Girls lacrosse preview

Here’s a look at all three girls lacrosse divisions as the 2018 season gets underway.

Division I

Favorites

• Souhegan (18-2 in 2017): The Sabers won their first championship since 2008 and lost just three players from that team. Souhegan returns a solid group of seniors, led by Abby Cranney, Brigid Casey, McKenzie Robinson and Samantha Jay.
• Pinkerton (15-7): The Astros were a semifinalist again last season and return an experienced group from a year ago. Leading the way for Pinkerton will be seniors Carly Young, Meaghan Michaud and Madison Peredna.
• Bishop Guertin (14-4): Like Souhegan and Pinkerton, the Cardinals didn’t lose much in terms of numbers, but they did graduate two all-state performers in Kate Bradford and Olivia Koutsos. Bishop Guertin still returns a lot of experience to its roster, which will be led by seniors Katie Lupo and Grace Young.
• Bedford (17-3): Last season’s runner-up probably suffered the most losses to graduation of the four, but still returns a handful of the top players in the division, including Mackenzie MacEachern, Hannah McCarthy, Sydney Lynch and Mackenzie Chou.

Contenders

• Londonderry (14-6): The Lancers saw nine players graduate from last year’s playoff team, but Londonderry has seniors Catie Derhak, Isabella Bourque and Meghan Jackes returning.
• Merrimack (9-8): The Tomahawks were a young team last year and return a large senior class that should help a talented group of underclassmen get back to the postseason.
• Exeter (8-10): The Blue Hawks should be in line for a return to the playoffs behind players like senior Jen Rogers and sophomore Raye Neil.
• Nashua South (8-9): The Panthers returned to the postseason with a strong finish to the season and lost just a handful of players to graduation. South’s strength looks to be its junior class, led by Izabella Bolduc, Abby Rowe and Kirsten McIntire.

Rest of the field: Concord, Nashua North, Keene, Dover, Salem, Manchester Central.

Playoff teams: Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Exeter, Londonderry, Merrimack, Nashua South, Pinkerton, Souhegan.

Championship: Souhegan over Bishop Guertin.

Division II

Favorites

• Portsmouth (19-2): The Clippers won the program’s third championship last year and are poised for a fourth despite losing some talented players to graduation. Sydney Ludes and Lily Madden return to lead the offense, while goalie Grace Jackson will anchor the defense.
• Hanover (11-7): The Marauders look to get back to the championship game after falling in the semifinals a year ago. Senior midfielders Perrin Milliken and Cait Wagner look to lead the way for Hanover.
• Winnacunnet (18-2): The Warriors lost six players from last year’s runner-up but shouldn’t see much of a drop off thanks to the return of sisters Ali and Keelyn McNamara, along with Dana Sher.

Contenders

• Hollis Brookline (9-6): The Cavaliers will be on their fourth coach in four years, but they return a solid lineup, led by senior Celeste Fetter. Junior Caroline Smith and goalie Olivia Valentine will look to lead the defense.
• Windham (12-8): The Jaguars were a semifinalist a year ago and return a solid group of seniors and sophomores. Leading the way will be Allie Connelly and Mikayla Lindquist.
• John Stark (11-5): The Generals will look to build on last year’s top-four finish during the regular season. Seniors Emily Patten, Autumn Nelson and Samantha Porter will look to lead the way.

Rest of the field: Goffstown, Oyster River, Timberlane, Kingswood, Merrimack Valley, Milford, Alvirne, Pembroke, Manchester Memorial, Spaulding.

Playoff teams: Goffstown, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, John Stark, Portsmouth, Timberlane, Windham, Winnacunnet.

Championship: Portsmouth over Hanover.

Division III

Favorites

• Kearsarge (14-4): The Cougars made an incredible run to last year’s title as the sixth seed and return several key players, including seniors Leslie Angus, Lara Stokes and Jackie DeAngelis.
• Laconia (13-4): The Sachems had their two-year title run ended by Kearsarge in the quarterfinals last year. Laconia lost some key pieces to graduation, but returns midfielders Becca Howe, Skyler Tautkus and Megan Gaspa.
• Hopkinton (11-4): The Hawks were also upset in the quarterfinals a year ago, but they return a strong core, led by juniors Lyndon Flanagan, Ellie Morrall and Amelia Bassett.

Contenders

• Derryfield (15-2): The Cougars lost a big piece of their offense in Madi Kochanek, and will be inexperienced to start the season, but returners like seniors Darby Gillett and Isabell Plotsker will keep Derryfield in the mix.
• Bow (13-3): The Falcons made it to the final four a year ago and will have a good shot at getting back with junior midfielder Julia Landcastle leading the way.

Rest of the field: Pelham, ConVal, Gilford, Bishop Brady, Lebanon, Coe-Brown, Campbell, St. Thomas, Trinity, Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough, Belmont, Plymouth.

Playoff teams: Bow, ConVal, Derryfield, Gilford, Hopkinton, Kearsarge, Laconia, Pelham.

Championship: Laconia over Kearsarge.