Concord has brought in a new head coach to take the program to new heights. Mike Zahn, who previously coached Hopkinton girls’ lacrosse, made four straight Division III championship appearances and won two titles with the Hawks. Zahn also led Hopkinton to four straight girls’ soccer championships.

He said he’s coming in with a blank slate and is focused on building the team from the ground up. The Tide won three games last year, and has a long road ahead to improve. Zahn said the team’s core is young and ready to learn.

Only one player, defender Charlotte Dill, is a senior. Most of the roster is made of juniors, and even more sophomores, who will have time to adjust to a new system and work on their game. Up front, the team is returning many starters, including juniors Emma Pelletier, Amelia Crumrine who missed last season due to injury, and sophomores Sydney Brown and Malie Ramshaw. 

The team’s defense is considerably younger but has significant numbers. Dill leads the group followed by juniors Leah Foulds and Macy Sprague. The team has three freshmen defenders who will add depth, including Avah Ascani who can also play in the midfield.

“I can tell that they’re very intent on getting better and learning more about the game so I do appreciate that, and I think it’ll help them in the long run,” Zahn said.

His multiple championships speak for themselves in many ways, but Zahn understands that every team and school is different. He hopes to bring some fun when appropriate, a calm steady hand to guide when needed, and good communication and coaching that will push the team to reach its potential. 

“The positivity this year has been good,” he added. “They listen really well, so the concepts that me and my assistant coach bring up, whether it’s defensive or offensive concepts, they listen well, they take them in.”

Concord opens its season on Monday at Souhegan.

MERRIMACK VALLEY

Division: II

Coach: Kylee Yam (4th year)

Last year: 11-5, reached quarterfinals

Returning starters: Sydney Bailey, sr., M; Abigail Thompson, jr., M; Grace Corliss, sr., D; Lenna Quiter, sr., D; Ella Frink, jr., M; Kaiya Mercier, sr., M; Caroline Wheeler, sr., D; Isabelle Tucker, jr., D; Alyssa Brodeur, sr., A; Taylor Gionet, sr., G.

Top newcomers: Kalli Snow, fr., D

Outlook: The Pride are coming off a solid 2024 campaign and return four All-State players – Brodeur (First Team attack), Gionet (First Team goalie), Mercier (Second Team midfield), Quitter (Second Team defense)

Teams to beat: Hollis-Brookline, Winnacunnet, Hanover

BELMONT

Division: III

Coach: Jeff Malcolm (3rd year)

Last year: JV only

Returning starters: Sami O’Connor, jr., A; Shelby Mason, jr., G

Top newcomers: Gabby Murphy, so.; Brooke Varnum, so.; Gus Provencal, so.; Grace Collins, fr.; Brooke Murphy, fr.

Outlook: The Raiders are returning to the varsity ranks after spending the last two seasons as a JV only program.

“The team is in a unique position as it has no returning seniors so it is relying on a mostly freshman/sophomore roster,” Malcolm said. “We are fortunate to have a number of girls from the Laconia Lacrosse Club joining us this year,  which has been a big help with some newcomers this year. This will definitely be a growth year for this young team – no one has had varsity experience – so the learning curve will be steep during our first week of play. The team has a lot of positive energy as it prepares for the season and I feel that that will be a big boost in keeping spirits high when we meet dominant D-III teams. … All in all it will be an interesting season – we look forward to it.”

Teams to beat: Gilford, St. Thomas, Bow

BISHOP BRADY

Division: III

Coach: Alex Sacco (3rd year)

Last year: 4-10, did not make tournament.

Returning starters: Camdyn Despres, sr., M; Olivia Lazear, sr., A; Madeline Nicholls, sr., A; Megan Varley, jr., D.; Kiki Herrington, jr., G; Marcella Tonge, jr., M

Top newcomers: Hailey Whitehouse, fr., A

Outlook: After falling one win shy of the postseason, the Giants are motivated to get to the playoffs.

“I am very excited about the group I have. This team will look different than the previous years but in a good way,” coach Sacco said. “I have a strong group of returners who have stepped up to lead this team. What I am most excited about is the handful of promising newcomers that show great athleticism and will make an immediate impact. This team is eager to learn and improve. They have a drive that is contagious and show up each day with that mindset and as a coach that’s all you can ask for.”

Teams to beat: Gilford, Bow, St. Thomas

BOW

Division: III

Coach: Chris Raabe (26th year)

Last year: 16-3, reached semifinals

Returning starters: Evelyn Smith, sr., A; Abby Foote, sr., D; Lexi Flynn, sr., M; Delaney Amsden, sr., A; Mikayla Livingstone, sr., M; Kylie McKee, sr., M; Leah Gallier, jr., D; Casey Totten, jr., A; Kate McGovern, sr., A; Audrey Glennon, jr., D; Kaylee Jacques, so., M; Gianna Trott, so., G; Ella Gray, sr., A; Josie Johnson, jr., A; Kayla Croscut, sr., D.

Top newcomers: Vita Flagg, fr., M; Madelyn Hebert, so., M; Jules Cusson, fr., M; Vera Virta, so., D.

Outlook: The Falcons have over a dozen players returning to a varsity program that has been to four consecutive final fours and ended last season with a heartbreaking overtime loss to Gilford in the semifinals.

“Our focus is on building a strong team dynamic and improving our overall performance, game by game,” Raabe said. “The leadership within this team (nine seniors) is exceptional, and it is contagious. All of the upperclassmen are leading by example and inspiring their teammates. It is going to be a fun spring season.”

COE-BROWN

Division: III

Coach: Tom Johnson (1st year)

Last year: 10-5, reached quarterfinals

Returning starters: Rose Bean, so., M; Carolyn Clawson, sr., A; Ellie Escabi, so., M; Natalie George, jr., A; Avery Keefe, so., M; Brooke Kozlowski, so., M; Adalynn Moynihan, jr., D; Alexis Muse, sr., G; Lillian Peabody, sr., A/FO; Breanne Peters, jr., D; Abigail Readel, so., D; Morgan Readel, so., M; Addison Roy, so., A; Mackenzie Silva, so., D/M; Kendall Jackson, jr., M; Isabella Tenney, sr., A/M: Audrey Tuttle, sr., M; Amirah Rhofiry, sr., D.

Outlook: Coe-Brown only graduated three seniors and returns a few players who missed time last year due to injuries. The injuries forced several players to step up and now the Bears have a roster loaded with varsity experience for new head coach Johnson. Escabi was a called up from JV last year and is clicking offensively with Keefe and Kozlowski (back from an injury last season), who are playing together as a trio for the first time. Muse is coming off a season where she made her 300th career save.

“Our defense has been the unsung heroes the last few years and I don’t expect that to change,” Johnson said. “One of the biggest challenges we’ll need to get by is being effective in seeing the field rather than getting trapped in the moment. It seems like they understand the assignment though and in practice that issue has been fading out. The girls are excited to build off of last season and the confidence they have after a strong showing in 2024 has been noticeable in their work ethic. A lot of these players have played together over the years in youth leagues and have really waited for the chance to be in high school and make girls’ lacrosse more prominent at CBNA.”

Teams to beat: St. Thomas, Bow, Derryfield, Gilford, Hopkinton, John Stark

CONCORD CHRISTIAN

Division: III

Coach: Carrie Smith (1st year)

Last year: 1-13, did not make tournament

Returning starters: Emmy Laboe, so.; Savana Cabral, sr.; Leah Morgan, sr.

Outlook: After fielding a team mostly of freshman and eighth graders last year, the Kingsmen have a much more experienced group taking the field this season. That said, Concord Christian is still a young team, with zero juniors, and Cabral and Morgan as the only two seniors on the roster. Smith, who is the school’s athletic director, is taking over a team that has most of its squad returning from last season.

“Emmy Laboe, Savana Cabral, and Leah Morgan have really stepped up as leaders, helping set the tone both on and off the field. I’m proud of their effort and can’t wait to see how far this group can go,” Smith said. “We’re a young team with a lot of potential, and I’m excited to watch our growth throughout the season. Building on the strides we made last year, this season presents a great opportunity to begin developing our team concepts and laying the groundwork for long-term success. Looking forward to the journey ahead.”

HOPKINTON

Division: III

Coaches: Bob Brown and Gus Madden (3rd year)

Last year: 13-3, reached semifinals

Returning starters: Autumn Meier, so., M; Lilly Chodosh, jr., A; Marcella Guadagno, jr., M; Maeve Owens, jr., M/A; Rylee Magnin, jr., D; Avery Chase, so., M; Helen Yeaton, jr., D; Ryan Lang, sr., D; Sydney Westover, sr., A.

Top newcomers: Lia Chapin, so., M; Molly Donoghue, so., G; Mary Maughan, so., D; Pippa Lang, fr., A; Louisa Behner, sr., D; Grace Hodgdon, sr., G; Ryan Barrett, so., M; Veronica Nylund, so., A; Clara Brooks, so., D; Lauryn Vetter, so., A; Molly Hodgdon, so., A; Rose Afflerbach, so., M.

Outlook: “We lost a ton of scoring and leadership to graduation, yet still have a deep roster of young, highly-skilled players,” Madden said. “We expect our returning leaders to produce and look forward to seeing which of the younger players will step up and raise their game to the next level this season.”

Westover and Owens were All-State First Team picks last season, while fellow returner Meier was named to the Second Team.

Teams to beat: St. Thomas, Gilford, Bow, Derryfield

JOHN STARK

Division: III

Coach: Samantha Weaver (6th year)

Last year: 10-6 in D-II, reached quarterfinals as cooperative program with Hillsboro-Deering

Returning starters: Evette Dagenais, sr., A; Natalie Lawson, sr., D; Ryan Mucci, sr., A; Kaycie Rhodes, sr., A; Claudia Dustin, jr., M; Addie DeCew, so., M; Zoe Lawson, so., A; Rowin Ledy, so., G.

Top newcomers: Jillian Fredette, sr., M.

Outlook: After playing as a cooperative team in Division II for a few seasons, the Generals are once again a solo program and will play in D-III.

“We have been playing in Division II for a long time, so being in D-III this year will be a change for us,” Weaver said. “We have some strong senior leadership this year and we’re excited to face some different teams than we’ve played in the past.”

KEARSARGE

Division: III

Coach: Katherine Bucklin Stearns (4th year)

Last year: 4-11, reached prelims

Returning starters: Kaley Backstrom, sr.; Lilly Chapman, sr.; Ella Dumais, sr.; Nadia Spiegel, sr.; Tori Wooten, sr.; Ociee Ilg, jr.; Siena Loomis, jr.; Addyson Rossi, jr.; Grace Tanguay, jr.; Stella Syversten, so.

Top newcomers: Bella Collins, so.; Katie Wakinshaw, fr.; Kaelen Finnegan, fr.

Outlook: The Cougars only graduated two players from last year’s team that is loaded with experience. Chapman, Dumais, Spiegel and Wooten are four-year players in the Kearsarge program, while the Cougars also have a large and talented group of eight juniors who contribute on both ends of the field. 

“Although Kearsarge girls’ lacrosse made postseason play in 2024, one goal is to finish in the standings a bit higher in 2025,” Bucklin Stearns said.

Teams to beat: St. Thomas, Gilford, Concord Christian, Derryfield

PEMBROKE

Division: III

Coach: Josh Young (1st year)

Last year: 4-11 in D-II, did not make tournament

Returning starters: Ashlie Klawes, sr.; Bailey Gatchell, sr.; Kendall Purtell, sr.; Madeline Teasck, sr.; Olivia Bryson, sr.; Sarah Keeler, sr.; Faith Young, jr.; Laila Al-Shawafi, jr.

Outlook: After some tough years with inexperienced rosters in Division II, the Spartans made their debut in D-III this season.

“We have a lot of seasoned players who are excited for this new opportunity, and we’re also looking forward to some great growth with our sophomore and freshman players,” coach Young said. “While maybe not quite ready to match up with some of the better teams like last year’s champ St. Thomas, I think we can definitely make some noise in this new division.”

Teams to beat: St. Thomas