Following is a team-by-team preview look at the 2023 high school girls’ soccer season:

ECC Division I

East Lyme

Coach: Rachel Redding (17th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Lily Antonino, Sr. D Summer Antonino, Sr. G Morgan Dube, Sr. D Aubrey Jorgensen, Jr. M Elise Jorgensen, Sr. D Lacey-Lee Keramidas, Jr. M Jessica Knapp, Sr. M Ava Lombardo, Jr. D Maya Pitruzzello, So. G Samantha Rodes, Sr. D Anna Thomson, Sr. F Riddhi Venkatesh.

Top newcomers: So. M Julianne Guarraia, Jr. M Lilah Hart, So. M Kaylee Knapp, So. D Aneleise Mazzulli.

Outlook: The Vikings went 10-7 a year ago, losing in the first round of the Class L state tournament. East Lyme did suffer some key graduation losses, particularly on defense, but there is enough talent and experience returning to keep the Vikings competitive within the division and be a factor at the state level, too.

Norwich Free Academy

Coach: Taylor Shannon (6th season)

Key returnees: Jr. G Ava Boenig, Jr. M Hayleigh Young. Sr. M Leah Burchman, Sr. M Alexandra Tabilas, Sr. D Emily Tucker, So. M Colbie Gisleson, Jr. F Sadie Daniewicz, Sr. M Brooke Bolles, Jr. D Hailey Iozzia, Sr. M Jordan Fabry, Jr. M-F Chloe Green.

Top newcomer: Jr. D-M Avery Quesnel.

Outlook: Fabry, a Class LL all-state pick and member of The Day’s All-Area team, returns to lead the Wildcats, who went 7-7-3 in 2022, losing a penalty kick shootout to Simsbury in the Class LL first round. Shannon expects NFA to be competitive in a tough division, adding, “we will be relying on strong junior and senior leadership and experience to play well into the postseason.”

Stonington

Coach: Jennifer Solomon (5th season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Sofia Regan, Jr. M Maya Terwilliger, Jr. M Iliana Rashleigh, So. D Leah DePerry, So F Finnella O'Keefe, So M Gianna Terranova.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Ladleigh Hargus, So. D Adilyn Risley, So. D Quinn Higginbotham, Fr. M Gianna Kennedy.

Outlook: The Bears went 15-1 during the regular season in 2022, reaching the ECC Division I tournament final and the Class M quarterfinals. They return a strong cast in 2023, including Class M All-State midfielder Terwilliger, and expect another big season. “The group is very talented, competitive, and great players to be with daily,” Solomon said. “We are excited to see where this group can go and how much we can improve daily.”

Note: Division I includes Woodstock Academy.

ECC Division II

Bacon Academy

Coach: Matt Rafala (2nd season)

Key returnees: Jr. M Audrey Palmer, Sr. F Kayla Hall, So. M Mia Hageman, Jr. B Veronica Smith, So. F Alyssa Blanchette, Sr. D Emily Ferrigno, Sr. M Cara Shea.

Top newcomer: Fr. F Madelyn Ives.

Outlook: The Bobcats reached the Class M semifinals in Rafala’s first season, losing to eventual champion Mercy, and return an experienced team led by Palmer, a Class M All-State pick as a sophomore. They will miss returning ECC All-Star goalie Liz Glover, who suffered a knee injury during the basketball season and won’t play this fall. “If we can figure out the missing spots due to graduation/injury, we have the potential to be competitive in postseason play,” Rafala said.

Fitch

Coach: Aly Clarke (first season)

Key returnees: Sr. Hannah Warner, Jr. Emma Forde, Jr. Karli Batty, Jr. Grace Cosmopoulos, Jr. Zoe Cosmopoulos, Jr. Ava Johnson-Hopkins, Jr. Maerin Lyon, So. Bethany Lovering, So. Hannah Richardson.

Top newcomers: Sr. Estelle Connell, Sr. Gabriella Amaral, So. Ella Beckmann, Fr. Alicia Skinner, Fr. Jayda Johnson, Fr. Katherine Wenger.

Outlook: The Falcons struggled a year ago, finishing 1-14-1, and welcome former program great Clarke to lead the rebuilding project. Fitch moves down from Division I to Division II this season. “The team has been working extremely hard over the summer and during preseason in order to be competitive in our division,” Clarke said.

Ledyard

Coach: Emily Lehet (6th season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Maddie McLeod, Jr. M Alanah Maranzano, Jr. M Megan Armstrong, Sr. D Olivia Storz, Sr. M Cassie Rice, Sr. F Helena Robinson, Jr. M Lia Day.

Top newcomers: So. M Teagan Caviness, So. F Victoria Vidal.

Outlook: The Colonels qualified for both the ECC Division I and Class L state tournaments a year ago, finishing 10-7-1 and returning some key pieces led by McLeod, an ECC All-Star in 2022. “We are looking to build as a team and continue to be competitive in our division,” Lehet said. “We have a strong core returning and hope to develop some of our newer players.”

Waterford

Coach: Chris Ghiglia (10th season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Emilia Podeszwa, Sr. D Allison Cioci, Sr. F Amarys Jimenez, Sr. M Payton Smith, Sr. D Lea Arnold, Jr. G Victoria Sturm, Jr. M Charlotte Jessuck, Jr. F Paige Jessuck, Jr. M Camryn Dickinson, Jr. M Angeles Pina Rodriguez, Jr. F Anna Waddington, Jr. D Eli Briggs, So. F Adyson Wiseman, So. F Sadie Tiven.

Top newcomers: So. D Cara Sollima, So. D Colleen Sturm, Fr. M Annalise Girard.

Outlook: Podeszwa, a returning ECC All-Star, will lead a Waterford team that returns the bulk of its lineup from a year ago. The Lancers are solid on defense with Podeszwa, Cioci and Sturm (in goal), and welcome back Jimenez (a University of Rhode Island commit) and Waddington back after missing the 2022 season with injuries. "We were on the young side last year and the inexperience cost us at times,” Ghiglia said. “I am confident we will show tremendous growth and challenge to be among the best in the ECC this year."

Note: Division II includes Killingly.

ECC Division III

Griswold

Coach: Ashley Huhn (3rd)

Key returnees: Sr. M Natalie Becotte, Sr. D Kyra Deroy, Sr. M Zia Lear.

Top newcomer: Fr. M Emily Eliasson.

Outlook: The Wolverines went 7-9 last season, losing to eventual state champion Mercy in the Class M first round, and return plenty of experience, although starting forward Sophia Wooten suffered a torn ACL and will miss the season. Griswold, which will play on the school’s new turf complex, also has five freshmen battling for varsity roles. “It looks to be a very promising year,” Kuhn said. “We have strength through all areas of the field and have spent the last two years growing and developing with our core starters. The addition of the five freshmen only strengthen us that much more.”

Lyman Memorial

Coach: Mark Morello (35th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Madeline Archer, Sr. D Ella Caplet, Sr. D Kelsey Dunnack, Sr. M Allyssa Judd, Sr. F Neveah Shifrin, Sr. D Loretta Svedarsky, Jr D Haley Cardinali, Jr. G Phoebe Carpenter, Jr. M Avery Volle, Jr. M Becca Ziegler, So. F-D Emily McKelvey.

Top newcomers: Sr. D-M Lauren Lambert, Sr. F Rebecca Risley, Sr. D Aurora Smithwick, Fr. D Rachel Cone, Fr. F-M Talia Dunphy, Fr. F Taylor Lawrence, Fr. F-D Marissa Litwin.

Outlook: It was a magical 2022 season for Morello in the Bulldogs, who went 19-2-1, won the ECC Division II tournament and reached the Class S state final for the first time, losing 1-0 to East Catholic. Lyman must replace two-time all-state midfielder/forward Magda Carpenter, The Day’s All-Area Player of the Year, but return ECC All-Stars Caplet and Phoebe Carpenter as it moves up to Division III. “Blending veterans and newcomers will take time,” Morello said. “But depth development will be a focus and moving up to Division III will provide plenty of challenges.

Montville

Coach: April Parady-Walter (11th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Sydney Cook, Jr. Jada Cheung, Jr. Nicole Hudson, Jr. Allie Kondash, Jr. Katie Koning, Jr. Katie Myjak, Jr. Mackenzie O'Donnell, Jr. Madison O'Donnell, So. Avery Bouchey, So. Bella Estelle, So. Alexa Tufares.

Top newcomers: Jr. Naomi Gonzalez, So. Sienna Gressly, So. Karissa Hochdorfer, So. Emma Terris, Fr. Peyton Cook, Fr. Abby Daniewicz.

Outlook: The Wolves qualified for the ECC Division II and Class M state tournaments a year ago, and return a veteran cast led by returning ECC All-Stars Cheung, Kondash and Estelle. “The squad has great chemistry on and off the field, in addition to having several utility players to creat a diverse lineup,” Parady-Walter said. “We’re looking forward to making a run in the postseason.”

St. Bernard

Coach: TJ Morelli-Wolfe (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Sienna Sferrazza, Sr. F Angelica Tompkins, Sr. G Caitlyn Kuhn, Jr. M Alyssa Hernandez, Jr. D Catherine Hannaford, Jr. D Blake Murray, Jr. D Maeve Surprenant, So. M Vanessa Colla, So. D Morghan Kuhn.

Top newcomers: So. M Rebecca Bartinik, Fr. M Capri Sferrazza, Fr. M Sofia Pero, Fr. M Vanessa Syphrett, Sr. M Uliana Pokutnia.

Outlook: Despite graduating nine players and moving up to Division III after qualifying for the ECC Division II tournament and reaching the Class s quarterfinals, the Saints have high expectations under first-year coach Morelli-Wolfe. St. Bernard features one of the most dangerous forward duos in returning ECC All-Stars Sienna Sferrazza and Tompkins and experience throughout the field. “We are young, talented and motivated,” Morelli-Wolfe said. “Hopefully we’ll make a nice playoff run.”

Note: Division III includes Plainfield.

ECC Division IV

New London

Coach: Kristina Ciotto (7th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Alina Skrabacz, Sr. F Nini Tucker, Sr. G Italia Salls.

Top newcomer: Fr. B Marlena Childs.

Outlook: Ciotto expects the Whalers to be a much improved team this fall. Seniors Skrabacz, Tucker and Salls have been varsity contributors since they were freshman and a strong freshman class has added some excitement as the program continues to grow. “I believe we can surprise some people this season,” Ciotto said.

Wheeler

Coach: Kellie Palmer (5th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Katie Pierce, Sr. D Leah Cleary, Sr. D Stella Mastrianni, Jr. D Lauren Glaza, Jr. M Hayden Bresnan, So. M Mya Comeau, So D-M Leila Cherenzia, So. G Jill Comeau, So. F Hannah Viele, So. M Hadley Jones, So. M-F Zoe Browne, So. D Lilly Vaillancourt, So. M Zoe Brown.

Top newcomers: Fr. D Shay Deary, Fr. F Valentina Corrigan, Fr. Morgan Riley, Fr. F Sarah DelGrosso, Fr. M Ingrid Anderson, Fr. D Maya Dessaules.

Outlook: Wheeler expects to challenge for division honors. The Lions return some veteran players led by ECC All-Star Pierce in the midfield, and Palmer said freshmen will play vital roles. “We’re hoping they can combine with our upperclassmen to create a strong dynamic this season.” said Palmer.

Note: Division includes Tourtellotte and Windham.

Others

Grasso Tech

Coach: Beth Wallace (7th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Natalie Smith, Jr. M Kylee Morrison, So. F Danielle Sands.

Top newcomer: Fr. Ziana Rodriguez.

Outlook: The Eagles went 3-9-2 a year ago in the Connecticut Technical Conference, but Wallace expects Grasso to be much more competitive this year. Smith and Morrison have the potential be to a dynamic midfield duo and Sands provides tremendous speed up front. “We have a lot young talent and are very excited for this season,” Wallace said.

Norwich Tech/Holy Family

Coach: Heidi DeCosta (2nd season)

Key returnees: Jr. M Gracie Dufault, Jr. D Tessa Lambert, Jr. D Anely Williams, Jr. D Destiny Burditt.

Top newcomers: Fr. M Maya Stimson, Fr. D-M Lilly Kosma, Fr. G-F Skyler Hayes, So. G Diana Kozerefski.

Outlook: The cooperative program went 8-5-3 during DeCosta’s first season and qualified for the Class M state tournament. They must replace a pair of Connecticut Technical Conference all-stars in forward Janelle Lambert and goalie Avery Sulman, but DeCosta has been encouraged by a strong group of newcomers during the preseason. “We are hoping to make a return to the state tournament and make a run at the CTC championship,” she said.

Old Lyme

Coach: Kendra Flaherty (3rd season)

Key returnees: Jr. G Olivia Kelly, Jr. M Kate Walsh, Sr. M Luisa Raby, Sr. D Sydney Goulding, Jr. D Kaela Hoss, Sr. F Ella Curtiss-Reardon, Sr. F Aggie Hunt, Sr. M Beatrice Hunt, Jr. D Kanon O'Haru.

Top newcomers: Fr. M Anna Bussmann, Fr. F Mia Bonatti, Fr. D Allie Krol.

Outlook: The Wildcats lost to eventual state champion East Catholic in the Class S quarterfinals last season, and suffered some key graduation losses, including all-state players Alexis Fenton and Lyla Powers. But Flaherty welcomes back Kelly, who missed most of her sophomore season, and Walsh, who missed her entire sophomore season, both recovering from ACL injuries. Flaherty calls both “impact players.” Old Lyme has a talented freshman class, too, but does not have great depth as they prepare for an always difficult Shoreline Conference schedule.

Williams

Coach: Liam Tresnan (4th season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Skylar Frost, Sr. D Katelyn Harvey, Jr. M Marlee Anselmi, Jr. D Alex Leake.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Brooke McGloughlin, Jr. D Skylar Raymond.

Outlook: The Blues finished second in the Housatonic Valley Athletic League a year ago and qualified for the New England Class D tournament. They return a proven goal scorer in Frost, but must improve defensively to make another run at the HVAL title and return to the New England tourney.