BOYS

HANOVER

Coach: Sean Murphy (1)

Last year: 7-8

League: NHIAA Division II

Returnees: Seniors — Jack Gardner (M), Brendan Kwaku (A). Juniors — Caleb Buskey (M), George Dominiak (D), Devon Pleger (G/M), Mateo Trimble (M), Jack Wilkinson (LSM). Sophomores — Wynn Bushell (M/A), Schuyler Clapp (M), Henry Cotter (G), Keegan Murphy (D), John Scherer (A).

Newcomers: Juniors — Blake Bouchard (M), Veer Patel (M), Wyatt Seelig (A/M). Sophomores — Noi Larusson (D), Tanner Longmoore (D). Freshmen — Sam Bagatell (A), Casper Besana (M), Noah Gregorio-de Souza (A), Jack Meyers (M), Phineas Roy-Ollie (D), Liam Wager (M).

Analysis: Gardner is an all-around standout but scoring is likely to be a problem for the Bears. Still, Murphy is optimistic. “The learning never stops with this group,” he said. “We’re continually seeing tremendous progress.” The Bears finished ninth out of 20 teams in the division last spring and lost during the playoffs’ first round. Declining numbers from the feeder programs on up have diminished a program that finished 11-4 in Division I during 2019 before dropping down a level.

HARTFORD

Coach: Grant Whiteway (6).

Last year: 17-2

League: Vermont Division II

Returnees: Seniors — Joseph Barwood (A), Austin Guilbault (G), Nic LaRose (LSM), Gavin Provost (M), Justin Robinson (M), Emmet McReynolds (M), Connor Tierney (D), Blaine Gour (M). Juniors — Cole Withington (D), Brayden Trombly (M), Ryan Spaulding (A), Bryce Soboleski (M), Brody Tyberski (M), Lochlan Park (D), Jack Moody (M), Ezra Mock (M), Evan Lynds (LSM). Sophomores — Cavan Benjamin (M), Nicolas Daniels (M), Austin St. Peter (M), Colby Tierney (D).

Newcomers: Sophomores — Logan Caffrey (A), Graham Thompson (G), Owen Mock (M), Tyler Spaulding (A).

Analysis: “We bring back veteran leadership and athleticism through our defense and midfield,” Whiteway said, noting that returning attackmen Barwood, who scored eight goals during last year’s playoff semifinal victory, and Spaulding were 2022 standouts. Seven seniors were lost from last year’s team, among them goaltender Tarin Prior, who will be tough to replace for a program that’s 0-5 in state title games. Hartford is 73-27 the past six seasons.

LEBANON

Coach: Cole Flannery (4)

Last year: 10-5

League: NHIAA Division III

Returnees: Senior — Alex Blish (D). Juniors — James Barnett (G), Ben Twarog (A), Danny Keefe (D), Chase Adams (D). Sophomores — Otto Bourne (M), Bode Price (M).

Newcomers: Seniors — Alex Ellis (LSM), Trey Irizarry (D). Sophomores — Luke Engert (M). Freshmen — Benji Madory (A), V.J. Sites (A), Ben DiRenzo (A), Dylan Cannon (G), Abe Pearson (M), Evan George (M), C.J. Gogan (M), Miles Saunders (M), Noah Lahaye (A).

Analysis: The Raiders lost 13 seniors to graduation and several other starters have left the program, leaving 19 in the program, nine of whom are freshmen. “Luckily, this year’s freshmen class is more skilled and athletic than any we’ve gotten since I’ve been with the program,” said Flanneyr, whose team fell in the quarterfinals last spring. He touts Barnett, Keefe and Bourne as players to watch.

“While we’re undoubtably in a rebuilding year, I expect many of our new players are going to make an impact,” Flannery said. Lebanon is 45-103 during the past decade and last season was its first winning season since 2012.

STEVENS

Coach: Harrison Urda (2)

Last year: 0-14

League: NHIAA Division III

Returnees: Seniors — Savannah Cole (M), Ashley Michaud (A), Atticus Rozzell (D), Kaden Thyne (M), Patrik Fredette (A). Juniors — Ethan St Amant (A), Landon Norton- Avery (M), Tyler Christian (D), Jackson Fellows (A), Brayden Rostron (D). Sophomores — Barrin St Sauveur (D), Austin Simineau (M), Steven Rheume (D), Oakland Hemingway (G), Connor Premo (A/M).

Newcomers: Seniors — Cedric Allen (M), Jai- Lique Ribeiro (M), Aiden White (M), Trystan Lane (M). Junior — Aiden Barry (M/D). Freshmen: Maddox Pope-Lee (M), Jayce Aldrich (D).

Analysis: Norton-Avery and St. Amant are scoring threats with Christian and Rozzell players to watch defensively.

Hemingway returns for a second campaign in net. Urda became the program’s fourth coach in as many season and their fifth in six years, so his return brings rare stability.

The Cardinals have suffered six consecutive winless season and nine such campaigns during the last 11 years, resulting in a 3-142 record during that time.

“This is a hard-working team that has added athletic kids and has the mindset to win some games,” Urda said.

WOODSTOCK

Coach: Brandon Little (14)

Last year: 7-8

League: Vermont Division I

Returnees: Seniors — Will Coates (A), Willy Underwood (M). Juniors — Griffin Piconi (A), Jaedon Beardley (M), Sam Hambsch (M), Owen Kross (D), Bode Wood (M), Jacob Roth (M). Sophomores — Mark Van Der Schoot (M), Caeden Perreault (M/LSM), Reid Allegrtti (A).

Newcomers: Senior — Trey Jones( M). Juniors — Cormac Farrell (D), Lucas Morgan (D), Ezra Lockhart (D). Sophomores — Levi Hally (M), Joseph Sluka (M). Freshman — Rowan Larmie (G), Asher Emery (M).

Analysis: Woodstock stumbled a bit last spring, losing in the quarterfinals after making the semis two of the past three campaigns. The Wasps are the smallest school in Division I, however, annually declining a chance to play down a level, where they’d be regular title threats. Woodstock is 46-17 the past four seasons.

GIRLS

HANOVER

Coach: Sarah Martin (4)

Last year: 13-4

League: NHIAA Division II

Returnees: Seniors — Kali McDonnell (A) Sadie Higgins (D/M), Reilly Loughman (D), Lauren Eiler (A), Ashley Cotter (A), Mia Madden (D/M), Emily Perras (A). Juniors — Nina Marshall (D), Lexi Feldman A), Maeve Lee (A/M), Erin Kirkpatrick (D). Sophomores — Eva Bell (A), Nora Bradley (D), Maggie Higgins (A/M), Charlotte Robinson (G), Hannah Gardner (G).

Newcomer: Rachel Kohl (D).

Analysis: The Bears finished second in the division during the 2022 regular season but bowed out in the playoff semifinals. Hanover is 30-17 under Martin, a former Dartmouth College assistant coach. She highlights McDonnell and Perras as strong offensive players and notes the team returns three defenders. “We have a lot of speed and tremendous hustle and work really hard,” Martin said, noting a pair of Division I opponents were added to the schedule.

HARTFORD

Coach: Heather Hartford (6)

Last year: 16-0

League: Vermont Division II

Returnees: Seniors — Ella Perreault (D), Shannon Hadlock (D), Alice Piper (A). Junior — Addison Caldwell (M/A). Sophomores — Madison Barwood (M), Martha Crapser (A), Audrey Rupp (M/D).

Newcomers: Seniors — Jillian Bushee (A), Bella Boeri (M/A). Junior — Dakin Kovatch (G). Sophomores — Izzy Sirois (M/D), Gabby Gilbert (D). Freshmen: Braelyn Park (M/D), Zoe Zanleoni (G), Nella Bowen (A),

Analysis: The Hurricanes are in rebuilding mode after winning their first state title but losing 16 seniors to graduation. The lack of an experienced goaltender could be problematic, but Hartford is 62-23 under its eponymous coach, whose teams are always organized. The Hurricanes have reached at least the semifinals the last five seasons. Perreault, a White River Valley student, has committed to NCAA Division III Bard (N.Y.) College. The Raptors could use help — they’re 34-112 during their last 10 full seasons.

LEBANON

Coach: Sarah Ecker (28)

Last year: 9-6

League: NHIAA Division III

Returnees: Junior — Madison Jewell (M), Amanda Brooker (D). Sophomore — Drew Kantor (G).

Newcomers: Seniors — Kylie Benson (D), Delaney DeShane (M). Juniors — Hadley Rich (M/A), Abigail Ripley (M/A), Lindsey Stark (A). Sophomores — Norah Burns (M), Lucy Eshbaugh (D), Tori Plays (D). Freshmen — Abigail Auch (9), Sara Forman (M), Audrey Newton (M/A), Bella Orion (D), Caroline (D).

Analysis: Ecker tabs Forman, DeShane and Ripley as newcomers to watch and is excited by having 35 players arrive for tryouts. “The future of the entire program is on a positive trajectory,” she said. The 2022 Raiders lost their last four games and exited in the playoffs’ first round, then lost 14 seniors to graduation. The program is 47-43 during the past six seasons.

WOODSTOCK

Coach: Amanda Hull (8)

Last year: 7-6

League: Vermont Division II

WOODSTOCK

Coach: Amanda Hull (8)

Last year: 7-6

League: Vermont Division II

Returnees: Seniors — Audrey Emery (G), Lily Gubbins (M), Isabel Konijnenberg(M), Emma Allegretti (D). Juniors — Skye Cully (A), Gracie LaPerle (M), Claudia Shoemaker (M).

Newcomers: Juniors — Hannah Gubbins (D), Lila Beckwith (M), Maggie Mello (M), Mikayla Myers (D). Sophomore — Kassidy Haley (M). Freshmen — Aleksandra Cirovic (D), Maeve Roylance (M), Fiona Piconi (A).

Analysis: Hull, who stepped down after the 2021 season, returns to lead a program that’s gone 21-51 since reaching the 2017 state title game. The Wasps lost nine seniors to graduation after last season. Gubbins has won state titles in field hockey and ice hockey during the current school year.

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