It was celebration time for Hollis Brookline last fall as the Cavs captured the Division II title. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

They were state champions a year ago, making history for Hollis Brookline field hockey.

What’s next for the Cavaliers, who went 18-1 a year ago?

Business as usual, as everyone is starting the season on an even playing field.

“A big key to our success will be the ability to execute our set plays under pressure,” Cavs coach Greg Cochrane said.

The Cavs, Souhegan, and Bishop Guertin have been the area’s best programs over the last few years, and that certainly should be the case again this year.

Here’s a look at the locals, who open up their seasons or have already this late part of the week:

DIVISION I

Bishop Guertin had a good 11-win regular season – the only Division I local to make the postseason – before it ended with a tough quarterfinal loss at Keene, with whom the Cards have developed quite a rivalry. This year the BG seniors will try to guide a young team, especially goalie Ayla Saeturn, forward Addison Daddona and midfielder Carly Green. Also key are junior defender Lola Dumont and midfield/defense Sophia Harrington.

“We’re excited for the season ahead with a young team and many new faces at the varsity level,” Cards coach Dakota Bilodeau said. “We’re looking forward to seeing our players grow, develop, and rise to the occasion as the season progresses.”

Nashua South has small numbers, “but they are making up for it with work ethic,hustle and positivity,” Panthers coach Ciki McIntire said.

Four seniors will lead the way: forward Keegan Dolan, midfielder Wylie Hart, goalie Meury Navarette and defender Meenu Dwaraka. Also keep an eye on sophomore forward Sofia Forti.

The Panthers, McIntire said, “put in a ton of work in the off season. … We have a great group of kids who are starting to mesh together and are excited about the upcoming season.”

Nashua North may be turning the corner. The Titans pulled out a 2-1 scrimmage win earlier this week over Pelham, which for a winless team the last couple of seasons is a feat.

“The team is starting to find strong offensive connections,” head coach Katlyn Previte said, “and show more aggression in front of the goal. It’s so exciting to see the growth.”

Junior Maddie Dratch has improved at midfield, while senior Savanna Basford mans the defense along with Lauren O’Neil and Leah Flannery. That’s in front of senior goalie Anya Seo, who is backed up by freshman Sophia Wine.

“Our passing and connections are improving with each game,” Previte said.

Merrimack has its eyes on getting back to the post season. “We see playoffs in our future this year,” Tomahawks coach Courtney LeFrancois said.

The offense will be led by young players, attackers Allie Wyand (sophomore) and Grace Massey (freshman). But there’s senior midfielder Jackie Hayes to direct traffic. Defensively, sophomore Jocelyn Theriault and senior Liv Mitchell will work in front of junior goalie Annabelle Cassetty.

“We’ll be successful this year if we can find the back of the net,” ‘Hawks coach Courtney LeFrancois said. “Grace and Allie will be the key to our scoring success this year. Annabelle Cassetty will be holding down and running our defense.

“We have a great bench this year which will allow us fresh legs, giving our key players a break, and keep our momentum going.”

Going, they hope, all the way to the postseason.

DIVISION II

The Cavs lost some keys to graduation, but have some familiar names back, including senior midfielders Brooke Bouchard and Ashley Disco, plus senior forward Caroline Crawford.

Junior forward Anna McGuirk as well as sophomore defender Paige Shirley in front of junior goalie Maddie Barich are also big keys.

Souhegan (11-5 regular season) meanwhile, also has some familiar names back, but the Sabers did lose a lot, with just seven back from last year’s roster. Still, skilled midfielders Ori Dart, Eme Godin, and Avery Wyborney will be huge on offense along with junior forward Ella Russell. Amelia Warecki, a senior, will be in goal.

“We only return seven, but we’ll be very competitive this season,” Sabers coach Kelli Braley said. “We’re lucky to have the youth and sub-varsity programs we do making it easily for us to reload a deep roster coming into the 2025 season.”

Milford has a new coach, Amy Perkins, who played for former Hollis coach/AD Vicki Parady-Guay. After a tough non-tourney season last year, the Spartans are looking to rebound and show some progress this year.

That push will be led by senior forward Willa Audley, senior goalie Violet Renda — both excellent leaders/communicators — and junior midfielder Paige Bernier.