ECC Division I

East Lyme

Coach: Phil Schneider (9th season)

Key returnees: Sr. A Karlie Rowe, Sr. M Olivia Facchini, Sr. A Caroline Healy, Sr. M Hannah Gellar, Jr. D Nancy Harrington, Jr. M Julia Bates, Jr. D Laura Agbayani.

Top newcomers: Sr. G Holly Groff, Jr. G Maya Rose, Jr. A Morgan Crandall, Jr. A Maeve Counter, So. M Anna Johnson, So. A Kristen Healy, Jr. D Sarah Christensen, Sr. D Emma Locklear, Sr. D Abbey Windhom, So. M Sophie Taylor, Jr. D Erin Bauman, So. D Gilly Goodwin.

Outlook: The ECC's best program is strong again, although they must replace three-time all-state goalie Alex Rose and four-time all-state attack Elena Hynes and her 60 goals and 71 assists. But don't fret. The Vikings, who have won 11 straight ECC tournament titles and reached the Class M state semifinals last year (they finished 18-3 overall), return seven starters, including first team all-state attack Rowe (93 goals), and second team all-state performers Facchini (midfield) and Harrington (defender). Facchini, Gellar and Bates provide experience in the midfield as do Harrington and Agbayani on defense. Groff and Maya Rose have had a competitive preseason battling for the starting goalie job.

Fitch

Coach: Jenna Tucchio (4th year)

Key returnees: Jr. A Zoe Pearse, So. A Maggie O'Leary, Jr. A Valentina Silva; Sr. M Danielle McIlquham, Jr. M Emily Catlett, Sr. D Emily Bufmack, So. D Alyssa McIlquham.

Top newcomers: So. A Diana Sefransky, Sr. M Grace Bufmack, Fr. M Jessica Russo, So. G Molly Bresnahan, So. G Katie Wagner.

Outlook: The Falcons were 5-11 in 2017, but finished second (3-3) in ECC Division I and return some key scoring threats in Pearse, O'Leary and Danielle McIlquham, who were all honorable mention ECC selections. "Several younger players will be moving into the lineup on defense and midfield as the season develops," said Tucchio, who coaches the successful Stonington field hockey team in the fall. "It will take some time to mature as a team, but we set our sights on qualifying for the state tournament and ECC tournament."

Ledyard

Coach: William Glenn (9th year)

Key returnees: Sr. M Megan Larmann, Sr. A Avery Samokar, Sr. M Renee Dupuis, Jr. M/A Madeline Pipech, Jr. A Sabrina Mitchell, Jr. G Kayleigh Woomer, Jr. M/A Cassidy Carroll, So. D Jade Zeeman.

Outlook: The Colonels went 3-13 a year ago (1-5 in Div. I), but return a veteran cast led by Larmann, a returning Division I first-team all-star, and Woomer a solid goaltender. Glenn also welcomes some multi-sport athletes who are playing lacrosse for the first time. "We're eager to get the season going," Glenn said, adding qualifying for the ECC and state tournaments are realistic goals for Ledyard.

NFA

Coach: Eric Page (17th year)

Key returnees: Sr. M Katie Kelly, Sr. A Kayley Ericson, Sr. A Jess Bryan, Sr. D G.G. Guerrier, Sr. A Gabby Hunt, Sr. D Emma Trombley, Sr. D Mackenzie Shrewsbury.

Top newcomers: So. Maya Connelly, Fr. Catie Shannon.

Outlook: The Wildcats are coming off a 6-10 season in which they were competitive in most of their matches. Page will lean on a talented, experience senior class to lead the way and hopefully result in a postseason berth. Kelly and Ericson were ECC Division I first team all-stars in 2017, although Ericson moves up from defense to the attack this spring.

ECC Division II

Stonington

Coach: Jeff Medeiros (17th year)

Key returnees: Sr. D Lexi Woviotis, Sr. M Catherine Cassatta, Sr. D Hannah Pratt, Jr. M Kate Johnson, Jr. A Hannah Lamb, Jr. A Emma Sabbadini, So. M Kate Reagan.

Top newcomers: So. A Kathryn Logel, Fr. M Megan Detwiler, So. G Molly Banks.

Outlook: The Bears went 14-5 a year ago, winning the ECC Division II title and reaching the ECC tournament final. Medeiros enters the 2018 season lacking depth, but certainly not talent. Lamb, Johnson and Sabbadini were ECC all-stars as sophomores and possess the skill and speed to challenge any defense. Said Medeiros: "I believe we will contend for ECC Division II championship again with hopes of a deep run in the state tournament."

Waterford

Coach: Audrey Montanaro (12th year)

Key returnees: Sr. A Kaylee Swansen, Sr. M Jacklyn Lavoie, Sr. M Meghan Foley, Sr. M Emma Brown, Sr. M Megan Wyatt, Sr. D Grace Erricson, Sr. D Paige Miller, Jr. M Grace Briggs, Jr. G Courtney Dishwa.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Olivia Gianakos, So. A/M Allie Folino, So. A Gabbi Stack, So. G Jordan Doshna.

Outlook: The Lancers expect big things in 2018, thanks in part to return of an experienced midfield of Lavoie, Foley, Brown, Wyatt and Briggs. Lavoie was an all-state first team pick in 2017 and will continue her career at Div. I Stetson while Lavoie, Foley and goalie Dishwa are returning ECC all-stars from a team that went 13-6 and reached the Class S quarterfinals. Said Montanaro: "The girls have played together throughout the off-season, filling in the missing pieces seamlessly."

ECC Division III

Montville

Coach: Kristin Ventresca (6th year)

Key returnees: Sr. D Jenna Banta, Jr. A Mackenzie Ullrich, Jr. D Katarina Turchetta, So. M Alexis DeLucia, Jr. D Nia Muckenthalar.

Top newcomers: Fr. M Maddie Gould, Fr. M Elie Bowman, Fr. M Lindsey Beavan, Jr. A Haley Kerwin.

Outlook: The Indians qualified for the ECC and Class S state tournaments a year ago, finishing 10-8. Ventresca still feels Montville can remain within the division, although there is some rebuilding to do. Banta and DeLucia are returning ECC Division III all-stars, so they will play key roles while some of the freshmen gain varsity experience.

St. Bernard

Coach: Jim Herrera (1st year)

Key returnees: Sr. M Mia Londregan, Jr. M Bridget Feeley, Jr. A Adelaide Horgan.

Outlook: Herrera takes over a program that graduated the bulk of its scoring load from a team that went 7-9 and shared the Division III title with Montville. The Saints do, however, returned ECC all-star Londregan to a lineup that has experience, but some question marks on defense. Herrera believes if St. Bernard stays healthy, a return trip to the state tournament is possible.

Wheeler

Coach: Allison Reyes (9th year)

Key returnees: Sr. M Aili Harvey-Berk, Sr. A Hannah Gomes, Sr. G Blakely Hewes, Jr. M Gracie Anderson, Jr. M Daniela Roy, Jr. D Sarah Spracklin.

Top newcomers: Sr. Emma Morgan, Se. Kara Burdick, Fr. Megan Amarel, Fr. Annie Dussault, Fr. Jess Anderson.

Outlook: The Lions continue to build the program. Reyes will rely the leadership of her senior class and a strong junior class, while newcomers will be thrust into immediate varsity roles. "Our team goal is to show improvement throughout the season," Reyes said.

Others

Old Lyme

Coach: Emily Macione (5th year)

Key returnees: So. M Sammy Owen, So. M Lydia Tinnerello, So. M Daisy Colvin, Jr. D Claire Britton, Jr. A Anna Sather.

Top newcomer: Sr. G Emily Erne.

Outlook: The Wildcats will have to reload in 2018 after graduating 11 seniors from a team that went 17-3, captured the Shoreline Conference championship and reached the Class S quarterfinals, losing 12-11 to eventual champion New Fairfield. "The coaching staff is excited for the upper and underclassmen to step into these new varsity roles and see where they can take this team," said Macione, whose team will not only be challenged by a strong Shoreline scheduled but a non-conference schedule that includes a pair of defending state champions (Branford, New Fairfield) as well four strong programs in Canton, Somers, Stonington and Waterford.

Williams

Coach: Chris Emmerson (4th year)

Key returnees: Sr. M Katia Bourganos, Sr. D Mia Taylor, Sr. D Carolyn Xenelis, So. M Audrey Matson, So. M Lexi Day, So. A Sophie Salgar, Sr. G Lyndsey Noniewicz, Fr. A Ellie Fader, Fr. A Ainsley Falcon, Jr. A Caitlyn Kressley.

Top newcomers: Sr. M Marie Grillo, Jr. M Rachel Luxton, So. D Morgan Pill, Sr. D Phyllis Lu, 7th A Lucy Fader.

Outlook: The Blues went 13-0 a year ago, but must replace eight starters. They do, however, return SENE Player of the Year Matson and leading scorer Salgar. Emmerson said Williams will lean on its senior leadership of Bourganos, Taylor and Xenelis while the younger players gain experience.