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Souhegan, Merrimack, BG hope to continue field hockey success

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Sep 21, 2020

Telegraph photo by TOM KING Souhegan's Catie Summers, left, celebrates the second of her two goals in Friday's 4-1 season opening win over Pelham. The Sabers, who reached the finals last year, should be title contenders again in Division II.

There are the haves and have nots in local high school field hockey, and that classification may not change for too many this fall.

Souhegan made it to the Division II finals a year ago, while Merrimack and Bishop Guertin were both in the Division I semis. They all figure to be contenders again.

But remember, it’s an open tournament, an abbreviated season with teams having just a handful of games and a spaced out schedule, so anything’s possible.

Here’s a look:

DIVISION I

The Cardinals (11-6) enjoyed tourney wins over Bedford and Winnacunnet before falling to eventual champion Windham in the semis last year.

Their season is delayed until they visit Bedford on Oct. 3 due to possible COVID-19 exposure, but they have some talented key players back from last year, including but not limited to seniors Brooke Yabroudy (forward), Lindsay Hult (midfield) and Liv Hlebichuk (defense), plus junior midfielder Rylee Bouvier.

“We’re very fortunate to bring back a core group of experienced girls along with a bunch of newcomers,” first year BG coach Erica Chareth said, “making for a strong, taltented team.

“Athleticism is our biggest strength, allow us to run the field with our depth.”

Merrimack, meanwhile, went 10-7 last year but was tourney tough in making the semis for the second year in a row with a big quarterfinal upset of Pinkerton before falling to Concord. They have some familiar names in senior midfielders Erin Knauer and Chloe Kapsembelis. Watch junior forwards Paige Rivet and Kailey Daddona, plus senior defender Gillian Waller.

“Even though the season is abbreviated, we feel lucky to play, especially for our seniors,” Tomahawks coach Ann MacLean said.

Nashua South is looking to improve from winning only a couple of games last season, and have some key players in senior goalie Courtney Tello, senior forward Christina Menke, senior midfielders Audra Robinson and Amy Marison, plus junior forward Kaitlyn West.

“We have a great group of hard workers who are excited to be there and are doing everything possible to improve,” Panthers coach Ciki McIntire said. “We’re hopeful we will have a healthy, successful season.”

As for Nashua North, Ruppy Hailey’s Titans have nowhere to go but up after an 0-14 year. Keep an eye on senior forwards Lauren Shaw and Kenzie Smith, junior forward Reagan Belanger, junier Kaylyn Crear and sophomore Ava Soucy at midfield, and junior Madilyn Phillips on defense in front of junior goalie Madi Goulet.

“Everyone is convinced we’re moving in the right direction,” Hailey said. “We’ll be relying on some younger players to make an immediate impact but we hve a good mixture of veterans to help lead the way.”

DIVISION II

Souhegan is already off to a good start with its convincing win over Pelham this past weekend, and are deep, returning eight from last year’s 14-3 team that fell to Hanover in the finals last year.

Leading the way are senior midfielders Catie Summers (two goals Friday) and Abby Robinson, senior defenders Rachel Mazur and Hannah Radelunas, junior forward Cali Bishop, and goalies Hannah Kohlenberger (junior) and Annie Raduazzo (sophomore). They split time in the opener.

“A huge benefit to us in the shortened season is the number of returners we have,” Sabers head coach Kelli Braley said. “We’re more determined than ever to get back to the championship game and win it.”

Hollis Brookline put up plenty of scoring in its season opening win over Milford, which is a great sign. They got scoring from Delaney Weimer, who had two goals. Offense could also come, as it did in the opener, from Kaitlyn Castriotta, Sam Croteau, Valerie Labak, Ann Marie Trembly, and Allie Wood. A team to watch.

Milford, despite that tough loss, will look to improve on a 2-12 year behind four seniors: Hallie Gagnon, defense; Erin Jasper, defense-midfield; Ariana Ercoline, forward and Samantha Sullivan, forward.

“Each of them,” Spartans coach Katy Kolasinski said, “will be providing some leadership to a growing team. This season gives us the opportunity to really focus on fundamentals with greater practice time between games.”

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