List of D1 field hockey contenders is a rather long one

This could be a season unlike any other in Division I field hockey.

Gone are a lot of the top players who had dominated the division throughout their careers, with many now playing at the next level. There are plenty of great players ready to step up in their place, but the question of who will do that will remain unanswered for some time.

Many of the traditional powers are filling a lot of holes going into the season, but should have the program depth to remain near the top. But there are plenty of teams with a lot of returners who could move up to take their place.

This season, which is the beginning of the NHIAA’s two-year cycle, brings two programs up from Division II. Goffstown and Portsmouth join D1 for the first time, while Manchester Memorial and Manchester Central have formed a new co-op, giving the division 18 teams. A dozen will make the postseason, with the top four teams receiving first-round byes.

Favorites

• Exeter (12-5-1, lost in semifinals): After winning back-to-back D1 titles and graduating a stellar senior class, all the Blue Hawks did last year was make it right back to the final four. With perhaps the largest number of players returning among the top teams from a year ago, Exeter looks like a solid bet to make another run. Leading the way are senior midfielder Elsa Bishop, who is a two-year captain, while senior Emma Mohns (midfield/defense) and junior Dani Caron (forward/midfield) will also serve as captains. Senior Anna Lieberman comes over from the soccer team to give Exeter another strong athlete on the team.
• Bedford (9-7, lost in quarterfinals): The Bulldogs won a combined 29 games in 2021-22, but had to replace a lot of talent last year. After graduating just three seniors from last year, Bedford looks poised to be among the top teams in the division behind first-year head coach Kate Gaudreau. Senior captain Amelia MacDonald (midfield) will lead the way for the Bulldogs along with junior midfielders Teagan O’Donnell and Eloise Montagano. Senior forward Maddie Kiely returns up front while senior goalie Addison Wolfinger and senior Brooke Poirier are back to lead the defense.

Challengers

• Dover (18-0-1, champions): The Green Wave won their first title since 1975, but lost 11 seniors from last year’s team, many of which were big contributors. Dover still has a strong core returning, led by seniors Erin Lynch (midfield) and Gaby Anderson (forward/midfield) along with senior defenders Leyden Churchill and Kaela Robins. Juniors Hannah Deroy and Giana Leonardi are also back at forward while junior Meredith Toland will have a chance to contribute at midfield. Sophomore Autumn Bernier will see time at forward/midfield while sophomore Scarlett Gray steps in at goalie.
• Bishop Guertin (15-3, lost in semifinals): The Cardinals reached the final four last year for the third time in five seasons, but like many other teams in the division, they will have some big spots to fill after graduating nine seniors. Senior midfielders Maddie Harrington and Jordan Gaebel return along with senior forward Sophie Bilodeau and junior Addison Daddona (forward/midfield). Junior goalie Ayla Saeturn is also back while newcomers Bella Dawson (junior), Abby Lynn (junior), Mackenzie Ackley (sophomore) and Grace Spengler (sophom0re) will also be in the mix.
• Concord (11-6-1, lost in quarterfinals): The Crimson Tide lost just three seniors to graduation and have a core returning that’s been knocking on the door to the top of D1 the last couple of seasons. Concord returns a strong defense, led by senior Nadia Hanna and juniors Lexi Magee and Emma Pelletier, who will play in front of sophomore Brooke Nelson, as she takes over in goal. Juniors Amy Desrochers and Anya Kendziora while seniors Ally McGonigle and Lilly Merrill return at forward. Junior Elliana Wing will also be in the mix up front.
• Pinkerton (10-5-2, lost in quarterfinals): The Astros have a familiar face taking over as coach, as Jen Resmini returns to lead Pinkerton. She’ll have a lot of new faces on the roster as the team saw 16 seniors graduate from last year’s squad. Despite that, Pinkerton has a solid group of returners, led by senior forwards Hannah Lisauskas and Jaelyn Crossman, who will serve as captains. Seniors Anna Perkins (forward) and Caitlyn Lemay (defense) also return along with juniors Jada Vasquez (forward) and Fran Doyle (midfield/defense) and sophomore Meaghan Shea (midfield). Joining them will be Gwen Lee (forward), Ayvree Hamilton (defense), Catherine Terrile (defense), Lyla Norian (defense/midfield), Cayden Madeiros (midfield/forward) and goalie Molly Kuncik.
• Winnacunnet (10-6-1, lost in preliminary round): The Warriors had just six players graduate from last year, but all played a key role for Winnacunnet. Junior goalie Amber Morgado returns to lead the way along with senior Lyla Pearlo (midfield), juniors Reese Gandt (midfield) and Maddy Garrant (forward) and sophomore Fiona McAfee (forward). Sophomore Mary Kouloheras (midfield) will have a chance to contribute a well.

Contenders

• Windham (16-2-1, lost in final): The Jaguars will have a different look this season after graduating 10 seniors, including some who played varsity as freshmen. Leading the way for Windham will be senior forwards Sophie Manchester and Sedona Lee, along with juniors Ella Gallinelli (midfield), Abbie Petrini (midfield) and Jaidyn Seitzer (midfield). After splitting time last season, junior Dana McAleer take over in goal. Laikyn Reeners and Meg Hallisey will also be looked to to contribute for the Jaguars.
• Londonderry (8-10, lost in quarterfinals): The Lancers graduated nine seniors from a team that battled a lot of the top teams in the division. Londonderry has a strong core of players returning, led by seniors Ava Windisch (forward), Sara Daniels (midfield), Abigail Austen (defense) and Ava Naar (defense) and juniors Alison Chambers (forward/midfield) and Lindsey McKinnon (forward/midfield). Junior Abbigail Cook and sophomore Molly Tharrington are also back to split time in goal. Juniors Eres Delorey (midfield/defense) and Jiselle Silvestro (forward) will have a chance to contribute.
• Keene (7-7-3, lost in preliminary round): The Blackbirds lost just four seniors to graduation and have an experienced group returning. Leading the way will be seniors Sofia Miller (forward), Avery Allaire (defense) and Cece Walier (forward), along with juniors Mckenna Nelson (forward) and Olive Thatcher (forward). Senior Lilly Rowell takes over in goal while sophomores Scarlett Miller (forward), Natalia Gillis (defense) and Lola Ballaro (midfield) will also be looked to to contribute.

Dark Horse

• Goffstown (11-4-1, lost in D2 quarterfinals): The Grizzlies make the jump to D1 for the first time and do so with a strong senior class, led by goalie Molly Braica and Avery Brisiel, Sophia Dery and Hilde Hieronymus at midfield. Also back is junior Emma Eastman (defense) while sophomores Madigan Buckley (midfield), Stella Enman (midfield) and Trinity Lunn (forward) and freshman Finley Heath will have a chance to contribute.
• Merrimack (2-13-1): The Tomahawks welcome in a new coach in Courtney LeFrancois as they try to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Seniors Ava Martin (forward/midfield), Madi Weldon (forward), Summer Dalbec Joyal (defense) and Maeve LaRock (defense) are back along with juniors Jackie Hayes (forward/midfield) and Mia Flores (forward). Sophomore Annabelle Casetty returns in goal while freshman Allie Wyand, Sydnee Capen and Jocelyn Theriault will be called on to contribute.

Rest of the Field

• Portsmouth (9-6-1, lost in D2 quarterfinals): The Clippers move to a new division and will have a new coach this season, as Allison St. Jean takes over after serving as an assistant. Portsmouth graduated six seniors and saw two all-state performers transfer during the offseason. Senior Emily Frank returns to lead the defense along with junior goalie Reese McCauley, while senior Clara Daw gives Portsmouth a presence at forward. Sophomore Scout McNally (midfield) and freshmen Addie Colman (forward) and Rowan McNally (defense) will also contribute for the Clippers.
• Timberlane (6-10-1, lost in preliminary round): The Owls enter the year with a new coach, as Jessi Paul takes over a young roster that graduated 10 seniors. Leading the way for Timberlane this year will be junior forward Taylor Alperin along with sophomores Aubrey Fitzgerald (midfield) and Aria Lobao (forward/midfield). Newcomers Brooke Salafia and Lilly Clark will also see time for the Owls.
• Salem (6-9-1): The Blue Devils missed out on the playoffs a year ago on a tiebreaker and have a core returning that should compete for a spot this year. Leading the way are seniors Ella Mosto (midfield), Emily Young (midfield) and Maddie Beeley (defense). Juniors Avery Aliberti and Heather Lee O’Rourke will look to lead Salem up front while juniors Abby Beeley and Lexi Whipple are back at midfield. Juniors Caroline Case and Piper Dezan also return. Ella Whittaker, Zeynep Yildirim, Nicole Ringdahl and Olivia Schoenrock should also contribute for the Blue Devils.
• Nashua South (4-12): The Panthers have a good core returning, led by seniors Karina O’Donnell and Saige Devins up front, Maren Lowell at midfield and Emily Richard on defense. Juniors Keegan Dolan (forward) and Wylie Hart (midfield) are also back. Junior Brooke Berger and freshmen Sofia Forti and Molly Mullaney will join the varsity while freshman Isabel Shiju steps in at goal.
• Manchester Memorial-Central (Memorial 2-13-1, Central-West 2-14): There will be a new co-op in the Queen City this fall. Manchester will look to midfielders Grey McDonald and Madison McCaffrey to lead the way. Armani Holmes will lead the defense while Makayla Disilets and Catherine Tenn will be key up front.
• Nashua North (0-16): The Titans have four seniors back, including captains Molly Ducharme (midfield) and Julia Saucier (defense). Mya Zibolis returns in goal along with junior captains Savannah Basford (defense) and Alex Farrell (fourward). Sophomore Jordin Lopez is also returning for North.

Postseason Predictions

• Playoff teams (12): Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Goffstown, Keene, Londonderry, Merrimack, Pinkerton, Windham, Winnacunnet.
• Final four: Bedford, Concord, Dover, Exeter.
• Championship: Exeter over Bedford.
• Offensive POY: Jaelyn Crossman, Pinkerton.
• Defensive POY: Molly Braica, Goffstown.