Division II seems to have a new top-eight every season, and last year that proved true once again. 

  Things fluctuate quickly in this division of just 17 teams. When a team gets hot at the right time and finds their stride, it can carry them to a run like we saw Pelham go on last season. 

 The Pythons were an offensive machine throughout the year and had arguably one of the most challenging roads to the finals. This magical run was almost cut short in PK's against Coe-Brown. Then again in overtime against Hollis-Brookline in the semifinals, until finally capping things off with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Pembroke.

 While many of the contenders remain the same, don't be shocked if once again a new champion is crowned.

 Today in our second of four girls' soccer previews, we take a look at Division II.

 Today's Division II Preview is brought to you by our friends and partners at NHTI!

 

Division II Predicted Order

1. Pembroke 

2. Bow

3. Hollis-Brookline *

4. Coe-Brown

5. Merrimack Valley *

6. Pelham 

7. Oyster River

8. Lebanon

9. ConVal

10. Milford

*Teams were contacted but unable to respond in time for the posting of this preview

 

 The Pembroke Spartans return after a run at the title fell just a few minutes short. “Obviously if you’re going to get to the big dance you want to shoot for the moon and go for it all,” said head coach Jess Kaufman. “We are so fortunate and grateful we were able to get to that big stage. We know what it takes to get back there now.”

 This was a team that somewhat surprised people at points last season, but the Spartans solidified themselves as a true contender with some marquee wins. 

 Laila Al-Shawafi returns in net and will lead a strong Pembroke charge on the defensive end of the field. 

 Abby Shaugnessy and Mackenzie Hawkins will line up in front of Al-Shawafi and anchor the Spartan backfield. 

 Jaylin Ladd will patrol the midfield and be the connecting piece on a lot of Pembroke runs on both ends of the field. “She does so much for us,” said Kaufman. 

 A trio of offensive threats return in Carly Wood, Lindsey Jones, and Bailey Gatchell, who combined for a number of goals last season. “Those are names we should be hearing a lot hopefully,” said Kaufman. 

 Layla Thorne and Layla Amyot are two players who put a lot of work into their game over the offseason. The newcomers to the varsity level also will provide a spark and fill some holes for Pembroke. 

 “We have some good things going on,” said Kaufman. “There are some new young players and some veterans who have been with us for some time.” 

 The Spartans understand a championship is not won in one day. “I think I talk a lot with them about not having all the questions answered right now,” said Kaufman. “We realize it is a process. The first game you won’t have everything figured out.” 

 Pembroke should be right back in the mix once again this season, and have the experience and talent to make it one step further this year. “We really rose to the occasion last year,” said Kaufman. “The girls want to do the same again. They know what they have to do.”

 Bow was right in the mix to begin last season and should be in a similar position heading into this season as well. 

 A strong senior class has since moved on, but a strong nucleus is back under head coach Jay Vogt. 

 “We aren’t quite ready yet, but we are making progress,” said head coach Jay Vogt. “It is going to be about finding our identity.” 

 A team built off of experience and skill will now embark on a new journey with new players leading the way.

 Even with the big departure, 14 players return for the Falcons, including junior midfielder Lexi Insana and center-back Marissa Green.

 “For us to be successful they all have to be good,” said Vogt. “There isn’t one player that really stands out. They all collectively have worked hard. We just have to clear out the cobwebs.”

 This won’t be a group that surprises anyone, especially with the pedigree they possess, and with that, it puts them in the conversation of contenders in Division II. 

 “The goal is to always make the playoffs and go from there,” said Vogt. “We want to work hard, have some fun, and see what happens.”

  The head coach of Hollis-Brookline was contacted four separate times and unfortunately did not hear back from them for the purpose of this preview.

 It was a heartbreaking ending for Coe-Brown after falling to the eventual champions in PKs in last year's quarterfinal.

“The season started last October,” said head coach Josh Hils. “They were chomping at the bit to get back out there.” 

 The Bears return a trio of all-state players consisting of Somer Loto, Lily Wolf, and Bella Lapierre, who accounted for all but 7 goals last season. 

 “Offensively there is no secret everything will go through those three,” said Hils. “We have a level of depth and consistency this year that will be even better than last year.” 

 Coe-Brown returns nine juniors, with seven of them having varsity experience. This group had a chance at a Final Four appearance last season, and come into this year more mature and experienced. 

 “We improved and grew as a program last season,” said Hils. “We found what our strengths were and the style of play we had to play to be successful. We discovered our identity.” 

 Defensively Alyviah Blad, Kylie Prusia, and Amanda Thomas will hold the defensive line for the Bears. Maggie Escabi will play more of a defensive-minded midfield position, and the security she will provide will be much needed. “Maggie’s ability to be that first layer is immense,” said Hils.

 Prusia and Blad come in as seniors and will have strong voices out on the field. “They are just absolutely terrific individual defenders,” said Hils. 

 After missing all of last season with an ACL injury, Samantha Ball will rejoin the Bears lineup immediately. 

 “She has been an absolute game changer over the summer and preseason,” said Hils. “We are so excited to have her back.” 

 While the Bears are ready for redemption, they know the 16-game season can be a long one, and they are taking a slower approach to level themselves early on. 

 “Our goal right now is to win our first game,” said Hils. “Every game is going to matter, there is no easy game on our schedule. It is one game, and one goal at a time.”

The head coach of Merrimack Valley was contacted four separate times and unfortunately did not hear back from them for the purpose of this preview.

 The defending champion Pelham Pythons return a strong attack that propelled them to a title last season. 

 While the numbers on this roster are once again slim, head coach Carlos Fuertes is confident in the group that returns. 

 “The core is still there,” said Fuertes. “The team understands, we have gone through this before. We have to be in good shape and have to play smart.” 

 Lexi Brodeur really came in on in the midfield as a freshman last season. She will step into more of a center-mid role after an impactful postseason run.

 Joining her in the midfield will be freshman Khloe Letourneau, who is still adapting to her new role. “They will be very valuable for us in the midfield,” said Fuertes. 

 The big loss this season is Grace Riley, who will be sidelined with injury for the whole year. She will manage the team and still be a vocal leader for this group. 

 The freshman will really need to step in right away and be impactful. The same goes for junior Bella Furtado, who steps between the pipes for the first time at the varsity level in her junior season. “She is still raw,” said Fuertes. “But I know she will improve and continue to learn.”

 This team exploded on the offensive end last season, and while most of that production has since graduated, this is a still team that possesses firepower and has championship experience. 

 The one thing Fuertes asks of his roster of 16 is to simply work together. “It is up to the team, they know what they can do,” said Fuertes. “We can’t hide no more. We surprised teams last year, and now they know. I am expecting teams to come at us. I have faith we will be ready.”

 The Oyster River Bobcats look to build off of a solid year of growth and laying the foundation for a young and exciting group. 

 Head coach Sabrina Rivers looks forward to her second year with the program. “The team is looking really good in my opinion,” said Rivers. “Last year was about building chemistry and cohesiveness. We started to change the culture last year, and now that culture is starting to find its way into their everyday lives.” 

 A large freshman class returns a year more seasoned and experienced. They join four seniors, two juniors, and a number of freshmen that make up the Bobcat squad. “This year will be about building their confidence and getting better every day,” said Rivers.

 Senior captain Sara Camargo will be in the middle of the attack for Oyster River. “We continue to find ways to put the ball in the back of the net and I think she will be a big part of that for us this year,” said Rivers. “She is a very intelligent player. She knows how to make good runs and makes great choices on the ball.” 

 Junior Parker Keeler stepped into the role of center-back midway through last season. “This will be her first year really leading the defensive line,” said Rivers. “She has been great so far. She is finding her voice and learning to communicate. Her ability to make good choices in the air is big. We need her constituency in the back.”

 Greta Zent started the season as a right back last year, but slowly moved her way up to the midfield, where she will find herself to start her sophomore campaign. 

 “She has made a lot of strides and growth over the last year,” said Rivers. “Her physicality and quickness will help us in the middle.” 

 That area of the field is made up of mostly sophomores. “That will be a strong area for us,” said Rivers. “Definitely a lot of energy with that group.”

 The Bobcats started a blistering 7-0 last season, but things took a bit of a turn at the midway point, with some tight competition and close games that just did not go their way. 

 This team is still young but is much more experienced. The hope is to take things a step further this year. 

 “I will be interested to see the strides we make,” said Rivers. “Year two has been a lot easier. They know what the expectations are so I can push them a little harder. Getting them that experience and confidence is my focus this year.”

 Things are moving in the right direction for Lebanon. A good core of seniors graduated, but a number of starters return with a goal of getting back to the playoffs once again. 

 “The graduated girls will leave a hole,” said head coach Breck Taber. “We have a really solid core returning that will keep things moving along for us.”

 Captain Sydney Deshane, Maddie Jewell, and Sophie Longacre will lead the team as senior captains. 

 Izzy Hamilton should be in for a big year as a senior as well. From there, most of the team is made up of sophomores. 

 “I am expecting them to play a lot more minutes than last year,” said Taber. “They did play quite a few already. That year of experience helped a lot.” 

 Joining that mix will be transfer Peyton Rutherford. “She can be a real player for us,” said Taber. “She plays in the back but can play in the midfield if need be. I think she can make a big impact.” 

 Sophomore Maezie Angles will take over in between the posts for the Raiders. “She has a very good foundation,” said Taber. “I think she will step in nicely.” 

 Taber is still tinkering with combinations and different formations early on. “Right up the middle we will be really solid,” said Taber. “We have good speed on the outside that we need to take advantage of.” 

 Putting the ball in the back of the net was an issue a season ago, and the hope is a more conscious effort of crashing the net and using their speed to their advantage will change their fortunes this season. 

 “If we can attack with numbers and capitalize that will be key,” said Taber. “If we can do that we will be in pretty good shape.” 

 If the younger players can develop like they project to, the Raiders can be in playoff contention once again this year.

 “I don’t know if we will surprise anybody but I don’t think anyone overlooks us anymore,” said Taber. “If Lebanon is on your schedule you know you are in for a pretty good test.” 

 ConVal comes into the season as playoff hopefuls. Head coach Hagen Wegmueller takes over the program and is looking to make immediate change from day one. 

 “The enthusiasm is what I am looking forward to,” said Wegmueller. “I want to change the whole community support for the girls and not have them take second place.” 

 A core of juniors make up this team and have made a name for themselves on the defensive end early on in the preseason and the midfield is coming along nicely. 

 “The hope is to build it out from there,” said Wegmueller. “We are really focusing on possession. We want to work on build out and possessing the ball. Getting the ball through the midfield instead of bombing it over the top.” 

 Top-point-getter Allie Burgess returns and looks primed for another big season, as she will be a good starting point to build the attack up for this group.

 There is still work to do, but the excitement and commitment have been evident early.

 “I am just thrilled that they showed up and gave up a lot of time over the summer,” said Wegmueller. “It tells me they are into it. Our goal is to make the playoffs. We are definitely good enough to do it, but it will take some work.” 

  It will be a new look Milford Spartans team on the pitch this season after graduating 10 seniors, many of whom were starters. 

 After a tough quarter-final loss to runner-up Pembroke, the Spartans will look to use that as fuel. “That loss is still on the minds of many,” said head coaches Betsy Hansen and Russ Matthews. 

 Six incoming freshmen will join the squad, and early on Maya Ramella and Maggie Pelletier have been making a case for early minutes this season. 

 Seniors Keely Giordano, a top defender for Milford, and Alina St. George, a top returning goal scorer, return to lead the group alongside fellow senior Ava Kyrcki who will be an impactful forward. 

 The junior class is a strong one and includes captain Claire Cote who is a good playmaker up front. Haleigh Lloyd is currently sidelined with injury but is projected to be a commander in the midfield. 

 Defenders Lulu Maguire and Jocelyn Shaw will be significant contributors on that end of the field. Kaylee Meedzan and sophomores Cami Sayward and Shea Hansen will see good minutes in the midfield. 

 Molly Miles will step in net to take over as the full-time keeper. “She will be a commanding force in the back of the field,” said Hansen and Matthews. “We are excited to see her this season. 

 This may not be a team that hits the ground running right away but has the potential to find a real rhythm down the stretch of this season. 

 “This will be a year of growth and opportunity,” said Hansen and Matthews. “This is a division with new teams in the top six each year. We’re looking forward to it.”

 The Laconia Sachems made strides in their first season at the Division II level. Speaking of firsts, it was always head coach Bob Howe’s first year with the group. 

 There were bumps in the road, but it is a great year to build off for Howe and company. “I had to get to know the team and try to put them in the best position to win,” said Howe. “The girls also needed to get used to the increase in physicality and skill when going up a division.”

 The biggest strength this group has coming into the season is the middle of the field. First-team all-state defender McKenzie LaFlamme holds down the backline, Kathleen Carmignani controls the midfield, and scoring threat Renee Bergeron patrols the top of the field as a striker. 

 Using speed to their advantage is certainly in the cards this year with Maddie Mousseau and newcomers Ava Currier, Jaeden Rivest, and Madeline Lovely filling the wings. 

 “We believe we can take that next step and earn a playoff spot,” said Howe. “We will know how good we are quick with a strong schedule to kick off the year.”

 The experience this team gained last year will help them add a few more W’s to the win column. There is a good foundation to build off of, and the skill has certainly started to show with this group. 

 “This is the most skilled team that Laconia has had in over 10 years,” said Howe. “That would bode well in Division III, but we’re not there anymore. We have a tough schedule. I think we can be competitive, and hopefully surprise some teams.”

 Edmond Marceau takes over a consistent playoff threat in John Stark and is excited with the progress that has been made so far throughout the preseason. 

 “I am excited about this team,” said Marceau. “The whole program has been working hard and training intently. 

 A great group of seniors have been leading the way thus far. “We have been highlighting that it is a committee by team,” said Marceau. “They have all been leading cohesively.” 

 Playing with speed and their brand of soccer game in and game out has been an emphasis throughout practice so far. 

 “We want to be difficult to play against,” said Marceau. “We want to make the playoffs, and there it is a whole new season. For now, we want to keep our eyes set on one thing at a time. One day at a time is our mantra.” 

 After graduating 12 seniors, Kingswood returns with a goal of keeping things moving in the right direction. Head coach Shane Flood feels a sense of optimism coming into the season. 

 “We lost a lot of leadership and talent last year, but luckily we have three exceptional players stepping up to keep the program’s momentum moving forward,” said Flood. 

 Captains Amelia Kilmister, Madison Eaton, and Kylie Rapoza will lead the way for the Knights this fall.

 “Amelia and Kylie will play a lot of important minutes for us this fall,” said Flood. “They’re both versatile players who always bring 100 percent.” 

 Eaton, an honorable mention player in the midfield, will be sidelined with an injury to start the season but will play an important role from a leadership standpoint. 

 Sophomores Kendal Oliver and Annissa Derochers will slide back into the midfield while newcomer Taylor Allar will join the lineup as a freshman filling in for the injured Eaton. 

 “Taylor has a significant role to play starting in the ten spot,” said Flood. “It is a role she is ready to take on.”

 Junior Rowan Donavan Laviolette will anchor the defense for the Knights. “She is an impact player,” said Flood. “She brings a level of intensity to the field that elevates everyone’s game around her.” 

 Joining her on the backline will be Olivia Griffin, Marina Roy, and freshman Norah Pelletier. “It’s a tough assignment to play center back in this division,” said Flood. “Lucky for us, Norah is a tough kid.” 

 Senior Heidi Roiter will take her spot between the pipes for her final season. With a solid defense in front of her, Kingswood should have a good basis to build their attack up from. 

 Joining that attack will be freshman Saige Griffin. “Saige is a unique player,” said Flood. “She is very hard-working and humble. We are expecting good things from her.”

 The Knights missed the last playoff spot by just a point a season ago. That feeling of frustration and defeat has been a motivating factor for this group. 

 “They stayed committed during the offseason and worked hard over the summer,” said Flood. “With solid leadership and a group of talented young players behind them, this group wants to build on their success last season with a playoff run.”

 The Kennett Eagles return a young roster after graduating eight seniors, including six who started. 

 Head coach Ron Krieger is optimistic for the season ahead. "Losing the seniors was a large hit to our roster," said Krieger. "But we have some outstanding returners." 

 Senior Alisha Smart will take over the center full-back positon in her first season as a starter. 

 "She was clearly going to be our defender at some point, but she just had  a good line ahead of her," said Krieger. 

 Kendall Krieger returns as the starting center-defensive-mid. Joining her in a defensive role is sophomore Lydia Wiggins. "We are trying to push her up a bit more this year. 

 Haylee Burke is a three-year starter who can be a playmaker for this group in the midfield and Aida Wheat has been looking like a scoring threat throughout the preseason.

 The Eagles are still looking at different formations. "We are playing with things with a lot of new pieces," said Krieger. 

 This group is young, but the attitude and effort that has been on display early-on is a sign of good things to come for Kennett. 

 "They are such a good group," said Krieger. "If we win the games we should, we can potentially, with everyone healthy, surprise someone in the playoffs."

 Fraser Kirkpatrick takes over for his first year at Plymouth. “It has been great to see the progression,” said Kirkpatrick. “Every time they take to the practice field they should be getting better and that has been evident in the last month.” 

 The Bobcats want to implement a pressing, counter-attacking style that relies on good decision-making and selecting the easy pass when possible. 

 Seniors Lucie Beauchemin, Addie Elfstrom, Sydney Valenti, Emma Smith, and Delaney Comtois return to lead the charge for Plymouth. 

 Valenti takes her position between the posts and has looked impressive throughout the preseason. 

 Elfstrom will be a swift forward up front while Comtois and Smith are described as “two of the hardest workers” on the team. 

 “They put in a lot of time this summer to be ready for the season,” said Kirkpatrick. “They are both athletic and can run all day.” 

 Beauchemin, a captain with Valenti, is the heart and soul of this group and will be pegged into the backline. 

 The sophomore class is headlined by Arianne Lee, Johanna Wakefield, and Ella O’Hare, who gained valuable experience as freshmen last season.

 Lee will be in a defensive role within the midfield while O’Hare and Wakefield both possess strong ability on the attack. 

 “Johanna is a goal-scoring inside forward while Ella will be the main striker who can link everything together.” 

 Freshman Mikayla Walker, Lily Renkart, and junior transfer Devyn Williams will be able to play vital minutes right away. 

 Kirkpatrick is excited to build a strong program, and this year will be a big step in the right direction. 

 “We are hoping to get some wins in the first half of the year and then see where we go,” said Kirkpatrick. “It is all about trying to find the right blend and balance of the team. I am lucky to have such great athletes. Their soccer IQ is at such a level that they are able to adapt quickly.”

 Keene will have a bit of a new look squad after graduating 13 and returning just five. “This is a brand new group,” said head coach Shannon Summers. 

 Rylee Day returns to the center midfield spot while Jocelyn Downing will fill back into the striker position she sported a season ago. 

 Both Day and Downing come back after leading the Blackbirds in scoring a season ago, and should both be atop the charts again this season. 

 Kaylee Percoco returns as the top defender for Keene Gand Ella Scaggs will be in a scoring role on the outside up front. 

 “I am looking forward to seeing what they can do and how they build as a team,” said Summers. “We are really looking to improve and build on last year.

 The head coach of Souhegan was contacted four separate times and unfortunately did not hear back from them for the purpose of this preview.

 

Coming tomorrow: Division III