Andover’s run is now at four straight Division 1 state field hockey title games, and the expectation when the sticks hit the turf in August is that the Warriors will again be in the hunt.

“We’re looking forward to a good season with this group. I know we have a lot of hard-working returners,” said coach Bridget Morris. “I can’t wait to see what our newcomers can contribute as well.”

Of course, graduation was a killer for the Warriors, who said goodbye to Eagle-Tribune Player of the Year Bella DiFiore and three other first-team all-Merrimack Valley Conference choices.

“All three of our captains (Ella Sewall, Avery Pitts, Shannon Paul) have shown themselves to be excellent leaders so far,” said Morris. “We’re very excited to see where they take this team.”

Pitts was a first-team all-MVC choice, and Paul made the second team. Keep an eye on junior Chloe Broderick in the midfield as well. She’s been a two-year starter up front.

Raiders fight massive graduation hit

The “Kerri Finneran Era” yielded back-to-back 16-3-1 Raider seasons, two trips to the sweet sixteen and a state quarterfinals appearance in her four team MVP campaigns.

Now Central Catholic must find a way to rebuild as Finneran was one of six all-conference Raiders to graduate from last year’s club.

“We are young but we have some determined upperclasswomen leading us,” said coach Josselyn Wilson.

Seniors Celinna Perham (9 goals, 3 assists) and Julia Smida (4 goals, 7 assists) should power the attack for Central, which will strive to keep a stranglehold on its spot among the MVC field hockey elite.

New era for Hillies

First-team all-conference goalie Keira Drouin will backbone a Haverhill squad, looking to learn and grow under first-year head coach Samantha Shea.

Shea comes out of the powerhouse Andover program, where she played and coached.

“This is a great group of girls who want to get better and be able to compete against the other teams in our conference,” said Shea.

Drouin will be joined in the leadership role by a pair of two-year captains, seniors Kelsey Madden and Elsa Thorner.

Rangers hunt tourney return

After 11 seasons at the head of the Methuen High program, Kristen Swales moved on, but the Rangers found a pretty good on in Caitlin Connolly, who has 15 coaching years in the game including the last two as a Ranger volunteer.

First team all-conference defender Neah Nguyen is one of just two seniors on a Ranger squad that continues a youth movement after just missing the state tourney a year ago. Sophomore Ava Nartiff showed off some nifty stick skills in the offensive zone and will be relied on to pick up the scoring load.

“Our focus throughout preseason has been on strengthening fundamentals, building a possession-focused style of play, and working together as a unit on both sides of the ball,” said Connolly. “We are excited for the start of the regular season and the opportunity to see our young team grow, improve, and compete each week.”

Knights feature 10 seniors

First-team all-conference center-midfielder Elle Gordon leads a North Andover Scarlet Knights, who are a tale of two teams.

“Half of the team knows what it means to be a varsity player, but the other half is new,” said Knights’ coach Andrea Van Horn, who welcomes back 10 senior returners and eight players who are new to varsity.

“The newcomers show potential and will make an impact early in the lineup.”

Goalie Sofia Bea was reliable in goal a year ago and should again provide stability as some of the newer Knights test the waters.”