Exeter, Windham field hockey look to be back at top of competitive D1

The Exeter and Windham high school field hockey teams played a Division I final for the ages last fall, with the Blue Hawks scoring two goals late to win their first title in eight years.

With the 2022 season just around the corner, the two programs look like the favorites to make it back to the championship game, despite key personnel losses on both sides.

For the defending champs, it’s the graduation of 12 seniors that will give Exeter a different look this year, although the return of co-offensive player of the year, senior Addison MacNeil, will be key for the Blue Hawks. Meanwhile, the Jaguars will be replacing the only head coach the program has ever known, as Sophia Poulin takes over at Windham for Katie Blair.

Last year’s semifinalists, Bedford and Winnacunnet, should also be in the mix, along with Dover, Concord, Bishop Guertin and a handful of other teams.

Here’s a look at Division I field hockey for 2022.

Favorites

• Exeter (18-1, won D1 title): The Blue Hawks lost a dozen seniors from the team that won Exeter’s first title since 2013, but there is plenty of talent and experience returning, led by senior midfielder Addison MacNeil. Senior Maddie Mason will also play a key roll at midfield along with juniors Garen and Isabelle Steiner. Senior Lindsay Ducharme will lead the defense, which will have to replace goalie Clara Gorman.
• Windham (15-4-1, lost in final): For the first time in program history, the Jaguars go into a season with a new coach, as Sophia Poulin takes over a team that has played in six straight finals, including four in a row in D1. Windham returns a lot, including at midfield, where juniors Sophia Ponzini, Ava Sanchez, Mia Gallinelli and Ava Pelletier lead the way. Senior Mackenzie Suech and sophomore Sophie Manchester will see time at midfield and forward while senior Sarah Adamske will also play at forward. The defense will be led by junior Ella Reeners, senior Lily O’Loughlin and sophomore goalie Annie Mitchell. Freshman Ella Gallinelli will also get an opportunity for Windham.

Challengers

• Dover (11-7, lost in quarterfinals): The Green Wave return a good mix of players who are trying to get to the final for the second time in three years. Junior Audrey Carter will look to lead the way from the midfield while junior Rylen Gray leads a solid group on defense. Also back on that end are seniors Molly Goodridge and Elena Goud, junior goalie Hayley Tosh and sophomore Kaela Robins, who will also see time at midfield. Senior Julia Rowley and sophomores Erin Lynch and Leyden Churchill will help lead the offense with Carter while freshmen Giana Leonardi and Hannah Deroy could also play key roles on offense.
• Bedford (17-2, lost in semifinals): After turning in the best season in program history last year, the Bulldogs should be in line for another run. Leading the way offensively will be seniors Regan O’Brien (forward) and Eliana Enners (midfield) while senior midfielder Abbie Weidner also returns. The defense will be led by seniors Sabrina Tipping and Maxine Morse. Freshmen Teagan O’Donnell and Eloise Montagano will also be looked to contribute for the Bulldogs.
• Winnacunnet (13-5, lost in semifinals): The Warriors made the final seven times in nine years, but haven’t been there since 2018. They’ll try to get back this year behind an experienced defense, led by senior captains Abby Wilber and Maia Delano and junior Mazie Snell. Mackenzie Champney steps in at goalie. Senior captain Grace VanderEls will lead the offense, along with juniors Jen Frost and Hayden Adams while junior Annika Savage will man the midfield. Newcomers Maddison Garrant and Lyla Pearlo will also have a chance to contribute.

Contenders

• Londonderry (8-8-2, lost in quarterfinals): The Lancers look strong on defense, with seniors Rowyn Ferraro, Jordan Furlong and goalie Kathryn Martin returning, along with juniors Taylor McKinnon and Ashleigh Leone. Senior Meghan Daileanes returns to lead the offense while seniors Kenzi Urquhart and Olivia Colliton-Savina return at midfield. Freshman Alison Chambers will look to play a key role for Londonderry as will junior Maya Silvestro, sophomore Ava Windisch and freshman Lindsey McKinnon.
• Concord (10-6-1, lost in prelims): The Crimson Tide return seven starters from last year, including senior Emma Beaujouan and sophomore Alyssa McGonigle on offense. Seniors Sophia Branch, Greta Norton and Kayla Taylor and sophomore Nadia Hanna are back at midfield while senior Lily Savoy will lead the defense. Senior Kennedy Craigue, sophomore Lilly Merrill and freshman Amy Desrochers will also look to contribute.
• Keene (6-10-1, lost in prelims): The Blackbirds have a handful of key players returning, including senior Gwennie Walier on defense and seniors Megan Goodwin and Katie Harrington at midfield. Sophomore Sophia Miller returns on offense after leading Keene in scoring as a freshman, while junior Tessa Pearson will have a stronger role on offense. Junior Alex Contaldi will take over a starting spot on defense while the Blackbirds also have a group of freshmen who could contribute.
• Timberlane (5-9-3, lost in prelims): The Owls return one of the top goalies in the division in junior Brandi Garand and she’ll be joined on defense by senior Brandi Sickel and junior Brooke Morin while junior Charlotte Caldwell will step in to play a key role for Timberlane. Junior Alexa Salafia will look to lead the offense along with senior Jess Dow, who will also see time at midfield, sophomore Keely Johnston and freshman Taylor Alperin. Senior Becca Silva will be key at midfield for the Owls and she’ll be joined by junior Bella Hughes, who moves back from forward.
• Bishop Guertin (11-5-1, lost in quarterfinals)

Dark Horses

• Pinkerton (4-8-4): The Astros have had a tough couple of years, having their season canceled in 2020 due to Covid-19 and missing the playoffs last year. But a solid core of returning players, led on defense by senior Alli Carney and juniors Ava Bennett, Lark Johnson and goalie Elise LeBlanc. Senior Sophia McAdams returns at forward along with junior Izzy Murphy and sophomore Jaelyn Crossman while junior Natalie Paradzick and sophomore Gianna Rosa will contribute at midfield. Sophomores Anna Perkins and Hannah Lisauskas will also play key roles for Pinkerton.
• Salem (4-10-2): The Blue Devils had 44 girls tryout for the team, and many were a part of the program a year ago. That includes on defense, where seniors Sophia Quinlan and Erin Ross and juniors Emersen Poulin, Abby Porter and Lyndsay Troisi (goalie) and sophomore Madeline Beeley return. Freshmen Caroline Case and Molly Mosto will also see time on defense. Juniors Fareedah Adigun and Jennifer Olson return at forward, where they’ll be joined by seniors Shaelyn Burke, Shayne Santo and Sophia Tomasello, sophomore Madeline Hannon and freshman Avery Aliberti. Sophomores Gabriella Mosto and Emily Young are back at midfield and they’ll be joined by freshmen Abigail Beeley and Alexi Whipple.

Rest of the Field

• Man. Central-West (7-11, lost in quarterfinals): Central-West has a core of three players returning, with junior Chloe Gilroy in goal, senior Emily Bisson back on defense and senior Zoe Demers in the midfield. Junior Colleen Stankiewicz will also play a key role at midfield while Harriet Barber will look to lead the forward group for Central-West.
• Nashua South (3-9-4): The Panthers have a strong group returning, including on defense, where seniors Lizzie DeRusha, Brady Murray and goalie Kaitlyn Tello are back. The forward group will be led by senior Krista Reid, who will be joined by junior Erin Flaherty and sophomores Karina O’Donnell and Maren Lowell. Senior Maddie Berthiaume and junior Nyah Musa return at midfield while freshmen Wylie Hart and Keegan Dolan will have a chance to contribute.
• Man. Memorial (3-12-1): The Crusaders strength is in goal, where seniors Nyssa Barrett and Carly Dedrick both return. Junior Brooklynn Flinkfelt will also play a key role for Memorial on defense. Senior forward Mya Desjardins will lead the offense while freshman Rylee Donovan should contribute right away. Sophomore Grace McDonald will see time at midfield and on defense, where she will look to control the middle for Memorial.
• Merrimack (1-14-1): The Tomahawks have a young group, with just six varsity players returning, but they have the potential to take a step this year. Leading the way are senior midfielders Hailey Rivet and Gwen Morales and they’re joined by juniors Avery Hui and Maya Stubbs. Junior Hannah Daddona will look to lead the defense while sophomore Ava Martin will also play a key role.
• Nashua North (0-15)

Playoff Predictions

• Playoff teams: Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Keene, Londonderry, Pinkerton, Timberlane, Windham, Winnacunnet.
• Final Four: Bedford, Dover, Exeter, Windham.
• Championship: Windham over Dover.