Fall Sports

Wide open Division I tournament about to get started

Here is a look at Wednesday’s Division I preliminary-round matchups and the teams that are waiting for the winners in the quarterfinals.

No. 9 Timberlane (6-10) at No. 8 Bishop Guertin (11-4-1)

The Owls started off the year strong, winning four of their first six, but won just two of their final 10 games. Timberlane was also shut out in every loss this year, including a 10-0 loss to the Cardinals to open the regular season back on Aug. 30.
The Cardinals also had some struggles of their own to end the season, dropping three of their final four to slip to the eighth seed. Bishop Guertin has gotten consistent scoring all season from its big three of Sophie Bilodeau (21 goals, nine assists), Addison Dadonna (nine, three) and Maddie Harrington (seven, 13). That trio will look to have a big day against Timberlane, while Gabby Gillette and goalie Ayla Saeturn have led the Cardinals defensively.

No. 12 Salem (6-10) at No. 5 Winnacunnet (12-3-1)

The Blue Devils played a lot of teams tough, with six one-goal losses this season, but a four-game skid to end the regular season dropped them to 12th. Salem has looked to a trio of players for offense, including Lexi Whipple (six goals, four assists), Avery Aliberti (six, one) and Emily Young (four, two). Midfielder Maddie Beeley has also played a key role in helping the Blue Devils transition into their offense this season. Defensively, Olivia Schoenrock, Piper Dezan and Ella Whittaker have led the way for Salem while goalie Zeynep Yildirim stepped in to the position for the first time as a senior and has been solid. Averie Bolduc has also provided the defense with a spark.
The Warriors have played as well as any team in the division entering the postseason, having won seven in a row, including the final six by shutout. That includes a 1-0 win over Salem in Winnacunnet’s regular-season finale on Oct. 16.

No. 10 Windham (6-10) at No. 7 Concord (12-4)

The Jaguars clinched their playoff spot on the final day of the regular season. Windham has had a balanced attack on offense, with Ella Gallinelli (four goals, one assist), Abbie Petrini (three, two) and Sedona Lee (two, three) leading the way. Sophie Manchester (one, eight) has taken on a role of facilitator at midfield this season and freshman Emme Mulrenan (two goals) has gotten in the action offensively as well after beginning the year on junior varsity. Ella Wilkins (seven defensive saves), Jaidyn Seitzer (two) and Eliza Meuse (three) have stepped up to lead the defense.
The Crimson Tide have had an up and down season, never winning more than three in a row, but never suffering back-to-back losses either. Concord has been at its best when it can score a lot, going 7-0 when it scores more than twice. The Tide are 5-4 when scoring two goals or less, with one of those a 1-0 win over Windham on Sept. 18.

No. 11 Londonderry (6-10) at No. 6 Bedford (12-3-1)

Like Windham, the Lancers needed a win in their regular-season finale to clinch their playoff berth. Londonderry averaged 2.3 goals per game this season behind the offensive play of Alison Chambers and Ava Windisch while Sienna Schulz and Lexi Padykula have also stepped up. Goalie Molly Tharrington has come up big for the Lancers while Ava Naar, Eres Delorey and Abigail Austen have played well defensively around her.
Maddie Kiely has been the leading scorer for the Bulldogs this season, including both goals in the team’s 2-1 win over Londonderry on Oct. 14. Freshman Mary Lenti has also been a consistent scorer for Bedford while Eloise Montagano and Teagan O’Donnell have been playmakers throughout the year. Brooke Poirier and Amelia MacDonald have both been strong defensively while Ella O’Keefe has given the Bulldogs strong play at midfield.

Timberlane/Bishop Guertin winner at No. 1 Keene (15-0-1)

The Blackbirds turned the best regular season in program history, outscoring opponents 70-7 in 16 games, an average of 4.4 goals per game. Only twice was Keene held to a single goal, and one of those was in its 1-1 tie with Bishop Guertin on Sept. 30. The Blackbirds beat Timberlane 8-0 back on Sept. 11.

Salem/Winnacunnet winner at No. 4 Pinkerton (12-3-1)

The Astros cruised through the second half of the season, going 8-0-1 after a 4-3 start to the year; that stretch included a 2-1 win over Winnacunnet on Sept 23 and a 3-0 win over Salem on Oct. 9. Pinkerton has received huge contributions offensively from Jaelyn Crossman, Gwen Lee and Meaghan Shea, with Crossman setting the school records for single-season and career scoring. Shea has also been strong defensively, along with Caitlyn Lemay, Lyla Norian and Ayvree Hamilton, while Cayden Madeiros and freshman goalie Molly Kuncik have stepped up.

Windham/Concord winner at No. 2 Dover (13-2-1)

The defending champs were three goals away from having another perfect regular season, despite graduating some key players from a year ago. Since allowing six goals in back-to-back games early in September, the Green Wave have given up just five the rest of the way. Dover has recorded 10 shutouts on the year.

Londonderry/Bedford winner at No. 3 Exeter (13-3)

The Blue Hawks have been prolific on offense this year, scoring two or more goals in all but two games and averaging 4.2 per contest. Elia Bishop (18 goals, 15 assists) and Dani Caron (13, nine) have led the way offensively while getting support from Olivia Levitsky, Alexa Zaimes and Olivia Amarosa. Amalia Gloss has stepped up in goal and Dylan Valade has also been strong defensively to assists top returning defenders Emma Mohns, Poppy Schaffer and Lizzie Dello.

Preseason:

Playoff teams (12): Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Goffstown, Keene, Londonderry, Merrimack, Pinkerton, Windham, Winnacunnet.
Final four: Bedford, Concord, Dover, Exeter.
Championship: Exeter over Bedford.

Now: