The Milford boys soccer team celebrates its Division II title last year after beating Campbell 5-4. The Spartans were slated to begin their title defense Friday vs. Pelham. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

Ah, the burden of success.

The Milford High School boys soccer team has a new head coach in Tyler VanAvery, but that doesn’t mean they had to give back their Division II state title trophy.

“Obviously the elephant in the room is can I match what the team did last year and win another state title,” VanAvery said. “With winning the state title obviously being the goal our coaching staff has set from the beginning of the summer, it won’t come easy and it will be a challenging and grueling year for the players as we have a small roster and will need the maximum effort from everyone game in and game out.”

But don’t sell the Spartans short.

In Divison I, Nashua North has a new coach in Thomas Prentice, while also in Division II,Hollis Brookline is bringing back a blast from the past to coach, former Nashua North and Cavs head coach Rick Carvahlo, after a 10 year absence. He took time off to raise a family, and now is raring to return after getting contacted by HB athletic director Brian Bumpus.

“I jumped on it,” Carvahlo said.

Most local teams are getting a jump on the new season today and Friday. Here’s a look:

DIVISION I

Nashua South, two years removed from its last championship, is hoping to get back to that level after winning seven games before losing to Pinkerton in the first round of the tourney. Key players include senior back Nirav Chenji, and a strong midfield with junior Alex Lopez, sophomore Kevin Araujo and also Michele Esposito.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Panthers coach Tom Bellen said, “but the kids are confident they can compete with the top teams.”

Nashua North, meanwhile, has a few familiar names back from a 6-8-4 team that upset Londonderry in the first round, but obviously a new system under new coach Prentice.

Four seniors are keys: Midfielders Sevastian Arango, Caleb Gelineau, and Amani Santos, plus center back Ryan Mamos.

“We’re still developing our identity as a whole and how we want to play,” Prentice said. “The players are beginning to understand their roles and responsibilities within the team, and each session brings more clarity to our style.

“As we continue to build chemistry and sharpen technically, we’re confident this group will grow into a group capable of competing at a high level.”

The Bishop Guertin Cardinals will try to up their scoring this season after just missing the tournament last year.But as always, their defense, led by senior captain and four-year varsity player Liam Ireland will be the most important factor.

Ireland will be in front of another four-year player, senior keeper Beau Boughter. You also have a three-year starter in junior defender James Guidry.

Senior midfielder Andrew Klyop and junior forward Ryan Neary are on the offensive side,as Guertin’s goal will be “limiting our mistakes and playing Cardinal style soccer,” head coach Tyler Vandeventer said.

Merrimack, meanwhile, finished fifth in Division I during the regular season last year, making the tourney for the first time in five years. There were as many as 13 seniors who would be eligible to play this year, paced by midfielder Felix Rattunde, back Nathan Johnson, midfielder Danyil Kovryzhenko, and keeper Armin Omeragic – among tons of others.

“This season looks very hopeful for the senior class,” ‘Hawks assistant Ray Juneau said. “There’s a good mix of underclassmen along with these experienced players … We’re looking forward to challenging once again for a high playoff spot.”

ALVIRNE

The Broncos hope to get back to the postseason as coach Christien DuBois is in his second year, so that familiarity should help. Seniors Adam Wibowo (midfielder), Colin Lechner (forward) and Shane Plumley (defender) will set the pace, while keep an eye too on sophomore defender Liam Walsh.

“There is great anticipation for a competitive and successful season,” Dubois said. “As my second year with this group we will be looking to build upon the culture and perormance changes made to the team last year and we are confident it can produce results.”

DIVISION II

It will be tough for the Spartans to repeat, but there’s talent on this team.

Key players include senior wing Tiegen Barb, junior midfielder Blake Stone, junior back Matt Pettingale, senior back Stephen Abair, senior back Gabe St. Onge and junior keeper Darian Bachelder. Most are familiar names.

“I’m optimistic and excited for the opportunity to coach this young team and develop not only their skills as players but my skills as a first time coach,” VanAvery said. “…I expect a great season and to shock a lot of people this year.”

Campbell, last year’s runnerup in a classic title game with Milford but the overall top seed, graduated a large senior class but Cougars coach Dan Dufourny feels he has the talent returning for another strong year, the program’s second in this division.

Senior striker Nate Roche, injured much of last year, is healthy this season. Junior midfielder Brady Marcotte will be involved heavily in the offense, scoring and assisting. Senior forwards Ethan Bellino (All-State honorable mention as a defender last year) and Christian Bellino will also be keys, along with goalie Adam Correau.

“We have high hopes for another strong season,” Dufourny said. “We have some great speed and skill on this team.”

Carvalho has some key seniors back from a 8-7-2 team, including midfielder John Constantine, forwards Chris Ledger and Andrew Desmarais, midfielder Noah Natalino and defender Leo Zwiener. They’ll be supporting junior goalie Ian Sinclair.

“Our keys are improving each day, remaining focused for full 80 minutes and pushing one another every day to get better.”

Challenging the locals in this division will be perennial contenders Oyster River and Lebanon. “They’ll make things very difficult,” Carvalho said.

Souhegan snuck in going 4-6-6 in the regular season to claim the last spot, but hopes to go further this time.

“We are eager to build on that success and make an even deeper run this time,” Sabers coach Elvis Zukovic said. “The competition in our division has grown stronger in recent years.”

Back to lead the Spartans are Andrew Duclos, Weston Hickman, Evan Bernasconi and goalkeeper Finnegan Daly. Zukovic also feels the underclassmen can help out as well.

“This group,” he said, “has the potential to once again surprise opponents and exceed expectations.”

Nashua North’s Sevastian Arango, right, hopes to be celebrating many Titan goals this season like this one vs. BG a year ago. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

DIVISION IV

Wilton-Lyndeborough head coach Dan Nelson is as enthusiastic as he’s been in a while with a lot of new players. Up front are Korey Begley and Arrion Murphy, with Charlie Mayes heading up the midfield with Tommaso Alboroghetti, Nate Gill and Josh Lord. Defensively, Vito and Vinnie Anzalone will run things from the middle.

“I think we have a great positive team this year,” Nelson said. “Lots of new faces and talent, and I’m very excited to get our first game out of the way. I believe you can feel a season within the first 10 minutes.”

That will be today at home vs. Colebrook.