New era for D2 girls lacrosse beings with a wide-open field

For the first time since 2016, a team other than Portsmouth will be taking home the Division II girls lacrosse title.

The Clippers are now gone to Division I, so who it will be?

Hollis Brookline was the runner-up the last two years and return enough to make another run to the final. Hanover and Windham, last year’s other two semifinalists, also have a good returning core to compete for the title.

But the list of contenders doesn’t appear to be limited to those three teams. Winnacunnet, which lost twice to Portsmouth in the final during its five-year run, has the experience and talent back to be a top team. Goffstown, Oyster River-Newmarket and Pembroke all return a lot from teams that made the postseason a year ago.

This will be the first season in which more than eight teams make the postseason in all three divisions, and with 18 in D2, that means 12 teams will make the playoffs, with the top four receiving a bye into the quarterfinals.

Here’s a look at the teams in D2 this season, listed alphabetically.

• Alvirne (1-14 in 2022)
• ConVal (5-9): The Cougars return nine players from last year’s roster, but everyone incoming to the varsity this season is new to lacrosse, giving ConVal a mix of experience and youth. The attack will be led by seniors Makennah McPherson, Addy Lustenberger and Grace Pellettieri. Seniors Hayden Kaltsas and Laramie Wilson are back at midfield, along with junior Abby Lussier, while the defense will be led by seniors Callie Boisvert and Eliza Harris. Senior goalie Lydia Cleveland also returns for ConVal.
• Goffstown (11-6): The Grizzlies are coming off a playoff berth and return a strong, young core that includes junior middie Eva DeMatteis, junior defender Nora Erwin and junior goalie Abaigeal Estano. Sophomores Morghan Dodge and Avery Brisiel will look to solidfy the midfield while sophomore Laura Cuddy will contribute on defense. Freshman Mia Brisette will also play a key role for Goffstown.
• Hanover (12-4): The Bears have a strong group returning from last season’s semifinal run, including senior captains Sadie Higgins (midfield), Kali McDonnell (attack) and Reilly Loughman (defense). Junior Maeve Lee also returns at attack for Hanover while sophomores Maggie Higgins (attack) and Nora Bradley (defense) will look to play key roles this season.
• Hollis Brookline (15-5): The Cavaliers will try to get back to the final for the fourth time in the last five seasons, and a returning group of eight players from last year’s runner-up will help. Leading the way at attack are seniors Alyssa Hill and Bella Haytayan, along with sophomore Sabrina Hill. Senior Paige Mello and junior Cailean Roy will lead the midfield while seniors Daniella Allanach and Julia Vella and sophomore Juliette Ogren return on defense. Senior Paige Magnuszewski returns after a year off while sophomores Samantha Smith and McKenna Maguire will see increased roles. Sophomore Addison Dougherty will take over as HB’s goalie.
• John Stark/Hillsboro-Deering (5-9): This will be the first year of a co-op between the two schools, after H-D played a JV schedule last season. Senior captains Riley Davis and Emma Dobbins return to lead the offense, while juniors Elizabeth Hatfield and Melody Couturier return at midfield. Junior Lillea Perkins will see time at midfield and on defense, while also jumping in on offense after leading the team in assists last year. Sophomore Kaycie Rhodes returns to handle the goalkeeping duties for the General-Cats.
• Keene-Monadnock (2-13 in D1)
• Kennett (6-8): The Eagles enter their third season as a varsity program with a handful of returning players who will be bolstered by a talented group of freshmen. Leading the way for Kennett will be senior captains Vivian Rober-Carpenter and Ivy Zipf and junior captains Liza Graustein and Nora Goodman. Also returning for the Eagles are Alex Sweeney, McKenzie Moorehouse, Allie Lash, Izzy Frechette, Hayley Burke, Ellie Nelson, Cassidy Littlefield and Madison Walcott.
• Kingswood (8-6)
• Manchester Central (5-13 in D1): The Little Green move down from D1 this season and will be inelligble for postseason play this year. Central has two of its top offensive players returning in sophomores Olivia Wheeler (57 points) and Grace Manning (66 points). They’ll be joined by senior captains Cailin Proulx and Molly Cassidy, while freshmen Maddie Houghton and Tianna Mann will look to make an impact right away.
• Manchester Memorial-West (2-15)
• Merrimack Valley (2-12)
• Oyster River-Newmarket (11-5): The Bobcats return a mix of solid returners and talented newcomers that should help them make another run to the playoffs. Seniors Sophie Royal (midfield) and Waverly Oake-Libow (attack) and sophomore Elsa Pueschel are back to lead the ORN offense, while sophomore Shea Sullivan returns on defense, along with senior Megan Moody and junior Emy Przybylski. Senior Elizabeth Walent will split time at attack and midfield for the Bobcats while sophomore Mia Weglarz returns at midfield.
• Pembroke (9-6): The Spartans graduated just four players from last year’s playoff team and have a group returning that can make it back. Leading the way on offense will be juniors Mackenzie Hawkins and Zoey Mayeu while sophomore Ali Townsend will also be looked at to contribute. Senior Rylee LeBlanc will lead the defense along with sophomores Bailey Gatchell and Kendall Purtell. Freshman Laila Al-Shawafi and Olivia Bryson will also play key roles for Pembroke.
• Spaulding (0-15): The Red Raiders returning a dozen players from a year ago and welcome in a trio of new ones. Seniors Sophia Olsen and Hannah Raab will lead the way from the midfield while sophomore middie Sydney Cormier also returns, and they’ll be joined by freshman Payton Boumel, who will also see time at attack. Senior Rhegan Hart, juniors Bella Gianotti and Izzy Ortiz and sophomores Sage Gates and Kandyce Eisenstat are back on attack, and junior Alex Cann will look to join them. The defense will be led by juniors Julia McCaarthy and Kate McCawley with junior Armani Ragas also returning. Sophomore Izzy Orrell returns in goal while freshman goalie Hannah Sanders joins the team.
• Timberlane (8-8): The Owls have a new coach, as Helena Bird steps in to lead the program, and despite losing 10 seniors, there is a strong group of returning players. Defensively, senior Charlotte Hosterman and senior goalie Shaye Fanning are back, along with junior Jordyn Friel. Junior Brooke Morin and sophomores Addie Conlan, Sophie Doherty and Ella Ring will look to contribute on that side as well. Senior Becca Silva will lead at midfield, as she’s joined by returning juniors Maia Parker and Anne Quinn and sophomores Lulu Trasatti, Ava Stewart and Ella Watts. Senior Emily Watson and sophomores Ella Lampron and Emma Norcott will see time at midfield as well. Junior Lily Brien returns at attack with junior Bella Hughes and freshmen Ava Paul and Hayden Quaratiello also stepping in on offense.
• Windham (13-5): The Jaguars will also have a new coach, as Jordyn O’Boyle takes over a team that saw seven seniors move on. Senior Maria Killian will look to lead the way at attack with a pair of freshmen in Ella Gallinelli and Anna Hartmann, along with sophomore Sophie Manchester. The midfield is led by a strong group of juniors that includes Emma Kendzulak, Sophia Ponzini, Chloe Hall and Mia Gallinelli. They’ll be joined by sophomore Darby Madden while senior Eva Stahly and junior Paige Carboni will lead the defense. Junior Sylar Willis will also be looked at to contribute on defense while sophomore Annie Mitchell and senior Emilie Webman return at goalie.
• Winnacunnet (9-7): After a couple of seasons with a younger roster, the Warriors enter the year with an experienced group, led by seniors Maia Delano (attack), Abby Wilber (midfield) and Norah Willcox (defense), along with junior middie Shea Graham and sophomore two-way middie Skyla Mace. Junior Cadence Oleniak continues to improve at goalie while sophomore Ella Waddell will laos play a key role on defense for Winnacunnet.

No information was received from the following teams: Alvirne, Keene-Monadnock, Kingswood, Manchester Memorial-West and Merrimack Valley. 

Playoff Predictions

• Playoff teams (12): ConVal, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, Goffstown, John Stark/Hillsboro-Deering, Kennett, Kingswood, Oyster River-Newmarket, Pembroke, Timberlane, Windham, Winnacunnet.
• Final four: Hollis Brookline, Hanover, Winnacunnet, Oyster River-Newmarket.
• Championship: Hollis Brookline over Winnacunnet.
• Offensive Player of the Year: Alyssa Hill, Hollis Brookline.
• Defensive Player of the Year: Emy Przybylski, Oyster River-Newmarket.