Exeter leaps into top spot in NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll with big game looming
After narrowly finishing second in the preseason poll, the Exeter High School field hockey team made the jump into the top spot in this week’s NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll.
After narrowly finishing second in the preseason poll, the Exeter High School field hockey team made the jump into the top spot in this week’s NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll.
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The Blue Hawks came in just behind Windham in the first poll, but moved up after a 3-0 week to start the season. Exeter will put that spot to the test right away, as it will travel to face the Jaguars at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Blue Hawks will also play at Merrimack on Friday.
Bedford moved up to the No. 2 spot in the poll after winning its first three games. The Bulldogs will host Timberlane on Wednesday before traveling to Winnacunnet on Friday. Windham also opened the season with three wins, and the Jaguars will have a second game against a top 10 team on Friday, as they host Keene, which moved into the poll for the first time.
Portsmouth is the top Division II team in the poll, making the jump two spots to No. 4 in this week’s poll. The Clippers opened their season with three straight wins and they’ll return to action Tuesday at Bow before hosting Merrimack Valley on Friday.
Souhegan rounds out the top five after opening with two wins and John Stark jumps up three spots to No. 6 after going 3-0. The Sabers will host Hollis Brookline at 6 p.m. Tuesday and then head to Derryfield on Friday, while the Generals go to Goffstown, also on Tuesday, before hosting Bow on Friday.
Winnacunnet stayed at seventh after picking up wins in its first two games and the Warriors will go on the road Wednesday to Manchester Memorial before hosting Bedford. Despite starting 3-0, Dover slide to eighth this week. The Green Wave will host Keene on Wednesday and then head to Concord for a game on Friday.
The bottom two spots in the poll went to two new teams, with Keene moving up after going 2-1 in its first three games. Lebanon rounds out the top 10 by taking the 10th spot after opening 2-0. The Raiders
Here is the NHHSS Field Hockey Coaches Poll for the preseason. These are the top 10 field hockey teams in the state, with first-place votes/points (T=tie) and last year’s record.
- Exeter (3-0), 4/66, 2nd
- Bedford (3-0), 2/59, 3rd
- Windham (3-0), 1/58, 1st
- Portsmouth (3-0), 44, 6th
- Souhegan (2-0), 32, T-4th
- John Stark (3-0), 31, 9th
- Winnacunnet (2-0), 29, 7th
- Dover (3-0), 23, T-4th
- Keene (2-1), 8, NR
- Lebanon (2-0), 6, NR
Dropped out: Bishop Guertin, Pinkerton.
Others receiving votes: Pinkerton (1-1), 5, 10th; Bishop Guertin (0-1-1), 5, 8th; Kennett (1-1), 5; Newport (3-0), 4; Salem (1-1-1), 2; Stevens (1-1), 2; Hanover (1-0), 1; Conant (2-0), 1; Gilford (2-0), 1; Goffstown (0-1), 1; Milford (1-1-1), 1.
