The Frontier Regional field hockey team made two championship games last season but couldn’t bring any hardware back to South Deerfield. The Redhawks retained a lot of weaponry with plenty of playoff experience. Frontier should find itself with the same types of opportunities this season.
Mohawk wants to qualify for the state tournament for the first time in nearly a decade. Franklin Tech made it all the way to the Western Mass. Class C championship game last season and returns enough talent to make another run in the postseason.
Greenfield qualified for the state tournament last season but retains a very youthful roster heading into the fall. In Orange, Mahar has some young talent that can score some goals. Turners Falls missed the postseason last year but aims for improvement.
Here’s a closer look at each team.
Franklin Tech
Coach: Rian Lovett
League/Division: County/3
Last Year’s Record: 10-9-1
Roster: Seniors — Nora Cutting, Cammy Jacques, Amelia Rider, Ava Worden; Junior — Abigail Dobias; Sophomores — Teagan Donahue, Redyn Gutierrez, Kassidie Stoltz, Izzy Allen, Emmy Godfrey, Kiera Taylor, Alyssa Therieau, Racheal Herzig; Ava Laffey, Jesi Berry, Leah Meattey, Avery Korenewsky, Jenessa Sadler.
Outlook: Leah Meattey is a player to watch for the Eagles. Abigail Dobias, Redyn Gutierrez and Teagan Donahue will also play big roles for Franklin Tech this season.
Frontier Regional
Coach: Missy Mahar
League/Division: Suburban/4
Last Year’s Record: 16-5-2
Roster: Seniors — Amelia Bouchard, Ivy Cloninger, Haly Doucette-Kaplan, Brynna Fahey, Maia Fosnot, Addie Harrington, Harper Modestow, Rowan Reilly; Juniors — Elsa Brown, Bella Orrell, Nora Sloan; Sophomores — Brooke Charest, Hailey Fernandez, Alex Korenewsky; Eighth grade Michaela Sloan, Simone Toschnik.
Outlook: The Redhawks are reloaded for another deep postseason run in both the sectional tournament and the state tournament. The forward line retains Addie Harrington and Haly Doucette-Kaplan. Michaela Sloan and Brynna Fahey have playmaking ability as well. The midfield returns Harper Modestow, who missed last season with a knee injury. Rowan Reilly brings experience and skill to the midfield line for the Redhawks. Amelia Bouchard leads the defense, with Brooke Charest in net.
Greenfield
Coach: Erin Thayer
League/Division: Suburban/4
Last Year’s Record: 8-10-1
Roster: Seniors — Payton Martin, Bella Lefleur; Juniors — Madison Lemay, Olivia Lemay, Kyra Tamsin; Sophomores — Avery Cutting, Sofia Ruggeri, Kailyn Sadler, Haddie Connelley; Freshmen — Sammi Suhl ; Seventh grade — Hailey Sadler, Hayden Sadler, Charlie Lovett, Isabella Reyes.
Outlook: With a very young roster, it should be a rebuilding year for the Green Wave. Madison Lemay is a forward that can score for Greenfield. Olivia Lemay should lead the defense, with Kyra Tamsin playing either midfield or forward.
Mahar Regional
Coach: Colleen Bannister
League/Division: County/4
Last Year’s Record: 3-10-1
Roster: Senior — Katy McGinnis; Juniors —Makayla Beauchemin, Neveah Woods, Adeena Maselli, Julie Montemor Sophomores —Carly Paluk, Ella Smith: Freshmen — Marnie Dupell, Aria Whitehouse, Bella Burnett; Eighth grade — Marcie Dupell, Aria Whitehouse, Bella Burnett, Kiara L’Ecuyer, Nya Cooley, Greta Kelley, Emma Priesch; Seventh grade — Skylar Barton, Isabelle Chastain.
Outlook: The lone senior in Katy McGinnis is an important piece to Mahar’s efforts in the midfield. Neveah Woods leads the defense. Makayla Beauchemin and Carly Paluk should provide the scoring for the Senators. Ella Smith, a sophomore, also has the athletic ability to create scoring chances. Bella Burnett is the goalkeeper for Mahar.
Mohawk Trail Regional
Coach: Greg Lilly
League/Division: County/4
Last Year’s Record: 4-7-5
Roster: Seniors — Heidi Helenek; Juniors — Jayda Waters, Naomi DenOuden, Libby Amstein; Sophomores — Kayden Berry, Tristan Feinstein; Freshman—Sadie Wilcox, Katelyn Bozek, Grace Sisum, Elizabeth Gilmore; Eighth grade — Brynlee Purington, Molly Ross, Hailey Martin, Ellie Rubinaccio, Harper Kingsbury; Drew Cusimano; Seventh grade — Violet Herzig, Emily Gilmore, Alyvea Churchhill.
Outlook: Heidi Helenek brings track and field athleticism and speed to Mohawk’s midfield. Sadie Wilcox is a primary defender with involvement on penalty corners. Jayda Waters leads the forwards. DenOuden is versatile, with the ability to play anywhere with her tremendous stick skills.
Turners Falls
Coach: Renee Tela
League/Division: County/4
Last Year’s Record: 5-9-2
Roster: Jo Licata, Emely Sanchez-Abarua, Ash Shipley-Aja, Ella Larouche, Jazzy Gonzalez, Emma Golembeski, Mariah Larson, Chloey Bucinskas, Fiona Jackson, Niki Nelson, Daisha Ovalle Perez, Anna McCarthy, Runa Swanson-Damon, Dagny Ovalle Perez, Connor Clennon, Enmauel Quezada, Patrick Andrews, Grace Giguere.
