help them hang on to a playoff spot.
The Saints bounced back from a two-win season a year ago to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015, when they were in Division II. The team’s six wins matches its totals from the previous three seasons combined and St. Thomas hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a game all season.
The teams played twice, with Newport winning 2-1 on Sept. 6 and the teams playing to a 2-2 tie on Oct. 1

No. 10 Mascoma Valley (5-9) at No. 7 Newfound (8-6-1)

The Royals won two of their final three games to get into the playoffs. Makenna Houston has led the way offensively this year, with 16 goals and nine assists, while freshman Tori Petty has had a big year, scoring nine goals. Anna Emerson made a switch from offense before the season and has led the team defensively while goalie Sam Harkins has had some big moments in her first season in goal. Evie Bennett moved to midfield this season and has been solid for Mascoma Valley in that position.
The Bears started and finished the season strong, but hit a bump in the middle against some of the tougher teams in the division. Newfound has allowed a goal or less in 10 games this season and is 8-1-1 in those games; in the five other games – all losses – Newfound has allowed 16 goals.
Newfound won both regular-season meetings, 3-0 on Sept. 18 and 2-0 on Oct. 18.

No. 11 Kearsarge (5-9) at No. 6 Bishop Brady (9-4-1)

The Cougars were able to get into the playoffs despite winning just two of their final 10 games. Kearsarge scored in all but one game this season, but the Cougars have allowed an average of 2.7 goals per game this year.
After starting the year 2-4, the Giants are 7-0-1 in their last eight games and have allowed just three goals during that stretch. Camdyn Despres and Payton Bryson have provided strong play all over the field for Bishop Brady while Kimble Rose, Lauren Howe and Ella Blanchette have been key on offense. Goalie Ava Archambault has continued to stand out on defense along with Marcella Tonge and Reese Henry.
The teams only played once, a 3-1 win by Bishop Brady on Oct. 1.

Newport/St. Thomas winner at Gilford (14-0)

The Golden Eagles allowed just four goals all season, but three of them were to Newport. Gilford defeated the Tigers 3-2 on Sept. 11 and 6-1 on Oct. 7. The two-time defending champs also got two wins over the Saints, both by a 2-0 count on Sept. 28 and Oct. 17.

No. 5 Hopkinton (10-4) at No. 4 Berlin (11-3)

The Hawks finished the regular season by winning six of seven, with the lone loss to Gilford. The defense has allowed 14 goals in its last eight games, but Hopkinton has made up for it by averaging almost five goals per game during that stretch.
The Mountaineers have allowed just five goals all season, but four of them came in their three losses. Ray Bedard and Maddie Valerino have led the offense this year for Berlin, as its averaged 4 goals per game. Lily Kelley and Gabby Poulin have been key on defense while Kennah Scott has stepped up big. Freshman Caitlyn Kelley has also been a key contributor for Berlin.
The teams did not play during the regular season.

Mascoma Valley/Newfound winner at No. 2 Stevens (13-1)

The Cardinals opened the year with a loss at Mascenic on Aug. 30 and then won their next 13 games in a row. Stevens has allowed just seven goals all season, with two of those in that season-opening loss. The Cardinals got a 2-0 win over Mascoma Valley on Oct. 4, but did not play Newfound.

Kearsarge/Bishop Brady winner at No. 3 Mascenic (12-2)

The Vikings opened the season with 10 straight wins before falling to Stevens and Gilford in their final four games. Mascenic had allowed just seven goals during its win streak, but allowed eight in the two losses. The Vikings defeated Kearsarge twice, 3-2 on Sept. 27 and 4-0 on Oct. 18, but did not face Bishop Brady.

Preseason:

Playoff teams (11): Berlin, Bishop Brady, Gilford, Hopkinton, Kearsarge, Mascenic, Mascoma Valley, Newfound, Newport, Stevens, Winnisquam.
Final four: Berlin, Bishop Brady, Gilford, Newport.
Championship: Gilford over Bishop Brady.

Now: