Souhegan's Maddie Lim, left, shown in last year's semis, is a key returnee to try to help lead the Sabers back to the Division II finals this season. (File photo by Joe Marchilena)

They’ve banged on the championship tropy case for the last few years, reaching the finals three times in four seasons.

Can the Souhegan High School girls field hockey team finally grab itself some hardware, and not the runnerup kind?

“We lost 10 players to graduation, including the co-offensive player of the year, our All-State goalie, and a 2023 captain (Allison Jordan) to a torn ACL in the off-season,” Sabers coach Kelli Braley said. “So the program depth that’s been a huge asset for us will need to step up.”

Last year Hollis Brookline, in its first year under coach Greg Cochrane, also made the Division II semis while Milford is hoping to stay competitive.

Bishop Guertin in Division I lost in the tourney’s second round after dramatic first round win. Other local teams are looking to take the next step; Nashua South has a good nucleus but small roster; Nashua North is seeking to finally win a game after consecutive winless seasons and now has its third coach in three years Katelyn Previte, and Merrimack also looks to bounce back from two tough years with new coach Kristen Peterson

Here’s a look

DIVISON I

Keys for the Cardinals include seniors Taylor Guibord, Lauren Redfern, Jasmine Shattuck and Kamryn Schmitt, plus juniors Maddie Harrington and Sophie Bilodeau.

“This season we have a great group of leaders who are hungry and determined,” Bilodeau said. “I’m excited to see what this does on the field as a cohesive group.”

Nashua South coach Ciki McIntire usually has a nucleus of returnees, and this year is no exception with senior midfielder Nya Musa, junior midfielder Maren Lowell, forwards Karina O’Donnell (junior) and Erin Flaherty (senior), defenders Emily Richard (junior), Rosanne Shiju (senior), plus sophomore midfielder Wylie Hart.

But there are ton of newcomers, starting with senior goalie Xiadani DeLaLima, senior defender Keira Walsh, junior forward Saige Deins, sophomore forward Keegan Dolan, plus sophomore midfielders Meenu Dwaraka and Caroline Kelly. Some names may be familiar as they’ve played other sports, including the other stick sport, lacrosse.

But the roster, McIntire admitted, is small. And the schedule makers gave the Panthers a tough test in facing two-time defending champion Exeter in the opener Monday, which resulted in a 7-1 loss.

“Our key to success this season will be staying healthy since we have such a small roster,” she said. “The team had a tremendous off-season and has improved in all aspects of the game.”

A team that didn’t have any seniors a year ago, Nashua North, now has a half dozen on the roster, all returnees for new coach Katlyn Previte: Kaitlyn Frye, goalie Abigail O’Malley, Rachel Riddell, Aarika Roy, Anabelle Watt and Sarah Weintraub. There is only one junior, Julia Saucier, but tons of sophomores and freshmen which bode well for the future. As a matter of fact, North has 13 players back from last year’s 0-16 team.

Merrimack is trying to recover from a tough couple of years, including1-15 last year. Eligible to be back this season were seniors Avery Hui, Hannah Daddona,Maya Stubbs, Ella Fong and Emma Shorette. The Tomahawks will have a freshman goaltender in Cam Bellen.

DIVISION II

Key returners for the Sabers inclue junior forward Brooke Fallon, senior midfielder/defender Sophia Merenda, and senior midfielder Maddie Lim.

Other players back include senior midfielder Carolyn Davidson, senior forward Ari Goulet, senior midfielder Samantha Facques and junior midfielder Lily Goerlich.

The Sabers are not hurting for numbers, as there are no less than 13 promising newcomers, led by freshman forward Ori Dart and freshman defender Avery Wyborney.

“We expect to still remain at the top of the division,” Braley said.

And why shouldn’t they? The Sabers began the season with a hard-fought 2-1 road win over Lebanon, and host Oyster River today.

Hollis Brookline has a tough opener at the team that ended its season a year ago, defending champion John Stark. Coach Greg Cochrane’s Cavs will be paced by senior goaltender Reagan Kline, senior defenders Ella Marcum and Meghan Park, plus junior forwards Sabrina Hill and Nya Jernberg.

Milford, which opens the season today at home vs. Lebanon, lost six to graduation but eligible to return are seniors Mairead Kirby, Maura St. Onge as well as junior Lauren Jasper and sophomore Willa Audley.

MONDAY’S GAMES

In South’s 7-1 loss, Erin Flaherty got the Panthers’ lone goal off a pass from Emily Richard. Xiadani DeLaLima had 16 saves in net while Maren Lowell, Karina O’Donnell, and Roseanne Shiju played well.

Merrimack also had a tough start, falling to Keene 7-1 while Nashua North kept things respectable in a 3-0 loss to Salem at Stellos Stadium.