For the first time in a few years, the girl’s lacrosse landscape feels settled.

The season was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, impacted by the pandemic in 2021 and restructured by the switch to a state-wide, four-division format last year.

This season brings familiarity with the new system, and the focus shifts towards the typical player and coach turnover that occurs annually. Still, many familiar squads are projected to have long postseason runs.

Westwood is the defending Div. 1 state champion, defeating Wellesley 16-1 in the title game. The Wolverines lost significant talent from last season, but some key returning players are seniors Ava Connaughton, Lil Hancock, Kella McGrail and goaltender Riley Harrington.

“I think we have a lot of returners who know what it takes to get to the state championship and the amount of work it takes, and then newcomers who are ready and willing and everyone’s trying to find their spot,” Westwood coach Margot Spatola said. “I think what we’re working on right now is really kind of finding our flow and working together.”

Wellesley is looking to avenge the championship loss and relying on a mix of proven veterans and unproven underclassmen to fill the hole created by five graduated seniors. Coach Steve Balter listed sophomore Kaitlyn Fuller, and seniors Jess LaPlaca and Taylor Read as players he expects to have impactful seasons.

“We want to get better every day and we want to be playing our best lacrosse in June and be the best version of ourselves,” Balter said. “It’ll be exciting to see that because we are not only young, but also an interesting mix and a lot of talented kids.”

Some other programs to watch in Div. 1 are Franklin, Central Catholic, Lincoln-Sudbury, Walpole and Concord-Carlisle.

In Div. 2, Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) remains the team to beat after outscoring teams 76-11 in tournament play to take home the championship. The team graduated five key seniors but expects significant contributions from sophomore Emma Connerty, and seniors Alexa Kenney, Reilly Walsh and goaltender Maggie Donahue.

“We’re definitely young,” coach Meredith Frank McGinnis said. “We’re trying to fill leadership roles and figure out adjustments on the field and strategy and are taking it day by day.”

Other teams to watch in Div. 2 are Duxbury, Wayland and Bedford.

In Div. 3, Medfield and Cohasset played to a competitive 11-9 state final that went the way of the Warriors. Medfield’s quest to defend will feature many new faces, as the team looks to replace 11 seniors, but seniors Alex Blake and Chloe Shield, along with juniors Alex Proefrock and Kelly Blake, will lead the way.

“The amount that we’ve grown in two weeks, I can only imagine how much we’re going to grow over the season,” Medfield coach Mary Laughna said. “I’m feeling pretty good about this team and how well they’re learning things and how well they’re starting to put things together.”

On the other side is Cohasset, which has a new head coach in Billy Bitter, and a group of veterans, including goaltender Aizza Chase, Kara Fulton, Reese Hansen, Avery Regan, Alexis Donovan and Laney Larsen, looking to improve on last season.

“Catching and throwing and doing it sort of without mistakes is something that these girls have done a nice job at,” Bitter said. “Chemistry wise, a lot of these girls have been playing together for a couple years and kind of know each other’s tendencies, when to get through one another.”

Other teams to look for in Div. 3 are Weston and Newburyport.

The Div. 4 final saw Dover-Sherborn defeat Manchester-Essex. However, semifinalist Sandwich is looking to take a step up after reaching a state semifinal for the first time in program history. Leading the charge for the Blue Knights will be Ryann Cobban, Riley Morrison and five other returning starters from last season.

“We’re a very balanced team with seven out of 12 returning starters for me,” coach Kelsey Beaton said “That was the furthest that Sandwich lacrosse has ever made it and it’s great to have had so many kids be present for that and get a feel for it. It shows them that they can do it, because they did do it.”

Another team to watch in Div. 4 will be Nantucket, which also fell in a state semifinal.

Alex Blake (Medfield)

Kelly Blake (Medfield)

Alexa Kenney (Notre Dame Academy)

Reilly Walsh (Notre Dame Academy)

Ava Connaughton (Westwood)

Riley Harrington (Westwood)

Lil Hancock (Westwood)

Bailey Lower (Nantucket)

Brigid Welch (Walpole)

Charlotte Wymes (Bishop Feehan)

Ella Szymanski (Newton South)

Ellie Wall (Duxbury)

Emma Dacey (Hopkinton)

Jamie Tanner (Franklin)

Kaitlyn Carney (Franklin)

Laney Larsen (Cohasset)

Kara Fulton (Cohasset)

Maddie McDonald (Norwell)

Ryann Cobban (Sandwich)

Kaitlyn Fuller (Wellesley)

Jess LaPlaca (Wellesley)