EDWARD LITTLE/LEAVITT/POLAND RED HORNETS
Coach: Dana Berube (sixth year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 9-5-2, reached regional final.
Returning athletes: Juniors — Kylee Spugnardi, Gianna Castagna, Grace Ducharme, Olivia Doyon, Helena Moon, Mackenzie Grenier; Sophomores — Alyssa Prosser, Ella LaBelle.
Key losses: Eve Martineau, Caroline Audette, Sophia Hartley, Sophia Castagna, McKenzi Horton, Megan Lachance, Molly Sirois, Audrey Day.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Emily Quinell, Gloria San Pedro; Juniors — Yolly San Pedro, Hallye Thibodeau, Mikaila Martes; Sophomores — Wylder Demers Dube, Lucy Braby; Freshmen — Sadie Martens, Gabrielle Langelier, Reagan Mulliner.
Season outlook: The Red Hornets are a young team with many new players. Solid returning varsity players who have made key contributions to the team in past seasons will be relied, particularly early in the season. Coach Dana Berube is looking for the team to improve throughout the regular season and be competitive by playoff time.
GREELY/GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER RANGERS
Coach: Meg Finlay (first year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 3-12-0
Returning athletes: Senior — Maddie Singer (G); Juniors — Katie Dubbert (F), Allie Dominski (D); Sophomore — Jane Flynn (F).
Promising newcomers: Avery Haskins (F), Zoe Trepaney (D).
Season outlook: The Rangers are young and look to bounce back from a three-win season in 2021-22. Maddie Singer will be key to their success. They also added numbers with Avery Haskins and Zoe Trepaney of Gray-New Gloucester joining the team.
LEWISTON BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Scott Laberge (first year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 17-2, state champions.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Ava Geoffroy (D), Alyssa Marcoux (F), Kimberly McLaughlin (G); Sophomores — Avaya Desjardins (D), Courtney Lachance (F).
Key losses: Leah Landry, Leah Dube, Torree St. Hilaire, Lilly Gish, Charlotte Cloutier, Kristin Lachance, Becca Lussier, Sadie Morgan.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Emily Robert (F); Juniors — Tatum Hunt (D), Taylor Melvin (F); Sophomores — Sarah Mack (D), Dayla Tripp (F); Freshmen — Grace Colgan (F), Sadie Goyette (F), Crew Langley (F), Angelina Valiente (F).
Season outlook: It’s a new chapter for the program, with first-year coach Scott Laberge taking over for Ron Dumont, who coached the team for the past 14 years. Previously an assistant to Dumont, Laberge expects the team to remain competitive despite the turnover from last year’s squad. Goaltending, led by Kimberly McLaughlin, who was the KVAC first-team selection last season, and defensive play should keep Lewiston in games early, while the offense finds its rhythm.
MT ARARAT/MORSE/LISBON/LINCOLN/BOOTHBAY/OCEANSIDE EAGLES
Coach: David Hunter (first year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 14-4, reached North regional semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Mallory Stuart (D), Alex Durant (F), Marley LeBel (F); Juniors — Allie Hunter (D), Caragh Beasley (D), Maggie Fitzpatrick (D); Sophomores — Salin Bachor (F), Remy LeBel (F), Emma Morrison (G).
Key losses: Greta Marchildon, Megan Reed, Sarah Moore.
Promising newcomer: Freshman — Sophia Cote (F).
Season outlook: The Eagles are continuing to build a strong program this season. According to new head coach David Hunter, who was elevated from his assistant role last season, continued community support and a strong fan base keeps the team fired up and showing up to play at every game. The team will be breaking in a new starting goaltender in Emma Morrison. There’s a strong contingent of returning varsity players who made key contributions to last season’s success. They have strong connections with one another and pride in the team. The Eagles are eager for the season to begin.
ST. DOM’S/MONMOUTH/WINTHROP SAINTS
Coach: Paul Gosselin (11th year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 5-9, reached North regional semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Maddie Weymouth (D), Bella Pelletier (F); Juniors — Georgie Davidson (D), Lauren Hanlon (D); Sophomores — Gabby Allen (F), Abrianna White (G), Emily Andrews (F).
Key losses: Bella Webster, Emma Roy, West Duffy.
Promising newcomers: Freshman — Chloe Beauchesne; Eighth-graders — Aiva Dorman (F), Moira Craig (F), Abby Titus (F).
Season outlook: The Saints return a veteran squad that reached the North regional semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Lewiston. They will have to replace three of their four top leading point-getters from last season. Georgie Davidson (four goals and four assists) and Maddie Weymouth (five goals and two assists) can each provide offense from the blue line. Abrianna White is a solid goalie who gained valuable experience as a freshman last season.
WINSLOW/GARDINER/MESSALONSKEE/ERSKINE/LAWRENCE/MT. BLUE/MARANACOOK/CONY BLACK TIGERS
Coach: Bill Boardman (second year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 7-8, lost in North regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Kylie Boardman (D), Emma Michaud (G); Juniors — Evelyn Rousseau (D), Hannah Daignault (D); Sophomores — Sohpia Sullivan (F); Kate Nichols (F)
Key losses: Jordin Williams, Kaylyn Bourque.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Molly Hambrick (F), Leah Michaud (D), Katie Berard (F).
Season outlook: With the loss of last season’s two top scorers, Williams and Bourque, strong goaltending and defense will be key to the team’s success. A strong freshman class should help build on that defense as well as carry the offensive play. With more depth this season, including the addition of Mt. Blue to the program, the team is looking to make it past the quarterfinal round for the first time and have a deep playoff run.
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