ECC Division I 

East Lyme

Coach: Phil Schneider (12th season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Ellie McCoy, Sr. M Caroline Real, Sr. A Izzy Mazzi, Sr. A Nancy Alden, Jr. M Sydney Sagar, Jr. M Meredith Healy.

Top newcomers: Sr. G Hadley Farragher, Sr. A Ryan Nagle, Sr. D Julia Groff, Sr. D Kora Lovdahl, Jr. D Ella Mazzulli.

Outlook: When we last saw the Vikings, they were winning the Class M state championship in 2019. They return six players from that team, including three starters. They also welcome the return of Alden, who spent her junior season at Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, and Nagle, a transfer from Long Island. The Vikings expect to compete for an ECC championship and make another deep run in the state tournament.

Fitch

Coach: Michael Luethy (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Jessica Russo, Sr. D Elizabeth Clang, Sr. D Clair Luethy, Sr. D Carly Zingus, Jr. A Rita Sefransky, Jr. M Bridget O'Leary, Jr. M Nora Casey, Jr. D Kara Moriarty.

Top newcomers: Sr. G Olivia Brookhart, So. A Sophia Clang, F M Brooke Bergendahl.

Outlook: The Falcons are eager to get back to work after missing the 2020 season due to the pandemic. They return a veteran cast from 2019, featuring several multi-sport athletes, and Luethy can't wait to see how his new players fit into the system.

NFA

Coach: Taylor Shannon (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Bridget Hinsch, Sr. M Ryleigh Christianson, Sr. M Jillian Brunelli, Sr. D Hannah Vega, Sr. G Lily George, Jr. M Jayna Neault.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Caitlin Duda, So. D Lauren Friedrich.

Outlook: Shannon is ready to continue the rebuilding process after being forced to miss last season. The good news is the Wildcats return some experienced players, especially in the midfield with seniors Hinsch, Christianson and Brunelli.

Stonington

Coach: Jeff Medeiros (21st season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Megan Detwiler, Sr. A Rachel Sabbadini, Jr. M Ivy Goodman, Jr. D Katherine Glenn.

Top newcomers: Jr. A Lauren Goebel, So. A Elle Thompson, So M Carleigh O'Keefe, Fr. M Gabriella Dimock.

Outlook: The Bears return 10 players, but seven were freshman the last time they played in 2019. "It's all new across the board," said Medeiros, adding two-thirds of his starting lineup will be playing varsity lacrosse for the first time. "It will be an uphill battle," he added, "and we will be learning and growing throughout the season."

Waterford

Coach: Christine Dulin (2nd season)

Key returnees: Jr. G Ilyanna Rivera, Sr. D Carly Holdridge, Jr. D Aidan Swanson, Jr. D Anne Seltzer, Jr. D Kylie Hopkins, Jr. M Emily Gates.

Top newcomer: Jr. M Madison Gates.

Outlook: The Lancers have enjoyed an uptick in participation despite not playing in 2020, but Dulin also has an inexperienced team, particularly in the attack. Defense will be Waterford's strong point while the offense continues to develop. "We are going to be young," Dulin said, "but there's lots of talent to help with having a successful season."

ECC Division II

Bacon Academy

Coach: Chris Faulkner (8th season)

Key returnees: Jr. A Skylar Gustavsen, Jr. M Sarah Newton, Jr. D Samantha Ciaglo, Sr. M Kaylea McCourt, Sr. M Shannon Hickey, Sr. M Samantha Uccello.

Top newcomers: Jr. A Joely Stella, Jr. D Payton Guntulis, Jr. D Sophie Rose.

Outlook: The Bobcats, in addition to missing out on last season, must replace eight starters from the last two years. The good news is the junior and senior classes return some experience, so Faulkner will lean on them even more than past years to help the program grow, especially with 11 sophomores on the roster. "One of the keys to the season will be how quickly the offense can come together and who is going to step up to fill the scoring void," Faulkner said.

Griswold

Coach: Martin Balchunas (1st season)

Outlook: The Wolverines will need time to rebuild under Balchunas, but he said his team has been positive throughout the preseason and he expects that upbeat attitude to carry over into the ECC season.

Ledyard

Coach: William Glenn (12th season)

Key returnees: M Kate English, A Madison Leyko, D Clare Inyang, A Alexandra Martinez-Garcia, M Jess English, A-D Madelyn Poulton.

Top newcomers: G Bella Drummond, M Madisen McLeod, UTL Helene Robinson.

Outlook: The Colonels get to compete on their new turf field for the first time this spring. Glenn will field a young team, but one that features several two-sport athletes. "The team has speed and field presence due in large part to its dual-sport athletes," Glenn said. "Our goals are to be unified, competitive and have success in the ECC and to compete in the CIAC tournament."

Montville

Coach: Nicole McComic (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Maddie Gould, Sr. M Elie Bowman, Sr. G Madeline Horkey, Sr. D Felicia Bower, Sr. M Lindsey Beavan, Sr. A Jill Kerwin, Sr. M Annbelle Leifheit.

Top newcomers: Jr. M-A Grace Sanford, Jr. D Emma-Claire Caskey, Jr.  M-A Madisen Price, Jr. M-A Maddie Konig, So. M-A Lily Tomczik.

Outlook: McComic takes over a program that is built for more success, despite not having a season in 2020. "We have a strong group of seniors who have let the gap year affect their skill strengths," McComic said. "All around, we have a strong group of athletes that are working hard and learning to play together."

New London

Coach: Amy Christian (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Emilia Skrabacz, Jr. M Kioree Goodwin, Jr. D Kayleen Hammett, Sr. G Chery-Ann Lubin, Jr. D-M Nadya Murphy.

Top newcomers: Jr. A-M Aislinn Strecker, So. D Princesse Omotosho, So. K Kayleen Small, Fr. A Calyse Sanchez, Fr. A Malahika Paulo, So. A Tess Barry, Jr. D Ajay Crolly, Fr. A Lily Edmond, Fr. D Keshvi Patel.

Outlook: Christian takes over as head coach of the Whalers and has some experience led by seniors Skrabacz and Lubin. There is some inexperience, however, and freshmen will have an opportunity to play a prominent role. "We have an enthusiastic group willing to learn and develop," Christian said.

St. Bernard

Coach: Patsy Fowler (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Lindsay Clement, Sr. A Sophia Videll, Jr. M Liz Hannaford, Jr. M Erin Londregan, Jr. G Bella Pero.

Top newcomers: Jr. D Gracyn Barnhill, Jr. A Shanu Patoju, So. M Phoebe Foley.

Outlook: The Saints return some experienced players, but after missing out on the 2020 season, Fowler is just happy to be back on the field with her student-athletes. "I'd like to give a very hard-boiled analysis," she said, "but the bottom line is that we are going to enjoy every bit of this season playing lacrosse together, win or lose ... and even if it rains. It's great to be back in business."

Wheeler

Coach: Cassidy Jenkins (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. A Grace Armstrong, Sr. A Jess Johnson, Jr. A Ava Davino, Jr. M Leah Peon, Jr. M Katelyn Melinosky.

Top newcomers: So. M Michelle Macina, Fr. M Katie Pierce, So. D Payton Osborn, So. G Peach Schroeder.

Outlook: Jenkins takes over the Lions and she wants to help her returning players, especially the seniors, have a good experience following a missed season. "All the players are happy to finally be able to play," Jenkins said, "and I look forward to watching their skills grow, along with my own as a first-year coach."

Others

Old Lyme

Coach: Emily Macione (8th season)

Key returnees: G Hayden Saunders, M Sadie Bowman, M Fiona Frederiks, D Mackenzie Machnik, A Schuyler Greenho.

Outlook: The Wildcats suffered some major graduation losses, particularly in the midfield and in the attack, so Macione will rely on a talented group of newcomers to keep Old Lyme among the elite teams in the Shoreline Conference. "We are fortunate to have a dynamic pool of players to work with," said Macione, who has beefed up her nonconference schedule with the likes of Guilford, Branford, Wolcott and Middletown. "But more than anything, we are excited to have a season at all, and grateful to everyone who's worked so hard to make it possible."

Williams School

Coach: Tom Hinsch (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Ellie Fader, Sr. M Navia Ladd, Jr. G Maria Angelini.

Top newcomers: So. M Amaya Butler, Jr. A Olivia Bonner, Jr. M Sarah Cole, So. M Lucy Fader, So. M Paige Iccobellia, So. A-G Phoebe Taylor, Fr. D Zaela Crespo, Fr. A Skylar Frost, Fr. M Katelyn Havery, Fr. D Scarlet Kane, Fr. M Maria Morant.

Outlook: The Blues will be young, especially after not playing in 2020, but Hinsch has enjoyed seeing his upperclassmen bring along the new players as they prepare for the competitive Housatonic Valley Athletic League. "Our success this season will be a direct correlation or our leadership and growth as lacrosse players," Hinsch said.