Last season began with a handful of teams feeling they could be the ones raising a Division II state championship plaque at Exeter High School. 

 The quarterfinals came to be what many coaches thought it would be, a bloodbath. This season should be no different. 

 Hollis-Brookline returns as the reigning champs and a presumptive preseason favorite for many.

 Young talent fuels their roster and that can be said for many of the teams returning to the Top 10 mix. 

 With 17 teams and a new schedule format, everyone plays everyone. No more two-game series or not seeing a team until the postseason. Everyone will get a feel for one another during the regular season and should make for a jam-packed playoff race.

 "With how tight things were last year, this could be anyone's division," said one coach. 

 A fellow coach agreed. 

 "Seeding is going to matter from game one this season. One loss in the middle of September could be the difference between getting a home game or barely getting into the playoffs at all."

 We saw upsets, triumphs, and magical runs a year ago, and this season should prove to be even better.

 Many of the same names and faces return atop the Division II ladder, but many know the playoff picture will change from week to week.

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

 

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

 

Division II Predicted Order

1. Hollis-Brookline *

2. Coe-Brown

3. Bow

4. Pembroke

5. John Stark

6. Merrimack Valley

7. Lebanon

8. Kingswood

9. ConVal

10. Oyster River

Lurking outside the Top 10: Milford, Kennett, Laconia*

*Teams were contacted but did not respond in time for the posting of this preview

 

 We reached out to Hollis-Brookline four times for this preview but unfortunately did not hear back from the head coach.

 It was a magical run for the Coe-Brown Bears a season ago as they feel just one game short of capturing a Division II title.

 The focus now shifts to the 2023-24 season, where they return a majority of the roster after graduating four starters and five seniors in total.

 “There are still things to iron out,” said head coach Josh Hils. “We have talked about establishing our own identity early on. Last year was last year. This group wants to make their own mark and write their own chapters.”

 The focal point of a lethal Bear offensive attack returns in all-state forward Bella Lapiere, who led the division in the regular season scoring 18 goals.

 “She has a real ability to find the back of the net on a game-to-game basis,” said Hils. “This year we have a deeper supporting cast around her so she will have some help in that department.”

 The Escabi sisters Ellie and Maggie will help control the midfield. “They both have phenomenal soccer IQ,” said Hils. “Both do a good job of setting things up for us.”

 Senior Jennifer Noni brings a calmness and finesse to the Coe-Brown lineup. The four-year starter will once again be a staple in the midfield area.

 “Her experience on the field is something we value and need,” said Hils.

 The same can be said for Abby Frank, who is coming off an all-state season, and is another conductor in the midfield for the Bears.

 Jaeyln Demers had a stellar freshman season and is expected to take yet another step forward in year two. “We will rely on her even more this year,” said Hils. “She has been stellar so far.”

 Sadie Scruton was thrust into the starting goalkeeper spot just five games into last season after Katie Pease went down with injury.

 Her emergence as a stalworth in net was an integral part of the run Coe-Brown went on last season.

 “Sadie lives and breathes goalkeeping,” said Hils. “It is evident in how she approaches the detail to technical work. Her footwork and hands have improved in the two years we have had her. It is a nice thing to have in the last line of defense.”

 Amanda Thomas has shown phenomenal growth on the defensive side of the ball and joining her on the backline this year will be Samantha Perron and Jadyn Spearin. 

 “That group gives us experience and depth,” said Hils.

 The Bears will have a target on their back heading into this season, but Hils thinks this group will be ready for that challenge.

 “We have to be prepared for everyone’s best shot,” said Hils. “Every game matters. There is not going to be a real easy game in any of the 16 we play. That just shows the depth of competition we have in this division. I am thrilled with the group we have and they want to maintain the culture we have been trying to build.”

 Bow is coming off yet another Final Four appearance and could have the group to get back there once again this fall. 

 Head coach Jay Vogt has built the Falcons into one of the most consistent programs in the state and is excited with the group he has returning this season.

 “We are coming together,” said Vogt. “It is a good mix of seniors, juniors, sophomores, and a few freshmen. Right now we are trying to blend and get used to one another.”

 Leading the way are captains Lexi Insana and Abby Foote. “They do a great job of making everyone feel included,” said Vogt. “They know the expectations. They are fully supportive in how we run things.”

 Foote will pair in the middle of the defense with Charlotte Larochelle. Maeve Nadzan and Anna Fellers will fill in on the outside to form a strong line of defense for the Falcons. 

 “There is a good core of seniors back there,” said Vogt. “It helps that we have experience on that end.”

 Insana should find herself in the mix of a lot of scoring opportunities alongside sophomore Cara Van Dyke.

 “Cara has an engine that goes and goes,” said Vogt. “She looks more confident with herself this year. She is determined to score.”

 Ashley Wallen is another forward who has put a lot of work into improving her game and will get a chance to thrive up top.

 Vivian Madden returns after not playing a season ago and will be an instant boost to this deep Falcon lineup.

 “Our strength is our depth,” said Vogt. “There isn’t one standout player. It is going to be the strength of everybody making us one.”

 The Falcons always find a way to fill the holes the departing seniors leave behind, and this year should be no different. 

 While players may be in new roles, many have valuable playoff experience that should carry over into this season. 

 “Our philosophy is if we work hard and improve throughout the year we will be ready for the playoffs,” said Vogt. “We want to be playing our best at the end of the year, especially with the competition out there. We have to be ready to play every day.”

 It wasn’t their usual path, but the Pembroke Spartans once again found themselves in the Final Four.

 “It was a real reality check last year,” said head coach Jess Kaufman-Desrochers. “We lost a lot of close games, but the girls responded to each other and rose to make the run we did.”

 This year’s team features a great group of veteran returners and a nice blend of new strength and power.

 “I think we are excited with the potential of what our identity could be,” said Kaufman-Desrochers.

 Junior Laila Al Shawafi returns between the posts and is one of the best keepers the division has to offer.

 “We are so fortunate to have her back,” said Kaufman-Desrochers. “She is so exciting to watch and has so much experience and playoff experience already.”

 Al Shawafi thrives in the big moments and will once again be a tough obstacle for opposing offenses to get around.

 Speaking of offense, Bailey Gatchell is back to lead a dangerous Pembroke attack. “We delight in The Bailey Gatchell Show,” said Kaufman-Desrochers.”When she turns on the burners and picks apart a defense it is a great day for us.”

 We got a good glimpse of how quickly Gatchell can change a game with her four-goal performance against Pelham in the preliminary round last season.

 “She knows there is a target on her back,” said Kaufman-Desrochers. “There will be games where we will have to think about things a bit differently. Bailey is willing to score or assist and is willing to distract so other people can have their moment.”

 Gatchell will be a captain alongside fellow all-state performer Lindsey Jones. “Lindsey brings the sunshine and style to our play,” said Kaufman-Desrochers. “She has an excellent foot on her.”

 Layla Thorne returns after a stellar sophomore season and is “ready to make noise” according to Kaufman-Desrochers.

 Kayla Amyot brings sneaky speed and a mentality to do whatever it takes to get the job done for the Spartans.

 Ginnah Michelson will be a consistent contributor as a junior. “Her soccer cue is constantly improving,” said Kaufman. “She is a student of the game.”

 Lily Royer and Ava Alberico headline a group of sophomores that all played big minutes a season ago and will be back in the mix of things once again.

 “We are going into this season being mindful that on any given day it can be anyone’s game,” said Kaufman-Desrochers. “Everybody has gotten a taste of it, you want to create that magic again. We always have that thought in our minds.”

 After a quarterfinal appearance a season ago, John Stark finds themselves right back in the mix to make an even deeper run this time around.

 After graduating 11 seniors, the Generals will turn to the five seniors they have this season to lead the charge.

 “Their leadership is going to be key,” said head coach Edmond Marceau. “They bring a good energy and positivity within the team.”

 All-state first-team goalie Alexis Boudreau is not just one of the best keepers in the division but is one of the best the state has to offer.

 She is a brick wall and the leading charge for the Generals on defense. Her play will be instrumental in the season John Stark hopes to have.

 Junior Chloe Caron will help keep the defensive line in form after a strong season on that end last season.

 Ava Rivers and Haley Stafford will be staples in the lineup this season. “They both played a lot of quality minutes last year and will do so once again this year,” said Marceau.

 John Stark hopes to change up their pace of play a bit this fall. “We want to bring an upbeat tramp of style to each match,” said Marceau.

 Madison Lamothe could be someone who helps with the change in play with her dynamic speed.

 “We want to make our opposition uncomfortable every single game,” said Marceau. “We need to take this year match by match. We are excited for the challenge."

 Merrimack Valley was one of the most consistent teams a season ago, and with nine seniors and a good core returning the Pride could find themselves in a similar position once again this fall.

 “We are going to keep building from last year,” said head coach Kylee Yam. “They all come back this year knowing the systems. The basics and scaffolding have all been done. This year is about building on that.”

 The Pride found themselves in a lot of tight games last season, winning their first four contests of the year by a score of 2-1, and came out on the right side more times than not. With that being said, they want to try and make things a bit less stressful this season.

 “The focus right now is getting in the attack more,” said Yam. “We have to shoot more and get gritty in the box.”

 Their defense will be the backbone still, with a strong backline that will prove again to be tough to get by.

 Jada Lucas and Ella Mercer will fill the center-back roles and try to keep MV sound on the defensive end.

 The midfield returns a lot of continuity. Seniors Corinne Palhof and Taylor Stinson will join sophomore Lyla Gray in the middle. “They all play really well together,” said Yam. They will be a core anchor in the middle for us.”

 Once again, the Pride will be a force to be reckoned with in Division II. “Staying in the top four, top five would be great,” said Yam. “A home playoff game would be huge as well. Really it is all about the girls and having fun and getting better together. They have done that so far.”

 Lebanon was a quarterfinal team last season and has a group capable of getting back to that stage once again under head coach Breck Taber. 

 Maezie Angles took over in the net as a sophomore and is primed for a strong junior season. “She started every game so her experience in the net will help lead our back line,” said Taber. 

 “The junior class will be the key to our success,” said Taber. “Everyone will have to contribute for us this year.”

 With lower numbers in the program, Lebanon has focused on overall fitness to help last a long and competitive Division II schedule. 

 “If we can do that and then play up to our ability and focus on the task at hand, we may be able to surprise a couple of teams,” said Taber. “The team goal is to have fun while being successful. Making the playoffs is always a goal of ours.”

 Kingswood showed they could be a competitive group in Division II after a 7-7-2 regular season and a playoff appearance.

 “We definitely want to carry over that success,” said head coach Shane Flood. “There are a lot of great teams in this division, but luckily for us, this group thrives as the underdogs. They know they have to work for every win. I am looking forward to seeing what they can do.”

 The Knights will have a trio of senior captains that will once again have a major impact on the pitch in Madison Eaton, Kylie Rapoza, and Rowan Donovan-Laviolette.

 Eaton returns for her senior season after she tore her ACL at the end of the 2022 season. “Her return is highly anticipated,” said Flood. “Her leadership was great on the sidelines last year. This season is where she wants to be on the field and changing outcomes of games.”

 Rapoza led the Knights in scoring with 15 goals last year and will be at the forefront of the Kingswood offensive attack.

 “Kylie puts her head down and goes to work for the team,” said Flood. “We know opposing coaches will be intent on keeping her off the score sheet.”

 Donovan-Laviolette had a strong season that saw her get an all-state honorable mention nod. “Rowan is a player whose presence has always been a force for our team,” said Flood. “The girls have always looked to her in tight games. Her energy and competition level never fail to impress.”

 Sierra Rose is another senior who has been impactful throughout the preseason for the Knights.

 Junior Kendal Oliver will move into a defensive role this season while Annissa Derochers and Phoenix Piekarz will slot back into the midfield.

 Sophomores Taylor Allar, Saige Griffin, and Norah Pelletier are hoping to make their presence known this season. “They gained experience and learned hard lessons last year,” said Flood. “They all looked composed and poised during the preseason.”

 Freshman Hadley Nance has made an impression throughout the early stages of the season. “She is a unique player,” said Flood. “She is hardworking and talented which are qualities we hope to feed off each other.”

 Heidi Roiter made a real impact in net last season, but now the gloves will be handed over to Marina Roy.

 “She started when she was a freshman so she knows the girl and has experience,” said Flood. “The team has 100 percent confidence in her.”

 The Knights will embrace the underdog role once again and will try and prove they can be a real threat in this division.

 ConVal may have been one of the best 5-7-4 teams we have seen in quite some time. In just the last week of the season alone, they lost a nail-biting 1-0 game to eventual champion Hollis-Brookline and went toe-to-toe with semifinalist Bow in a 0-0 contest. 

 Tight contests were the name of the game for the Cougars last year. With the experience they gained last year, the hope is they can turn some of those one-goal losses or tie games into wins this season.

 “The girls got a real experience last year and mentally they will be stronger for it this year,” said head coach Hagen Wegmueller. “We are optimistic with the group we have, but in soccer, you never know what will happen which makes it fun.”

 One key loss the Cougars will have to endure is the loss of leading goal scorer Haley Mathewson, who is out for the year with a torn ACL.

 It will be a group effort to replace that production, but Wegmueller is confident in the 13 seniors that return to lead a strong roster coming back with the additions of a skilled freshman class.

  Returning to the pitch this year is Zoey Lazzaro, who missed last season with an ACL injury of her own. Her presence and athleticism will be a nice boost for the ConVal lineup.

 Ally Burgess will be the connector in the midfield while Abby Rodenhiser returns to anchor the Cougar defense.

 Hannah Daniels returns to a defensive midfield position while Clara Wilsher will continue to be a versatile option for Wegmueller to turn to.

 “We keep moving Clara to different positions of need and she just rolls with it,” said Wegmueller. “She has been strong in any role we put her in.”

 Eliza Bull brings blazing speed atop the ConVal attack while on the other side of the field, Wrayana Covey returns between the posts after a productive season in net before getting injured midway through the season.

 “I can see this group really wants it,” said Wegmueller. “The cohesion with this team is there. To me it boils down to, what does the team have mentally? Are they together or are they fractured? Having a core like this that is strong and believing can make the difference in tight games.”

 Oyster River narrowly missed out on postseason play last season and are motivated to get back there this fall.

 "I think it was a learning experience for everyone in the program," said head coach Sabrina Rivers. "We all grew from last season. Losing is never fun, but it teaches you a lot of lessons. We had some really close games that could have gone either way, and I have confidence in the girls that we will get the job done this year."

 There will be roles to fill at the center mid and goalie spots with the graduation departures of Sara Cmargo and Maeve Hickok, but the Bobcats have shown strong flashes in the preseason that those holes will not be a problem. 

 "The group has endless potential," said Rivers. "We have some talented returners who are now upperclassmen and are leading by example."

 Malaya Brisson, Alyska Alcocer, and Parker Keeler have been leading the charge for Oyster River early on. 

 Brisson is a junior who will be a go-to scoring option. "She is a strong, athletic, and intelligent player with an incredible tenacity to score," said Rivers. "She has a great shot that has only grown more dangerous each year."

 Alcocer will be a staple in the midfield. "The game truly flows through Aly," said Rivers. "She is constantly on the ball throughout the center of the field and making plays that lead to goal-scoring opportunities on the attack."

 Keeler will be the voice in the backfield. "Parker leads the team with her high soccer IQ and work ethic," said Rivers. "She has a natural read on defensive positioning to slow down attackers and win the ball. She prioritizes finding feet and effectively moves the ball forward to break defensive lines."

 Freshman Catherine Robinson will be in the defensive mix as well while sophomore Victoria Zlotosch will get reps at the midfield and fullback positions. 

 "We have some eager and hardworking underclassmen who consistently leave it all out on the field every chance they get," said Rivers. 

 The Bobcats are a year older and are ready to prove they can come out on the right side of close games. 

 "Our main goal is to get better every time we step on the pitch," said Rivers. "I am excited to see where we go and what we can develop into."

 Things are progressing well for first-year Milford head coach Scott Lacosto. “We had some summer sessions and I gave them the overview of what we want to accomplish,” said Lacosto. “Every year the goal is a championship and we have a good core that I think can get us there.”

 The Spartans return a team that advanced to the quarterfinals a season ago, but the absence of LuLu Maguire, who is out with injury, will be something this group needs to navigate.

 “It is a tough loss,” said Lacosto. “We are still hoping to use her experience and leadership to help the incoming freshmen feel more comfortable. She has been vocal on the sidelines already.”

 Captain Claire Cote will be the main striker up top. “She is flexible in where she can play which gives us an advantage,” said Lacosto.

 Center midfielder Haleigh Lloyd will be a steady presence. “I expect a lot out of her,” said Lacosto. “She can control the pace of play for us. As we progress we can also put her in different spots. She can step into any role with no problem.”

 Freshman Kinsley Matsis has stood out during the preseason. “I have been impressed with her,” said Lacosto. “She has soccer skills and the sense to excel as a freshman.” 

 Shea Hansen and Maggie Pelletier will be key players who will be impactful in deciding the outcome of games for the Spartans.

 “When you come into a program sometimes you have to start over and rebuild, but I don’t have to do that with all the key players we have coming back,” said Lacosto. “They have come in ready to go and they are looking to achieve what they are capable of doing. We will be challenged, and I think these girls are up for that challenge.”

Kennett looks to build off a 5-10-1 season, with the first task at hand replacing five starters. “We have some parts to repair,” said head coach Ron Krieger. 

 The incoming freshman class may help with those repairs. Letty Zipf, Alyssa Kenney, and Sarah Bowie could impact this roster right away. 

 Zipf will find herself in the forward and mid spots this year while Kenney slides into a center full-back role. 

 Bowie has shown real promise as a starting goalie down the line but will find herself out on the field to work on her ball skills.

 Haylee Burke and Lydia Wiggin will find themselves in the midfield leading the group as key returners. “We will lean on them the most,” said Krieger. 

 After running cross country for the last three years, Piper Lopashanski will join the team for the first time at the varsity level. “She has played club with a lot of them up until high school so there is chemistry,” said Krieger. “She will be starting as a fullback right away.”

 Aida Wheat was the leading scorer in program history. With her departure due to graduation, the Eagles will have to reinvent themselves on that end of the field.

 “She started and finished a lot of plays for us the last few years so we will have to develop a possessive combination of team offense,” said Krieger. “I have anxious anticipation for our group.”

 The Eagles hope to play spoiler down the line with a pesky defense that was a major part of the success they found last season. 

 “We surprised a lot of people with our play defensively last season,” said Krieger. “If we can get our defensive shell working correctly and our goalies can maintain 80 minutes of focus we could have the ability to surprise some teams.”

  We reached out to Laconia four times for this preview but unfortunately did not hear back from the head coach.

  Souhegan returns a defensive-minded group that found themselves in many one-score games a season ago. 

 “Our group has put a lot of work in during the off-season and turned up for some summer work and gameplay,” said head coach Steven Hansberry. “This is a new year and a new team that is ready to scrap and work hard.”

 Both goalies Mishka Tower and Kelsey Lockitt and center-back Lyla Kimball have graduated, so filling those holes will be priority number one. “They kept us in most games,” said Hansberry.

 Senior captain Emma Linton will be tasked with organizing the backline while fellow captains She Llewellyn, Zofia Rosenfield, and Nathalie Whitehouse will make up the midfield and help develop offensive chances. 

 “On and off the field, our captains have done an excellent job welcoming our newcomers and returners,” said Hansberry. “They are setting the tone for who we want to be as a team.”

 Freshman Averie and Emmie Curran should make an impact right away in year one. “The freshman and sophomore group as a whole came in swinging and we can’t wait to see how they take the field and grow this season,” said Hansberry.

 Jill Ferguson joins the team as a senior transfer and could help the Sabers to a few more wins this season. 

 “Our sights are set on making the playoffs and getting stronger each day,” said Hansberry. “As a coaching staff, we feel spoiled in many ways. We have a group of young athletes who want to be pushed, take on challenges, support one another, and who are just good people.”

 Pelham will enter a rebuilding phase after a 7-9 season and first-round exit a season ago. Rick Morgan will be in charge of taking over the program and getting this group more confident and up to speed.

 “We graduated a big season class last year that set the bar,” said Morgan. “I hate to call it a rebuild, but that is what it is. Coach Carlos left this team in a good spot with a good work ethic which I really appreciate. The girls are working really hard so far.”

 The roster fields 21 players including seven new freshmen. “The goal is to get better week to week,” said Morgan. “We really want to build up with the freshman class coming in.”

 Junior Lexy Brodeur returns to the midfield and will be turned to as a leader of the team alongside sophomore Jessica Phillips.

 “Lexy will be powerful on the ball for us,” said Morgan. “Jessica has shown to be a strong leader for this team so far as only a sophomore.”

 The Pythons have seen a lot of success in the last two seasons, including a championship to show for it. The focus now shifts to a different set of goals.

 “The goal is to always at least make the playoffs,” said Morgan. “They are progressing towards that goal. I am happy if they get better every day and we continue to build the program.”

 Keene is looking to continue developing their program by finding themselves in the win column more often this season.

 “I think we can have a strong offensive attack this year,” said head coach Shannon Topa.

 Leading goal scorer Jocelyn Downing will be the focal point up top and will be joined by Ella Bates and freshman Lucy Pataglea.

 “Those three will be our producers,” said Topa. “They all have an attack-minded focus. We want to get creative with them.”

 Seniors Kaylee Percoco and Kaylee Lougee will lead the defensive charge for the Blackbirds. Paige Bassler will join the backline after a productive season at the JV level last season.

 “This year will be about scoring more goals and winning more games,” said Topa. “That is what it boils down to. The team's goal is to make the playoffs. With a well-rounded schedule, we have a chance to do that.”

 Plymouth returns a young roster along with the biggest freshman class ever with 22 newcomers joining the Bobcat program.

 “In year two with the program it is all about working on getting better,” said head coach Fraser Kirkpatrick.

 Lone senior Anna Boyer will be a feature in the midfield area. “Ana brings a lot of hustle and effort,” said Kirkpatrick.

 Mikayla Walker impressed as a freshman last season and now will step into the stopper position.

 “She is going to be crucial for us on that end,” said Kirkpatrick. “Mikayla has only gotten better this past year.”

 Juniors Ella O’Hare, Johanna Wakefield, and Arianne Lee had a successful spring travel soccer season and hope to carry some of that success over into the varsity season.

 Emma Franz and Lily Renkert have been improved and will be getting lots of time-splitting reps in the net this fall.

 “We are very much in a development stage,” said Kirkpatrick. “The goal is to work towards being competitive, tough, and giving everyone a good game.”

 

Coming tomorrow: Division III