Seacoast high school girls soccer 2023: Here's a close look at every local team
Seacoast high school girls soccer teams are kicking off the 2023 season with championship aspirations and goals to improve upon last year.
More: Here are 19 Seacoast high school girls soccer players to watch in 2023
Here's a look at the local teams from New Hampshire and Maine:
More: Seacoast high school girls soccer 2023: Here's a close look at every local team
NEW HAMPSHIRE
DIVISION I
DOVER
Coach: Rick Pelletier, first year
2021 result: 4-12, didn't qualify for playoffs
Top returning players: Megan Healy, sr., striker/midfield; Payton Denning, sr. midfield
Other key players: Sarah Bastille, sr., defense; Emaline Friend-Gray, jr., defense; Maxine Goard, jr., Midfield; Sienna DAmbrosio, so., midfield
Outlook: With a new coach, and some key losses, including standout goalie Alexa Garcia, there are a lot of question marks going into 2023. New head coach Rick Pelletier, however, said the talent on the team is not in question.
“I hope for big things,” Pelletier said. “I have been coaching in Dover town programs for 10 years, and I know there is talent here. Last year there were five or six one-goal games that didn’t go their way. If we can make incremental improvements, we can flip those games our way.”
Pelletier said he has been focusing on shoring up the team’s defense, and teaching them a new formation, and he has been happy with how quickly the team is learning He said the keys to the team's success will be keeping up with the basics, like playing as a team, not having defensive transition breakdowns, and getting shots on net.
“That sounds like the basics, but the basics are 90% of the game,” he said. “I personally have high hopes and expectations. If we put in the effort, I feel like we can surprise some teams.”
EXETER
Coach: Megan Young, 23rd year
2022 result: 18-1, lost to Bedford in Division I championship
Top returning players: Avery Allard, jr., defense; Nola Fletcher, jr., defense; Lauren Roeder, jr., forward; Kristen Bickford, sr., goalie; Sophia Nadeau, sr., forward
Other key players: Mia Albertelli, jr., midfield; Jaclyn Khoury, jr., midfield; Allison MacDonald, sr., midfield; Caitlin Schweizer, sr., midfield; Julia Shupe, sr., defense; Savanna Ritz, sr., goalie
Outlook: The bitter taste of seeing an undefeated season slip away in the 2022 Division I championship game is still fresh in the Blue Hawks' minds. But after a group of seniors graduated, coach Megan Young said her focus is on the fact that this is a new team, with a clean slate.
“We only have five returning starters, so we have talked a lot about the fact that this is a new season and this group has to create its own identity,” Young said. “It’s a new team and there are a lot of spots to fill, so we have to take things day by day and game by game and see where it leads us.”
One of the blessings of having many younger players stepping up for the Blue Hawks, is the competition for each spot is strong, and that has created great depth for the team, something Young said she expects to be a strength this season.
“We have a lot of versatility and depth,” she said. “We will be looking for every girl on the 20-player roster to contribute. Every position is up for grabs and every girl is working to earn their position and playing time.”
PORTSMOUTH
Coach: Mickey Smith, third year
2022 result: 16-2, lost to Bedford in Division I semifinals
Top returning players: Annie Parker, sr., striker; Haley Coombs, sr., goalie; Ailish Honda, so., Midfield; Sylvia Guarracino, so., midfield
Other key players: Morgan Ruhnke, jr., defense; Avery Timerman, sr., defense; Olivia McCormack, sr., midfield; Delaney Cook, sr., midfield; Abby Nersesian, sr., defense
Outlook: Portsmouth narrowly missed a chance to play for the Division I championship last season, and despite the loss of nine seniors, all of whom were major contributors, coach Mickey Smith believes the Clippers can be a very good team.
“We are still a strong team with several good returning players,” he said. “We get our top three goal scorers and our goalie back. There are other pieces we have to fill in, but the foundation is there.”
He said the goal is to get in position to host two playoff games, which the Clippers will have to finish in the top four of Division I to earn. With teams like Bedford and Timberlane to contend with, as well as Pinkerton and Goffstown, which he expects to be much improved, the Clippers will have to work hard to earn one of those top four spots.
“Our strength is our speed up top,” Smith said. “Our forwards are really fast and work well together. And defensively we are filling in some players, but we get our goalie, Haley Coombs back. Having that strength in the middle on either end of the field is really important for us.”
SPAULDING
Coach: Chris Schoon
2022 result: 3-13, did not qualify for playoffs
Top returning players: Madi Trogler, sr., defense/midfield; Emma Enscoe, sr., striker; Ava Sutton, sr., midfield; Natalie Young, sr., defense; Sophie Werst, sr., defense
Other key players: Taitley Leslie, so., goalie; Katherine Bowley, sr., defense; Morgan Fox, sr., midfield; Harmonie Brown, sr., defense; Sara Pivarunas, sr., striker/midfield
Outlook: Recent years have been a challenge for Spaulding, but coach Chris Schoon feels like this is the year his team will start to turn the corner. He said he thinks earning a playoff spot is a realistic goal.
“We’ve had a rough run over the last couple years,” he said. “We need to grow the numbers, but that being said, as tough as it’s been the last five or six years, we think we can make playoffs. The middle school program is doing a great job getting kids ready. We have soccer players coming up now, not just girls who play soccer. Our numbers are still lower than we would like, but we are starting with a better foundation.”
That foundation of players, he said, has been working very hard and has the right attitude and skill set to be able to improve on last year’s 3-13 record. He said he has been impressed with his players' attitude and effort in the preseason, and he hopes they can maintain that positivity during the struggles that come with an up and down season.
“The strength of this team is the attitude,” he said. “The attitude has been very positive and upbeat. Our attitudes are good, and our skills just keep getting better and better. There is a nice little core here that are working together. They give us a shot. I’d like to get to the playoffs. I think they’ve worked hard enough for it, and I think we can do that. The program, I think, is headed the right direction.”
WINNACUNNET
Coach: Nick O’Brien, eighth year
2022 result: 5-11, did not qualify for playoffs
Top returning players: Julia Merrick, jr, defense; Moxie Clifford, so., defense; Liana Pacheco, jr., midfield; Maitri Clifford, jr., forward; Stella Seberry, sr., defense; Ava Seberry, sr., defense; Mia Lantaigne, so., forward; Taylor Burness, So., midfield
Other key players: Sophia Kontos, sr., midfield; Sophia Guimaraes, fr., midfield; Cadence Oleniak, sr., goalie; Libby Maloney, so., midfield; Molly Houlihan, fr., defense; Izzy Needham, so., midfield; Kaitlyn Koutalidis, sr., midfield
Outlook: Coach Nick O’Brien is confident that the Warriors are in a good position to improve steadily throughout the 2023 season. He said his goal is for Winnacunnet to be competitive with some of the top teams in the state, and he thinks the pieces are in place to meet that goal.
“The key to our success will be to come together as a group, and build that chemistry on and off the field to help produce the style of play we want,” he said. “Our depth will help us this season. As the season wears on, during a grueling 16-game Division I schedule, depth will be a key for us.”
Winnacunnet will rely on the defensive leadership of players like Julia Merrick and Moxie Clifford, while Maitri Clifford is expected to key the Warrior offense.
The Warriors made marked improvements last season, which resulted in picking up one more win than the year before, and O’Brien said the team will have to continue making strides forward to compete with the top teams in Division I like defending champion Bedford, Exeter, Portsmouth, Timberlane and Bishop Guertin.
DIVISION II
OYSTER RIVER
Coach: Sabrina Rivers, second year
2022 results: 8-8, lost to Merrimack Valley in first round of Division II playoffs
Top returning players: Sara Camargo, sr., midfield; Parker Keeler, jr., defense; Maeve Hickock, sr., goalie; Greta Zent, so., defense; Alyska Alcocer, so., midfield
Other key players: Bridget Hawley, ??, defense; Kate Michaud, so., forward
Outlook: After starting the year 7-0 last year, the Bobcats faded to an 8-8 finish. Oyster River brings back a number of young players from a team that was freshmen-laden in 2022.
Coach Sabrina Rivers said her focus in the preseason has been on building the team’s chemistry and confidence. She felt her team struggled to bounce back from its midseason struggles last year, and she wants her young players to start the year with confidence.
“My goal this year is to build the chemistry between them, focus on playing good soccer and getting better every single game,” Rivers said. “Hopefully by the time playoffs come around we will be playing the best we have all season.”
With such a young team, Rivers said she will rely on her two seniors, Sarah Camargo and Maeve Hickock to lead, not only with their play, but by helping their teammates grow.
“We’re trying to figure out how to put the ball in the net. That was our weakness last year and I think we’re starting to figure it out,” Rivers said. “Once we mix in when to shoot and recognize when those windows are there, we’re going to be dangerous. We’ve been very focused on defense, and I think our defense is engrained in us, and now it’s time to build up their confidence and get them shooting the ball and taking risks.
DIVISION III
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Coach: Patrick Hureau, third season
2022 result: 18-1-1, lost to Gilford in the Division III championship
Top returning players: Maddie Karsonovich, sr., striker, Elizabeth Flynn, sr., forward; Kate Burrus, sr., forward; Juliana Grella, sr., defense; Kat Dornan, sr., defense
Other key players: Sammy Neal, sr., defense, Charlotte De Tolla, so., midfield; Caleigh Bronson, sr., midfield
Outlook: After dropping their second state championship game in two years, the St. Thomas girls are looking to take the next step. Coach Patrick Hureau said he thinks they have the pieces to do that despite losses to graduation.
“We are returning a core that’s been to two state championships in the last two years,” he said. “They have experience, and they came back this year hungry. They are hoping this is their year.”
Top scorer Maddie Karsonovich, along with Kate Burrus return to lead the Saints offensive attack, while seniors Juliana Grella and Kat Dornan will anchor the defense, which Hureau said he expects to be a strength. Both Karsonovich and Grella earned first team all-state honors last year, while Burrus got a second team all-state nod, and Dornan earned honorable mention. Hureau said that core brings both the talent and leadership for the Saints to make another deep playoff run.
“They play well together as a group,” he said. “They’ve seen it all, and improved year to year. I think the key to our success will be that we have to become a lot more creative with our play. Some of those players who graduated opened things up for us offensively, but we will have to see how teams play Maddie and adjust.”
DIVISION IV
NEWMARKET
Coach: Andrew Dawson, 14th season
2022 results: 18-1, won Division IV championship
Top returning players: Emma Walkowiak, sr., defense; Morgan Boucher, sr., defense; Haiden Joe, sr., Goalie/midfield; Olivia Blackadar, jr., MF; Jillian Long, jr., forward; AJ Mulligan, so., midfield; Mairead Moore, so., midfield; Amaya Beckles, so., defense
Other key players: Allison Burke, sr., defense; Emma Weick, sr., midfield; Amelia Raab, jr., midfield; Kaya Dobberstein, so., goalie/midfield; Emma Crumb, so., midfield
Outlook: Newmarket graduated six players from last year’s Division IV championship team, including top scorer Maggie Moore, but the returning talent will have the Mules back in contention in 2023, according to coach Andrew Dawson.
“We will have to replace (Moore’s) goal production to be competitive,” he said. “Juniors Olivia Blackadar and Jillian Long can absolutely be scoring threats for us. When they combine in the attack, they can be devastating.”
He said the sophomore tandem of AJ Mulligan and Mairead Moore were breakout players last season, and he expects them to continue progressing in the midfield. Defensively, the Mules return the core of backs Emma Walkowiak, Morgan Boucher, Amaya Beckles, Allison Burke and goalie Haiden Joe.
“If we can use all our available talent and get everyone on the same wavelength then we should be competitive,” Dawson said. “The potential is sky high, but we’re going to need to develop our younger players quickly to stay at the level of the past few years.”
SOMERSWORTH
2022 result: 7-9, did not qualify for playoffs
Top returning players: Shakeila Miller, sr., defense; Madison Brogan, sr., forward; Kezia Mawikere, sr., defense; Audrey Labelle, sr., defense
Other key players: Kira Noyce, so., defense; Ariana Carter, jr., midfield; Baileigh Senyondo, jr., midfield; Hannah Pincince, eighth grade, midfield
Outlook: Somersworth will be fielding just one team this year, and the Hilltoppers had to petition to bring four eighth-graders, so it will be a season of learning and growth, according to coach David Swallow. After graduating five players, and losing two would be returners to injury, Somersworth found itself scrambling to fill out the team.
“We just found out today that our petition was approved to bring up the eighth graders,” Swallow said on Thursday. “We are thankful for that. And these eighth-graders have some talent. So this year will be all about learning and getting used to the pace of the high school game, but if we can stay together as a team, and keep a positive attitude, that will be a win.”
Swallow said there are several players on the team who are playing for the first time, and it he will lean on his returning seniors, particularly Shakeila Miller and Madison Brogan to not only play well, but also to help bring their younger, less experienced teammates along.
“Given the large number of young, inexperienced players, it is tough to gauge our full potential,” he said. “The girls have shown a great attitude so far in practice. We just have to stay together during what till likely be a challenging season at times. We will strive for continual, incremental improvements all season long.”
MAINE
CLASS A SOUTH
MARSHWOOD
Coach: Meg Martinson, second season
2022 result: 12-3, lost to Cheverus in the Class A South quarterfinal
Top returning players: Lana Emery, jr., goalie; Lilli Hammond, sr., forward; Aoife Coomey, sr., midifield; Lucy Parker, jr., midfield;
Other key players: Rowan Waddell, sr., midfield; Maddy Poitras, so., forward; Jackie Arnold, jr., utility
Outlook: Marshwood had a strong season last year in Martinson’s first year at the helm, but a bitter loss on penalty kicks in the playoffs left the Hawks stunned in the playoffs. They look to bounce back this year and make an even deeper playoff run.
“We will have a bunch of new players this year, which I am really excited about,” said Martinson. “There are lots of talented players who can play in multiple places. We will be looking to be creative on offense, while being steady and connected in the back.”
Martinson said her senior leadership will be the backbone of the team, and their experience will be a key to the team’s success. She also anticipates that junior goalie Lana Emery will be one of the team’s strengths.
“I am excited about our senior leadership and our strength defensively,” she said. “We have a lot of players who have stepped up in that area and a lot of veteran players in the midfield.”
She said she hopes that experience will allow her players to stay connected and communicate well on the field, all the way from the back line to the striker.
CLASS B SOUTH
YORK
Coach: Nick Hanlon, fourth year
2022 result: 8-5-4, lost to Yarmouth in the Class B regional final
Top returning players: Ella Hickey, sr., goalie; Milah Saravong, sr., midfield; Emily Estes, sr., defense; Grace Clayton, sr., midfield; Gabby Galbadis, sr., forward; Anna Doughty, sr., forward; Emily Parisi, sr., defense;
Other key players: Ava Fontaine, jr., midfield; Chloe DeLuca, jr., midfield; Veda Kiper Phelps, jr., midfield; Tessa Spaulding, so., defense; Scarlett Ring, so., midfield; Zoe Carroll, so., midfield
Outlook: It will be a year of transition for York, as the Wildcats look to improve on last year’s 8-5-4 record. Coach Nick Hanlon said the team is looking to build experience, confidence and chemistry, as many players step up into larger roles this season.
“Our goal is to improve day to day and week to week with the aim of playing our best soccer in mid-October,” Hanlon said. “This group of seniors is excited to step into a leadership role this season, and will look to rely on their work rate and experience early on.”
Hanlon said the team’s athleticism will be a key to their success, and he thinks it will allow the Wildcats to challenge opponents on both ends of the field.
“Our strengths lie in our athleticism and ability to put teams under pressure,” Hanlon said. “We have a young midfield who continue to improve their distribution and look to counter quickly up the field.”
CLASS C SOUTH
TRAIP ACADEMY
Coach: Mike Jackson, seventh season
2022 result: 8-8, lost to Waynflete in the Class C South semifinals
Top returning players: Keira Alessi, sr., forward; Lilly Stuart, sr., goalie; Frances Burke, jr., defense; Delia Hartley, jr., defense; Jacey Johnson, jr., defense
Other key players: Sarah Carven, jr., defense; Aberash Robinson, jr., midfield; Siobhan Reeve, jr., defense; Meridith McGonigle, jr., midfield; Avery Bouffard, so., midfield; Keira Durgin, so., forward; Lucy Fullerton, so., midfield
Outlook: With a strong core of returning players, Traip looks to improve on last year’s 8-8 record. Coach Mike Jackson said the team has a combination of youth and experience that will allow them to continue to grow.
“We have no seniors on the team, but we still have a lot of returning players who saw quality minutes last year,” Jackson said. “All eleven of our juniors were on varsity last year, and we also have three sophomores who played last year, and I think they will continue to grow in their second year on varsity.”
Jackson said that in addition to varsity experience, the group of juniors also has a lot of experience playing together, which will pay dividends this fall. Captain Keira Alessi will look to key the Rangers offense, while goalie Lilly Stuart anchors the defensive effort.
Jackson said the key to success this year will be how well the offense progresses, as well as staying healthy.
“We have more experience on defensive side,” Jackson said. “There is talent on offense, but we will be looking to improve both offensively and defensively as the season goes. The goal is always to improve as the year goes on and be playing our best at the end of the year.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast NH ME girls soccer 2023: Team by team previews
