Following are the 2024 high school preview capsules for girls’ soccer:

ECC

Division I

East Lyme

Coach: Rachel Redding (18th season)

Key returnees: Jr. F JuJu Guarraia, Sr. F Lilah Hart, Sr. D Elise Jorgensen, Jr. M Kaylee Knapp, Sr. M Jessica Knapp, Jr. D Ani Mazzulli, Sr. D Maya Pitruzzello, Jr. G Sam Rodes, Jr. D Emma Stoddard.

Top newcomers: So. M Teagan Czaja, So. M Cailin Delaney, Fr. M Saide Eident, Sr. M Acadia Evans, So. M Taylor Filosi, Jr. M Payton Kelly, Fr. M Braelyn Legg, So. M Shilo Nucci, S. M Cassidy O’Brien, Jr. M Emily Salek, So. G Ava Tooker.

Outlook: The Vikings (13-6-1) are looking to be competitive in the ECC and state tournaments, led by returning senior captains Knapp and Pitruzzello, an All-ECC and all-state selection who will play a major role in controlling the defense and midfield. Rodes takes over in goal for East Lyme, which faces a competitive Division I schedule — “nothing easy about it,” Redding said — with the addition of Waterford.

NFA

Coach: Joe Iozzia (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Ava Boenig, Sr. D Leah Burchman, Sr. F Sadie Daniewicz, Sr. D Hailey Iozzia, Sr. D/M Avery Quesnel, Sr. M Chloe Green, Sr. M/F Hayleigh Young, Jr. M Colbie Gisleson, Jr. D/M Emmy Winton.

Top newcomers: Jr. M/D Daisy Jeffs Jr., Jr. M/D Kylee Cyr Jr., Jr M Ava Conley, J M Maeve Combies, Jr. F Diodato Makenna.

Outlook: While The Day’s 2023 All-Area Player of the Year graduated in Jordan Fabry, the Wildcats (16-3-2) return seven starters and a number of seniors with experience on both sides of the ball from a team which won the ECC Division I regular-season and tournament titles. NFA still needs to solidify its midfield, minus Fabry, but will be strong on defense led by three-year starter Boenig in goal and four returning starters overall. Creating solid chemistry and building from the back will be a key to success. Burchman and Boenig were both All-ECC picks.

Waterford

Coach: Chris Ghiglia (19th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Charlotte Jessuck, Sr. M Camryn Dickinson, Sr. F Paige Jessuck, Sr. G Victoria Sturm, Sr. D Angeles Pina Rodriguez, Sr. D Eli Briggs, Sr. F Anna Waddington, Jr. F Adyson Wiseman, Jr. D Cara Sollima, Jr. D Colleen Sturm, Jr. G Trinity Flynn, So. M Annalise Girard.

Top newcomers: So. M Antonia Stefano, Fr. F Shae Tiven, Fr. F Bella Rush, Fr. F/M Sophia Terraciano, Fr. D Casey Jadamec.

Outlook: The Lancers are moving up to Division I after a successful season winning the ECC Division II championship and finishing with a 16-3-2 overall record. They return experienced players that accounted for 55 of the team’s 63 goals, with Wiseman, Dickinson, Paige and Charlotte Jessuck and Victoria Sturm earning All-ECC honors and Dickinson named to the Class M all-state team. Junior Sadie Tiven, who was expected to be a key player, is out for the season following knee surgery. Rodriguez, Briggs and Sturm will anchor a defense that posted 13 shutouts and allowed just 11 goals.

(Woodstock Academy also competes in ECC Division I.)

Division II

Bacon Academy

Coach: Matt Rafala (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Audrey Palmer, Jr. M Mia Hageman, Sr. G Liz Glover, Sr. D Veronica Smith.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Regan Reid, Fr. M Violette Melino, So. D Hannah Ferrigno, Fr. F Quinn Guntulis.

Outlook: Losing eight players from a team which won the Class M state championship, the Bobcats (16-5-1) will rely potentially on six to seven underclassmen to fill the spots. Senior captains Palmer, Glover and Smith will be pivotal in quickly getting the new players in line with the program’s core values to make a run later in the season. Rafal predicts a slow start with the goal of figuring out the new rotation by October. Bacon defeated Suffield for the Class M title on Nov. 18 (2-1, 11-10 on penalty kicks), with Glover earning MVP honors. Palmer and Hageman were Class M all-state picks.

Fitch

Coach: Aly Clarke (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Emma Forde, Sr. D Maerin Lyon, Sr. D Zoe Cosmopoulos, Sr. M Grace Cosmopoulos, Sr. D Ava Johnson-Hopkins, So. G Jayda Johnson, So. F Hannah Richardson.

Top newcomers: So. M Alicia Skinner, Jr. D Braelynn Duran, Fr. M Kate Zeimet, Fr. M Naomi Richardson.

Outlook: With many returning players, the Falcons (0-15-1) will look to improve upon last season. Clarke expects her team to be competitive in ECC Division II and hopes to make the state tournament. Forde was an ECC honorable mention selection.

Ledyard

Coach: Emily Lehet (8th season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Alanah Maranzano, Sr. M Lia Day, Sr. F Megan Armstrong, Jr. F Victoria Vidal, Jr. M Maggie Dykes.

Top newcomers: Jr. F Terri Foster, So. D Savannah King.

Outlook: Ledyard (3-11-2) will continue the rebuilding process while looking to gain some footing in the newly aligned division.

Stonington

Coach: Jennifer Solomon (6th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Isabela deCastro, Sr. D Shea Ferrara, Sr. D/M Ladleigh Hargus, Sr. M Elizabeth Jones, Sr. M Maya Terwilliger, Jr. D Leah DePerry, Jr. D Quinn Higginbotham, Jr M Kinsley Mansfield, Jr. M Gwen McGugan, Jr. F/M Finnella Keefe, Jr. D Adilyn Risley, JR. G Payton Stone, Jr M Gianna Terranova, So. F Clare deLabry, So. M Gianna Kennedy, So. F/M Shelby Mayo.

Top newcomers: Fr. D/M Hannah Drake, Fr. F Madison Hubbard, F. M/D Peyton Quinlan, Fr. F/M Eva Terwilliger.

Outlook: The Bears (4-9-3), who move from Division I to II, return a strong group of players who gained valuable experience. They’ve added younger players who will help contribute depth to an already experienced roster. They also have some players with potential to earn a varsity call-up. Terwilliger is a previous All-ECC and all-state selection.

Division III

Griswold

Coach: Connor McManus (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Bella Ware, Sr. D Ella Wawrzynowicz, Jr. F Sophia Wooten, So. M Emily Eliasson.

Top newcomers: So. G Paige Vreeland, Fr. F Ella Steniger, F. M Temperance Lemire.

Outlook: After graduating five players who all played significant minutes, the Wolverines look to improve upon their 5-9-2 record. Despite having a smaller and younger squad, there is still plenty of promise that the team can put together quality performances throughout the ECC schedule. McManus, formerly an assistant with the program, takes over as head coach.

Montville

Coach: April Parady-Walter (12th season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Jada Cheung, Sr. D Naomi Gonzalez, Sr. M Nicole Hudson, Sr. M Allie Kondash, Sr. M Katie Koning, Sr. G Katie Myjak, Sr. D Mackenzie O’Donnell, Sr. D Madison O’Donnell, Jr. M Avery Bouchey, Jr. D Bella Estelle, Jr. G Sienna Gressly, Jr. M Karissa Hochdorfer, So. D Peyton Cook, So. D Abby Daniewicz.

Outlook: Monville (8-10-2) returns all but one of its starters from a team which reached the championship game of the ECC Division II tournament and will rely on a large, experienced senior class. With many utility players and good chemistry on the field, the team can be diverse and dynamic, according to Parady-Walter. The Wolves have set solid team goals and look to make a mark in the postseason. Cheung was a Class S all-state selection.

St. Bernard

Coach: Alyssa Sliva (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Aly Hernandez, Jr. M Morghan Kuhn, Jr. M Rebecca Bartinik, Sr. B Maeve Surprenant.

Top newcomers: Fr. M Alexandra Bruno.

Outlook: Sliva takes over the Saints program that returns six seniors from a team which went 8-9-2 while reaching the semifinals of the ECC Division II tournament. St. Bernard suffered key losses due to graduation, including that of all-state forward Sienna Sferrazza.

(Killingly and Plainfield also compete in ECC Division III.)

Division IV

Lyman Memorial

Coach: Mark Morello (36th season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Phoebe Carpenter, Sr. M Haley Cardinali, Sr. M Becca Ziegler, Sr. M Avery Volle, Jr. M Emily McKelvey.

Top newcomers: So. D Marissa Litwin, So. D Taylor Lawrence, So. D Rachel Cone, Fr. M Bridey LaFleuer.

Outlook: The Bulldogs (16-4-1) have had great success over the past three seasons, including winning the ECC Division II tournament last season over Montville and reaching the Class S semifinals, but lost nine seniors and only nine players return. Experience is limited. “They have been working hard and are looking forward to the challenges that the season will present,” Morello said. “Improvement already has begun, but developing a set of starters and a rotation off the bench will remain a challenge.” Helping matters will be the return of Carpenter, who is an All-ECC and Class S all-state selection in goal.

New London

Coach: Kristina Ciotto (7th season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Giselle Gordillo, Sr. D Raine Boozer, Sr. D Val Capa Avendano, Jr. G Joy Schneider.

Top newcomers: So. M Gianna Vamvakides, Fr. F Arielle Lozada Reyes.

Outlook: Ciotto is looking forward to seeing progress from previous seasons with a dedicated group of seniors leading the way for the Whalers (3-13). New and young talent will bring a fresh energy to the team, as well.

Wheeler

Coach: Brian Sujecki (5th season)

Key returnees: Jr. M Hannah Viele, J M Lily Vaillancourt, Sr. F Hayden Bresnan, Jr. F Hadley Jones, Jr. M/D Leila Cherenzia, Jr. D Zoe Browne, So. D Shay Deary, Sr. D Lauren Glaza, So. F Morgan Riley, So. M Valentia Corrigan, So. G Maya Dessaules, Jr. G Jillian Comeau.

Top newcomers: Fr. F Eloise Post, Fr. M Elyse Overmoyer, Fr. D/G Lily White, Fr. F Lucia Browne.

Outlook: The Lions (8-10) will need to fill holes left by the departure of several key players in the middle and on defense. They will count on a large junior class and several incoming freshmen and look for a contribution from everyone, with multiple players providing versatility. “The girls are excited and motivated to take to the pitch this season and the outlook is promising,” Sujecki said. Browne and Comeau were All-ECC picks last season.

(Tourtellotte and Windham also compete in ECC Division IV.)

Others

Old Lyme

Coach: Caroline Wallace (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Kate Walsh, Sr. B Kaela Hoss, Sr. M/B Kanon Oharu, Sr. G Olivia Kelly, So. F Anna Bussman.

Top newcomer: Fr. M Vivian Boller.

Outlook: Old Lyme (11-7-3) seems to have a strong foundation for the upcoming season, especially with the key returning players and new additions to the team. Hoss, Walsh, Oharu and Kelly will serve as captains, with Walsh and Kelly earning Class S all-state honors. Wallace, who won four Class S state championships as a player at Old Lyme and returns to her alma mater along with assistant coach Mya Johnson — the program’s all-time leading scorer — is hopeful that the combination of a strong group of seniors and talented young players will result in a well-balanced squad, leading to a successful season.

Williams School

Coach: Liam Tresnan (5th season)

Key returnees: Sr. M Marlee Anselmi, Sr. G Natalie Boissevain, Sr. D Julia Cote, Sr. M Sophia Guinan, Sr. D Alex Leake, Sr. M Brooke McLoughlin, Sr. D Skylar Raymond.

Top newcomers: Fr. G Gabby Ivy, Fr. M Victoria Falkenstein.

Outlook: The Blues (11-4-1) are hoping to defend their Housatonic Valley Athletic League title and qualify for the NEPSAC Class D New England Championships for the third year in a row. They’re buoyed by a strong group of returning seniors. They’ll need to make up for the loss of defender Katelyn Harvey, who’s attending the Coast Guard Academy, and scorer Skylar Frost.