Rest of D2 field hockey looking to keep Derryfield, Hanover from final rematch

After coming up short in previous attempts, the Derryfield School field hockey team finally captured that elusive Division II title in 2018.

There’s nothing the Cougars would like more than to repeat and send longtime head coach Lenny McCaigue, who is coaching his final season, out on top.

In Derryfield’s way will be a handful of challengers, including Hanover, last year’s runner-up. With the addition of Kate Blaisdell, who moved to Hanover from Windham, the Marauders might be the co-favorites with the Cougars this season, but both will have to overcome some tough opponents to get there.

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Last season’s other two semifinalist, Kennett and Pelham, should be in the mix to return to the final four, while Souhegan, Plymouth and Goffstown will also be among the contenders this season.

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

• Bow (3-11 in 2018): The Falcons will try to bounce back from a tough season behind a senior class of nine, including all-state performer Elizabeth Guertin.
• Derryfield (15-1-1): The defending champs return Lindsey Stagg, last year’s Player of the Year and a University of Michigan commit. Also back are junior Charlotte Rohlfs and senior Bella Matarese.
• Goffstown (9-6-1): The Grizzlies graduated seven seniors from last year’s quarterfinalist, but return midfielders Shannon Gifford (senior) and Grace Taylor (junior) along with last year’s leading scorer, sophomore Makayla Strickulis. Junior midfielder Jess DiMarzio and sophomore forward Bethany Dubreuil step into varsity roles while juniors Meredith Buckley and Grace Murphy will be called upon in the defensive end.
• Hanover (13-3-1): The Marauders reached back-to-back title games behind a strong senior class led by Diana Schwarz, but Hanover not only returned goalie Ella Edmunds and senior Macy Curtis, it added Kate Blaisdell, who was an all-state first-teamer at Windham as a sophomore last season.
• Hollis Brookline (0-13-1): The Cavaliers lost their top two defenders in goalie Abbie Fitzgerald and Jordan Mazzola to graduation, but return midfielders Emelia Mulligan and Julia Frugard.
• John Stark (6-9): The Generals return 15 varsity players, including eight starters, from a team that made the program’s second ever postseason appearance in the first year in D2. John Stark will also be getting a boost from 10 freshmen. Leading the way for the Generals is senior midfielder Elizabeth Aubin and junior Meg Girardet, who was the team’s leading scorer. On defense, junior goalie Sydnee Pelletier and senior Olivia Desainde will lead the way; Desainde and Aubin will serve as captains. Other returning starters include Delaney Forrestall, Kacie Weston, Gracie Bolduc and Olivia Dame. Aubrey Fischer, Jackie O’Donnell and Courtney Cranshaw will also step in to help the varsity this year.
• Kennett (15-1): The Eagles return one of the top defensive players in the state in senior Eva Drummond along with senior goalie Hannah Frittenburg.
• Kingswood (10-6): The Knights graduated eight seniors, including Mackenzie Doran, Virginia Skelley and Amanda Lapar, who were all-state selections last year. Kingswood returns seven seniors, including Grace Abraham, Allison Bean, Jill Blocher, Cheyann Cardinal, Hannah Crane, Giana Cubeddu and Savannah Thomas.
• Merrimack Valley (5-9-1): The Pride lost just three seniors from a year ago and will try to build off last year’s playoff appearance. Merrimack Valley returns a large junior class, including all-state performers Reilly Swislosky and Molly McLaughlin.
• Milford (2-12): The Spartans didn’t lose much from last year’s team, which was made up of a large group of juniors. Leading the way will be Sydney Kolasinski, Jenna D’Angelis and Abagail Forrence.
• Oyster River (1-13): The Bobcats return a solid core this season, including captains goalie Leah Manning, forward Cameron Jester and center midfielder Laura Dreher.
• Pelham (13-4): The Pythons reached the final four in their first year in D2, but lost two key players in goalie Ryan Atkins and midfielder Sydney Weisensee. But Pelham returns senior forward Abbey Bevens, senior midfielder Jessica Slaton and senior defender Abbie Patchen, all of whom received all-state honors and will serve as captains this year. Also returning on offense are seniors Cassie Hemmerdinger, Jade Atkins and Payton Hamlin and juniors Madi Robito and Sydney Nutter. Midfielders Gwen Dahlinger (junior) and Kaleigh Davis (sophomore) are also back as is senior defender McKenna Williams. Senior Haley Gilbert and junior Sarah Giniewicz will try to replace Ryan Atkins in goal, while newcomers Becca Dauteuil, Megan Frechette and Brooke Slaton will provide depth at midfield and on defense.
• Pembroke (4-10): The Spartans graduated nine seniors from a season ago, but are strong upfront with the return of senior captains Ali Corriveau and Lauren Lehoullier. The pair will be joined by senior Rachel Clark and junior captain Leah LaCross, along with Emma Parker, Aleesha Jordan, Keelin Cripps and Cameryn Gagne. The defense will be led by returners Katie Jameson and Alex Bonacorsi while newcomers Janelle Gagnon, Sophia Gulo and Elyza Weingartner will add depth on the back end. Goalie Sophia Brasley moves up from JV while Whitney Moses will be playing goal for the first time.
• Plymouth (11-4): The Bobcats lost some talent from last year’s playoff team but return first-team all-state selection Olivia Eastman.
• Portsmouth (3-9-2): The Clippers will be a young team again this season, but this year, Portsmouth returns with experience under its belt. Leading the way will be senior goalie Victoria Watson, an all-state performer last year, along with senior defenders Josie Philbrick, Frankie Marchesano and Calista Hopley. Also returning on defense are juniors Anna Ricci, Jules Hillman and Emily Aucella. Sophomores Alexis Dumont, Olivia Hammer and Calli Wright are returning as well and will be joined upfront by freshmen Mia Edwards and Charlotte Marston.
• Sanborn (7-8): The Indians will look to return to the postseason behind all-state performers Isabelle Giles and Marianna D’Amelio.
• Souhegan (11-3-1): The Sabers return a pair of all-state performers on defense from a year ago in senior goalie Ellie Byram and sophomore Caroline Mastergeorge. Souhegan will look to senior Izzy Aiello and juniors Avery Karavas, Ava Van Ballegooyen and Nicole O’Rourke to lead the offense.

Playoff Schedule

• Preliminary Round: at higher seed, Oct.
• Quarterfinals: at higher seed, Oct.
• Semifinals: at Bill Ball Stadium, Exeter, Oct.
• Championship: at Bedford High School, x p.m., Nov. 3.