The South and the North Country will all have their fair share of contenders in Division IV. 

 Newmarket, Sunapee, Concord Christian, and Portsmouth Christian will all have their fair share of battles throughout the regular season, and once again these teams may see each other come playoff time where it will be anyone's ball game to win. 

 We saw a young Littleton team shoot to the top of the Division IV standings last year. That could be the case again, but Profile and Woodsville will have something to say about that as well. The North Country will more than likely run through one of these three teams. 

 Some top-heavy favorites are coming into the season, but the rest of the division could shake out in a multitude of ways, that is what makes the division so fun to follow. 

Today in our fourth and final girls' soccer previews, we take a look at Division IV.

 Today's Division III Preview is brought to you by our friends and partners at White Mountains Community College!

 

Division IV Predicted Order 

1. Newmarket 

2. Sunapee 

3. Concord Christian 

4. Profile 

5. Littleton

6. Woodsville 

7. Portsmouth Christian

8. Lin-Wood

9. Gorham

10. Pittsburg-Canaan

 

“The first day of preseason is my favorite day of the year,” said Newmarket head coach Andrew Dawson who starts year 14 with the program. The defending champion Mules should be in contention once again with a good core returning with even more championship experience. 

 Maggie Moore was the centerpiece of everything Newmarket looked to do on the offensive end of the field, scoring 25 goals, and was a rock-solid defender. While her presence will be missed, this was somewhat a younger group last season, and the experience they gained should translate into even better play.

 “I really can’t complain,” said Dawson. “We had a bunch of young players step up last year, especially a couple of freshmen.” 

 The backline is essentially unchanged, with three experienced seniors in the backfield. Emma Walowiak and Morgan Boucher will hold down the middle of the backfield. “They have a really good partnership,” said Dawson. 

 Haiden Joe is back in goal with her fellow seniors in front of her to make for one of the better defenses in the division. Sophomore Amaya Beckles had a great year one and should see more time as an outside defender. 

 Allison Burke is the other outside back for a strong Newmarket defense. “She is a solid defender who puts her body in the way,” said Dawson. “She is not afraid to get involved. Our defense is going to be a strength for us.”

 Amelia Raab has looked much quicker this season and will be a viable option out on the wing.

 Maiŕead Moore and AJ Mulligan were featured heavily in the midfield as freshmen. “They ended up shoring up our midfield last season,” said Dawson. “They grew and grew.”

 The lone and winning goal of last season's championship game came off the foot of sophomore Jillian Long. 

 “She has a rocket launcher for a shot now,” said Dawson. “You want to go and check the goal and make sure it is one piece after she shoots.” 

 With another title under their belt, the Mules know what it takes to raise a trophy at the end of the season. “The growth of our young midfield will be the key to the success of our season,” said Dawson. “Every game is a new day for us. We can’t look too far down the road. We have to go game to game.”

 One of the more storied programs in all of Division IV will once again be fighting for another title. The Sunapee Lakers missed out on the Final Four for the first time in a long time, and are motivated to make a run this fall. 

 “We learned a lesson,” said head coach Myles Cooney of his team's 2OT loss to Concord Christian in the quarterfinals. “Our story this year will be told through our hard work.” 

 Claire Tuohy played mainly up top last year but may do double duty with a new backline for the Lakers this season. 

 “She is a strong athlete,” said Cooney. “Very good ball-winner. I anticipate she will score a number of goals.”

 Joining Tuohy anchors a young group of forwards that includes Olive Jennings and Anya Fillipov.

 With Brynn Smith and Elizabeth Tschudin graduating, this offense will look a bit different, so those three up front will be called upon to produce goals.

 Izzy Correa will be a focal point in the midfield. “She is the prototypical center-mid,” said Cooney. “She is a very good distributor and a tough kid.” 

 Sophie Borque could be the difference-maker for this team. “When a player turns a corner you see it, and she did just that this summer,” said Cooney. 

 Goalie Annaliese Rowell is “primed for a big year” according to her coach and will do her best to keep teams off the scoreboard. 

 “The part I like most about small school soccer is that rosters and challenges change quickly,” said Cooney. “I think we can be in it this year.” 

 The pieces are there for Sunapee and they have the pedigree and coaching to make a run, but the small things will be the determining factor. 

 “The biggest thing is chemistry,” said Cooney. “So far we have had an inclusive and well-intentioned culture. We want to develop a character to be that team you don’t want to see in the playoffs and be a high-pressure and physical team.”

 Concord Christian was a group that took their bumps playing against some top competition in the south, and come playoff time, those games prepared them for a Final Four run. 

 The Kingsmen went on the road and beat Sunapee for the first time in head coach Josh Winans's tenure as head coach to advance to the semifinals.“Last year was special,” said Winans. 

 Five key seniors move on from the program, but a strong core returns with the experience to make another deep run this season. 

 Lilli Carlile and Makayla Baglio will lead the midfield while Kate Smith returns to provide stability in the net for CCA. 

 There will be holes to fill for this group, but getting over the hump last season and competing with some of the best teams in the division gives Winans and this group confidence heading into the 2023 campaign. “As a program, we have to be able to compete with the top teams, which is always tough to do,” said Winans. 

 This team saved their best soccer for when it mattered most last year, so don’t be surprised if they make another run this fall.

 The Profile Patriots return as one of the dominant forces in the North Country but also have a chip on their shoulder after a quarterfinal exit a season ago. 

 “It has created a hunger in the older players,” said head coach Jack Bartlett. “It has been noticeable throughout the preseason.” 

 A strong senior class graduated, but a majority of the core is back ready to make another run. Evi Burger will be a force up front alongside fellow senior Mya Brown. Junior Makena Price will be a factor in the midfield as well, as the Patriots will have yet another strong attack. 

 “The group as a whole has been working tirelessly to earn a spot on the field,” said Bartlett. “A minor change in formation has created an even more potent balanced attack. Our defense has stiffened and is allowing fewer scoring threats.” 

 The talent is there along with the experience. This is a group that is battle-tested and should be there late into the season. 

 “I believe it is important for the girls to enjoy themselves,” said Bartlett. “For many of them, soccer is their favorite sport. If the focus shifts from winning to the joy of playing and spending time together they will play loose and as a result, execute.”

 A title is certainly obtainable for this group, it will be about playing their best soccer at the right time. 

 “We have the skillset and the desire,” said Bartlett. “We just need to put it all together and have a good time in the process.”

 The Littleton Crusaders were one of the biggest surprises in Division IV last season, earning the two-seed after a 13-1-2 regular season. 

 This team should be no surprise this season, as a solid core returns under head coach Joe Hertel. 

 “It was an exceptional year in what I thought was going to be a rebuilding year,” said Hertel. “We built a team that had a shot to try and win state.” 

 The Crusaders ran into an experienced Portsmouth Christian team in the quarterfinals that went on to be the runners-up last season. That experience should only help this group progress this season. 

 The starting nine returns and looks to pick up where they left off last year. Kaitlyn Ilacqua will lead the charge defensively while Addison Hadlock and Lauryn Corrigan will control the middle of the field for this group. 

 Taytum Adams was a big part of this team’s success in goal last season. “She was rock solid for us,” said Hertel.

 Hannah Whitcomb will be a reliable defensive option for the Crusaders while JuJu Bromley looks to take a step up top. 

 “She has some tremendous speed,” said Hertel. “I am hoping this year she takes the role of a scorer for us.” 

 This is still a relatively young team, so a focus on the basics has been there early on in the preseason. “We are really working on the teamwork aspect,” said Hertel. “We want to show up a deep bench for the playoffs.” 

 The expectations are high for this team. Last year was a step in the right direction, now it will be about finishing down the stretch. “I am super excited about the season,” said Hertel. “We are looking to take that tile back from the South.”

 Woodsville will once again be reloading for another run, but after losing nine players from last year’s squad, things may look a bit different this fall.

 “There will be a lot of players in new spots,” said head coach Sara Lang. “We are still moving people around.” 

 The Engineers always seem to have good athletes in the program, so the adjustment period shouldn’t be one that is troublesome for too long. 

 Dori Roy and Kate Vasconcelos will take on leadership roles as seniors. “That core has a lot of experience,” said Lang. 

 Sophomore Makayla Walker will be making a lot of plays happen in the midfield. “She is a game-changer for us,” said Lang. “She will be leading communication and be a playmaker. We are excited to have her in that role.” 

 Eliza Wagstaff returns as one of the more skilled goalkeepers in the division. “We will definitely find ourselves in more defensive situations this year,” said Lang. “I know she has it in her to step up.” 

 After a successful first season running the program, Lang hopes to continue to improve on the style of play that was implemented last year. 

 “We are really focusing on playing small and controlling possession,” said Lang. “It is starting to happen a little more naturally this year.”

 A fundamental brand of soccer is what Woodsville hopes to display this season, with the hope of it translating into a successful postseason run. 

 “We will have to make adjustments with the spots we lost last year,” said Lang. “I am optimistic in this group. They are very close-knit. They have really impressed me with their play.”

 A run to the championship as the seven-seed wasn’t too much of a surprise for a Portsmouth Christian team that battled all of the top teams throughout the regular season last year. 

 A good chunk of that roster is now gone, but there are still building blocks for this group to be in the mix this year. 

 “We lost just over half our team from last year,” said head coach Derek Summers. “But we also have some key people coming back.” 

 All-state midfielder Tatiana Stockbower overpowered opponents with her physicality and great decision-making with the ball. 

 “Her communication and how she is mentoring the younger players has been phenomenal,” said Summers. “She will have to make plays for us in the middle.” 

 Goalkeeper Ella Walsh came up big time for the Eagles in net last season and will have to do more of the same this year. 

 “Communication will be key for her,” said Summers. “She will have some new defenders in front of her, so her communication with them will be absolutely key as we improve.” 

 Jaela Stockbower, Tatum Smith, and Ava Buchanan will be featured even more on the offensive side of the ball. 

 “Goals, that is what we need from them,” said Summers. “Expect some defense from them too, we need to stop threats in the midfield.” 

 There will be a good amount of newness with this group, but for the players that do return from last year, their postseason run will prove valuable. “We can use that experience to help prepare our younger players and new faces,” said Summers.

 “I think my team turned a page last year,” said Summers. “They started to understand the physicality of the game and how to be physical. 

 While this roster is not the same, don’t be surprised if this is a group that is making some noise in October. 

 Lin-Wood looks to build off of a five-win season and a playoff berth a season ago. Head coach Chris McClure feels this group can take even more of a step forward this season. 

 “The girls have responded well by putting in the effort early,” said McClure. “We want to be a tough match all season.” 

 Destiny Ciarleglio and Asha Ivester will split minutes in goal. “They both played the role well last season,” said McClure. 

 Kate Claremont will lead the defense alongside freshman Caroline Hiltz who has shown great skill on that end already. 

 Allie Oddis and Maha Awan will help strengthen a Lumberjack attack that will need goal production to come out on top in close games, something Linwood was accustomed to playing in last season. 

 “We are expecting a battle every time we go out,” said McClure. “I think we have a chance to surprise some teams this year.”

 Last year was a season of growth for the Gorham Huskies. A playoff appearance and the first winning season in many years was an accomplishment, but things did not end the way head coach Tony Demers wanted them to.

 “It was eye-opening to my girls,” said Demers. “We got to the playoffs and played Concord Christian and they played possession soccer. We fared well in the North Country because boom ball works, but that won’t work against the better teams in the division. We sat down at the end of the year and talked things through. We have adapted to that style of play.”

 Playing for the extra pass and keeping possession has been an emphasis early on, and progress has already been made from last season. 

 “It has been a lot of passing and a lot of fixed plays,” said Demers. “We want it to be second nature for this team.” 

 The Huskies have just three seniors on the roster and a lot of potential talent to work with this season. 

 Lily Gorban and Sarah Godin fill the wings with Tori Demers up front as a scoring threat. The trio should be involved in a lot of scoring opportunities this season.“They have been upfront together since 6th grade,” said Demers. “They have so much chemistry together.” 

 Sophomore Emma Leeman has made strides coming into her second season at the varsity level. “She holds her own for her size,” said Demers. “She is someone we will lean on this year.”

 Chaise Wade, Risa Gallant, and Amber Wilson will hold down the backline with two dependable options at keeper behind them in Olivia O’Neil and Allie Pelletier. 

 Freshman Lila Howard could be a player who breaks out for the Huskies at some point this season with her ability to control the ball. 

 “I would say we are a pretty well-rounded team,” said Demers. “The girls are all on board. They all get along and all do what is asked of them. It should be a fun season.”

After an 0-5 start to last season, Pittsburg-Canaan was one of the best teams down the stretch of the Division IV regular season. 

 A young group returns, but the foundation has been set for this team. “The outlook looks promising,” said head coach Stephanie Grondin. “We have a younger core, but they really proved their potential at the end of the season last year.” 

 The Yellow Jackets loose three starters from last year’s team, but the program featured some eighth graders that should step in right away this year. “We are thankful we had a group of younger girls coming up,” said Grondin. “They know what the program is like already. 

 The team consists of one senior, two juniors, and the rest of the roster is filled out by underclassmen. 

 Saidy Placey has been a building block for this team as the lone senior. “We are really looking for her to be our leader,” said Grondin. 

 Sienna Grondin showed good promise in between the posts for Pittsburg-Canaan last season, and year two in that position should be more of the same. 

 “She has been working a lot on her game this summer,” said coach Grondin. 

 Balance is seen throughout the field for the Yellow Jackets. “We don’t have just a defense or just an offense to try and build off of,” said Grondin. “I feel like my team is well balanced, a little more than it was last year.” 

 Arlyn Dorman came up huge in the midfield last season and was not something Grondin was counting on happening early into the year. “I am looking for a lot out of her as a junior.” 

 This group has the right mindset coming into the year, and the hope is that can carry them to another successful regular season. 

 “We know that we can always grow and build with a season,” said Grondin. “Starting off 0-5 doesn’t determine what the rest of the season will look like. We will be open to change, and never give up.”

 The Groveton Eagles will be more junior-heavy this season in what may be somewhat of a new-look group. 

 Head coach Sarah Leclerc likes the speed this group possesses and knows they can grow as the season progresses. 

 “I am really hammering moving the ball down the side and using triangle passes,” said Leclerc. “If we can hang tough we should be alright.” 

 Aspen Clermont returns as a key asset up front while Schafermeyer steps into the net for the first time at the varsity level. 

 Kandrah Savage will patrol the midfield for the Eagles. “She is just a beast,” said Leclerc. “She is a bit smaller, but that does not stop her.” 

 Getting into the playoffs and increasing the win total is the initial goal for the Eagles. “I am here to win, the girls know that,” said Leclerc. “I am hoping we can get back to the playoffs and make it further. I just want to see them progress.”

After a 2-14 finish last season, the Lisbon Panthers look to take a step in the right direction under new head coach Brent Covell. “They have stepped up right off, which is great to see,” said Covell.

 Haley Cavanaugh and Hailey Wheeler both will impact the team with leadership and experience. 

 Cavanaugh will be a play finisher for the Panthers and is joined up front by eighth grader Arya Kimball. “They can cause a lot of problems for defenses,” said Covell.

 Ellie Wilcox will control the middle of the field. “She is a very skilled soccer player,” said Covell. “She is the cog that makes the wheel turn.” 

 In the backfield, Meredith Barnes and Sophie Lafond will anchor the defense. Seventh grader Maddie Tattersall is proving to be impactful already. “She is very skilled and can play with both feet,” said Covell. “As she acclimates to playing with the older girls she will help us a lot.”

 The team is keeping its goals simple and attainable. “We want to improve each and every day and compete,” said Covell. “We talk a lot about effort, and that is our main focus, to learn to be resilient when things are not going our way. As long as we compete and bring the effort, we will be successful”

It will be a new-look Colebrook Mohawk squad taking the pitch season with a core consisting of mainly sophomores. 

 Head coach Katie Parker is optimistic with the strides her team can make this season. “We are reconstructing and reconfiguring a lot of things,” said Parker. “We want to get back to being the successful Colebrook Academy Mohawks that this program had been for years.” 

 While the sophomores lead the way, a lot of them already have 2-3 years of varsity experience under their belts from playing as middle schoolers. 

 Haley Rossitto, Lexi Santamaria, Samantha Samson, Niomie Nadeau, and Hayley Marquis return as the leaders and most experienced players on the roster. 

 “The sophomore crew is going to be playing in spots they are not familiar with to help build the team up,” said Parker. “There is a lot of athleticism and potential with that group.” 

 Rossitto and Nadeau will look to spark-plug the offensive department, something Colebrook has struggled to produce in the last few seasons. “The big thing will be our transition from defense to offense,” said Parker. “We haven’t scored many goals, but that is something they want to change.” 

 Santamaria and Samson hold down the defensive end in front of new goalkeeper Lila Perry. “Sierra Riff is hard to replace after five years but I think Lyla will fill in nicely,” said Parker. “She is naturally athletic. She continues to listen and will continue to improve.”

 Junior transfer Sammy Kuhn will be a welcomed addition to the midfield. “She will blend into our system quickly,” said Parker. “She has a nose for the ball and will help fill that gap for us.” 

 It will take some time, but this group has the potential to take a step forward in the right direction this year. 

 “We need to win the 50/50 games,” said Parker. “I think we have a group that can do that. This year we are a new team, we have a new face, and we are trying to create a new identity.”

 It will be a bit of a rebuilding year for Somersworth, who was right around the .500 mark last season but was unable to qualify for the playoffs with it being their first year in Division IV. 

 Head coach Dave Swallow is ready for the challenge that awaits his young squad. “The five seniors we lost last year had a long history with this program,” said Swallow. “We have a lot of girls coming in who have not played soccer before. It is a good challenge for a coach.” 

 Madison Brogan was the definition of clutch for Somersworth last season, scoring a few game-winning goals in overtime for the Hilltoppers. “She is a good aggressive player,” said Swallow. 

 Shakeila Miller will be the anchor of the Somersworth defense but may be doing double duty on some occasions. 

 “We will put her at center forward against some teams,” said Swallow. “We need goal production. She is strong and has a good shot.” 

 Somewrsoth will take some time to gel early on, but the hope is this group can find a rhythm within the fundamentals of the game. 

 “Somersworth, we are scrappy,” said Swallow. The goal this year is to see great improvement over the season.”

 The head coaches of Epping, Hinsdale, Moultonborough, and Pittsfield were all contacted but unable to respond in time for the purpose of this preview.