Rest of D3 field hockey looking to end Gilford’s reign

No matter who ends up at the top of Division III when the season comes to an end, history will be made.

Since the NHIAA sanctioned field hockey in 1975, only once has a program won four consecutive championships, with Concord winning five in a row from 1986-90.

Gilford is just the third program in Class M-S/D3 history, which dates back to 1987, to win three titles in a row, so a fourth would be unprecedented in the division.

And if the Golden Eagles don’t make it four in a row? Well, that would make some history as well.

A large group of teams that includes Bishop Brady, last year’s runner-up, and Berlin, the runner-up in 2023, have plenty of players returning who could give Gilford a run. We will see if any of them can.

But that’s not the only news coming out of D3 in the preseason. While the division sees Conant return from a year away from varsity, three programs – White Mountains, Franklin and Littleton – will not field a varsity team this season. On top of that is the uncertainty surrounding the Claremont School District and the future of athletics at Stevens.

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For the second year of the NHIAA’s two-year cycle, the division has 15 teams in it, which means 10 will make the postseason, with the top six seeds receiving a first-round bye.

Favorites

• Gilford (17-0, won D3 championship): The three-time defending champs graduated seven seniors, most of whom had a big part in leading the Golden Eagles to those consecutive titles. Gilford has a strong, and younger, core returning, led by junior midfielder Catherine Fay and juniors Grace Southworth and Riley Coutts at forward. They’ll be joined by senior Emerson Plourde, junior Emma Legro and sophomore Avah Mason at forward. Sophomore goalie Madi Breton returns and she’s joined on defense by senior Celia Plourde and sophomores Brynn Blackwelder and Susanna Tilley.
• Bishop Brady (12-5-1, lost in final): The Giants have advanced to three of the last four title games, and each time, they’ve done so as the sixth or seventh seed. After losing five seniors to graduation, Bishop Brady has seven starters returning, including senior goalie Ava Archambault and senior Kate Farley on defense. Senior Marcella Tonge, junior Madelyn Savary and sophomore Reese Henry will see time at midfield and defense, while senior Lauren Howe is back at forward and sophomore Ella Blanchette returns at midfield and forward. Other seniors on the roster include Emma Anderson-Thompson, Laney Ryan and Josie Whitson.

Challengers

• Berlin (12-4, lost in semifinal): The Mountaineers are coming off an appearance in the final four after reaching the title game two seasons ago. Berlin graduated just four seniors a year ago and have a good mix of classes returning, starting with the defense. Seniors McKenna Kelly (goalie), Emma Rancloes, Kennah Scott and Olivia Richard return as starters on defense while senior Emily Smith is back at forward and sophomore Caitlin Kelley is a returning start at midfield. Senior Cloey Vien will also step in a midfield, along with sophomore Willow Brouillette. Juniors Marlee Wedge, Lola Aristegui-Burke, Harmony Horne and Rose Kelley will see time at forward. Sophomores Brooke Laflamme, Sophia Bergeron and Peyton King will look to contribute on defense.
• Hopkinton (10-5, lost in quarterfinals): The Hawks have been building back up in the seasons since their 2021 title, and this year, have a core of juniors returning to lead the way. At forward, juniors Aurelia Salace and Autumn Meier are back, along with sophomore Dahlia Perry, while freshmen Sophia Swett, Carlie Leino and Zoe Duquette will have a chance to contribute. Lauren Vetter and Ryan Barrett both return as juniors at midfield while sophomore Gigi Upton will see time at midfield and forward and freshmen Alyson Doffing and Kierra Walker will be in the mix. The defense will be led by senior Maddie Dwyer and junior Mary Maughan while seniors Emma Pelletier and Heidi Archambault (goalie), sophomores Sadie Pelletier and Adelaide Clough-Garvin and freshman Evelyn Reed (goalie) will contribute.
• Kearsarge (5-10, lost in prelims): The Cougars will have some holes to fill, having graduated five key seniors, but they’ve got eight starters returning. That includes on defense, where juniors Leah Reeve and Ava Nolan and sophomore Ryley Grace will be joined by senior Felicity Kane. Senior Abby Bradbury and junior Stella Syversten are also back as starters, while sophomore Saoirse Carmody will also be in the mix and junior Bella Valle will see time at midfield and forward. Sophomores Payton MacMichael, Adella Monnat and Raegan Billado are back at midfield while Haley Deegan and Mya Atwood will look to contribute. Freshmen Charlotte Knox and Maci Dockham will also be in the mix.
• Mascoma Valley (5-10, lost in prelims): The Royals graduated only three seniors from last season and have seen their numbers improve drastically this year. Returning starters for Mascoma Valley include seniors Makenna Houston (forward), Ellie McGrody (midfield), Samantha Harkins (goalie) and Anna Emerson (forward/defense) while sophomore Victoria Petty returns at forward and senior Georgia Kondi is back on defense after missing last season with an injury. Senior Myah Crandall (forward/defense) and junior Charlotte Adams (defense) also return while senior Aubrey Meyveagaci (midfield) is back after not playing a year ago. The Royals also will look to freshmen Abby Harkins (midfield), Morgan Fitts (midfield), Paeyton Clement (forward), Sophia Smith (forward/midfield) and Addie Irwin (goalie/defense) to contribute.
• Mascenic (12-3, lost in quarterfinals): The Vikings lost four seniors to graduation but also had a lot of young players contribute last season, meaning there is a core of experienced players back. Leading the way will be seniors Brielle Krook and Ava Haavisto and sophomore goalie Evelynn Shippee on defense. They’ll be joined by junior Olivia O’Connor and sophomores Eleanor Haavisto and Ashlynn Blood while freshmen Kyra Rodriguez, Mia Saari and Emery Saari will look to contribute. At midfield, sophomores Madi Farrey, Mallee Aho and Scarlett Nielson all return to the starting lineup and sophomore Silvana Manzi is also back while freshman Brielle Bergeron will be in the mix. Junior Kiahna Farrey and sophomores Iris Traffie and Hailey Saari are back at forward, along with senior Deviny Viglione. Freshman Grace Matson will also see time while junior Lily Alix returns from injury.

Playoff Contenders

• Newfound (10-7-1, lost in semifinals): The Bears will be young this year, having graduated eight seniors and returning just one senior and one junior. Annabel Smolenski battled through injuries as a junior but returns on defense, while junior Jayden Gilpatric will move to defense from the midfield. Sophomore Erin Matthews will lead the way at midfield while sophomore Olivia Bell will look to do the same at forward.
• Winnisquam (4-10): The Bears have nine starters returning, including seniors Camilia Cote (defense/midfield), Zariah Moore (forward), Ava Sargent (midfield), Bella Soucy (forward/goalie), Dennessa Williams (forward) and Autumn Smith (goalie). Other returning starters include junior Iris Vieira (midfield) and sophomores Brianna Gammon (defense) and Brooke Gammon (forward/midfield) while senior Taylor Dearden (forward) and sophomore Anastasia Soucy (defense) are also back. Freshmen Layla Gloddy (forward/midfield), Kelce Hayes (defense) and Mylie Keith (defense) will also be in the mix.
• Stevens (13-2, lost in quarterfinals)
• St. Thomas (6-6-3, lost in prelims)

Rest of Field

• Conant (NA): The Orioles return to varsity play after numbers forced them to pull players up from middle school and play a junior varsity schedule last season. Conant has most of its lineup returning with midfielder Sophia Spingola the lone senior. She’s joined at midfield by junior Nakaya Muhonen, sophomore Mabel Bergeron and freshmen Harlow Muhonen and Reagan Boudreau. Junior Mia Lambert and freshman Evelyn Desmarais return on defense along with sophomore goalie Gretchen Somero. Junior Brianna Dupuis and sophomore Caroline Weinhold will be joined by freshman Autumn Burgoyne at forward.
• Monadnock (0-14): The Huskies could be the surprise of the division as they’ll get a big boost from the return of senior midfielder Charleigh Bohannon, who missed last year with an injury. Also back is senior goalie Makayla Harwood, along with seniors Bryanna Lacoste, Sophie Mannlove and Hannah Mapes while senior Olivia Knightly joins them. Juniors Emma Cotnoir, Hailey Fisk, Violet Jackson, Jillian Ellis and Carla Sokol return while sophomores Jolene Boudette, Olivia Jacobson, Ava Caron, Teaghan Bohannon and Matilynn Parson are also back. Freshmen Brooklyn Kidney, Jillian Lane and Lucia DeMasi will be in the mix.
• Newport (7-8-1, lost in quarterfinals)
• Sanborn (2-12)

Postseason Predictions

• Playoff Teams (10): Berlin, Bishop Brady, Gilford, Hopkinton, Kearsarge, Mascenic, Mascoma Valley, Newfound, Stevens, Winnisquam.
• Final four: Berlin, Bishop Brady, Gilford, Mascoma Valley.
• Championship: Bishop Brady over Gilford.
• Offensive POY: Makenna Houston, Mascoma Valley.
• Defensive POY: McKenna Kelly, Berlin.