Hollis Brookline enters this season as two-time defending Division II champions, winners of 38 straight games. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

It was quite a postseason a year ago in high school girls soccer locally.

We two classic tourney games involving Nashua High School North,which eventually fell in the semis. And Hollis Brookline completed its second straight 19-0 championship season, taking a 38-game winning streak into the fall of 2025. Also, in Division IV, welcome back to Wilton-Lyndeborough, which hasn’t had a varsity program in three years but built it up by competing the last year on the JV level.

It could be quite an eventful two-plus months, as the season openers for most locals are Thursday and Friday:

DIVISION I

The Titans edged Nashua South in overtime in the prelims last fall, then stunned Bishop Guertin in penalty kicks in the quarterfinals before bowing to Winnacunnet in the semis. It was North’s best season ever, and now the question is, what do they do for an encore?

Whatever they do, they’ll do with small numbers that likely mean no JV team and no injury insurance.

But they have two players no one else has – seniors Sarah and Alli Frye. Sarah floats between defense and midfield, while Alli plays more up front as a midfielder. Other key players are senior Katie Azevado (defense/midfield) plus sophomores Maja Ray-Hokanson (all over, from defense to striker), and Rosie Clark (defender).

“Our roster may be small, but this group is full of strength and determination,” Titans coach Jacqueline Thompson said. “Last year we proved that numbers don’t define success, and we’re ready to do it again.

“With experienced returners and a talented group of newcomers, the team brings versatility, energy and excitement to the field.”

Nashua South lost five four-year starters to graduation, but were deep enough to bring back some experienced talent.

“We have a strong group of underclassmen ready to step up and fill those shoes,” said Panthers coach Curt Dutilley, whose team lost in overtime to rival North in the first round of the Division I tourney.

Junior goalie Corinne Rivera, sophomores Carly Benzekri (defender), Auden King (midfielder) and Natalie Thomas (striker) are keys, along with junior striker Ella Bois, senior defender Kendall Renzi and freshman midfielder Julia Stutz. You see how young this team s, which bodes well for the future. This year, Dutilley feels it will take four to five games for the team to develop.

“We have a good balance of talent across all positions, with a good mix of youth and experience,” he said. “The keys to the season will be overall healthy and patience in the development process …”

Bishop Guertin had the top seed a year ago at 14-1-1,and return talent from that squad that should make the Cards a contender again. It starts with defense, and that starts with senior Hadley Comeau returning. “Comeau’s experience and leadership will be instrumental in the success of the team,” said Cards coach Chris Millett, who works with technical director and former head man Winston Haughton. There’s also rising sophomore Paige Gabriel and senior Maddi Long.

Offensively, junior Zoe Horton-Sousa will set the pace. Other key players include versatile junior Emerson Brown, sophomore midfielder Kareena Sondhi, junior defender Grace Bennett, and promising freshmen Mila Marques and Sierra Mercier.

“We’ll work together towards a successful season,” Millett said.

Merrimack has missed the playoffs the last couple of years and is anxious to get back under new head coach Brian Holbrook.

Scoring could come from junior forward Faith Sullivan, and midfielders Danielle Ganley (senior), Sarah Ganley (junior) and Hailey Holbrook (sophomore). Senior Lily Sullivan and sophomore Avery Rigoli will anchor the defense.

“We have a young and versatile team that I think will surprise some people this year,” Holbrook said.

The Broncos, meanwhile, went winless last season but have an experienced coach in Kevin Brassard, back for his second year. There’s nowhere to go but up, but the climb with a young team is challenging.

“With six upperclassmen in the program, we are going to need our younger players to get up to speed quickly so we can compete,” he said. “There are a few very strong teams in the division.”

Three seniors will be important: Anna Murphy (defense), Samantha DaSilva (defense) and Haylie Christman (midfield).

DIVISION II

The Cavaliers likely won’t be the dominant team they were for the most part the last two years, but they won’t be taken lightly, either.

“We’ll count on returning seniors to set the tone,” Clarke said, mentioning co-captains Cassidy Engle and Molly Reardon at midfield, along with fellow midfielder Marliegh Kreick and forward Rosalie Desantis. Keep an eye too on newcomers sophomore forward Livi Ward and freshman forward Cecelia Dufoe.

“While it may be a transition year, I think we will settle in and be one of the contenders at the right time,” Clarke said.

At Milford, the Spartans are looking for more offense as they played in a whopping seven ties last season – remember, there’s no overtime any longer in the regular season.

“We are looking to change that (lack of scoring) this year,” Spartans coach Scott Locasto said, “with a good core coming back and some young players with a knack to score.”

Players to watch include senior midfielders Shea Hanson and Camy Sayward, juniors Maggie Pelletier (midfield) and Maya Remella (defense), plus sophomore midfielder Kinsley Matsis. Freshman Delaney Barber will be in goal.

Souhegan had the same problem, as the Sabers, who got the last tourney spot right behind Milford, went 5-6-5. So between the two, rivals Milford and Souhegan played a combined 12 ties.

Senior midfielder Zofie Rosenield will set the tone for the Sabers. Junior forward Ava Fisher is back after some time off, while senior forward Gigi Depaula and sophomores Averie and Emmi Curran are others to watch.

“We’re heading into the fall season with great energy and confidence after a strong preseason and dedicated training,” Sabers coach Steve Hansberry said. “Bolstered by an incredibly hungry and talented group of underclassmen, Souhegan hopes to shake things up in Division II and keep the momentum going from this summer.”

DIVISION III

The Cougars are competing in a division that has a lot of new coaches but they’re not one of them.

“With a small squad of 18 players we need strong contributions from our five freshmen this year for us to be successful,” said returning coach Allen Lajoie, who says three of the five will likely start.

But key upperclassmen back included junior midfield-forwards Kaylie Geiger and Amelia LaPlante, each with 13 goals last year, plus All-State junior defender Lilli Wilson.

Nashua North’s Allison Frye celebrates her first goal with Kailee Deleo, left, during last year’s Divison I prelim round game vs. rival Nashua South at Souhegan’s Calvetti Field. Frye and the Titans, plus all the other area girls soccer teams, will open Thursday and Friday. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

DIVISION IV

The Warriors have gone from one to two subs last year on JV to 20-plus girls this year, according to coach Bjorn Flora.

“We have an amazing group of girls that are deserving of this opportunity,” Flora said.

Returnees include top scorer Caitlin Swett, goalkeeper Isabele Swett, forward Victoria Lemoyne, midfielders Molly Meehan, Brooke Hadley, Delaney Dowling and McKenna Crowse, plus defenders Aurie Nelson, Haidyn Paquette, Vanessa Lemone, and Danika Stratton.