With the local high school sports season starting up, here is a look at some of the Upper Valley boys soccer teams hitting the pitch in 2026.
After a run to the VPA Division III semifinals last fall, Thetford Academy is retooling thanks to the graduation of nine seniors. On the flip side, Hanover High returns a strong group after a loss in the NHIAA Division I quarterfinals.
Hartford High is another squad with experienced athletes returning in hopes of being competitive in VPA Division II, and Stevens High returns to the pitch this year with a new head coach.
Hanover
Coach: Lucas Richardson (2).
League: NHIAA Division I.
Last Year: 10-3-3, lost in the quarterfinals.
Top Returners: Senior — Nate McFedridge (D); Juniors — Sacha Palm (F), Andreas Tzilianos (M), Gabi Del Pino (G), Charlie Gartner (M), John Thapa (F), Rex Chanyi (M), Braeden Friedman (D).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Jackson Gartner (M), Hunter Lysy (M), Timmy Ku (M).
Coach’s Analysis: “With 10 juniors returning and a core group that has been playing together for years, we have an experienced team that is eager to improve on last year’s quarterfinal PK loss to Bishop Guertin. Sacha Palm, Andreas Tzilianos and John Thapa are technically strong and creative attackers who will combine well, create chances and score goals consistently. Senior captain Nate McFetridge is a four-year varsity player and a thoughtful, competitive, experienced leader at the back. In the midfield, Charlie Gartner and Rex Chanyi are natural ball-winners who are able to connect and possess the ball. Patience and positivity are key for us to have a successful season. This team knows how to work hard. If we stay committed to improving daily, remain resilient and positive while working out the kinks and establish our ability to both press the opposition and maintain possession once we win the ball, we will be in a great position in October.” — Lucas Richardson
Hartford
Coach: Connor Brooks (4).
League: Southern Vermont League, B Division; VPA Division II.
Last Year: 7-4-3, lost in first round of the playoffs.
Top Returners: Seniors — Owen McMahon (F), Jackson Hessler (D), Liam Applebee (M), Max Smart (D), Colin Morlock (M), Colby Albrecht (D); Juniors — Isaac Obar (G), Silas Lemire (D/M), Zach Clark (D), Max Capurso (F), Owen Jenks (F), Jackson Jewett (M); Sophomores — Ezra Tane (D), Greyson Sinclair (F).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Bailey Ogden (D), Jack Lashua (M).
Coach’s Analysis: “We will be competitive in D-II this season because of the experience we are returning all over the field. The attack will be balanced, and goals will come from several different players.” — Connor Brooks
Lebanon
Coach: Rob Johnstone (33).
League: NHIAA Division II.
Last Year: 7-5-4, lost in quarterfinals.
Top Returners: Seniors — Liam Sullivan (M), Charlie Ferland (D); Juniors — Owen Tuohy (M), Bently Lang (G); Sophomores — Jesse Madory (M).
Newcomers: Juniors — John Rendahl, Andrew Pearse, Ryan Schibuola, Nolan Hewett, Nick Renaud, Sawyer Hall, Liam Rich, Judah Billings; Sophomores — Sean McCown, Lucas Plummer, Finn Nolan, Duncan Barnett, Ben Saunders, Cooper Rhoads.
Coach’s Analysis: “We had a highly competitive tryout week with 62 candidates vying for spots in the program, 56 of them in grades 9-11. Competition within the varsity for roster spots, starting positions and game minutes has been fierce as well, which hopefully will prepare us well for the rigors of a challenging Division II season.” — Rob Johnstone
Mascoma
Coach: Stuart Kinsman (3).
League: NHIAA Division III.
Last Year: 3-11-2, lost in the first round of the playoffs
Newcomers: Freshmen — Leo Marquardt (M).
Newport
Coach: Caleb Godwin.
League: NHIAA Division IV.
Oxbow
Coach: Chuck Simmons (4).
League: Green Mountain / VPA Division III.
Last Year: 4-10-0, lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Top Returners: Seniors — Kobin Ellsworth (CDM), Quinten Drugach (CDM), Russell Danforth (center back), John Bohan (F); Juniors — Landon Welch (G).
Newcomers: Junior — Ernst Seidel (CB); Freshmen — Taylor Fenner (F), Maxim McKinney (M), Cohan Smith (F).
Coach’s Analysis: “We are optimistic about the upcoming season. Some of the key things to be successful this season is staying healthy and having the younger players step up and contribute.” — Chuck Simmons
Rivendell
Coach: Soren Smith (4).
League: VPA Division IV.
Last Year: 2-12-0, lost in first round.
Top Returners: Senior — Josh Douglas (M); Junior — Toby Sonsalla (D).
Coach’s Analysis: “Our five seniors — Nolan Bourn, Josh Douglas, Julian Douglas, Wyatt Parker and Evan Woodward — are a strong group of players who have a lot of experience at the varsity level, and along with our eight juniors and our newcomer exchange student this season from Kyrgyzstan, Amir Doolotkeldiev, I feel we have a team that can be very competitive this season in Division IV. If we put the work in and play with a consistent high energy level, we certainly have the potential to make a long run at the end of October.” — Soren Smith
Sharon
Coach: Grayson Levy (5).
League: Southern Vermont League, D Division; VPA Division IV.
Last Year: 8-5-1, lost in the quarterfinals.
Top Returners: Seniors — Collin Keep (G), Sully Staff (M); Junior — Finn Proulx (M).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Owen Jarrait (D), Remy Holloway (M), Judah Hare (F).
Coach’s Analysis: “We know the level we have to reach and the hard work we have to put in to reach those levels. We will continue to build on the last few years, and the team is ready to work hard to achieve our goals.” — Grayson Levy
Stevens
Coach: Matt Kinson (1).
League: NHIAA Division III.
Last Year: 5-5-7, lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Top Returners: Seniors — Ethan Cederman O’Neil, Jaxon Churchill, Kasey Morin, Daven Vaine; Juniors — Kai Gaspard, Sawyer Loiselle, Joey Ruffin.
Newcomers: Senior — Owen Chapman; Sophomore — Brody Vaine; Freshmen — Xavier Castaneda, Wyatt Stevens.
Coach’s Analysis: “We’re really excited about the group we have this year. There’s a lot of talent here, but more importantly, this is a group of guys who are willing to work and compete for each other. We’ve had a short preseason together, so we are still establishing what we want Stevens soccer to look like, but (we) will be looking to build understanding every week. We’re not putting a ceiling on what this group can accomplish. We know there will be challenges and growing pains along the way, but our focus is on getting better every day, competing every time we step on the field and setting a standard for what this program is going to be moving forward. The guys have bought into that mentality, and now we’re excited to see where it takes us. Our success this season will come down to our work rate, discipline and composure. We want to be organized defensively, aggressive when we win the ball back and dangerous in transition. We have to communicate, compete for every ball and stay composed when games get difficult. More than anything, we need to be consistent. Our effort and mentality have to be there every single day. If we can do that and continue to grow together throughout the season, we believe we can compete. Our successes this season will be a direct result of collaboration and understanding.” — Matt Kinson
Thetford
Coach: Jonathan Bicknell (4).
League: Capital League; VPA Division III.
Last Year: 10-7-0, lost in semifinals.
Top Returners: Seniors — Matt McGovern (G), Sebastian Pedrizet (D), Tanner Hardy (M), Rowan Moody A’ness (M), AJ Foster (D).
Newcomers: Senior — Duncan McPhee (D); Juniors — Thomas Martin (D), Eli Murphy (D); Sophomores — Liam McGovern (M), Skyler Girdwood (M), Phineas Anderson (M); Freshmen — Daniel Loyd (F), Mark Squire (F), Parker Strew (F).
Coach’s Analysis: “With nine seniors graduating last season, we have a lot of spots to fill. We do have a good core group of returning players, but filling these vacant spots and playing as a cohesive team will be essential for a successful season.” — Jonathan Bicknell
White River Valley
Coach: John Olmstead (2).
League: Southern Vermont League, C Division; VPA Division III.
Last Year: 9-7-1, lost in quarterfinals.
Top Returners: Seniors — Jack Hughes (M), Issac Kinsely (D), Iden Burt (D), Lucas Hatch (G/M); Juniors — George Roda (D/M), Greyson Russ (M/S), Karsin Phelps (M), Aaden Morgan (D), Gideon Hudson (M); Sophomore — Landon Cronan (M).
Newcomers: Juniors — Austin Washburn (M/F), Bradley Howe (D); Freshmen — Thomas Benoit (M), Avery Spaulding (S), Elliot Olmstead (D/M), Trenton Griffin (G/D), Garth Crosby (M), Isom Gwinn (D).
Coach’s Analysis: “Five starters from last year’s squad, led by the Division III All-Stater Jack Hughes. Senior Issac Kinsely is one of the top central defenders in the SVL-C Division. We have a strong core with Hughes, Kinsely, Roda, Russ and Cronan in the center of the field, along with Iden Burt. A key will be how the returning players and newcomers step up to the challenge to fill out the remaining positions. The incoming freshman class is small in numbers but all are solid, and I expect them to be steady contributors in support of the returning veterans. George Roda, Greyson Russ and Landon Cronan are poised for breakout years. Goalkeeping will be a key, with last year’s backup senior Lucas Hatch and freshman Trenton Griffin looking to win the position.” — John Olmstead
Woodstock
Coach: Alex Montano (2).
League: VPA Division III.
Last Year: 1-14-0, lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Top Returners: Seniors — Luke Hecker (M), Elijah Tyrell (F), Drew Gallagher (F); Junior — Atlas Jennings (D).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Henry Freyer (D), Sawyer Boulbok (M).
Coach’s Analysis: “We’re coming off a disappointing season — to say the least — and we are all determined to improve. We’re going to be a very young squad, but experience in the goalkeeper and striker positions should help considerably. I’m confident we’ll improve from game to game.” — Alex Montano
