Nashua South's Steve Long, Maxim Hall (12) and keeper Antonio Pancine battle Bishop Guertin's Trent Cormier on a corner kick during November's Division I title game in Manchester. Soccer and all the other non-football sports begin practice today (Monday) (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

It was the high school event of the previous school year.

Could there be a repeat?

That would be tough for both the Nashua High School South and Bishop Guertin boys soccer teams to pull off after their epic Division I title game won late in the second overtime by the Cardinals.

South has a chance to get back there with a ton of regulars returning, while the Cardinals got hit hard by graduation.

But that’s why they play the games. Here’s a look at the local Division I and II teams that either are getting their seasons underway this current weekend or will do so early this coming week:

DIVISON I

Make no mistake, the Panthers, 16-2-1 a year ago, are looking to be a serious contender.

“We’re hoping to have the same run we had last year,” South coach Tom Bellen said. “We lost a few players but are returning our core.”

That core includes senior midfielders Alex Lopez and Michael Esposito, junior forwards Kevin Araujo and Damien Rodriguez – a lethal combo last year – plus junior defender Max Hall and goalkeeper Antonio Pancine.

So again, expectations are high, but…

“We have a lot of work to do to meet those expectations,” Bellen said.

Bishop Guertin enjoyed a generational season, and lost eight seniors, all of whom played key roles. Some key names eligible to be back include senior forward Ryan Neary, fullbacks James Ellia, James Guidry, and Nick Chartier, plus midfielder Alex Haight.

Nashua North has its third coach in the last three years as last year’s mentor, Thomas Prentice, left for the Merrimack job. Sam Holdsworth, who has been a Rivier soccer assistant and works there now. Believe it or not the Titans (4-10-3, first round ouster but good run to get there) graduated the most seniors of any program – 16 – which signals a rebuild.

“Most are new to varsity soccer,” Holdsworth said, “and I’m beyond ecited to watch them adapt and incorporate the product we want to put on the field.”

Players to watch include senior keeper Justin Ayotte, senior center back Brayden Fortier, senior center midfielder Cam Thompson, plus juniors Tyson DiGiorgio at center midfield and forward Ricky Hansen.

“We hope to be entertaining to watch,” Holdsworth said. “And if we play the game the right way, it’ll only lead to good things.”

Prentice’s new team also lost a lot, in his words “a large class that made a significant impact over the past two years. This season, we we have a strong mix of talent from all four classes, with players who can contribute in any game situation.”

Keys include senior keeper Connor Boutin and defenders Noah Devine (senior) and Jackson Geer (junior). Watch too for senior midfielder Ryan Cirillo and sophomore midfielder Matt Hayes.

“With that depth, experience, and balance across the field, we believe we’ll be able to compete at a high level througout the season,” Prentice said.

Alvirne also has a new coach, Chris Burns, who was a successful coach at Tewksbury (Mass.) High School from 2014-21.

“We’re hoping to make the playoffs, we have a lot of work to do,” Burns said. “Trying to build the program while creating a culture of consistency and accountabiity with the players.”

Key Broncos include seniors midfielder Anthony Branco, forward Jacob Galindo, and defender Brayden Murray, plus juniors Liam Walsh on defense and Bismark Montano Alvarez at midfield.

“We’ll hopefully sneak up on a few teams who overlook us,” Burns said.

DIVISON II

It starts with defending champion Campbell, Dan Dufourny’s team giving its coach near heart failure winning the semis over local rival Hollis Brookline and finals vs. ConVal via penalty kicks.

But the Cougars’ fast, attacking style that had them at 16-2-1 last year could be dividends again, and graduation didn’t hurt them too badly.

“I like our chances this year,” Dufourny said. “We didn’t lose too many graduation seniors and all of our players have come back better.”

That includes senior keeper Adam Correau, senior center midfielder Brady Marcotte, senior striker Matt Decarli, and junior winger Christian Bellino.

Of course Hollis Brookline would love to get back to the semis and some feel the Cavaliers (10-6-3) can do that.

Returnees strikers James Arthur and Mark Smith, midielder Nathan Fossness, defenders Josh Barich and Logan Gormley, plus keeper Ian Sinclair are reasons why, although Cavs coach Rick Carvahlo says “We have a lot of work to do to compete with the top teams in the league.”

He’s hoping for a better start than a year ago so the Cavs can “position ourselves well.”

Milford, after the cupboard was bare a year ago following its 2024 championship season, went through the growing pains of a non-tourney season. This year might be different.

“We once again have a senior heavy roster that is ready to make a lasting impact during their last high school season,” second-year Spartans coach Tyler VanAvery said.

Among keys are seniors are keeper Darian Bachelder, midfielder Matt Pettingell and Blake Stone. Watch for juniors defender Lukas Mangum and midfielder Eben Barb.

“The aim is playoffs and to then try to make a deep run in the tournament,” VanAvery said.

Souhegan, meanwhile, is looking to get back to the tournament and will hope last year’s growing pains help.

Other contenders include Oyster River, Lebanon, and keep an eye on another Division III team that moved up this year, Manchester West.

Campbell’s Jeremy Rafuse Jr. leads the celebration after the Cougars’ 1-0 Division II boys soccer title win over ConVal at Exeter on Friday night. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

DIVISION IV

Wilton-Lyndeborough lost some key seniors from a 10-5-1 tourney team, but some younger key players eligible to come back include senior midfielder Tomasso Alboroghetti, back Vinnie Anlzalone, sophomore midfielder James Lord, among others. There’s also a new coach, former Franklin Pierce standout Aaron Sanchez, who also coaches on the club level for Hampshire United SC.