HANOVER

Coach: Rob Grabill (17)

Last year: 15-2-1

League: NHIAA Division 1

Returnees: Seniors — Ty Nolon (G), Becket McCurdy (D/M), Jack Gardner (F), Jack McGrath (M), Owen Smith (D), Juniors — Carter Guerin (M), Will Guerin (M), Ryder Hayes (M), Jackson McBride (G), Alex McGrath (D), Sean Smith (M), Zach Tracy (M), Ben Woods (M). Sophomores — Charlie Forbush (M), Andrew McGuire (M), Noah Winchester (D).

Newcomers: Seniors — Ethan Munson (D), Ian Smith (M). Juniors: Sam Calderwood (F); Veer Patel (M), Ian Press (M), Nick Riess (M), Joseph Rudd. (M/B), Wyatt Seelig (G). Sophomores — Sam Ames (D), Gavin Munson (M). Freshmen — Ryan McLaughlin (M), Roan Palm (M).

Analysis: The Bears lost the 2022 NHIAA Division I title game on penalty kicks and seek to return to the semifinals for the fifth consecutive season. “We have the talent, experience and depth to make that possible,” Grabilll said. “Team chemistry is critical, and the Bears will be working hard on and off the field.”

HARTFORD

Coach: Kevin Guilbault (9)

Last year: 6- 7- 1.

League: Southern Vermont League, Vermont Division II

Returnees: Seniors — Sawyer Albrecht (M/D), Joey Beggs (D), John Cassell (D), Brody Dillon (F), Blaine Gour (G), Nolan McMahon (M), Everett Winslow (M). Juniors — Payton Bessette (M), Gabe Guillette (F/M), Matt Hayes (M/D), Lochlan Park (M/D), Bryce Sobeleski (M/D). Sophomores — Cavan Benjamin (M), Logan Caffrey (M/D), Tighe Hrabchak (M/D), Nolan Morlock (M/D), Cavan O’Brien (M/D), Sam Peckinpaugh (M), Theo Vassiliou (F/M).

Newcomers: Seniors — Gavin Provost (D), Joel Roberts (F/M). Juniors — Mason Chase (F/M), Jordan Davis (D), Owen Parker (M/D). Sophomores — Sebastian Fraser (M/D), Ben Lang (G).

Analysis: “We have a lot of experience returning this season,” said Guilbault, whose team exited in the playoffs’ first round last fall. “The work ethic and attitudes are good. We will need to get scoring production from many different players. If that happens, we should pretty good.”

LEBANON

Coach: Rob Johnstone (29)

Last year: 15-2-2

League: NHIAA Division II

Returnees: Seniors — Easton Wykes (G), Francis Calandrella (D), Duncan Green (D), Tommy Wolfe (M), Angus Hall (M), Finn Ericson (D), Andrew Dannehy (F). Juniors — Nick Brill (F), Bennett Hewett (M), Conner Chinn (D). Sophomore — Otto Bourne (M).

Newcomers: Juniors — Chase Adams (F), Zach Aldrich (G), Andrew Belk (D), Nick Engert (M), Will Katz (M), Riley Sullivan (M), Ben Twarog (M), Lucas Zaki (M). Sophomores — Nico Pentella (F), Dominic Calandrella (M).

Analysis: Lebanon captured its first state title in 30 years last season but graduated 11 seniors and seven starters, including four first-team all state players. Sorting out which player combinations and formations work most effectively will be critical. Bourne and Pentella show particular promise as new starters and the back line of Green, Calandrella and Chinn is undersized but savvy and tough.

MASCOMA

Coach: Ryan Limero (4)

Last year’s record: 12-4

League: NHIAA Division III

Returnees: Seniors — Garrett Giovagnoli (D), Zach Thompson (M), Grant Suttie (F), Rhys Roberts (D). Juniors — Cameron Jesperson-Pecor (D), James Thomas (M/F), Logan Isham (M/F) , Aidan Smith (M). Sophomores — Tanner Moulton (M), Reuben Densmore (M/F), Matt Favreau (Gk).

Newcomers: Sophomores — Andrew Prince (M), Marshall Yourke (D). Freshman: Brayden Pierce (F).

Analysis: The Royals welcome back Limero, who coached the past four seasons as a Colby-Sawyer College assistant. Limero, who played collegiate soccer at Elmira (N.Y.) College, joined the Royals in 2015, leading the team to a 23-25-2 record during three seasons. The loss of scoring star Ben Seiler will be difficult to overcome, but Mascoma has established a strong soccer culture during the past decade and the level of its play has clearly risen.

OXBOW

Coach: Andrew Fisher (4)

Last year: 1-14

League: Vermont Division III

Returnees: Juniors — Dakota Goodridge (G), Matthew Corti (D), Jeremiah Fifield (D). Sophomores — Andrew Barrett (M), Shane Morse (M), Ethan Emerson (D), Oden Schlager (G/D), Liam O’Connell (F), Jack Drugach (M), Aiden Hervey (F).

Newcomers: Sophomores — Zadian Walton (F). Freshmen — Braxton Adams (F/M), Jayden Huntoon (F/M), Logan Blake (D), William Phelps (G/D), Aristotle Williamson (M/D).

Analysis: “We look to build upon a returning core from last year,” Fisher said. “Leading scorer Andrew Barrett is one of six returning starters. A defense built behind Corti and Goodridge, both returning leaders, as well as Morse and Adams’ abilities to stretch the field should help us hold off attacks better than ever before.”

SHARON

Coach: Grayson Levy (1)

Last year: 12-3

League: Vermont Division IV

Returnees: Seniors — Jack Lloyd (M), Parker Bogardus (M/F), Caleb Benjamin (D), Sam Simone (M/F). Sophomores — Ellis Bogardus (F), Hayden Hewitt (G), Luke Miller (M), Camden Stride (D).

Newcomers: Junior — Zabrien McGee (F). Sophomores — Bryce Rikert (D), Ira Ferro (D). Freshmen — Gabe Malloy (M/D), Cole Morancy (D).

Analysis: Third-seeded Sharon won more than 10 games in a season for the first time in seven years, but was upset in the quarterfinals by White River Valley. The Phoenix graduated six players and return a strong quartet of seniors, but have a roster fluctuating around a dozen, which could be problematic. TSA reached the division semifinals 11 times and the finals five times during the 13-year reign of previous coach Rob Stainton, who departed after the 2017 season and is now in his third campaign at Woodstock.

STEVENS

Coach: Jason Stone (11)

Last year: 10-8

League: NHIAA Division III

Returnees: Seniors — Trystan Lane (M), Sam Dalke (M). Juniors — Luke Belisle (M), Jason Demars (D), Mason Ferland (M), Matt Wilmont (D). Sophomore — Connor Miller (F).

Newcomers: Seniors — Devin Genes (M), Hunter LaRocque (D). Juniors — Landon Norton-Avery (M), Rowan Brothers (D), Jackson Fellows (D). Sophomores — Maddox Foster (G), Nevin Marsh (G), Hayden Pascarelli (F), Freshmen — Josh Howe (M), Logan Minckler (D), Pat Prive (D).

Analysis: The Cardinals, who lost in last season’s quarterfinals, have their biggest turnout in years with roughly 30 players in the program, although only four are seniors. The goalkeeper position is up for grabs between Foster and Marsh, an unfamiliar situation after four consecutive seasons with standout Cooper Moote, now playing at Keene State.

THETFORD

Coach: Bob Bristol (1)

League: Vermont Division III

Last year: 4-9-2

Returnees: Seniors — T.J. Berecz (M), Jake Gilman (M), Finn Linehan (M), Nolan Pepe (M) , Aidan Keane (F). Juniors — Justin Robinson (G), Mitchell Parkman (D). Sophomores — Boone Fahey (D), Dempsey McGovern (F), Hunter Clay (M/D).

Newcomers — Sophomore: Uly Junker (M). Freshman: Xander Oshiniyi (M/F), Wyatt Polletta (M)

Analysis: With the graduation of six players and only two juniors on the roster, the Panthers will be relatively young. The future looks brighter with six underclassmen and numerous others on the junior varsity. Bristol is a former high school coach and athletic director from Washington, who retired to the Upper Valley.

WHITE RIVER VALLEY

Coach: Alex Montano (9)

Last season: 7-8

League: Vermont Division III

Returners: Seniors: Zach Armstrong (D), Robby McShinsky (F), Colin Laframboise (F). Juniors — Ben Bean (D), Finn Bailey, Tattin Griffin (M/G), Cory Darling-Salls (M). Sophomores — Baryden Russ (F), Donovan Craven (D), Hayden Mabey (M), Sonny Snelling (M).

Newcomers: Sophomore — Paul Andrade (M). Freshmen — Ty Coutre (G/M), Kelan Tlumacki (F), Lincoln Miller (M), Jacob Benoit (M), Andy Fors (D), Sawyer Morrill (D), Bennet Hanson (D), Lincoln Miller (D), Isaac Wimett (M), Matt Bangerter (M).

Analysis: After reaching back to back semifinals in D4, WRV will move up a division in 2022. The Wildcats are a young team, with 2/3 of the roster made up of freshmen and sophomores. White River Valley rely on experience and leadership from seniors Zach Armstrong and Robby McShinsky while four freshmen expected to be starters must develop quickly. Coutre has shown raw athleticism and good instincts in goal and could provide his team with its first true backstop in coming years.

WOODSTOCK

Coach: Rob Stainton (3)

Last Year: 6-7-2

League: Vermont Division II

Returnees: Seniors — Alec Smail (M), Rowan Smail (M), Declan McCullough (F). Juniors — Ezra Lockhart (M), Bode Wood (M), Jaedan Beardlsey (D) Zach Martsolf Tan (D), Ben Johnson (M), Ben McKenna (M).

Newcomers: Seniors — Joe Tsouknakis (D), Lucas Morgan (D). Junior — Django Farinas (M). Sophomore — Mark van der Schoot (M), Reid Allegretti (M), Parker Pierce (G), Ethan White (G).

Analysis: Stainton is 12-10-3 at Woodstock since leaving Sharon Academy, where the English native was 171-42-11 during 13 seasons.

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