Following is a team-by-team look at the 2023 field hockey season:

ECC

East Lyme

Coach: Emily Murray (2nd season)

Key returnees: Jr. M Gracie Lloyd, Jr. D Violet Maziarz, Sr. D Zofia Maziarz.

Top newcomers: Fr. M Mia Lloyd.

Outlook: The Vikings graduated a large senior class from last season’s 8-7-3 team, including ECC All-Star Jaci Felix in goal, but they return some experienced players led by another ECC All-Star, Gracie Lloyd. East Lyme qualified for both the ECC and Class M state tournaments in 2022 and Murray hopes “to build upon what we started last season.”

Fitch

Coach: Diane Kolnaski (13th season)

Key returnees: Jr. A Izzy Ash, Jr. M Ada Ellis, Sr. D Sophia Cabral, Jr. M CC Zimblemann.

Top newcomers: Sr. A Charlotte Driscoll, Sr. A Riley Harrington, Sr. M Marissa Finnegan, Jr. D Lorelai Nabung, Jr. D Sammy Knauer, Sr. D. Sophie Kollar, So. G Esme Carlebach, Jr. A Isabelle Gustavson, So. M Maggie Guilini.

Outlook: After finishing 14-5 a year ago, including trips to the ECC tournament final and Class M quarterfinals, the Falcons must replace nine seniors, most who held down starting roles. They will also begin the season without returning starters Brooke Bergendahl and Grace Moriarty, who will start the fall rehabbing injuries, so Kolnaski will need time to put a number of new pieces in place.

NFA

Coach: Noel Houle (5th season)

Key returnees: F Alice Rourke, F Zosia Hospod, M Leeya Fabry, M Sophie Gaudette, D Melannie Andrew, D Emily Ye, G Emma Koplin.

Top newcomers: F Chloe Senat, M-D Brianna Rail, F-M Katie Lavoie.

Outlook: The Wildcats continue to rebuild, especially with the loss of key seniors, but Houle said, “we welcomed very new and eager players that are excited to learn the game of field hockey. We are a young and small team, but we are preparing to dive right into competition.”

Stonington

Coach: Jenna Tucchio (20th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Brianna Plew, Jr. F Anna Lettiere, Sr. F Nora Walsh, Sr. M Paige Goebel, Sr. M Megan Harris, Sr. M-A Olivia Duhig, Jr. F Katie Anbari, Jr. D Shay Burnside, Jr. F Marina Lewandowski, Jr. D Emily Obrey, Jr. D Isabella Spaulding.

Top newcomers: Sr. M-D Brenna Keilty, Jr. G Hailey Allard, Jr. D Lily Bellet, Jr. M Charlotte Cornell, Jr. F Misha Lewandowski, So. M Melanie Verbridge.

Outlook: The reigning ECC regular-season and tournament champions have been to back-to-back Class S state finals and return nearly their entire starting lineup. Plew and Lettiere were ECC All-Stars a year ago and Class S all-state second team picks. “We are hungry to improve on our performance and have set our goals high,” Tucchio said, adding “The new players joining our lineup are motivated and ready to step right in and help us take off from where we left off in 2022.”

Waterford

Coach: Elizabeth Force (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Melanie Martin, Sr. G Emma Smathers, Sr. D Cate Smathers, Sr. D Kayl Kelly, Sr. M Samantha Silva, Jr. M Katie Jamroga.

Top newcomers: So. M Audrey Stewart, So. M Sarah Davidson, So. D Lily Valentino, So. D Alissa Kempke.

Outlook: Force takes over the Lancers, who qualified for both the ECC and Class M state tournaments a year ago. Waterford did lose six seniors, including defender Kameryn Mazzulli, The Day’s All-Area Player of the Year, but there is a good mix of veterans and new players. “We’re excited and optimistic about this season,” Force said. “We are young, motivated and eager to excel.”

Others

Westbrook/Old Lyme

Coach: Janet Dickey (34th season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Abby Demers, Jr. D-M Bella Ziegler, So. F Anne Marie Coppola, So. M Brooke Ouellette.

Top newcomers: Jr. D Lotta Kuening, Jr. F Juana Biagioni, So. D Sybil Neary.

Outlook: The cooperative program featuring a pair of Shoreline Conference rivals enjoyed a successful 2022 season that included a winning regular season record (8-6-2) and a win over rival Haddam-Killingworth in the Class S qualifying round. The Knights did suffer some graduation losses in the midfield, but Dickey said, “We are looking to be more competitive in the Shoreline Conference and secure high state tournament ranking.”