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HS Notebook: Three locals set for field hockey tourney

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Oct 19, 2021

Souhegan's Ella Barrett hits the turf going for the ball ahead o of Hollis Brookline's Hailey Arseneau (27) during the teams' season opener back in late August. They could meet again Friday if HB can upset Kennett in the Division II tourney prelims today. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

It’s tournament time.

Well, starting with high school field hockey, that is, but only three teams will be involved: Bishop Guertin in Division I, and Hollis Brookline and Souhegan in Division II.

That is so differerent from a year ago and the pandemic induced open tournament concept. Remember, last year the division tourneys were all done regionally, then the region winners would meet in the semifinals, etc.

But now, it’s back to the traditional tournaments in each division, and Hollis Brookline will be heading up to Kennett to kick things off today in Division II, while the No. 3 Sabers (14-1-1) get a first round bye and will meet the winner in the quarterfinals on Friday.

In Division I, the 11-4-1 No. 5 Cardinals of Bishop Guertin get a first-round bye, and already know their quarterfinal opponent on Saturday as they will visit No. 4 Winnacunnet of Hampton (12-4).

The Division II semis are next Tuesday at Exeter’s Bill Ball Stadium and the finals are Sunday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. at Bedford High School’s Bulldog Stadium.

The Division I semis are Wednesday, Oct. 27 also at Exeter, with the finals on Oct.31 at 11. a.m., also at Bedford.

Here’s a look:

DIVISON I

Exeter has ruled this division this season, until they fell to Windaham 1-0 last week. Still, the Blue Hawks are the top seed at 15-1, and the BG-Winnacunnet winner will likely draw Exeter (they see either Londonderry or Keene in the quarters) in the semis.

Tradition power and defending champion Windham, No. 3 at 13-2-1 and No. 2 Bedford (15-1) appear on a semifinal collision course. The Bulldogs’ only loss was to Exeter, and they beat Windham 2-1. Windham’s other loss was to Concord, and the Jags may see them again in the quarters.

How far can the Cardinals go? They tied their nemesis Windham to start the season, and then won seven straight. But a couple of injuries, etc. caught up to them and they went through a tough stretch that included a 4-3 loss to the Warriors before snapping out of it with three straight wins by a combined 10-0 margin after Exeter came to Stellos and beat them 6-1.

It’s no secret that the focus of BG’s offense is the duo of Rylee Bouvier and Taylor Guibord. They dominated the regular season in terms of scoring, and on the back side Makenne Reekie was solid in goal.

“We’re getting the kinks out, right in time for playoffs,” Cards coach Erica Chareth said. “Teams will definitely try to guard (Guibord and Reekie) because they know they’re impact players. But we have other players who step up when they need to.”

That would include players like Sophia Alton, who had two goals in the regular season finale vs. Timberlane, or Elle Butler and Mikhaila Mendell.

THE PICK: Exeter over Windham.

DIVISION II

The Sabers don’t rebuild, they just reload after a senior laden team fell to Kennett on the road in the finals, their only loss in 2020. So while they certainly aren’t rooting against fellow local HB, you’d think they’d love to see Kennett again. The two teams did not meet during the regular season, but Souhegan did edge HB 2-1 in a storm-interrupted season opener waaaay back on Aug. 30.

Souhegan’s only loss is to No. 1 Hanover (13-0-1), 2-1 in Amherst – again a while ago, Sept. 2.

Souhegan’s roadblock to a possible final is No. 2 Portsmouth, but the the Sabers recorded handed the 13-1 Clippers their only loss back on Sept. 24.

“We are definitely feeling like we aren’t finished yet,” Sabers coach Kelli Braley said. “It doesn’t even feel like the end of the season, really.

Keys for Souhegan include scorers Miya Chorney, Ella Barrett, Megan Kirk, among others, and the Sabers will look for Annie Raduazzo to stand tall in goal.

The Cavaliers a year ago fell to Souhegan in the first round of the open tourney, and came back very competitive this year. Alyssa Hill, Bella Haytayan and Hailey Arseneau are among several keys for the Cavs.

“The tournament is really going to be anybody’s game,” Braley said. “Division II has been wild this year. … It’s going to make for a fun tournament.”

THE PICK: Souhegan over Hanover

JACOB AT HIGH MOWING

Ever wonder what happened to last year’s Telegraph Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Elisabeth Jacob?

Well she’s no longer a Warrior, even though she would have been a senior at WLC. The sensational goal scorer transferred to the private High Mowing School in Wilton, which plays in the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). Jacob was a 100-plus career goal scorer with the Warriors, who are struggling at 4-10 without her, including Monday’s 9-0 loss to Sunapee.

MILFORD WINTER OPENINGS

The Spartans are seeing JV boys basketball, JV girls basketball, freshmen boys basketball and gymnastics coaches.

Interested candidates should contact Milford athletic director Marc Maurais at marc.maurais@milfordk12.org.

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