Exeter tightens hold on top spot in NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll
For the second week in a row, the Exeter High School field hockey team took the top spot in the NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll.
For the second week in a row, the Exeter High School field hockey team took the top spot in the NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll.
The Blue Hawks received all but one first-place vote, as they edged Windham, which came in second after the two teams played to a 1-1 tie last week in a rematch of last year’s Division I title game.
Exeter has a big week ahead, as it will travel to Salem on Tuesday before hosting Dover on Wednesday and then going to Bedford on Friday. Windham will host Pinkerton on Monday, then head to Londonderry on Wednesday before hosting Nashua North on Friday.
Bedford switched spots with Windham, dropping to third, despite extending its goal-differential to plus-20 and remaining undefeated. The Bulldogs go to Manchester Memorial on Monday and will then have the rest of the week off before the showdown with Exeter.
Portsmouth remained at No. 4, and the Clippers will play at Laconia on Tuesday and host Pembroke on Thursday. Souhegan and John Stark came in in a tie for fifth in the poll. The Sabers go to Milford on Tuesday before hosting Goffstown on Friday, while the Generals will host Plymouth on Tuesday and play at ConVal on Friday.
Dover and Winnacunnet switched spots, as each lost its first game of the year last Friday. The Green Wave fell at Concord, 1-0, and will try to bounce back Monday against Londonderry before the game at Exeter on Wednesday and one against Bishop Guertin on Friday. Winnacunnet, which lost at Bedford 2-1, travels to Merrimack on Monday before hosting Nashua South and Pinkerton on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
Concord moved back into the top 10 after its win over Dover, its fourth in a row. The Crimson Tide head to face Nashua North on Monday, return home to face Bishop Guertin on Wednesday, and come back to the Gate City to take on South on Friday. Keene, despite losing its last three games, all by one goal, remained in the poll at No. 10. The Blackbirds host Bishop Guertin and Salem on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, before going to Timberlane on Friday.
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 (4-0-1), 6/69, 1st
- Windham (4-0-1), 60, 3rd
- Bedford (5-0), 1/56, 2nd
- Portsmouth (5-0), 41, 4th
- T-Souhegan (4-0), 34, 5th
- T-John Stark (5-0), 34, 6th
- Dover (4-1), 28, 8th
- Winnacunnet (3-1), 21, 7th
- Concord (4-1), 14, NR
- Keene (2-3), 6, 9th
Dropped out: Lebanon.
Others receiving votes: Newport (3-1), 5; Conant (4-0), 4; Bishop Guertin (2-1-1), 4; Derryfield (2-2), 2; Gilford (3-0), 2; Stevens (2-2), 2; Kennett (3-1), 1; Pinkerton (3-1), 1; Lebanon (2-2), 1.
