Girls prep hockey is stacked with talented individuals and teams entering this season.
Many of these teams have strong cases for the NEPSAC postseason. Elite 8 runner-up Williston Northampton and Small School champion each landed in the top five of our preseason rankings. Groton and Cushing earned spots in the top 10 as well.
Williston reached the Elite 8 final for the third straight season after winning the previous two. New Hampton reached the Small School title game for the third year in a row as well, winning their second straight over Groton.
Each of the above teams should very much be a factor this season, while others below are sure to challenge.
Here’s our breakdown of every Small School team.
Berwick
Coach: Kelly McManus Souza
2023-24 result: 6-14-0
Players to watch: Ella Souza, D; Emily Hester, F; Frankie Cormier-McFarland, F; Ava Souza, F; Ragan Schank, G
Outlook: Despite working with a young roster, including seven freshmen and two eighth-graders, McManus Souza expects her team to be more competitive this season after returning top defender Ella Souza, leading point-scorer Cormier-McFarland as well as Ava Souza, who led the team in goal-scoring as an eighth-grader last season.
Brewster
Coach: Bill Ward
2023-24 result: 12-10-5
Players to watch: Megan Tremblay, F; Katie Collins, F; Lexi Davies, F; Belle Desrosiers, G; Abby Brodney, D; Alexis D'Angelo, Niomi Phillips, F; Sophia Rock, G
Outlook: The Bobcats posted their best record since 2013 last season. They'll look to build on that success this season, bringing back last year's leading scorers Tremblay and Collins. Davies provided key secondary production as well. Desrosiers will be critical in net for Ward's team, coming off a strong season as the starter.
Brooks
Coach: Michael Burns
2023-24 result: 5-18-2
Players to watch: Bella Mondolfi, F; Elsa Wood, F; Angela Fabbo, F; Lauren DuBarry, D; Kyleigh Matola, G
Outlook: Coming off a tough 2023-24 campaign, Brooks returns goalie Matola, who earned All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention and ISL Honorable Mention, and hopes to rebound with a better record this season. Led on offense by Mondolfi, a Merrimack commit, Brooks will also be looking for freshmen newcomers Kenzie Moore (forward) and Cait Driscoll (defense) to step in as contributors right away.
LARGE SCHOOLS: A team-by-team breakdown for 2024-25 | Preseason First and Second teams
Canterbury
Coach: Eliza Beaudin
2023-24 result: 13-7-3
Players to watch: Maya Lilieka, F; Parker Caldara, F; Amanda Ranaudo, D; Reagan Fitzgerald, F; Jaelyn Beauvis, D
Outlook: Despite graduating a handful of players to the college ranks this offseason, Beaudin is optimistic about this team. “Forward-wise, [we] should have more regular and balanced production from many kids,” Beaudin said. “Certainly excited about our additions over the summer, adding both young and experienced talent on both sides of the puck.” All in all, Beaudin expects Canterbury to make a run for a playoff berth this season.
Cushing
Coach: Valerie Bono-Bunker
2023-24 record: 14-14-1
Players to watch: Brooke Harb, F; Julia Lambert, F; Madi Soderquist, F; Brooke Fallon, F; Bella Freitas, F; Taylor Buckley, D; Lilly Tewksbury, D; Gabby Woods, D; Kenzley Goode, D; Blake Metcalf, D; Sadie Bellissimo, G
Outlook: The Penguins missed the Small School tournament by one spot — .0008 RPI points, to be exact. But Bono-Bunker’s team is poised to get back in the mix, featuring plenty of returning firepower from Harb to Lambert to Soderquist and rising youngsters like Fallon and Molly Bardol. Freitas is an electric prospect coming off a stellar MIAA season as well. Buckley and Tewksbury lead an experienced defense, while Bellissimo is ready to take over as the starter.
Frederick Gunn
Coach: Daniel Allen
2023-24 result: 14-10-2
Players to watch: Sofia Cuozzo, F; Mia Merrill, D; Skyler Toffolo, F; Olivia Kurtz, D; Emily Krauss, G; Kaidence Wright, D
Outlook: With five defenders and the starting goalie returning, Frederick Gunn is built from the back. The team graduated five forwards to college programs over the offseason, opening the door for new contributors. Allen expects growing pains in that department but believes Wright, who played on the top defensive pair as a freshman last season, and the senior leadership will balance things out. “We will play with a strong structure and be hard to play against,” Allen said. “I expect us to take some time to figure out how to score and play effective offense as a team. We should be a competitive team that has the potential to make it back to NEPSAC Small School [tournament] again.”
Governor's
Coach: Claudia Barcomb
2023-24 result: 8-12-4
Players to watch: Lana Hardin, F; Elena Gordon, F; Liz Luong, G; Brooke Carlson, F; Megan Carlson, D; Lauren Dockray, D; Joey Claderara, D, Ella McDonald, F
Outlook: Governor’s Academy boasts a young, albeit very talented team. Barcomb is hoping it leads to a playoff berth. Hardin is a strong two-way forward looking to build off a productive freshman season. Meanwhile, the Carlsons are among some exciting newcomers entering the fold. Megan Carlson is a highly-regarded 2009 defense prospect, making USA Hockey’s Under-18 Select Camp in the offseason.
PRESEASON ALL-STARS: First and Second girls Small School teams
Groton
Coach: Tim LeRoy
2023-24 record: 18-6-2, lost to New Hampton in championship of Dorothy Howard Small School tournament
Players to watch: Tina Scalese, F; Maddie Cronan, F; Jaelyn Trudell, F; Hazel Hughes, F; Dani Shyjan, F; Eva DeAngelis-Gray, F; Tatum Friedholm, D; Jamie Noonan, D; Sydney Nelson, D; Rose Fischer, D; Nora Wilson, G; Maggie Whelden, G
Outlook: The Zebras are still chasing that elusive trophy, coming off a second straight loss to New Hampton in the Small School final. Nonetheless, they remain a factor, running it back with their top line of Cronan, Trudell and Scalese, who is firmly among the top scorers in NEPSAC. Opportunity is afoot in net for Wilson, while Whelden is a youngster to keep an eye on. Noonan and Nelson have a chance to take the reins on defense, while Friedholm, a newcomer from the MIAA, will be thrust straight into a premier role.
Hebron
Coach: Greg Dumais
2023-24 result: 0-12-0
Players to watch: Peyton Grebiner, D; Mathilde Boisvert, F; Kiera Heath, F; Aiva Dorman, F
Outlook: After not playing at all in 2022-23 due to lack of players followed by a tough 2023-24 season, Hebron is working its way through a deep rebuild. However, with underclassmen making up two-thirds of the roster, Dumais expects his team to continue developing and build off the progress made late last season. “This program will be solid again over the next 2-3 years with [a] deep pipeline,” Dumais said.
Holderness
Coach: Bianca Moreau
2023-24 result: 9-13-4
Players to watch: Ashley Bergeron, F; Lexi Morris, F; Stella Regan, F; Caleigh Weig, D; Molly Wrinn, D; Mia Gonsalves, G; Songdy Assoume, G
Outlook: Holderness fell short of the postseason last year but returns a good core, starting with both goaltenders, who did well with heavy shot volumes last season, including Gonsalves, one of the more underrated goalies in the NEPSAC. Moreau will look to Bergeron to pace the offense, while Morris and Regan could take a step.
Hoosac
Coach: Alli Sugar
2023-24 result: 4-13-0
Players to watch: Geneva Letal, F; Irene Damianakis, F; Blayne Dussold, F; Alexis Scherzer, G; Alisha O'Doherty, G
Outlook: The Owls lost key production from last season's team, but Sugar's group brings back plenty of seniors with experience. They'll rely on Letal, Damianakis and Dussold, while Scherzer is back after shouldering the workload in net last season. O'Doherty performed well in a small sample as well.
SMALL SCHOOL PREVIEWS: Groton | New Hampton | Cushing | Williston Northampton
Kents Hill
Coach: Taylor Leech
2023-24 result: 5-22-0
Players to watch: Remy LeBel, F; Kaylyn Bourque, F; Amelia Quesnel, F; Avery Ross, D; Melina Bandouveres, D; Eline Gillodes, G
Outlook: The Huskies will look to build on last season, returning their top two scorers back in the fold after LeBel and Bourque each eclipsed 20 points. Ross and Bandouveres will be key to the defensive core, while Gillodes took on most of the work in net last season.
Kimball Union
Coach: Mark Hudak
2023-24 result: 9-15-4
Players to watch: McKenna Dockery, F; Summer Combe, F; Reese Combe, D; Ali Sprissler, D
Outlook: After graduating 12 players and half the roster new to the team, Kimball Union will rely on its leaders to overcome its significant roster churn. “[I’m] looking for growth in how we play as a team and individuals as the season progresses,” Hudak said. “We will need a steep learning curve, especially early on.”
Lawrence Academy
Coach: Nikki Petrich
2023-24 result: 4-21-0
Players to watch: Geena Cookinham, F; Nuala Gibbs, F; Kayla Rice, D; Courtney Shifrin, F; Violet Safari, F; Kailey Hannon, F; Olivia Doucette, G; Jocelyn White, G; Ava Glab, F
Outlook: Lawrence struggled last season, but the Spartans are just a season removed from a trip to the Small School tournament. Petrich will look to establish a high standard in her first year as coach, and she'll lean on returning standouts like Cookinham, Gibbs and Rice. Lawrence will also add MIAA standouts in Shifrin and Hannon as well as a youngster in Safari. The expectation is the Spartans can push for a postseason spot once again.
Millbrook
Coach: Erica Freymann
2023-24 result: 13-10-1, lost to Groton in semifinals of Dorothy Howard Small School tournament
Players to watch: Piper Smith, Fl Lillian Ainley, F; Merritt Tessier, F; Emily Morin, D; Jaicee Downs, D; Jayla Stever, D; Ella Wiley, G; Kate Rubinstein, G
Outlook: The Mustangs were a game away from the Small School title game in their second straight trip to the postseason. Freymann's squad returns its top scorer in Smith, who posted a point per game. Ainley and Tessier will look to build on productive seasons as well. Opportunity is afoot for Wiley and Rubinstein in net after Jessica Trocchio graduated.
RANKINGS: Nobles leads a deep field in girls prep preseason top 10
Mount Saint Charles
Coach: Sophia Vingi
Players to watch: Kaylin O’Connor, F; Keira Goffe, F
Outlook: Mount is new to the NEPSAC this season. Vingi is eager to see what a plethora of newcomers can do this season, including skilled senior transfers like O’Connor and Coffee. “We are excited to be part of the league and the competition,” Vingi said. Their inaugural NEPSAC schedule includes St. George’s, Austin Prep, North Yarmouth Academy, Rivers, Williston Northampton and Nobles.
New Hampton
Coach: Craig Churchill
2023-24 record: 18-6-6, beat Groton in championship of Dorothy Howard Small School tournament
Players to watch: Julia Loughlin, F; Kennedy Walker, F; Caroline Thomas, F; Trinity Walsh, F; Kayleigh Michaud-Nolan, F; Kelsey Baker, F; True Thompson, D; Addy Peel, D; Drew Hayhurst, D; Reese Luber, D; Cara Kuczek, G; Elizabeth Vincent, G
Outlook: If any team outside of last year’s Elite 8 has the chance to crack into that upper echelon, it’s New Hampton. The Huskies bring back a stacked group of forwards, including their entire top six from last season with Loughlin, Walker, Thomas, Michaud-Nolan and Baker as well as Walsh, who is back in the mix after a torn ACL held her out last season. Thompson leads the blue line as one of the most dynamic defenders in prep, while Peel, a transfer from Brooks, adds high-end talent. The question mark lies in net after graduating Vera Lee.
Pomfret
Coach: David Peltz
2023-24 result: 5-19-0
Players to watch: Maeve Molloy, F; Layla Miller, F; Keira O'Brien, D; Hannah McDermott, G
Outlook: The Griffins come off of last season with their top scorer, Molloy, back in the fold. Pomfret will lean on her to drive the offense. McDermott has big shoes to fill in net after Avery Valente graduated. The former performed well when she saw action last season, and she'll be as critical as Valente was.
Portsmouth Abbey
Coach: Kurt Carter
2023-24 result: 17-7-3
Players to watch: Jayden Elias, G; Brooke Marston, F; Anna Hutton, D; Megan O'Connor, F; Jillian Muglia, F; Alexis Taylor
Outlook: The Ravens took home the Eastern Independent League crown last season, thanks in part to Elias, who posted a .958 save percentage despite facing one of the highest shot volumes in prep. There are big shoes to fill offensively, though, after Zoe Rosenberg, the NEPSAC's second-leading scorer graduated. Much of the responsibility will fall to Marston, while Hutton will pace the blue line.
MORE GIRLS PREVIEWS: Nobles | Phillips Andover | Loomis Chaffee | Dexter Southfield | BB&N
Proctor
Coach: Mikah Baptiste
2023-24 result: 8-17-2
Players to watch: Bella Simeone, F; Viltuate Jasineviciute, F; Cate Hart, F; Molly VanVranken, D; Katie Grady, G
Outlook: The Hornets return four of their top five leading scorers last season. Jasineviciute and Simeone will look to take an additional step after reaching double-digit points, while Hart will look to follow up tying the team lead in goals. Grady could take on a bigger role in net after Sally Sweeney and Cass Dickson graduated.
Rivers
Coach: Keith McLean
2023-24 result: 12-19-2, lost to New Hampton in semifinals of Dorothy Howard Small School Tournament
Players to watch: Lindsay Morin, F; Kyleigh Rabazzi, D; Brooke Bartlett, F; Kathryn Butkus, D; Nora Swaim, F; Simone Burns, F; Serafina Applegate, G
Outlook: Entering his second season as coach, McLean has high expectations for his group. After taking some time to learn his “aggressive offensive style” during McLean’s first season behind the bench, the Red Wings should hit the ground running this season. “The core group of the team is returning and the young players gained valuable experience last year,” McLean said. “We are a hard team to play against because we play hard, tough and aggressive all over the ice.” Last season's leading scorer, Morin, will lead the way again, along with Applegate in the crease.
St. George's
Coach: Kim Tiberi
2023-24 result: 10-8-5
Players to watch: Maddie Lahah, F; Allie McIntosh, D; Maggie Buffery, D; Kalyssa Bayne, G; Emily Coogan, F; Jane Coogan, F
Outlook: St. George’s will look to build on the 10 wins it earned last season and compete among the top teams in the ISL. “We come into this season with much more depth than the past,” coach Tiberi said. “Expecting a strong defensive core and some firepower up front with some additions on both ends.” Lahah, a Holy Cross commit, will look to take another step after a breakout season.
St. Mark's
Coach: Kerstin Matthews
2023-24 result: 10-13-3
Players to watch: Jackie Wright, G; Channing Brush, D; Ella Lefebvre, F; Hannah Macron, F; Amne Khamis, F
Outlook: After graduating just four seniors, St. Mark’s is expected to take a step forward this season. The team’s top three scorers – Lefebvre, Macron and Khamis – all returned, as well as Wright in net. With that foundation in place and newcomers such as Caroline Kruez, Sammi Ruzzo and Allie Sauls expected to contribute right away, Matthews has high hopes for her squad.
LOOMIS CHAFFEE: Why the Pelicans’ defense should be a force in girls prep hockey
Tilton
Coach: Zach Frament
2023-24 result: 17-9-3, lost to Millbrook in quarterfinals of Dorothy Howard Small School Tournament
Players to watch: Mary Kelley, F; Evelyn Lacey, G; Gabby Cerqua, D; Shae Gould, F; Katherine Flippo, F
Outlook: The Rams had a lot of turnover on the back end, so Frament believes the team will lean strongly on Lacey in net to keep games close. However, the additions of freshman forward Anna Davidson and junior forward Maddison Mang should boost Tilton’s offensive output. “The big key to success this year is buying into the systems in place, and working as a team in every area of the ice,” Frament said.
Vermont Academy
Coach: Madison Paydos
2023-24 result: 5-15-4
Players to watch: Juliette Belanger, G; Mia Ryder, F; Talia Engel F; Carley Guarino, F; Miriam Felton, D; Aubrie Adair, D
Outlook: With six newcomers, including Ryder, joining the returning core, Paydos is hoping the Wildcats turn some heads this season. “We aim to be a hard team to play against,” Paydos said. “‘VA’ has been known to have an aggressive level of play, and now with some new offensive additions, we expect to surprise some teams this season.”
Williston Northampton
Coach: Christa Talbot Syfu
2023-24 record: 21-4-1, lost to Nobles in championship of Chuck Vernon Elite 8 tournament
Players to watch: Nora Curtis, F; Violet Carroll, F; Mia Daley, F; Zola Piekarski, F; Brenna Ziter, F; Riley Stocker, F; Brooke Schlutter, F; Nina Coffee, D; Catie Putt, D; Malaya Anabe, D; Alyssa Frazier, D; Olivia Ferebee, G
Outlook: The Wildcats fell short of their bid for a three-peat last year, but continue to project as a major factor. Despite graduating NEPSAC leading scorer Monique Lyons, top forwards including Curtis, Carroll, Daley and Piekarski should help lead the way again. Stocker and Schlutter, like Daley, showed plenty of promise as freshmen. Returning defenders including Coffee, Putt and Anabe will shoulder heavier workloads, especially after captain Caroline Aufiero graduated. Talbot Syfu can rely on a top option like Ferebee in net.
