It might be a new season, but D1 field hockey looks to be wide open again

It was a year unlike many others for Division I high school field hockey in 2024.

Keene not only made its first trip to the championship game, the Blackbirds won their first title and finished the year undefeated. The six teams who finished behind Keene in the standings all won 12 or more games during the regular season, and the team that finished eighth, won 11.

There was a five-way tie for the final four playoff spots, with results from the final day of the regular season determining who was in and who was out.

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Salem, a team that hadn’t made the playoffs since 2017, not only pulled off a first-round upset, the Blue Devils were a goal away from reaching the semifinals. Two of the other quarterfinal games were 1-0 contests that went down to the wire.

That kind of parity couldn’t possible happen again in 2025, could it?

It just might. The defending champions lost some core members of its title team, while Dover, last year’s runner-up, has had the same happen over the last two seasons. But both should still be in the mix to contend.

Bedford has a large group of returning players, including over a dozen seniors, while Londonderry, Salem, Goffstown and Windham look to be building back up. Winnacunnet, Pinkerton, Exeter, Concord and Bishop Guertin always find a way to be in the conversation and should again this year.

For the second year of the NHIAA’s two-year cycle, the division has 18 teams in it, which means 12 will make the postseason, with the top four seeds receiving a first-round bye.

Favorites

• Bedford (13-4-1, lost to Exeter in quarterfinals): The Bulldogs graduated five from a year ago, and while all played key roles, Bedford has plenty to returning to find ways to fill in. Leading the way are seniors Teagan O’Donnell and Eloise Montagano, who will see time at forward and midfield. They’re joined by sophomore Mary Lenti (forward), while seniors Anny Ray, Mia Katane and Carly Hodgdon-Rogers return on defense. Seniors Elle Putney and Avery Girasol are also back at forward while senior Grace Wolf returns at midfield and senior Vye Hodgdon-Rogers will see time at midfield and defense. Senior goalie Irene Tsai returns to take over the starting position. Freshman Abigail Allain will see time at midfield.
• Exeter (14-4, lost to Dover in semifinals): The Blue Hawks have been in the final four each of the last four years, but they’ll have some holes to fill after graduating eight seniors. Leading the way for Exeter will be senior midfielder Dani Caron and senior defender Lizzie DeLello, who will be joined by senior Abby Manning, sophomore Dylan Valade and junior goalie Amalia Gloss. Juniors Olivia Amarosa and Emilee Butenas are back at forward while junior Emma Cummings returns at midfield and junior Maisie Meyers will see time at both positions. Senior Phoebe Christenson (forward), juniors Kelsey Hayward and Callan Myers (forward/midfield) and freshman Rowan DeCew (defense) will have a chance to contribute.
• Winnacunnet (12-4-1, lost to Salem in prelims): The Warriors return their core from a year ago, led on defense by senior goalie Amber Morgado, senior Julie Allen and sophomore Mary Koulheras. Senior Reese Gandt is back at midfield while juniors McKinley Fowler, Maddy Garrant, Sofia Donatelli and Fiona McAfee return at forward. Joining them will be junior forward Megan Kelly and junior midfielder Kelly Curtin.
• Pinkerton (13-4-1, lost to Keene in semifinals): The Astros returned to the final four a year ago, and while they have big shoes to fill, their returning core got a lot of experience a year ago. Leading the way will be seniors Fran Doyle (midfield/forward), Ayvree Hamilton (defense), Lyla Norian (defense) and Jada Vasquez (midfield) while juniors Gwen Lee (forward) and Meg Shea (midfield) and sophomore Molly Kuncik (goalie) will look to build on breakout seasons. Seniors Cara Murry (midfield) and Catherine Terrile (defense) also return, along with junior Cayden Madeiros (forward) and sophomore Kara McIntyre (defense). Junior Ashley Clouthier and freshman Jordyn Schreiber will see time at forward while sophomore Brynn McKenna (midfield) and junior Cora Udina (defense) will also look to contribute. Freshman goalie Violet Lloyd will see time on varsity as well.

Title Contenders

• Dover (15-3-1, lost to Keene in final): The Green Wave have seen a lot of talent graduate over the last few years, but they’ve got a strong core returning that should keep them among the top teams. Leading the way are senior captains Hannah Deroy (midfield), Giana Leonardi (forward) and Meredith Toland (defense) and junior captain Scarlett Gray (goalie). Also returning on defense are junior Hannah Calhoun and sophomores Molly Angers and Ella Carter. Junior Autumn Bernier and sophomore Rylie Philpps both return at midfield and sophomore Ella Deroy is back at forward. Senior Sydney Lane (forward) and sophomores Mya Kageleiry (forward) and Ireland Betts (defense) will have opportunities to contribute.
• Bishop Guertin (12-5-1, lost to Keene in quarterfinals): The Cardinals will look to replace eight players who graduated a year ago. They have a small but talented group returning, led by seniors Ayla Saeturn (goalie), Addison Daddona (forward) and Carly Green (midfield). Juniors Lola Dumont (defense) and Sophia Harrington (midfield/defense) also return to the starting lineup while juniors Mackenzie Ackley (defense) and Grace Spengler (forward) and sophomore Brooke Rabbito (forward) are back. Junior Danielle Kapala will look to contribute on defense while freshmen Kaylee Cruikshank (forward/midfield), Maris Bilodeau (forward/midfield) and Ayla Kempesty (midfield/defense) will also see time.
• Londonderry (6-11, lost to Bedford in prelims): The Lancers graduated just six and have an experienced group of seniors and juniors returning this year. Leading the way are seniors Alison Chambers (midfield/forward), Lindsey McKinnon (midfield) and Eres Delorey (midfield). Junior Gemma Murray returns as well and will see time at midfield and on defense while senior Jiselle Silvestro and junior Annika Lewis are back on defense. Senior Abbigail Cook and junior Molly Tharrington both return to split time in goal while junior Lexi Padykula is back at forward. Seniors Isabel Lesieur (midfield/forward), Grace Paul (defense) and Sienna Schulz (forward) will be in the mix as will senior Avery Stowell (midfield) after returning from injury. Junior Sadie Moore (forward) and sophomores Hannah Linscott (midfield/defense) and Molly Connors (midfield/defense) will also look to contribute.

Playoff Contenders

• Keene (18-0-1, won championship): The Blackbirds lost just six seniors from last year’s title team, but all played a key role in getting the program its first championship. Keene will look to seniors McKenna Nelson (midfield), Olive Thatcher (forward) and Emily Antosiewicz (defense) to lead the way while juniors Natalia Gillis (defense), Scarlett Miller (forward) and Lola Ballaro (midfield) also return. Junior Dayna English takes over at goalie for the Blackbirds while senior Emma Petrovich also joins the defense.
• Concord (13-5, lost to Dover in quarterfinals): The Crimson Tide graduated seven from last year’s team, but have a good core returning. Senior midfielders Amy Desrochers and Anya Kendziora are return as starters along with sophomores Emma Barry and Ella Chrabolowski. Senior Elliana Wing is back at midfield and forward while senior Lillian O’Hara and junior goalie Brooke Nelson are back to lead the defense, along with senior Lexi Magee. Junior Natalie Pochopin and freshman goalie Aislinn Neal will look to contribute on defense as well.
• Timberlane (6-11, lost to Bishop Guertin in prelims): The Owls graduated just two players from last year’s playoff team and have a good mix of juniors and seniors returning with varsity experience. Seniors Taylor Alperin (midfield), Kasidee Castro (forward) and Ava Paul (defense) return as starters while senior Emily Agneta (midfield/forward) and Ella Allen (midfield/defense) are also back. Junior Lexi Dorow returns on defense while juniors Kayla Apitz and Aubrey Fitzgerald will see time on defense and at midfield. Sophomore Brooke Alafia returns at midfield and forward and junior Esme Johnston will look to contribute at forward while sophomore Austin Peters will see time in goal. Junior Anita Scibelli will be in the mix at midfield and defense while freshmen Izzy Chartier, Rylee O’Connor, Danica Travers and Gianna Diem will get to contribute at forward and midfield.
• Merrimack (6-10): The Tomahawks were the odd team out last year, ending up fifth in the tiebreaker for the final four playoff spots. Merrimack has a good mix of experience returning, led by seniors Liv Mitchell (defense) and Jackie Hayes (midfield) and junior goalie Annabelle Cassetty, who will all serve as captains. Also returning are senior Mia Flores and sophomore Allie Wyand at forward, along with senior Molly Shepard. On defense, sophomores Sydnee Capen and Jocelyn Theriault return as starters, while seniors Kyleigh Perella, Kesley Ledoux and Lily Palmer and sophomore Ava Woods will all see time all over the field. Freshman Grace Massey will have a chance to contribute at forward.
• Windham (6-11, lost to Concord in prelims): It was a year unlike any other for the Jaguars, as they nearly missed the postseason. After losing just four seniors, Windham returns eight this year, with all of them gaining varsity experience last season. Seniors Jaidyn Seitzer and Abbie Petrini return at midfield while Ella Gallinelli, Ella Wilkins and goalie Dana McAleer are back on defense. Seniors Kendall Salvador, Rowan Bomba and Harper Shultz return at forward, as does sophomore Emma Mulrenan. Juniors Kiera Lee and Jadyn Vincent will see time at midfield and forward while junior Laikyn Reeners is back at field and sophomore Megan Hallisey returns on defense. Sophomore Lyla Filadoro will see time on defense while freshmen Emma Adamske and Ali Pallaria will be in the mix at forward. Freshman Sydney Rokel will look to contribute at goalie.
• Goffstown (5-11): The Grizzlies will have some holes to fill in the lineup, but after taking their lumps in their first year back up in D1, they should be able to bounce back. Senior Hailey Hansen and junior Trinity Lunn return to the starting lineup at forward while sophomore Meredith Twomey is also back. Senior Emma Eastman and sophomore Finley Heath are back at midfield while juniors Stella Enman and Madigan Buckley return on defense. Sophomore Hope Moulton will step in at goalie while sophomores Ainsley Mikolyski and Adele Yergeau join the defense. Freshman Claire Brisiel will see time at midfield.

Dark Horse

• Salem (7-11, lost to Pinkerton in quarterfinals): The Blue Devils graduated just six players and return 13 varsity players, including eight starters. Leading the way are seniors Ella Whittaker and Olivia Schoenrock on defense, along with seniors Abby Beeley and Piper Dezan and junior Averie Bolduc at midfield. Seniors Avery Aliberti, Heather Lee O’Rourke and Lexi Whipple return as starters at forward, along with seniors Nichol Ringdahl, Olivia Durkin and Lizzy Barry and junior Penny Ammon. Junior Brady Thompson is also back on defense while senior MacKenzie Donahue, sophomore Avery Condon and freshman goalie Nathalia Garcia will look to contribute. Senior Tanna Marshall, junior Aishu Rangarajan, sophomore Brooke Morse and freshmen Kenzie Marino and Lia Bokuniewicz will see time at forward while sophomore Dylan Linehan joins the midfield.

Rest of Field

• Nashua South (3-13): The Panthers have an experienced core returning, led by seniors Keegan Dolan (forward), Wylie Hart (midfield), Meenu Dwaraka (defense) and goalie Meury Navarette. Also back on defense are junior Emme Christian and sophomore Molly Mullaney while senior Maggie Schmidt will also see time on defense. Sophomore Sofia Forte is back at forward, where she’ll be joined by juniors Isabel Picanco and Bella Hwalek. Sophomore Maddie Langer will see time at midfield.
• Nashua North (0-16): The Titans go into the year having not won a game since 2017, a winless streak of 105 games. They’ll look to junior midfielder Maddie Dratch to help lead the way while senior Savanna Basford returns on defense. Seniors Lauren O’Neil and Leah Flannery are also back on defense while senior goalie Anya Seo steps into the starting lineup. Freshman Sophia Wine should also see time in goal. Junior Jordin Lopez and senior Alexa Farrell will look to lead the forward group while seniors Katelin Munroe and Bella Taveras will also have opportunities to contribute.
• Manchester (2-14)
• Portsmouth (1-15)

Postseason Predictions

• Playoff teams (12): Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Dover, Exeter, Keene, Londonderry, Merrimack, Pinkerton, Salem, Timberlane, Winnacunnet, Windham.
• Final four: Bedford, Exeter, Pinkerton, Winnacunnet.
• Championship: Bedford over Winnacunnet.
• Offensive POY: Meaghan Shea, Pinkerton.
• Defensive POY: Amber Morgado, Winnacunnet.