No shortage of contenders in D2 field hockey this season

The Hollis Brookline High School field hockey team continued the recent trend last season of teams rising all the way up to win a Division II championship.

It wasn’t that long ago the Cavaliers were struggling just to make the postseason, but they’ve not only been to two final fours in the last three years, they topped it off with the program’s first tile in 2024.

The team HB beat, John Stark, was the two-time defending champion, but prior to that first title run in 2022, the Generals had never won a playoff game. Portsmouth (2021), Kennett (2020) and Hanover (2019) each ended a title drought of at least a decade with their championship wins.

Will the trend continue this season? It could, with Oyster River (1979), Souhegan (2007), Merrimack Valley (2008) and Bow (2011) joining the Cavaliers and Generals as the teams to beat in D2 this season.

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For the second year of the NHIAA’s two-year cycle, the division has 17 teams in it, which means 11 will make the postseason, with the top five seeds receiving a first-round bye.

Favorite

• Oyster River (15-2, lost in quarterfinals): The Bobcats lost six to graduation, but return a full lineup that’s looking to erase the memory of last year’s early playoff exit. Eight seniors are back, led by midfielders Eliza Farwell, Sadie McLeod and Nora Rogers and forwards Rowynn Pickering, Rose Paxton and Alaina Pryzbilsky. Seniors Grey Bowden and goalie Harley Katchadorian are back on defense, along with sophomore Grace Harvey while junior Hannah Main will see time on defense and at midfield. Seniors Grace Carroll and Eva Barth Malone and sophomore Natalie Buck will also look to contribute for Oyster River.

Challengers

• Souhegan (11-6, lost in quarterfinals): The Sabers graduated a dozen seniors from a year ago and have just two on this year’s varsity roster in goalie Amelia Warecki and forward Ella Normandin. Souhegan got a lot of contributions from underclassmen last season and many of them return, led by juniors Ella Russell at forward and Ori Dart, Eme Godin, Avery Wuborney and Avery Skelton at midfield. Juniors Lorelei Hilton and Izzy Stevenson and freshman Mariellah Dart will also see time at midfield while junior Olivia Lemoine and sophomores Ava Burbee, Bella Preston and Annie Zerega and freshman Flora Kerwin will contribute on defense. Sophomores Scarlett Lecolst, Abbey Gray and Meredith Heimark and freshmen Abby Mayo and Ella Duclos will see time at forward.
• Hollis Brookline (18-1, won D2 championship): The Cavaliers graduated seven seniors, most of whom were key pieces to the program’s run to its first title. But HB has a strong group returning, led by seniors Ashley Disco and Brooke Bouchard at midfield. Also back is senior forward Caroline Crawford, and she’ll be joined by junior Anna Mcgurk. Junior Addyson Olszewski and sophomore Paige Shirley return on defense along with junior goalie Maddie Barich.
• John Stark (15-4, lost in D2 final): The Generals continued their streak of finals appearances last year, but couldn’t make it three in a row. John Stark saw six seniors graduate and another player transfer to prep school, but have a solid core returning, led by senior forwards Caylin Worthen, Claudia Dustin and Ava Friberg. They’re joined up front by junior Zoe Lawson and sophomore Lyla Raymon while juniors Addie DeCew and Karrington Telgen return at midfield. Senior Katlin Dennis and junior goalie Rowin Ledy are back to lead the defense with junior Maxine Lundeen and sophomore Viviana Deoleo also returning. Junior Madelyn Landrigan and freshman Stella Ouellette will also see time on defense.
• Merrimack Valley (11-6-1, lost in quarterfinals): The Pride lost six seniors from a year ago who were key pieces but Merrimack Valley looks to have the returners to help it keep pace. Leading the way is senior midfielder/forward Lauren Bailey, who will be joined by senior midfielders Julia Michael and Abbey Thompson while senior Izzy Tucker also returns at forward. Senior Ashley Winn and junior Zetta St. Onge are back on defense and sophomore Marissa Kimball returns at forward. Freshman Hannah Dubac will have a chance to contribute at midfield.
• Bow (13-4-1, lost in semifinals): The Falcons have been to back-to-back semifinals now, and despite graduating five key seniors, they have their sights set on making it again. Bow will have a young team this year, with captain and midfielder Josie Johnson the lone senior on the roster. She’ll be joined by juniors Kaylee Jacques and Cadence Malone and sophomore Elise Jacques at midfield. Junior Shire Kelley is back at forward with sophomores Peyton Vaughn and Bri Gravel. Junior Aubrey Merrill takes over at goalie while juniors Madelyn Hebert and Vera Verta return on defense. Sophomore Liliane Fontaine and freshmen Avery Ayers, Ainsley Herrick and Chloe Nowakowski will have a chance to contribute.

Playoff Contenders

• Lebanon (5-10-2, lost in prelims): The Raiders graduated 10 seniors from a year ago and will also be without junior Summer Crowell, who is out for the season with an injury. Seniors Gabby Mayhew and Harper Rancourt return to start on defense along with senior Caitlin Hastings and junior goalie Taylor Youngman. Senior Savannah Therriault and junior Claire Kelly are back at midfield while senior Annella Marsh returns at forward. Freshmen Paisley Rancourt (forward) and Kate Clary (midfield) will see time with the varsity as well.
• Derryfield (4-9-2): The Cougars will look to make a return to the postseason with a large group of players with varsity experience returning. That includes seniors Emma Branch, Ella LaFlamme and Shantya Singh on defense, senior Izzy Mailloux at midfield and seniors Tyl-Elle Fulton and Ava Kosakowski, who will see time at forward and midfield. Junior Sarina Punjabi and sophomore Katie Stonaker are also back at forward while junior Maddy Solso and sophomore Titi Latinwo return at midfield. Sophomore Caitlin Lande will split time at defense and midfield while sophomore Juliana Cataldo and Lexi Maiorino (goalie) will be in the mix on defense. Freshman Rosie Blake will have a chance to contribute at forward and midfield.
• Kennett (5-10-1): It’s already been a hectic start for the Eagles, as Ella Chandler, a member of Kennett’s 2020 championship team, has taken over as head coach after first-year coach Hillary Blake stepped down after practices started. The Eagles were young a year ago, and this season, will be without senior Raegan Armstrong, who will miss the year with an injury. Leading Kennett on the field will be senior midfielders Emma Dziedzic and Grier Carrier and senior defenders Lily Couture and Abigail Smith. Also returning is junior goalie Pheona Toon while junior forwards Izzy Fitzimmons and Noli Houde are back. Junior Macie Marcotte will look to contribute at midfield and freshman Berkley Armstrong will see opportunities on defense.
• Hanover (11-7-1, lost in semifinals): The Bears graduated five seniors from a year ago, but despite having lower numbers this season, have a talented group returning. Leading the way are juniors Joia Collins, Sophia Mancini and Greta Mancini, who will see time at forward and midfield. Senior goalie Harper Rogers-Regenthal steps in to lead Hanover defensively.

Dark Horse

• Plymouth (10-8, lost in quarterfinals): The Bobcats gave HB all it could handle in the quarterfinals a year ago and they graduated just six players from that team. With a strong core returning, Plymouth could be poised to make a run this year. Senior Amelia Avery lead the Bobcats up front, along with seniors Hailey Garnsey, Trista Strickland and Amanda Ahern, who missed last season with an injury. They’re joined by juniors Peyton Moore and Abigail Sanborn and sophomore Alexa Joyce. Senior Lucia Sakin, juniors Ella Duchette and Amy Watto and sophomore Harper Hesser will man the midfield while junior Mable Shuffleton and sophomore Kellen Mitchell will see time at midfield and defense. Senior Sydney Fullerton returns to lead the defense along with juniors Carmen Donis (goalie) and Dlorah Hussey.

Rest of Field

• Pelham (5-9-2): The Pythons will to a trio of seniors to lead a younger group this season, with Kenzie Comtois (forward/midfield), Cassidy Harrington (forward) and Presley Patterson (defense) returning as starters. Also back are sophomores Mya Dion and Lyla Prince, who will both see time at forward and midfield, and sophomore midfielder Cailyn Macintyre. Sophomore Kylie McDonald (defense) and freshman Caitlin Detellis (forward/midfield) will have opportunities to contribute.
• Kingswood (7-9-1, lost in prelims)
• Milford (1-15)
• Pembroke (5-10-2, lost in prelims)
• ConVal (2-14)
• Laconia (0-15)

Postseason Predictions

• Playoff teams (11): Bow, Derryfield, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, John Stark, Kennett, Lebanon, Merrimack Valley, Oyster River, Plymouth, Souhegan.
• Final four: Hollis Brookline, Merrimack Valley, Oyster River, Souhegan.
• Championship: Oyster River over Souhegan.
• Offensive POY: Rowynn Pickering, Oyster River.
• Defensive POY: Ashley Disco, Hollis Brookline.