Plenty of D3 girls lacrosse teams looking to keep St. Thomas from three-peat

The St. Thomas Acquinas High School girls lacrosse team accomplished something last season that hadn’t been done in almost a decade.

This year, the Saints are looking to do something that’s never been done in Division III.

After winning back-to-back titles the last two season, the first team in D3 to do so since Laconia in 2015-16, St. Thomas would be the first program to three-peat in D3 if it goes all the way again. Of course, the other top teams in the division will want to have something to say about that.

Hopkinton, Derryfield, Bow and John Stark look to be some of the other teams that will take a run at the Saints. Plenty of other teams, like Gilford, Trinity, Pelham, Kearsarge, Coe-Brown and Plymouth will be in the mix, too.

Favorite

St. Thomas (17-1 in 2025, won title): The Saints have just won the last two division titles, they’ve won 34 in a row against D3 opponents. With just four seniors graduating from last season, St. Thomas looks to be in a good spot to make it three titles in a row.

Seniors Talula Gregg and Charlotte De Tolla both return at midfield, along with junior Julia Bryan while freshman Katelyn Kreycik will also see time. Leading the attack will be seniors Elizabeth Holden, Annita Parmelee and Vanessa Williams and junior Lucy Broom. Sophomore Kelly Sophia and freshman Adelae Allen will also be in the mix.

The defense will see the return of junior Isabel Taylor and sophomores Ava Goodwin and Lena Shaheen while seniors Payton Baker, Caraden Forest and Maia Scanlon and junior Julianne Stowell also return. Sophomore Reese Foss steps in at goalie while freshmen Charlotte Kelly and Riley Thomas will see time.

Challengers

Hopkinton (14-3, lost in semifinal): The Hawks reached the final four for the sixth time in seven season last year, and lost only four seniors from a year ago.

Hopkinton has a pair of 100-goal scorers with senior Maeve Owens returning and senior Emma Pelletier (attack) having transfered in from Concord. Senior Lilly Chodosh also returns on attack while senior Ava Burns, who transfered in from Proctor Academy, will see time at midfield.

Seniors Marcella Guadagno is also back at midfield along with juniors Autumn Meier, Avery Chase, Rose Afflerbach, Lia Chapin and Ryan Barrett. Juniors Molly Hodgdon, Lauryn Vetter and Veronica Nylund and sophomore Pippa Lang are back at attack.

Seniors Helen Yeaton and Rylee Magnin and juniors Mary Maughan and Clara Brooks will return on defense while freshman Molly Martin steps in at goalie.

Bow (14-4, lost in semifinal): The Falcons have also had a run of semifinal appearances, reaching seven of the last eight final fours. While Bow has nine seniors to replace, the Falcons have a strong, but young, group returning.

Seniors Audrey Glennon and Leah Gallier will look to lead the defense, along with juniors Aubrey Merrill, Madelyn Herbert and Vera Virta. Junior goalie Gianna Trott also returns while freshmen Celia Roberge and Jiana Hittle will be in the mix.

The attack will be led by seniors Josie Johnson and Casey Totten while freshmen Ava Alexakos and Chloe Nowakowski will be looked to to contribute. Junior Kaylee Jacques returns at midfield, and she’ll be joined by sophomores Reanna Hubbard, Keegan O’Meara and Jules Cusson and freshman Ainsley Herrick.

Derryfield (13-4, lost in quarterfinal): The Cougars graduated only four seniors from a year ago and return a strong squad, despite losing two key players, Teagan Peabody and Sadie Walsh, to injury before the season.

Derryfield looks strong on defense with juniors Taylor Bradley, Charlize Garcia, Anny Naje and Kaitly Dell’Orfano returning and junior Sophia Jolie joining the mix. They’ll be key in front of freshman goalie Noelanni Hunter.

Senior Chloe Larson and sophomore Charlotte Belanger are both back at midfield along with sophomores Caitlin Lande and Titi Latinwo. Sophomore Lila Hanning and freshman Reagan Ayers will also be in the mix at midfield.

Juniors Maddy Paolino and Kelsi Bremberg and sophomore Finley Llewelyn return to pace the attack.

John Stark (13-3, lost in quarterfinal): The Generals were a solo program again last season after dropping the co-op with Hillsboro-Deering. John Stark graduated five seniors and has eight starters returning.

That list includes juniors Zoe Lawson, Addie DeCew and Hannah Perkins at midfield, along with sophomore Kora Beard while freshman Addy Brunini will also see time. Senior Claudia Dustin returns to lead the attack with junior Karrington Telgen and sophomores Elise Herrick and Olive Ruffo also back. Freshmen Natalie Dingman and Aislyn Smith will have a chance to contribute as well.

Junior Rowin Ledy is back at goalie with senior Bella Donnelly, junior Maxine Lundeen and sophomore Lyla Raymond also back in starting roles on defense. Junipr Piper Twombly is also back and freshman Stella Ouellette will see time as well.

Contender

Gilford (14-3, lost in final): The Golden Eagles made back-to-back finals, finishing as the runner-up to St. Thomas, but they graduated nine seniors, eight of whom were starters.

Gilford will look to seniors Abby Watson (midfield), Ava Wilson (defense) and Mia Burlock (attack) to lead a young, but talented team.

Junior McKenna Howard also returns on defense along with senior Emerson Plourde and junior Catherine Fay. Junior Riley Coutts joins the team and will see time at defense and midfield while sophomore Madi Breton steps in at goalie.

Seniors Celia Plourde and Kendra Blouin and juniors Josie Arrighi and Aubrety Vliet will see more time at attack. Freshmen Zevy Donovan (attack/midfield), Rowan Worthen (attack), Penny Flanders (attack) and Kierra Walker (midfield) will have a chance to contribute.

Pelham (7-8, lost in prelim): The Pythons lost just four seniors from a team that played the top teams tough and almost pulled a playoff upset last season.

Leading the way this year will be senior midfielders Ella DeSimone and Makenzie Comtois, while senior Brianna Wood and juniors Mia Wilkins and Jessica Phillips also return at midfield.

Senior Julianne Rocha and sophomores Jillian Bistany and Mya Dion are back to lead the attack while junior Mckenna Folger and freshmen Isabella Santolucito and Caitlin Detellis will be in the mix.

Cassidy Harrington, a senior, returns on defense along with juniors Abigail King, Jayden Bistany=Bean Camryn Celata and Emma Bowlan (goalie) and sophomores Lyla Prince and MaKenna Comtois. Sophomore Cailyn Macintyre and freshmen Shannon Deschene and Madilyn Lannon will have a chance to contribute on defense.

Kearsarge (7-8, lost in prelim): The Cougars will have a new coach this season, with Sarah Millard taking over after serving as the junior varsity coach. Kearsarge graduated six seniors but suffered a blow during the winter when senior captain and midfielder Ociee Ilg went down with an injury that will keep her out this spring.

The Cougars should still have a strong midfield with senior Addyson Rossi and sophomores Kaelan Finnegan and Katie Walkinshaw returning and junior Bella Valle and freshman Sophia Paquette joining the mix.

Seniors Leah Stone, Madison Bennett, Meadow Chase and Siena Loomis return at attack where they’ll be joined by sophomore Haley Deegan and junior Alenna Makris.

The defense will be led by senior Grace Tanguay and junior goalie Stella Syvertsen while junior Isabella Collins also returns. Freshman Grayson Beck will also see time on defense along with sophomore Sydney Lynch and freshman Caiyn Fitzgerald.

Coe-Brown (9-7, lost in quarterfinal): The Bears are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances and will try to make it three as they look to replace six seniors from last season.

Seniors Ady Moynihan and Bree Peters return to lead the defense while junior Mackenzie Silva is back and will see time on defense and at attack.

Juniors Avery Keefe and Ellie Escabi are back at midfield along with juniors Morgan Readel, Brooke Kozlowski and Rose Bean. Freshman Maggie Cardillo will also look to contribute at midfield.

Campbell (4-10): The Cougars have low numbers and don’t have a senior on the roster, but they return nine starters from a year ago.

Leading the way are juniors Lilli Wilson (midfield), Melina Girgis (attack) and Tyler Borst (defense). Also back are sophomore midfielders Zoe Bourque, Rylie Lemire and Lillyuana Vachon while sophomores Reagan Cutter (attack) and Liyah Mahoney (defense) return as well.

Seophomore Mia Demmons steps in at goalie and sophomore Sydney Parisi will be in the mix. Freshmen Kyla Allair and Hayley Gill will see time on attack and freshmen Lyla DeLucia, Ronnie Pacheco and Victoria Walsh will contribute on defense.

Laconia (11-5, lost in quarterfinal)

Lebanon (9-6, lost in prelim)

Dark Horses

Trinity (6-9, lost in prelim): The Pioneers lost seven seniors from a team that made back-to-back playoff appearances, but has a lot of young talent that could surprise.

Leading the way for Trinity is its lone senior, Addison Moynihan, who will lead the midfield. Also back are sophomores Brookelin Gallant and Sophia Houde while freshmen Samantha Raymond and Sarah Bouchard will be looked to to contribute. Juniors Mia Wheeler and Lily Ferdinando return at attack, along with sophomore Jade Mosher.

Juniors Abigail Gordon and Hannah Boucher returning on defense, along with junior goalie Sophia Sarracco. Freshman Amelie Vigneau will also be in the mix on defense.

Plymouth (8-7, lost in prelim): The Bobcats got into the playoffs last year for the first time since 2014 and graduated nine seniors from a year ago. This year, Plymouth has a younger roster, but with enough returning to put together another solid year .

Seniors Hazel Bassingthwaite (defense) and Nenah Billin (midfield) will serve as captains for the Bobcats while senior Lucia Sakin looks to lead the attack. She’ll be joined by junior Amy Wotto and sophomore Lexi Joyce, while sophomore Acacia Hartley returns from an injury that cost her last season.

Junior Ella Duchette will also be back on defense as will junior goalie Lexi Harrington and sophomore Grace Galvin will be back at midfield. Freshmen Serena McKenney, Sophia Donis, Alli Showers, Eva Delacruz ad Phoebe Hartley will also have a chance to contribute this season.

Rest of Field

Bishop Brady (3-9): The Giants have a new coach, with Brooke Deily taking over, and will be looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.

Seniors Megan Varley and Marcella Tonge return at midfield for Bishop Brady and they’ll be joined by freshman Mackenna Richardson. Senior Kiki Herrington is back at goalie and freshman Bella Ivester will have a chance to contribute on defense.

Sophomore Vuye Nare returns on attack with senior KeeLeigh Bott and freshman Amelia Collie set to join her.

Belmont (0-14): The Red Raiders have a solid group of returners, and a new coach in Rose Marie Marinace, and could find themselves challenging for a playoff spot as the regular season winds down.

Senior Shelby Mason returns at goal while sophomore Kira Perry is back on defense. Junior Gabby Murphy looks to lead the midfield along with sophomores Brooke Varnum, Augusta Provencale and Grace Collins.

Sophomores Brooke Murphy and Lexie Carr return on attack while senior Madi McClennon is new to the program and will look to make an impact.

Milford (1-13): The Spartans have the numbers returning to see big improvements this season, and maybe be in the mix for a playoff spot at the end of the year.

Senior goalie Violet Renda and senior Oliva Skare return to lead the defense along with senior Meaghan Morin and juniors Lily Parsons, Kaylee Boudreault and Arianna Chappell, who could also see time at attack. Sophomore Olive Clegg also returns while junior Sydney Forget will also be in the mix at goalie and junior Addi Cart will have a chance to contrbute.

Leading the midfield will be seniors Shea Hansen and Quinn Cotsifas and juniors Maggie Pelletier and Maya Remella. Junior Abby Harbold and sophomores Emma Freeman, Nadia Tlapa, Reese Comtois, Brynn Sabtoka, Ayla Coski and Annalise Silva are also back at midfield.

Seniors Olivia Lochhead and Anya Judge, junior Payton Gaj and sophomore Kaelyn Grzyb all return on attack. Freshmen Noelle Coutreau will see time at attack and midfield while freshman Gwen Brosnan could see time at attack and defense and freshman Piper Ross could see time at defense and midfield.

Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough (1-13): The Lakers return a solid core, and have a new coach in Isabella Monbouquette, and will look to get closer to the playoff team they were in 2023.

The attack will be led by senior captain Brooke Taylor, while sophomore Summer Hammil will also return on attack and freshman Brynn Moore will be in the mix. Junior Alyssa Snow and sophomore Aubrey Bresse will see time on attack and at midfield while sophomores Makayla Peterson and Kate Taylor will also be back at midfield.

Junior Avery Dubois and sophomores Lilly Sousa and Reece Lavalle return to lead the defense with junior Bella Kimball seeing time at defense and midfield. Junior Tessa McCallum will also join the defense and freshman Sydney Conkling will see time on defense and at attack. Senior Elizah Carlson and freshman Emma Desoto will also have a chnce to contribute.

Pembroke (2-12): The Spartans will look to lean on their returning players as a dozen on the roster are playing for the first time.

Seniors Laila Al-Shawafi (midfield) and Faith Young (attack) return for Pembroke while juniors Lily Ricci (midfield) and Giuliana Davis (defense) are also back. Freshman Paige Bemis will also have chance to contribute on attack.

ConVal (6-10, lost in prelim)

Concord Christian (3-12)

Postseason Predictions

• Teams (14): Bow, Campbell, Coe-Brown, Derryfield, Gilford, Hopkinton, John Stark, Kearsarge, Laconia, Lebanon, Pelham, Plymouth, St.  Thomas, Trinity.
• Final four: Derryfield, Hopkinton, John Stark, St. Thomas.
• Championship: St. Thomas over Hopkinton.