From 2014-2019, a Merrimack Valley Conference team advanced to the Division 1 Eastern Mass. championship game.
The last two times, in 2018 and 2019, it was Chelmsford’s turn as the Lions put together seasons of 22-3 and 20-5.
Although there won’t be an Eastern Mass Championship game this year because of COVID-19, Chelmsford should still be one of the top local and state teams this year, thanks to having three key members of those teams returning with Kate Krueger, Sofia D’Agostino and Kathryn Slattery. Both Krueger and D’Agostino, close friends, will be heading to play Division college lax in the fall, attending Iona and UMass Lowell, respectively.
Elsewhere in the MVC, Lowell had a tremendous 15-win season in 2019, while Billerica has a strong tradition and hopes to keep that going under returning players Jaycee Balboni and Julia Trainor.
Tewksbury has struggled in the win column, but returns two-time league all-star Kati Polimeno and Dracut returns multi-sport athlete Leah Durkin.
In the CAC, Shawsheen Tech is the three-time vocational school champion, and were one of three state tournament teams in 2019, along with Lowell Catholic (9-10) and Greater Lowell (10-10).
In the Mid-Wach League, Groton-Dunstable has always been a perennial powerhouse, and after a 9-9 season two years ago, will look to restore that tradition, while Tyngsboro (14-6) and Littleton (15-5) are also dangerous teams to contend with.
In the Dual County League, Westford Academy has always been an outstanding program and will look to junior Kendall Donovan, who has already committed to play at New Hampshire, to lead the way.
Alvirne
League: New Hampshire Division 2
Returning players: Hailey Ramalhinho, sr., midfielder; Allison Nazzario, sr., attack; Charlotte Maloney, sr., attack; Erin Baker, sr., midfielder; Jordan Sweeny, jr., defense; Madison Nicolisi, jr., midfielder; Sydney Nicholson, jr., attack; Halle Miller, jr., midfielder; Emma Fopiano, jr., defense; Miranda Faber, jr., attack.
Promising newcomers: Elsa Ferullo, jr., attack; Katherine Waden, soph., defense; Makayla Meehan, fr., defense.
Coach Carrie Casey (3rd season): “In 2019, we had seven brand new players, all freshmen, who missed out on a second season due to COVID-19. I was thrilled to see all seven return, along with our four seniors and seven recruits who are new to the game. Since we moved from D1 to D2, I am excited to see how well the girls will do. I think the girls are just happy to be on the field with their teammates. This season is about having fun and being thankful we were able to play lacrosse.”
Billerica
League: Merrimack Valley Conference Division 2
Returning players: Jaycie Balboni, sr., midfielder; Julia Trainor, jr., midfielder; Paige Murphy, jr., midfielder; Abby White, jr., defense.
Promising newcomers: Meaghan Boermeester, sr., attack; Gia Ames, sr., midfielder; Amanda Macleod, jr., defense; Madison Vacaro, jr., midfielder; Abigail Cohen, jr., midfielder.
Coach Ashley Martell (12th season): “After missing the 2020 season, we are looking forward to welcoming a new group of eager student- athletes, who are also fortunate to experience playing at the beautiful new Billerica High School athletic complex. I have been pleased with the level of competition at tryouts, and the coaching staff is looking forward to seeing what this group can achieve in 2021.”
Chelmsford
League: Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1
Returning players: Kate Krueger, sr., midfielder; Sofia D’agostino, sr., midfielder; Kathryn Slattery, sr., defense; Katherine Wood, sr., attack; Leah Green, sr., attack; Morgan Wright, sr., goalie; Sarah Lachance, sr., attack; Sofia Balan, jr., defense; Julia Pitts, jr., midfielder.
Promising newcomers: Victoria Apostokes, soph., defense; Madelin Dunbar, soph., goalie; Oliva Hall, soph., midfielder; Amelia Kelley, soph., midfielder; Margaret Loeber, soph., attack; Remore Serra, soph., defense; Annemarie Tyros, soph., attack; Caitlin Walsh, soph., attack; Shaylee Wright, soph., defense; Taija Bell, fr., defense.
Coach Ashley Rokas (6th season): “We have a lot of new girls this year but the leadership in the senior class is amazing. They have taken the younger girls under their wings and showed them the ropes of CHS girls lacrosse. They have put in the extra work and it really shows on the field.”
Dracut
League: Merrimack Valley Conference Division 2
Returning players: Leah Durkin, sr., draws/midfielder; Olivia Birolini, sr., defense; Mia Pashoian, sr., midfielder/defense; Abby Sancartier, sr., attack/midfielder; Kayla Davidson, sr., goalie.
Promising newcomers: Jessica St George, jr., midfielder; Isabella Rossetti, jr., midfielder; Samantha Teneriell, fr., attack/midfielder; Giulianna Rossetti, fr., attack.
Coach Vanessa Porter (2nd season): “This group is eager to hit the field after missing the 2020 season due to the pandemic. We are looking forward to rebuilding and growing this program to success. We have a very young, talented and hard working group. We’re excited to keep learning and growing throughout this whole season.”
Greater Lowell
League: Commonwealth Athletic Conference
Returning players: Wanda Rodriguez, sr., defense; Rachel Matte, sr., midfielder; Victoria Garcia, sr., defense; Madison Maybury, sr., attack; Dejha Men, jr., midfielder; Athenna Mao, jr., midfielder; Kaelynn Tanner, jr., midfielder.
Promising newcomers: Genesis Corporan, sr., defense; Diana Mix, sr., defense; Bianca Correa, sr., attack; Kathleen Braz, sr., defense; Anna Hastie, jr., midfielder; Angelina Srey, jr., defense; Alanis Cintron, jr., goalie; Nellie Chan, soph., defense; Mykaela Correia, soph., attack; Ariana Hudson, soph., midfielder; Felicia Melendez, soph., midfielder; Emily Sandelli, fr., midfielder.
Coach Brian Martin (7th season): “Our 2019 team had eight seniors and two juniors, so we don’t have a lot of players with experience. But we do have a full squad of multi-sport athletes, who are excited to compete.”
Groton-Dunstable
League: Mid-Wach A
Returning players: Hannah Erickson, sr., attack; Aine Murphy, sr., defense; Zoe Bellipanni, jr., midfielder; Haly Buchmann, jr., defense; Kristina Kuchel, jr., attack; Katherine Shea, jr., attack; Sophia Egan, jr., attack.
Promising newcomers: Caroline Clinton, soph., goalie.
Coach Emma Ordemann (1st season): “Both of our seniors are very strong players, and I believe they will be excellent team leaders/captains. We have a large cohort of girls (12) from the junior class, which is very exciting. There is lots of camaraderie and enthusiasm among them, which I believe will be a strength for our team. Another strength will be our goalie Caroline Clinton, who is very skilled. We will face some difficult teams in our pod this season, but these ladies are up for the challenge.”
Littleton
League: Mid-Wach B
Returning players: Madison Hunt, sr., attack; Valerie Crory, sr., midfielder; Sophia Perivolotis, sr., goalie; Delaney Carroll, sr., defense; Kate Johnson, sr., midfielder.
Promising newcomers: Shea O’Brien, soph., attack; Emma Estepp, jr., defense; Taylor Donaghy, jr., defense; Brittany Iverson, jr., midfielder.
Coach Mike Crory (4th season): “We are looking to have a fun, full season of lacrosse. The girls worked very hard in the preseason and hopefully we will stay healthy and able to play.”
Lowell
League: Merrimack Valley Conference Division 2
Returning players: Lillian Cluff, jr., attack; Nora Funaro, jr., attack; Caetryn Gilreath, sr., attack; Bella Marsden, sr., goalie; Abigail Mitchell, sr., midfielder/attack; Casey Mitchell, jr., midfielder; Elizabeth Tighe, sr., midfielder.
Promising newcomers: Victoria Farley, jr., attack; Catherine Shanahan, jr., attack; Ashley Valente, jr., attack; Tess Hollingworth, soph., midfielder/defense; Erin Asselin, fr., defense; Annika Couliard, fr., utility; Alicia Mansaray, jr., defense; Jacqueline Peirce, fr., utility; Sara Skaff, fr., utility; Gigi Paulino, jr., defense.
Coach Kerri Bomil (8th season): “We have a really talented group. We have a lot of promising newcomers. They are eager and excited to get on the field.”
Pelham
League: New Hampshire Division 3
Returning players: Jordyn Galgay, sr., midfield; Sydney Nutter, sr., midfield; Emma Beanland, jr., midfield; Sarah Giniewicz, sr., defense; Reese Patchen, jr., attack; Brianna Coombs, sr. attack; Captain Lizzy Hodge, sr., goalie.
Promising newcomers: Jasmine Becotte fr., defense; Taylor Galgay, fr., attack, Sophia Joncas, fr., midfielder.
Shawsheen Tech
League: Commonwealth Athletic Conference
Returning players: Sarah Comeau, sr., defense; Rachael Halas, r., attack; Amanda Howell, sr., midfielder; Jenna Johnson, sr., goalie; Devin Sweeney, sr., midfielder.
Promising newcomers: Gabby Ortiz, jr., defense; Darielle Wilson, jr., defense; Ashley Talbot, jr., midfielder; Kasey McFadden, jr., defense; Kylie McFadden, soph., midfielder; Mikayla Melanson, soph., attack.
Coach Alex O’Reilly (6th season): “I think we are definitely capable of winning the league, but that is not our focus this year. We just want to get out there and have fun — that is the most important thing. We would love to win as well, but right now we are just happy to be out there having a season, and especially being able to give our seniors a season.”
Tewksbury
League: Merrimack Valley Conference Division 2
Returning players: Lexi Polimeno, sr., attack; Erin McIntyre, sr., midfielder; Kati Polimeno, jr., midfielder; Susanna Darrigo, sr., midfielder; Alexis Raymond, sr., attack; Michelle Kusmaul, jr., goalie; Jessica Driscoll, jr., defense
Promising newcomers: Michelle Hinkle, sr., defense; Maeve Cahill, sr., attack; Riley Sheehan, soph., defense; Jamie Constantino, soph., midfielder; Ashley Demers, sr., attack; Alianna Kennan, jr., attack; Katerina Schille, fr., attack; Victoria Catanzano, sr., attack; Brianna Gagnon, jr., utility.
Coach Erin Murphy (3rd season): “They are an athletic group of girls, they have a terrific attitude and it’s been pretty fun so far. We are pretty optimistic for the vibe and the feeling for this season. At the same time we have had a year off, so we are shaking off some cobwebs, but they are a dedicated group. Some of them did some offseason work, but most of them are multi-sport athletes, so that definitely helps.”
Tyngsboro
League: Mid-Wach B
Returning players: Mollie Flanagan, sr., midfielder; Molly Lanier, sr., midfielder; Olivia Rankin, sr., attack; Mia Hannes, sr., midfielder; Emma Angelo, jr., midfielder; Brynn Goulet, jr., midfielder; Courtney Hannes, jr., midfielder.
Promising newcomers: Lily Wagner, sr., goalie; Cailey MacEachern, sr., midfielder; Sara Mullin, sr., attack; Emily Wojcik, sr., attack; Kaitlyn Williams, sr., defense; Gia Pularo-Spazioso, jr., defense; Sydney Hannes, soph., midfielder; Delaney Salerno, soph., midfielder; Eva Gorman, soph., attack; Jocelyn Teta, soph., midfielder; Rylee LaRochelle, fr., attack; Rachel Savoie, fr., attack; Claire Shambley, fr., goalie; Grace Angelo, 8 th , midfielder; Kaitlyn Guilmette, 8th , midfielder; Bella Adams, 8th , midfielder.
Coach Angelina Sutherland (4th season): “This season we have a strong group of returners, coupled with an enthusiastic group of newcomers. We are thrilled to be able to compete this year and create lasting memories for everyone, especially our seniors.”
Westford Academy
League: Dual County League Division 1
Returning players: Elle Prendergast, sr., goalie; Sophia Esteves, sr., attack; Sara Cannuscio, sr., defense; Kendall Donovan, jr., midfielder; Carley Watson, jr., attack.
Promising newcomers: Alex Ryan, jr., attack; Lauren Smith, soph., midfielder; Ali Mammola, soph., defense.
Coach Julie Olivier (11th season): “We are excited to be back on the lacrosse field this season. We have five returning varsity veterans, who will lead the team. Our biggest strength continues to be our team chemistry and passion for the game of lacrosse. This year is all about playing the game we love and getting better every game.”
Wilmington
League: Middlesex Freedom Division
Returning players: Shannon Murphy, sr., goalie., Alexia Bittarelli, sr., def.; Zoe DeRose, sr. def.; Ida Bishop, sr., att.; Kylie DuCharme, sr., attack.
Promising newcomers: Rhiannon Dyment, jr., defense; Jenna Moore, jr., defense; Jess Collins, so., attack; Sloane McIntyre, so., attack.
Coach Bill Manchester (3rd season): “We play all five Freedom Division teams twice and I think that will be a big help for us. Those are all good, tough teams, but we can compete with each of them. Our goal is to get into the state tournament. That has to be the goal.”
