Only guarantee is there will be a new champ in D2 girls lacrosse

There will be a new team at the top of Division II when the season comes to an end, and it make take until then to figure out which team is in the best position to do it.

For the second time in three years, the defending division champion is no longer in the division, as Windham moved up to D1 for the most recent NHIAA two-year cycle.

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The Jaguars weren’t the only team to leave the division, however, as Manchester Central-West also moved up after making the playoff last year. Meanwhile, John Stark and ConVal dropped to Division III and Pembroke petitioned down.

With Merrimack joining D2 based on enrollment, there are 14 teams, but only 11 of them are eligible for the playoffs. Manchester Memorial, Keene-Monadnock and Spaulding petitioned down into D2 and will be ineligible for the postseason.

The Tomahawks should be one of a handful of teams that are battling for supremacy this season, along with Winnacunnet, last year’s runner-up, and Hollis Brookline, the 2023 champion. Hanover, Timberlane, Goffstown and Oyster River-Newmarket should also be in the mix.

Favorite

Winnacunnet (19-2, lost in final): The Warriors graduated only five seniors from last year’s runner-up finish. Winnacunnet has a strong returning cast that will have a new coach, as Glenn McKenzie returns for his second stint lead the Warriors.

On the field, senior captains Skyla Mace (midfield), Sarah Rademacher (attack) and Ella Waddell (defense) will lead the way. Senior Elle Emery, junior Emmy Granger and sophomore McKinley Fowler are back at attack as well while junior Reese Gandt is back at midfield.

Freshman Benton Lyford takes over in goal while freshmen Emily Arlington and Ari Rizzo will contribute at midfield.

Hollis Brookline (10-7, lost in prelim): The Cavaliers followed up a championship season by getting upset in the first round last year. This year, with a bunch of seniors returning, and with a new coach in Madison Learned, HB will be looking to bounce back.

The Cavs have a lot returning on offense, led by seniors Sabrina Hill, Teagan Arbogast, Charlotte Petrella and Sam Smith and junior Olivia Laub back on attack. Senior Maddison Caetano will see time on attack and defense, and freshman Livie Ward will look to contribute at attack and midfield.

Seniors McKenna Maguire and Juliette Ogren also return and will see time at midfield and on defense while junior Elise Broadhurst also returns on defense, as does senior goal Addison Dougherty.

Freshmen Olivia Langfield (midfield), Paige Capsello (defense/midfield) and Lucia Dunsmoor (defense) will have the opportunity to contribute this spring.

Challengers

Hanover (12-5, lost in semifinal): The Bears lost just three seniors to graduation but return a young group, with no juniors on the roster.

Leading the way for Hanover will be seniors Nora Bradley (midfield/defense) and Charlotte Robinson (goalie) while sophomores Cassidy Loughman and Maeve Bradley return at midfield.

The Bears will also look to freshmen Pauline Rudd (defense) and Catharine Mosley (attack) to contribute as well.

Merrimack (5-11 in D1): The Tomahawks opted not to petition up to D1 for this two-year cycle, and for the first time in over a decade, will compete in D2.

Merrimack returns a strong core that made the playoffs – and won a game – two years ago. Leading the way are seniors Ava Martin (midfield), Payton Trepaney (attack) and Summer Dalbec-Joyal (defense) and junior Jackie Hayes (midfield).

Freshmen Riley Taylor (midfield), Lyla Carls (midfield) and Abby Herod (defense) will also look to contribute for the Tomahawks.

Contenders

Goffstown (12-8, lost in quarterfinal): The Grizzlies graduated just four seniors from a year ago, but they filled key roles for Goffstown that the team will look to figure out quick this season.

The Grizzlies have experience and depth at midfield as seniors Morghan Dodge and Peyton Duff and junior Mia Brissette return, while sophomores Sydney Lavoie and Ella Colletti will be looked to to contribute. Sophomore Trinity Lunn is also back to lead the attack.

McKenna Kelly returns after a year off to step in at goalie while seniors Amelia Cole and Laura Cuddy and junior Emma Bird return on defense.

Timberlane (14-4, lost in semifinal): The Owls lost just six seniors from the team that turned in the best season in program history, but all played key roles.

Timberlane will look to seniors Ella Watts and Lulu Trasatti to lead the attack while sophomore Aubrey Fitzgerald will look to contribute on offense. Senior Ella Lampron returns at midfield as do sophomores Rylee Donahue and Julia Johnson are also back.

Seniors Emma Norcott and Ava Stewart return to lead the defense while sophomore Kayla Apitz steps in at goalie.

Merrimack Valley (11-5, lost in quarterfinal): The Pride lost just two seniors from the team that reached the quarterfinals a year ago.

Leading the way are seniors Alyssa Brodeur (attack), Kaiya Mercier (midfield) and Taylor Gionet (goalie). Junior Ella Frink is also back at midfield while freshman Kalli Snow will contribute on defense.

Oyster River-Newmarket (8-9, lost in quarterfinal): The Bobcats graduated just one senior from a team that pulled off a big upset in last year’s playoffs, but have a new coach, as Morgan Bianco.

Returning on defense for the Bobcats are senior Shea Sullivan and junior goalie Eliza Farwell. Junior Grace Royal and sophomore Caroline DeSantis are back at midfield while freshmen Gwen Dukac and Ashling Ferris will also see time at midfield.

Dark Horse

Kingswood (5-10, lost in prelim): The Knights have been a playoff team that last two seasons, but despite losing eight seniors from 2024, return a core mixed with experience and youth.

At attack, senior Isabella Vachon and sophomores Lainey Clarke and Avery Gilpatrick return, while at midfield, juniors Iasbelle Fournier, Adalynn Ingham and Ava Waldron and sophomore Taylor Allar are also back. Junior Vaega Johnson and freshmen Camella Cushing and Riley Lamparter will join them at midfield.

Sophomore Adelyn Arsenault returns at goalie while junior Kylee King returns on defense. Senior Maura Davey and freshman Hadley Aucoin will also see time on defense.

Rest of Field

Spaulding (2-12): The Red Raiders return 14 players from a year ago, including senior goalie Izzy Orrell.

Senior Sydney Cromier it back at midfield, along with sophomore Rachel Baughman and Sarah Lin. Junior Payton Boumel also returns at midfield after missing most of last season.

Sophomores Aivah Helton and Arianna Hurley will see time at midfield and at attack. Freshman Haley Brackett will also see time on attack while junior Sadie Nadeu and sophomore Natalie Smith will contribute on defense.

Alvirne (0-14): The Broncos go into the year looking to a pair of seniors to help bring the team along, as seniors Audriena Chipperini and Jaliceanna Santiago return at midfield/attack.

Kennett (8-7, lost in prelim)

Keene-Monadnock (5-12)

Manchester Memorial (4-11)

Postseason Predictions

• Teams (nine): Goffstown, Hanover, Hollis Brookline, Kingswood, Merrimack, Merrimack Valley, Oyster River-Newmarket, Timberlane, Winnacunnet.
• Final four: Hanover, Hollis Brookline, Merrimack, Winnacunnet.
• Championship: Winnacunnet over Hollis Brookline.