After a tough loss in the 2024 D-II state championship, John Stark’s field hockey team is ready to prove itself once again.
Head coach Cassidy Huckins Toms is entering her second year in charge and has already shown that she can take the Generals far. The girls, now a year under a new system, are preparing to stick to what worked and adjust as needed.
Seniors Caylin Worthen, Claudia Dustin and junior Addison DeCew, the team’s captains for the upcoming season, have begun to pass down their wealth of experience to the newcomers.
John Stark forward Caylin Worthen (middle) celebrates the first goal of the game alongside Addison DeCew.
“Those two together, Claudia and Caylin, are very, very good when it comes to communication on the field, communication off the field, with motivating the underclassmen and pushing them,” Huckins Toms said. “I think their motive, their motive this season, is just to keep the positivity and keep the intensity up.”
As long as the girls stay focused on winning one game at a time, Huckins Toms thinks they can replicate last season’s success.
Much of the core is returning this year, but the biggest departure is that of Adison Bolduc. She was named Division II Co-Defensive Player of the Year, leaving the defense that had 10 shutouts and allowed just 14 goals in 19 games last season, on a path to find a new stopper.
Two other pieces of that defense, Emily Fredette and Ryann Telgen, also graduated, forcing less experienced sophomores to step up.
Despite the turnover on defense, the team has looked swift and efficient during the preseason and has moved the ball well as it finds its shape, Huckins Toms said.
On offense, Worthen will be joined by returning players, senior Ava Friberg, and sophomores Zoe Lawson and Karrington Telgen. The midfield of Dustin and DeCew will feature a rotation of new faces to round out the squad, but most have some experience in the Generals’ system.
“A scrimmage we had the other day, we scored, I think, five goals off of just corners. So it’s just impressive that it’s already looking very strong. We just need to connect more, like from the forwards, midfield to defense, but I’m feeling very optimistic,” Huckins Toms said.
The Generals opened their season with a game away from home at Plymouth on Thursday, with many games to play their best hockey ahead.
John Stark’s Caylin Worthen (13) moves the ball upfield during field hockey game at Kingswood on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Worthen scored a goal in the 3-0 victory. Credit: JOSH SPAULDING / Salmon Press
Concord
Division: I
Coach: Nicole Armaganian (fourth year)
Last year: 13-5, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Amy Desrochers, sr., M; Anya Kendziora, sr., M; Elliana Wing, sr., M/F; Lillian O’Hara, sr., D; Lexi Magee, sr., D; Brooke Nelson, jr., G
Top newcomers: Emma Barry, so., M; Ella Chrabolowski, so., M
Outlook: “We have a wonderful group of girls this season that really enjoy being around each other. Our challenge this season is our small roster. We have 14 players on the varsity roster, which includes 12 field players and 2 goalies. I will be relying heavily on our returning players, particularly our seniors, to keep the team playing with intensity and using a little bit of creativity. Preseason is going by quickly, and I’m looking forward to a fast-paced season ahead.”
The Crimson Tide walked off the field victoriously after beating Windham in the preliminary round last season. Credit: Chip Griffin—Photos by Chip
Bow
Division: II
Coach: Sarah Vaughn (third year)
Last year: 13-4-1, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Josie Johnson, sr., M; Kaylee Jacques, jr., M; Peyton Vaughn, so., F; Madelyn Hebert, jr., D; Shire Kelley, jr., F; Elise Jacques, so., M
Top newcomers: Avery Ayers, fr.; Ainsley Herrick, fr.; Chloe Nowakowski, fr.
Outlook: “We graduated five starting seniors, but the future is bright for strong leadership coming in as upperclassmen this year, along with some exciting newcomers to add some depth to our program. Every team is a team to beat. We hope to continue our final four appearance streak, working on a 3rd consecutive year this year.”
Bow’s Josie Johnson scores on a breakaway attack. Credit: Chip Griffin / Photos by Chip
Merrimack Valley
Division: II
Coach: Jen Colgan (8th year)
Last year: 11-6-1, reached quarterfinals.
Returning starters: Lauren Bailey, Sr.; Julia Michael, Sr.; Ashley Winn, Sr.; Izzy Tucker, Sr.; Abbey Thompson, Sr.; Zetta St. Onge, Jr.; Marissa Kimball, So.
Top newcomers: Hannah Dubac, Fr.
Outlook: “We are excited to start the season up. We have a solid group of girls who work hard to improve every day with a positive mindset.”
Teams to beat: Oyster River, Souhegan, John Stark, Bow.
LEFT: Merrimack Valley forward Izzy Tucker dribbles past John Stark’s midfielders. Credit: Alexander Rapp—Monitor Staff
Pembroke
Division: II
Coach: Steve Langevin (sixth year)
Last year: 5-10-2, reached prelims
Returning starters: Ashlyn Barker, sr., F; Phoebe Morris, sr., F; Mady Cali, sr., M/F; Carlee LePage, sr., M/F; Anne Phillips, jr., M/F; Tessa Love, sr., D; Ava Strazzeri, sr., D; Julia Emond, jr., D
Top newcomers: Daphne Morris, fr., G; Caitlyn Casey, so., D
Outlook: “We have a pretty solid starting group with lots of experience. We are just working on improving our depth. We are hoping to make the playoffs again.”
Teams to beat: Hollis-Brookline, Oyster River
Bishop Brady
Division: III
Coach: Kelly Owen (32nd year)
Last year: 12-5-1, D-III runner-up
Returning starters: Ava Archambault, sr., G; Ella Blanchette, so., M/F; Kate Farley, sr., D; Reese Henry, so., M/D; Lauren Howe, sr., F; Madelyn Savary, jr., M/D; Marcella Tonge, sr., M/D
Outlook: “With seven returning starters, we’re excited about the growth this group brings to the field. The team has energy and heart to build around, while newer players will be learning to fill key roles every day. Our focus will be on consistency, depth, and sharpening our play on both ends of the field – we defend as 11 and attack as 10 – for this 2025 season.”
Bishop Brady junior forward Abigail Tyrell passes past Kearsarge’s freshman defender, Payton MacMichael. Credit: Chip Griffin / Photos by Chip
Hopkinton
Division: III
Coach: Kate Hohenberger (seventh year)
Last year: 10-5-0, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Maddie Dwyer, sr., D; Lauren Vetter, jr., M; Aurelia Salace, jr., F; Autumn Meier, jr., F; Mary Maughan, jr., D; Ryan Barrett, jr., M; Gigi Upton, so., M/F
Top newcomers: Emma Pelletier, sr., D; Sadie Pelletier, so., D; Zoe Duquette, fr., F; Carlie Leino, fr., F
Outlook: “We should have a competitive season with a lot of depth coming off our bench. We are looking forward to see how this team grows through the season and also how our new players make their mark on the field.”
Hopkinton midfielder Autumn Meier against Newport in Oct. 2024. Credit: Jeff Sullivan / SullivanEventPhotography.com
Kearsarge
Division: III
Coach: Chelsea Williams (seventh year)
Last year: 5-10-0, reached prelims
Returning starters: Stella Syversten, jr.; Ava Nolan, jr.; Payton MacMichael, so.; Adella Monnat, so.; Ryley Grace, jr.; Raegan Billado, so.; Abby Bradbury, sr.; Leah Reeve, jr.
Top newcomers: Charlotte Knox, fr.; Maci Dockham, fr.
Outlook: “Last year, we were a young team, and now we’re eager to take the field with added varsity experience. We should have speed to our advantage this fall.”
Teams to beat: Gilford
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