Handful of teams eyeing a shot at D2 field hockey title

When the Division II season came to an end last fall, the John Stark Regional High School field hockey team was celebrating its second championship in a row.

Things look a lot different for the Generals as the 2024 season gets underway. Not only did they graduate a handful of key contributors, they also saw two of their top returning players head to prep school and a coaching change.

John Stark still has enough back to be the team standing at the end again, but the gap between the Generals and the rest of D2’s contenders is much smaller. A handful of teams could end up at the top of a division that saw three teams leave. Goffstown and Portsmouth, two playoff teams from a year ago, moved up to D1, while Sanborn petitioned down to D3.

That means just 11 teams will make the postseason, with the top five getting a bye into the quarterfinals.

Favorites

• John Stark (16-1, champion): A lot has changed for the Generals since winning their second-straight title last fall. There’s a new coach, as Cassidy Huckins takes over the program. Six players graduated while two more – Lauryn Guevin, last year’s D2 Offensive Player of the Year, and goalie Addy Pelletier – transferred to Cushing Academy. But John Stark also had a lot returning, including seniors Adie Bolduc (midfield/defense), Ryann Telgen (defense) and Emily (defense) and Jillian Fredette (forward). Also returning are juniors Caylin Worthen, Claudia Dustin and Kaitlin Dennis. Joining them will be senior Michaela Niquette, junior Ava Friberg and sophomores Paityn Niquette and Maxine Lundeen.
• Souhegan (12-3-2, lost in semifinals): The Sabers graduated nine seniors from last year’s team, but still have a lot of experience returning thanks to underclassmen who contributed a season ago. Leading the way are forwards Ori Dart (sophomore) and Caitlin Ridings (senior) with Brooke Fallon (senior), Ella Russell (sophomore) and Avery Wyborney (sophomore) back to run the midfield. Junior Amelia Warecki also returns in goal. They’ll will be joined by seniors Lucy Wysor and Maya Bagshaw, juniors Lauren Bartlett and Ella Normandin and sophomore Avery Skelton.

Challengers

• Oyster River (12-4, lost in quarterfinals): The Bobcats looked ready to challenge for a spot in the final a year ago before getting upset early. Oyster River returns all but three players from last season’s varsity roster, including midfielders Olivia Andersen (senior) and juniors Nora Rogers, Eliza Farwell and Saddie Mcleod. Junior Grey Bowdon is back on defense while juniors Rowynn Pickering and Maggie Aldous join senior captains Mia Weglarz and Rose Goldsmith up front. Junior Rose Paxton (midfield) and freshman Grace Harvey (defense) will be looked to for contributions while junior Alaina Przybylski, senior Ava Merrill and senior Maggie Zhang will give the Bobcats depth.
• Bow (12-5, lost in semifinals): The Falcons saw just two players graduate from a team that made a run to the final four last year. Leading the way are senior captains Ella Gray (forward) and Kayla Croscut (goalie) and junior captain Josie Johnson (midfield). Also returning at midfield is senior Sophie Coombs with sophomores Kaylee Jacques and Cadence Malone and freshmen Sophie Brooks and Elise Jacques in the mix. Sophomores Shire Kelley and Gianna Trott are also back at forward with freshman Peyton Vaughn joining them. Seniors Kylie McKee and Caly Poitras will be joined on defense by sophomore Madelyn Hebert and Vera Virta. Sophomore goalie Aubrey Merrill could also see time, along with freshmen Jules Cusson and Vita Flagg.
• Hollis Brookline (11-5, lost in quarterfinals): The Cavaliers lost just six players to graduation from a year ago and have a strong core returning. Leading the way are senior forwards Nyah Jernberg and Sabrina Hill and midfielder Addison Marchant. Also back at midfield are juniors Ashley Disco and Brooke Bouchard while junior forward Caroline Crawford also returns. Sophomore goalie Maddie Barich will step in as the starter this season.

Contenders

• Hanover (7-7-3, lost in preliminary round): The Bears graduated just two seniors from a team that had 10 freshmen on the varsity roster. Leading the way this year is senior midfielder Eva Bell and she’ll be joined by sophomores Sophia Mancini (forward) and Greta Mancini (midfield). Also returning are sophomores Grace Healey (forward) and Joia Collins (forward/midfield).
• Kennett (14-3, lost in the final): The Eagles were a senior-led team a year ago, with the six who graduated all filling key roles. Kennett does have an experienced core returning, led by sophomore forwards Izzy Fitzsimmons and Noli Houde and junior midfielder Raegan Armstrong. Also back at midfield are sophomore Emma Gaudette and junior Emma Dziedzic. Sophomore Pheona Troon steps in at goalie while freshman midfielder Makenna Noyes will also see time.
• Merrimack Valley (7-6-2, lost in preliminary round): The Pride return all but two starters from a year ago, with a handful of players with multiple years of varsity experience returning. Senior Kaiya Mercier and juniors Lauren Bailey and Julia Michael return to lead the midfield while seniors Alyssa Brodeur and Hannah Butler are back at forward. Senior Taylor Gionet is back at goalie and she’ll be joined by senior Caroline Wheeler, junior Abbey Thompson and sophomore Zetta St. Onge.
• Lebanon (5-9-1, lost in preliminary round): The Raiders return most of their team from a year ago, with just three having graduated. Leading the way for Lebanon will be senior goalie Meghanne Cheevers and senior forward Mackenzie Ray. Also back is junior midfielder Harper Rancourt and sophomore forward Summer Crowell while junior Gabby Mayhew (defense) and Savannah Therriault (midfield) will look to step up. Sophomore Claire Kelly will be in the mix on defense.

Dark Horses

• Derryfield (4-9-2, lost in the preliminary round): The Cougars will look to replace six players who graduated last year. Senior goalie Jess Avalon and seniors Ava Kosakowski (midfield/forward) and Chloe Bremberg (midfield/forward) will serve as captains for Derryfield. Freshman Titi Latinwo will have a chance to contribute this season.
• Kingswood (4-10-1): The Knights were a young team a year ago and return a lot of experience, starting with senior captains Bella Vachon (defense), Jaylin Lovering (forward) and Isabella Bush (goalie). Junior Issy Fournier also returns to lead at midfield while senior Ava Cole will add to the lineup after transferring in. Other players who will have a chance to contribute include Anna Johnson, Ava Waldron, Avery Gilpatrick, Emma Ouellette and Adelle Harrington.

Rest of the Field

• Pelham (7-7-1, lost in preliminary round): The Pythons graduated six players from last year and return seven seniors, but have a young roster outside of that, with a big group of freshmen. Those returning players include forward Kylie Almeida, midfielder Morghan Swiniarski, goalie Addie Breault and Sarah Bellahrossi and Allie Boden rader on defense. Sarah Coppinger and Jordan Robito also return and will see time at forward and midfield.
• ConVal (2-12): The Cougars return one of the top goalies in the division, with senior Ronia Foecking coming off a season in which she made 363 saves. Joining her on defense are Abby Peters and Elsa Hubbard-Lemay. Bella Messa, Makayla Lamothe and Maya Bennett return at midfield and Ari Hamlin will lead up front.
• Plymouth (2-9-3): The Bobcats saw an increase in numbers, with 16 freshmen joining the program. Plymouth will be led by senior captains Morgan Gilpatric (forward), Margaret Roper (forward) and Carys Mitchell (defense). Also returning are seniors Mackenzie Welch (forward) and Aubrey Brunt (midfield) and juniors Amelia Avery (forward) and Lucia Sakin (midfield). Senior Alexis Lucas and sophomore Carmen Donis also return at goalie. Senior Carlotta Contini, juniors Sydney Fullertin and Darcie Lucas and sophomore Diorah Hussey will see time on defense while juniors Trista Strickland, Ava Anderson, Hailey Garnsey and Rachel Pamplin will have a chance to contribute up front. Sophomores Ella Duchette, Mabel Shuffleton and Amy Watto will also be in the mix at midfield.
• Milford (2-13): The Spartans welcome in a new coach, as Heather Bilodeau takes over the team. Leading the way on the field will be senior Lauren Jasper and she’ll be joined by sophomore Paige Bernier. Milford will also look to newcomer Olivia Hamilton to contribute this season.
• Pembroke (4-10-1, lost in preliminary round)
• Laconia (4-10)

Postseason Predictions

• Playoff teams (11): Bow, Derryfield, Hollis Brookline, Hanover, John Stark, Kennett, Kingswood, Lebanon, Merrimack Valley, Oyster River, Souhegan.
• Final four: Hollis Brookline, John Stark, Oyster River, Souhegan.
• Championship: John Stark over Oyster River.
• Offensive POY: Ori Dart, Souhegan.
• Defensive POY: Jess Avalon, Derryfield.