Portsmouth, Derryfield look to hold off other contenders in D2 boys lacrosse

One of them has been in the Division II final every year since 2015, and three times in that span, they’ve both been there, including last season.

Could the Portsmouth High School and Derryfield School boys lacrosse teams reach the title game again this season? Sure, but not if a handful of other contenders have their way.

While the Clippers are the two-time defending champions, the Cougars look like the team to beat after not losing any starters from last year’s runner-up. Portsmouth saw 16 seniors graduate in 2022, but the core of this year’s team is more than capable of getting the Clippers back to the final.

Timberlane, which was in the final two years ago and the final four last season, has the returning cast to make a legit run and St. Thomas has been knocking on the door to the final four for a while. Windham, Winnacunnet and Oyster River-Newmarket also have key pieces returning to have a chance, while Souhegan, in its first season in D2, is a bit of a wild card.

This season, there are 20 teams in D2, which means 14 teams will make the playoffs, with the top two receiving a bye into the quarterfinals.

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

• Alvirne (6-11): The Broncos earned their first playoff berth a year ago and lose six seniors from that team, but new coach Cam Debrusk has nine players returning. Senior midfielders Joey Ribeck and Connor Hall are back for Alvirne along with senior Josh Grimard, junior Cedrik Beaulieu and sophomores Jack Hurrell and Ryan Hurrell, all of whom see time at attack and midfield. The defense will be led by junior Cameron Kennedy while junior goalies Aidyn Kelly and Michael Gregoire are also back. Garrett Hall, Brody Orr and Sam Avola will also be called upon to contribute for the Broncos.
• ConVal (11-5): The Cougars return 25 players from last year’s playoff team, but they graduated some talented seniors and saw leading scorer Ronan McNamara transfer to New Hampton. New coach Barton Wheeler will have a senior-laden defense returning, starting with Nick Squatrito in goal. Noah Stewart, Bryson Boice and Everett Benham are also returning on the back end. The offense will be led by seniors Noah Lambert, Dillon O’Sullivan and Gabe Fret.
• Derryfield (15-4): The Cougars return almost their entire lineup from a year ago, including seniors Tate Flint, Quinn Silvio and Ethan Flanagan at midfield. On attack, juniors Chili Cabot and Alex Murray return along with sophomore RJ Proulx, while junior Michael Grunbeck will also be looked at to contribute. Junior John Kramer and sophomore Liam Canty also return at midfield and sophomore Brady Doldo returns from injury and will also see time at midfield. Junior Logan Purvis will again handle faceoffs and junior Parker Lebiedz returns in goal. The defense will be led by seniors Dugan Brewer Little, Tyler Lautieri and Jared Moulton and junior Max Fowler and Tyler Marsden.
• Goffstown (7-10): Cory Allen takes over as the Grizzlies head coach and he will look to senior Donovan Governanti on defense and senior Ethan Hansen at midfield to lead the way. Juniors TJ Smedick and Noah Bless both return at midfield while junior Sean Cote is back in goal. Sophomores Samuel Chapman and Drew Sealy return at attack while freshman Noah Babin will contribute on defense.
• Hanover (7-8)
• Hillsboro-Deering/John Stark (1-13 in D3)
• Hollis Brookline (6-11): The Cavaliers graduated 13 seniors from a team that battled injuries all year, but still found its way into the playoffs. HB has an influx of youth this year, but still has plenty of experience to fall back on, including at midfield, where senior Tommy Anderson and junior Ben Dufoe return. They’ll look to lead the offense, along with middie JP Torgersen (sophomore) and attackmen Connor Cook (junior) and Noah Taylor (sophomore). Junior Rudy Rosa also returns to lead a young defense.
• Keene-Monadnock (2-15 in D1): The Blackbirds move back down to D2 after spending last year in D1. They’ll look to senior captain Johnny Griffin (attack/midfield) to lead the way. Sophomore Mikey Angher also returns at attack while sophomores Carter Trubiano and Lucas Herstek are back on defense. They’re joined by junior goalies Owen Hope and Carson Loyd and junior Seamus Howard also joins the mix. Junior Aiden Tarr and freshman Nick Fortier will also see time at midfield.
• Kennett (4-10): The Eagles return a dozen seniors in Trent Weston’s first year as head coach. Bob Murphy, Jake Infinger and Carver Petell all return at attack and they’ll be joined by Cameron Fusco. Sean Carrier is back at midfield and will be joined by Connor Wiggin, while goalie Carter Tasker and defender Kyle Stearns are also back. Noah Mihelis (LSM) and AJ Guida will join them on defense.
• Kingswood (5-9): The Knights enter the year with good numbers, but a lot of youth. They’ll lead on the experience of seniors Cullen Davey, who will anchor the defense, and Tristan Taatjes, who will see time at midfield and attack. Junior midfielder Will Crane will also be looked at to lead Kingswood on and off the field while junior attackman Keegan Russo returns and is poised for a big year.
• Merrimack Valley (3-11): Sean Gill takes over as head coach and he has a strong core returning for the Pride this season. Leading the way on defense is goalie Ryan Carmichael and Aiden Monaghan, and they’ll be joined by Jackson Deyermond. Matt Sanborn returns to lead the attack along with Conner Hanson and Matthew Lauren while Nick DeBello is back to handle faceoffs. Michael Heine returns at midfield, where he’ll be joined by Brayden Hussey and Aiden Gray.
• Oyster River-Newmarket (10-8): The Bobcats lost eight seniors from last year’s playoff team, but return a trio of seniors that will provide experience and leadership all over the field. Senior Sam Guilmette returns as a two-way middie while senior goalie Finn Mason and senior Curtis Leitz will anchor the defense, along with junior Jon Buteau. Junior Aidan Golding also returns on defense while juniors Costa Frangos and Eli Pierce will also see time. Junior Evan Plourde is the lone returning starter at attack and he’ll be joined by sophomore Liam Eddy and freshman Tyler Callander. Junior Pearson Stiles and sophomores Travis Faul and Sawyer Levesque join Guilmette at midfield while juniors Will Courtland and Matthew Monahan and sophomore Logan Lemieux will be looked at to contribute.
• Pembroke (2-12)
• Portsmouth (19-1): The defending champs graduated 16 seniors from a year ago, but they return a strong core that will keep them at the top of the standings. Leading the way are junior midfielders Zac Amend and Nick Smith, who also handles faceoffs. Seniors Baden Paterson also returns at midfield while Charlie Horgan and sophomore Freddy Scearbo will see time there as well. Senior Keigan Delisle returns to lead the attack and he’ll be joined by sophomores Ben Purcell and Briggs Catino. The defense will be led by seniors Gunner Jackson and Max Diep and sophomore Masi Shone while sophomore Kai Paterson steps in at goalie. Sophomore Ethan Lander will also see time on defense.
• Souhegan (7-11 in D1): The Sabers opted not to petition up to D1 for the next two-year cycle, so for the second time in program history, they’ll be in D2. The strength of the team early on appears to be on defense, as senior Brady Melvin and junior Brett Bouvier return, and they’ll be joined by freshman Reid Kimball and senior goalie Josh Dupuis. Senior AJ Hawkes will look to lead the offense at attack while seniors Madux McGrath and Owen Nolek and junior JJ Bright return at midfield.
• Spaulding (0-15)
• St. Thomas (13-5): The Saints had a quick turnaround after winning just three games in 2021, and after losing just five players from last year’s team, they appear to be in great shape this season. Leading the way will be seniors Anthony DiMartino (attack) and Caden Caswell and Britton Dunbar on defense. Sophomores Jackson Estes (midfield) and Finley DeTolla (attack) will team with DiMartino on offense. Junior Eli Allaire returns at goalie while juniors Owen Birch and Trent Salyards will see time at midfield.
• Timberlane (14-5): The Owls return nine starters from last year’s final four team, with the strength being on defense. Senior Brady Marston is back in goal for Timberlane and he’s joined by seniors Brendan Perras and Jake Manning, who missed time with an injury last season, and junior Gary Shivel. They’ll be joined by junior Logan Johnson on defense. Senior Braidon Bowman returns at attack to lead the offense while junior Jack Condon also returns and will see time at attack and midfield. Junior Austin Charest and sophomore Michael Savage also return at midfield. Newcomers Cole Gerry (junior) and Tyler Chiccino (junior) will join in at midfield while junior Adam Devaney will split time at midfield and attack.
• Windham (15-4): Derek St. Cyr takes over as head coach for the Jaguars, who reach the semifinals a year ago. Windham strength looks like its returners on defense, where seniors Jacob Spalinger and Bryan Desmarais (SSDM) and junior Andrew Trudel are back. Senior Drew Denton will to lead the offense on attack with the help of freshmen Jake Suliveras and Josh Trudel.
• Winnacunnet (12-5): The Warriors graduated 13 seniors, six of them on defense, so the team’s strength to start the season looks to be on offense. Seniors Caleb White (attack) and Antonio Franciosa (midfield) both return to lead that side of the ball while senior middies Ryan Ciolfi and Tanyon Ziolkowski are also back. Senior Noah Garofalo will also see time at attack. Junior Jacob Magri returns to anchor the defense while junior Noah Andronaco steps in at goalie.

No information was received from the following teams: Hanover, Hillsboro-Deering/John Stark, Pembroke, Spaulding. 

Playoff Predictions

• Playoff teams (14): Alvirne, ConVal, Derryfield, Hollis Brookline, Goffstown, Kennett, Merrimack Valley, Oyster River-Newmarket, Portsmouth, Souhegan, St. Thomas, Timberlane, Windham, Winnacunnet.
• Final four: Derryfield, Portsmouth, Timberlane, St. Thomas.
• Championship: Derryfield over Portsmouth.
• Offensive Player of the Year: Zac Amend, Portsmouth.
• Defensive Player of the Year: Brady Marston, Timberlane.