Even in a COVID-mangled year, Upper Valley field hockey continued to show its bona fides in 2020.
Windsor continued its reign in VPA Division III, going undefeated and edging Stowe for its second championship in as many years. Mascoma nearly won a crown in as bizarre — and typically COVID — a fashion imaginable, losing an overtime semifinal that became a final just before OT upon learning its championship foe would be forfeiting because of … what else? COVID.
The rest of the area’s programs remained competitive, and they should stay that way as the autumn schedule dawns. There have been some significant graduation losses, however, particularly on offense, that will set the tone for the early part of the campaign.
Coach: Jean Essex (19).
Last year: 8-4-1, lost in quarterfinals.
League: NHIAA Division II.
Returnees: Seniors — Mia Edmonds (M/D/capt.), Olivia Evans (G), Natalie Feyrer (F), Jessica Lichtenstein (D), Gail Morse (F), Stella Pinto (D/capt.), Livvy Trummel (F/capt.), Taylor Vettori (M). Juniors — Celia Groves (F), Sadie Higgins (M), Janina Li (F), Reilly Loughman (G), Emily Perras (D).
Newcomers: Senior — Eliza Sumner (D). Juniors — Grace Coughlin (F), Caroline Healy (M). Freshmen — Eva Bell (M), Maggie Higgins (F).
Analysis: A relatively small roster must first find a scoring outlet for the graduated Kate Blaisdell, now at Northeastern. The good news for longtime coach Jean Essex: Only Blaisdell and defender Natalie Chapman graduated, leaving a fairly full cupboard of talent from which to draw. Johns Hopkins-bound Ella Edmonds bears watching in the middle of the field.
“It was a weird year with COVID, but I’m hoping we have more maturity and game sense after last year,” Essex said. “They’re enthusiastic and a little bit older and excited for a more normal season. We have to come together; it’s a long season, but I tell them we’re looking toward the end, not the beginning.”
Coach: Heather Scudder (33).
Last year: 3-6-0, lost in quarterfinals.
Leagues: VPA Division II, Southern Vermont League.
Returnees: Seniors — Caroline Hamilton (F/capt.), Kaedence Brower (F), Elsie Davis (M), Chloe Jensen (M/capt.), Brianna Roberts (D), Grace Gardner (M). Juniors — Nedra Dwinell (D), Marina Grassi (M), Alice Piper (F). Sophomores — Maddi Willey (F), Gabby Gardner (D), Miranda Rogers (G), Kaelyn Courtemanche (G).
Newcomers: Junior — Emma Beggs (F), Freshmen — Madison Barwood (F), Paige Trombley (D), Paige Vielleux (G).
Analysis: With six returning starters and a majority of the roster comprising of returning players, Scudder’s Canes have experience. She’s hoping that will translate to results. “I’m very excited about how they’re working, how they’re progressing,” Scudder said. “We have a strong senior class, both in character and ability. We have some big shoes to fill from last year, especially our goalie.”
Coach: Amanda Valliere (5).
Last year: 6-2-1, lost in first round to Hanover.
League: NHIAA Division II.
Returnees: Seniors — Molly Smith (F), Sally Tretter (M/F/capt.), Clara Smyrski (D), Molly Schutzius (D), Claire Thibodeau (D), Amalia Hickey (M/capt.), Lilly Gogan (D; missed last season with injury). Juniors — Mikayla Thornton (M), Keira Houdegbe (M), Megan Thompson (M), Ashlee Blashock (G).
Newcomers: Senior — Abigail Pauls (F). Sophomore — Lindsey Stark (F). Freshmen — Mackenzie Ray (F), Abigail Gallagher (D).
Analysis: Like their rivals to the north, the Raiders lost a significant producer of offense with the graduation of Sydney Gonyea, sharer of the program’s all-time goals mark. Former linemate Molly Smith will move from the flank to Gonyea’s central role up front. Meanwhile, coach Amanda Valliere has a seven-senior core that includes defender Lilly Gogan, back after missing the past year from a knee injury.
“We have pretty phenomenal senior leadership,” Valliere said. “They know what is expected and how to play. We have a few young players, too, who are looking for some guidance to build chemistry and passing we like to eventually have.”
Coach: Jenn Hammond (8).
Last year: 6-4-1, lost to Bishop Brady in an overtime NHIAA D-III semifinal that turned into a final after regulation time once teams learned would-be title game foe would be forfeiting due to COVID-19.
League: NHIAA Division III.
Returnees: Seniors — Morgan Towne (M), Chloe Crate (D), Emilie Conrad (G), MacKenzie D’Amicis (F). Junior — Carmen Zani (F). Sophomores — Kara Miller (M), Zoe Barrett (D), Kylie Rogers (F), Hailey Miller (D).
Newcomers: Sophomores — Maddie Jansch (D), Alyssa Webster (F). Freshmen — Taylor Mansfield (M), Ann Buffington (F), Jillian Ballou (G/D).
Analysis: “We are young but have an experienced core group returning,” Hammond said. “Many of them have been fortunate enough to play in the D-III championship and know what level of intensity and determination it takes to make it to that level of competition. Their leadership will be a driving force behind the team this year.”
Coach: Kaitlynn Porter (1).
Last year: 3-9-1, loss in first round.
League: NHIAA Division III.
Returnees: Seniors — Mia Fischer (D), Samara Mace (D). Juniors — Maddy Norris (D/G), Bella Osgood (M), Lauryn Thorson (D). Sophomores — Kaitlyn Ceron (D), Katie Sharron (M), Eden Ritondo (M).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Maddox Lovely (M), Taylor Fellows (M/F), Peyton Blackinton (M/F), Jazmyn McNamara (F), Abigail Huff (F), Nevaeh Caron (F), Helen Kalacinski (D), Natasha Carpenter (D/G), Breanne Robertson (D/G), Kylie Janicke (F).
Analysis: After three years as an assistant coach, Porter takes over for Steve Christensen following his 13-year tenure leading the Tigers. She has four starters back from last year’s team and a large freshman class with which to work.
“We have a young team this year, a majority of our players being freshmen,” Porter said. “But a lot of the freshmen are skilled players who will be able to keep up with the competition.”
Coach: Patty Deschaine (19).
Last year: 6-4-1, lost to Mascoma in quarterfinals.
League: NHIAA Division III.
Returnees: Senior — Bri Frisbee (F/M). Juniors — Sara Faro (D), Richelle Girard (F). Sophomores — Cameron Ferland (D), Izabela Eitapence (F), Danielle Varela (F/M/D).
Newcomers: Junior — Ashley Michaud (G). Sophomores — Emily Stevens (M/D), Sofia Aldecoa-Gallego (F/M). Freshmen — Paige Simonds (D), Kirsten Martel (M/D), Sierra Brown (F).
Analysis: After a near-miss run in last year’s state tournament and losing seven seniors to graduation, the Cardinals return with a small roster that will need to avoid injury as it improves.
“We are a small team,” longtime coach Patty Deschaine conceded. “We are looking forward to see how much they improve during the season individually and as a team.”
Coach: Jody Wood (5).
Last year: 9-0, state champions.
Leagues: VPA Division III, Southern Vermont League.
Returnees: Seniors — Peyton Richardson (M), Reese Perry (M), Karen Kapuscinski (F), Meagan Holling (M/F), Lindsey Young (GK). Juniors — Alexina Peckinpaugh (M/F), Lisa Todd (M). Sophomore — Amber Simonds (M).
Newcomers: Sophomores — Annie Preece (F), Gwen Ambrose (F), Sydney Perry (GK/M), Fern Day (D). Freshmen — Gabriella Gilbert (F), Piper Vivian (F), Kierstin Carvalho (D).
Analysis: With just 15 players — and no JV program — this year, depth could be an issue for the Yellowjackets. But Wood thinks her reigning champs are capable.
“We graduated 10 seniors last season and look to build around the six returning starters,” Wood said. “The potential is there; the girls just need to believe in themselves.”
Coach: Leanne Tapley (1).
Last Year: 5-3-1, lost to Mount Abraham in D-II semifinals.
Leagues: VPA Division II, Southern Vermont League.
Returnees: Seniors — Sophia Yates (M), Nicole Fullerton (M), Megan Tarleton (D), Nora Duane (D), Gabby Hazen (F). Juniors — Norah Harper (F), Lily Gubbins (F), Audrey Emery (G), Emma Allegretti (D), Myah Earle (D), Natalie Parent (F). Sophomores — Claudia Shoemaker (F), Tess Belisle (G), Hannah Gubbins (F), Quinn Stickney (F), Georgia Tarleton (D).
Newcomers: Sophomores — Gracelyn Laperle (M), Charley Crowley (D). Freshmen — Laura Audsley (D), Stella Capurso (F), Alexandra Carnehammer (F), Alice Cayer (F), Isabel Cellini (F), Kamryn Jillson (M), Elle Molalley (M).
Analysis: “Our captains (Sophia Yates and Nicole Fullerton) are showing great leadership and bringing good energy to the field,” Tapley said. “Our defense looks very strong, with all returning players. Audrey Emery will return in goal for this season to command the backfield. Fullerton and Yates will run the midfield, and we will be looking for Norah Harper and Lily Gubbins to score goals.”