Windham takes top spot over Exeter in first NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll
When the teams battled on the field in last year’s Division I title game, it was the Exeter High School field hockey team that squeaked past Windham.
When the teams battled on the field in last year’s Division I title game, it was the Exeter High School field hockey team that squeaked past Windham.
This time, it was the Jaguars returning the favor in the first NHHSSports Field Hockey Coaches Poll.
Windham, which saw its streak of three straight D1 titles snapped last year by Exeter, picked up fewer first-place votes, but had more overall to edge the Blue Hawks by just two points. The teams will have the chance to settle it on the field early in the year, when they meet at Windham on Sept. 7.
Coming off its best season as a program, Bedford took the No. 3 spot while Dover and Souhegan tied for fourth.
Portsmouth, the defending D2 champ, starts the second half of the top 10 with Winnacunnet right behind at No. 7. Bishop Guertin came in eighth and John Stark ninth, while Pinkerton, which missed the playoffs last year, is 10th.
Bishop Brady got the most votes of any D3 team and finished just outside the top 10. Stevens and Newfound, which were both D3 semifinalists last year, also received votes.
Here is the NHHSS Field Hockey Coaches Poll for the preseason. These are the top 10 field hockey teams in the state, with first-place votes/points (T=tie) and last year’s record.
- Windham (15-3-1), 59 (3)
- Exeter (18-1), 57 (4)
- Bedford (16-2), 39
- T-Dover (11-7), 34
- T-Souhegan (13-2-1), 34
- Portsmouth (16-1), 32
- Winnacunnet (13-5), 31
- Bishop Guertin (11-5-1), 27
- John Stark (11-3-1), 21
- Pinkerton (4-8-4), 11
Others receiving votes: Bishop Brady (14-5), 9; Londonderry (8-8-2), 8; Concord (10-6-1), 6; Derryfield (5-10), 4; Hollis Brookline (6-9), 3; Goffstown (12-7), 2; Stevens (11-5-1), 2; Oyster River (9-6), 2; Newfound (12-3-1), 1; Hanover (13-1-1), 1; Keene (6-10-1), 1.
The coaches poll is voted on by coaches from around the state, as well as members of the media. The poll will be posted on Mondays during the rest of the regular season and playoffs. If you would like to sponsor the coaches poll, send an email to nhhighschoolsports@gmail.com or go here.
