At this time last year, it seemed all the cards were stacked in the Walpole field hockey team’s favor to outlast a loaded field in Div. 1.
Fourteen seniors returned from a Porkers’ team that lost for a second straight year to Andover in the state final. If they didn’t win, it would’ve marked the longest state title drought in program history (seven years).
You’d think that dethroning Andover in the state final for the program’s 13th state title would satisfy Walpole’s itch. But they’re showing head coach Jen Quinn just as much energy toward repeating.
“The ultimate goal is to win it all and it always will be,” Quinn said. “This team is all in.”
Junior forward Kate Schneider and senior midfielder Caitlyn Naughton return for Walpole as elite playmakers, while third-year starter Kendal Cusack and Sophia Fruci are defensive forces.
Franklin gave Walpole all they it handle in the state semifinals and returns most of its starters. Raena Crandall ranks among the best offensive threats in the state, as does fellow senior Haley Wernig. Senior Ella Griffin anchors a strong defense, Sawyer Whitmore returns in the midfield, sophomore forward Ella Marzullo impresses early, and goalie Devon Barry returns with big-game experience.
A fourth straight final appearance is highly possible for Andover, too. Star senior forward Bella DiFiore guides a dangerous front line, while seniors Lucy MacLean and Mia Giaimo return to a premier midfield, and senior Scarlett Glass bolsters the defense.
Bishop Feehan brings back plenty to threaten, as Sammy Logan, Penelope Leung and Bridgette McGinnis anchor a stingy defense, senior Bella Colitti leads the midfield, and Jordi Higgins and Lilly Marchand provide a scoring punch.
Central Catholic has improved around star senior Kerri Finneran. Midfielders Liz Medford and Kaleah Perham, newcomers Caitlin Milner and Olivia Moeckel, and returning goalie Ava Perrotta all look for a big year. Expectations are high in Wellesley as well, returning eight starters. Conference MVP Kayla Bohlin (midfield) is back, leading scorer Kaitlyn Uller is dangerous up front and Emily Munchak anchors the defense.
All-Scholastic Mackenzie Clarke returns for a dangerous Belmont team, while sophomore Elsie Lakin-Schultz, junior Niamh Lesnik and senior Ana Hopkins lock down on defense. Winchester showcases premier scorers Ava Paragas and Julia Legere in front of standout midfielders Ellie Keough and Sam Gal.
Lincoln-Sudbury is strong, powered by promising sophomores Emerson Acquaviva (forward), Avery Acquaviva (midfielder) and Elise Cecere. Ellie Innes and Blaire Brennan are impressive scorers, while Anna Leverone and Anna Cohen lead in the back. Acton-Boxboro is young, but junior midfielder Sarah Ryan, forward Lila Epperson, senior defender Abby Depew, and goalie tandem Charlotte DeSchepper and Fiona Onken make it dangerous come playoffs.
Natick is strong in the midfield with Sophia Ambrose and Liz Curley, as well as on defense with Gabby Pini, Gemma Close and Keira Mangan. Newton North looks to make noise with leading scorer Beckett Houston, goalie Izzy Lube-Lynch and Union-bound midfielder Macy Goodwin.
New-look Needham reloads behind senior captains Katelyn Birnbaum, Karolina Brinkhaus and Emmie Verville. Brookline returns leading scorer Clara Thibault and defensive anchor Mia DiCarlo.
Fourth-year starter Makenzie McDevitt, sophomore Ella Morgan, defender Addison Lewis and midfielder Abby MacDonald lead a tough King Philip squad. Center-back Jenna Nigro is a difference maker for Chelmsford, which also looks for big contributions from Katelyn Towne (midfield), Caroline Pitts (forward) and Jill Martin (midfield).
Much-improved Beverly looks to shine out of the Northeastern Conference behind captains Elliot Lund and Mia Bazin.
For as exciting as the Div. 1 race will be to follow, Div. 2 could top it.
Following an overtime loss to Reading in the state final, Norwood stands as the early favorite with nine starters back. Forward Shea Larkee returns after shattering the program’s single-season scoring record. Goalie Ava O’Neil is one of the state’s best, while forward Emily Spadorcia, defender Bridget Sople and midfielder Ava Hines round out an elite group.
Reigning champion Reading graduated a lot, but new head coach in Delaney Yule sees an unwavering ambition to repeat. The midfield is a major strength through Libby Quinn, Kendall Graves and Olivia Bass, and Dani Bowers is a star scorer up front.
Hingham feels ready to take the next step after a Final Four appearance. League MVP Siena Brackett, scoring dynamo Haylen Wilson and third-year starter Ryan Hallisey lead a group of seven returning starters. Similarly loaded is a Somerset Berkley team that just fell short of the state final last year, featuring standouts Emily Carr, Julie Pacheco and Ryan Crook.
Canton is a major candidate for a deep run, partly highlighted by premier offensive threats Shannon Lane, Carolyn Schiavo and Izzy Digirolamo. Nashoba Regional should contend as well with six returning starters that have shown a lot of growth.
Westwood expects to make some noise behind a big year from goalie Moira Kenneally and forwards Kate Sullivan, Charlotte DeMaio and Emilie DeMaio. Hopkinton also has a promising group of forwards, while Maddie Godfroy (defense), Zoe Adams (midfield) and Ella Fowler (midfield) lead behind them.
Masconomet threatens out of the NEC, anchored by sophomore goalie Sabrina Cafarelli, defender Savannah Stevens, forward Mia Juliano and midfielder Mia Marques. Dartmouth rebuilds a bit, but looks for big years from returners Abigail Zariv (goalie), Avery Smith, Kaelyn Zuber and Sydney Almeida.
Abbie Allen, Ipswich; Caroline Andrade, Watertown; Kayla Bohlin, Wellesley; Ellie Bouchard, Uxbridge; Siena Brackett, Hingham; Emery Cappallo, Monomoy; Mackenzie Clarke, Belmont; Abby Cotter, Sandwich; Raena Crandall, Franklin; Kacey Curran, Durfee
Bella DiFiore, Andover; Bailey Dzivasen, Uxbridge; Rachel Egan, Watertown; Kerri Finneran, Central Catholic; Kendall Gilmore, Uxbridge; Scarlett Glass, Andover; Ellie Innes, Lincoln-Sudbury; Moira Kenneally, Westwood; Abby Kent, Manchester-Essex; Shea Larkee, Norwood; Sammy Logan, Bishop Feehan; Riley Lombard, Newburyport; Caitlyn Naughton, Walpole; Ava O’Neil, Norwood; Julie Pacheco, Somerset Berkley; Ava Paragas, Winchester; Kat Quill, Sutton; Libby Quinn, Reading; Sarah Ryan, Acton-Boxboro; Carolyn Schiavo, Canton; Kate Schneider, Walpole; Khloe Schultz, Sandwich; Adrianna Williams, Watertown.