09/04/2026
Congratulations to our field hockey team for being named one of the 10 teams in Southern Maine to watch by the Portland Press Herald.
Also, congratulations to Moriah Smith for being named one of the 25 players to watch in Southern Maine.
Way to go Seahawks! 💙💛
We are SO PROUD of you!! 💙💛
Meet 10 southern Maine field hockey teams to watch in 2026 (September 1, 2026)
1. Cheverus: Until someone beats them, the Stags get the top spot. Sure, Cheverus had to say goodbye to a group of key players, including Varsity Maine Player of the Year Joey Pompeo and goalie Ellie Skolnekovich, but this is a program that has a history of having no trouble absorbing the departure of star power. Don’t expect anything different this fall. Sydney Brunelle is still around in the midfield, as is defensive center mid Ava Martin, and leading scorer Jaylee Radford, Brooke Brunelle and Mary McCartney are ready to provide scoring punch again. The defense will have a new look, but Gracey Copper should help stabilize that area of the field after three starting backs and Skolnekovich graduated. Even if the Stags give up more goals, they should still score plenty.
2. Biddeford: The Tigers, with seven starters back, should again be a top team in both the SMAA and the state. Mia Mariello, a returning Varsity Maine All-State pick, brings her scoring ability to the attacking center midfield position, and Merrimack commit Cordelia Kane and Lola Laverriere also make up a strong group of midfielders, while Rachel Lagasse, Emily Hussey and Addie Barrs bring experience up front. Biddeford should also be strong in the back with Lileigh LeBreton, Alivia Aberle and Hailey Burke, though the goaltending picture is still being determined. The Tigers are still trying to climb over the Cheverus hump, having lost to the Stags in the A South final for three straight years. Biddeford should be their biggest challenger again.
3. Mt. Ararat: The Eagles reached the Class A North final for the first time last fall and have the talent to make a return trip. A whopping 40 players are in the program, and the key pieces are back. Midfielder Kamryn Chase is the focal point after producing six goals, 21 assists and six defensive saves last year, and Sarah Middleton is one of the KVAC’s best backs. Maddy Sweet (15 goals) and Stella McBrady are strong offensively, the defensive group of Middleton, Emma Graffam, Bella Plummer and Krystah Coen return in back, and Jaymie Bergman is an athletic difference-maker in goal. Freshman Leah Lafrance has impressed and could make an immediate impact. A North is always tough, but the team from Topsham is ready to make a run.
4. Sanford/Kennebunk: The Spartans have tried the last several years to break into the top tier of the SMAA and could have the team to do it this year. They bring back an emerging standout in junior Hailey Payeur, who has flourished after moving from forward to center midfield, and high-scoring sophomore Reese Beaudoin, who had 21 goals as a freshman. Forwards Ella Tederous and Miranda Payeur are also back, as are Zoey McCann and Paige Sevigny in the midfield and Olivia Kezar on defense. A merger with Kennebunk also brings goalie Faith Flynn, forward/midfielder Charlotte Johnson and defender Eliza Nass into the mix. “This is the strongest team we’ve had in a while,” coach Martha Kane said.
5. Gorham: The Rams have made the A South semifinals for five straight years and have the pieces necessary to extend that streak. Senior forward Sydney Quimby will look to emerge as one of the region’s top scorers and is an All-State candidate, while junior Bryn Cunningham at forward, senior Haylie Nicely at midfield, senior Acadia Sylvia and senior goalie Eva Wandell give Gorham returning starters and veteran presence at all four levels. Coach Becky Manson is also encouraged that speedy new juniors Adi Spiller and Alyssa Lampen can make an immediate impact. Manson said her defense has looked locked in during the preseason, but the offense needed to step up its aggressiveness. If that happens, Gorham could grab a top-three spot in A South again.
6. Yarmouth: The Clippers have some key holes to fill. Center midfielder Celia Zinman, the WMC Player of the Year, is gone, as is Erica O’Connor, a top scoring threat. But this is still a formidable team that should have Class B title-game aspirations after falling in the 2025 regional final. Junior forward Maya Nasveschuk, coming off a 17-goal season, has player-of the-year potential, junior Gianna LaBella and sophomore Stella Peck played extensively on defense, and sophomore Phoebe Collins logged big minutes in the midfield. Coach Bre Page said all four classes have players ready to step into bigger roles, and if it all clicks the way it can, Yarmouth could be back in the region final for the fourth straight year.
7. Thornton Academy: The Trojans have made the past two Class A South tournaments after missing in 2023, and this year’s team, with seven returning starters, could improve on last year’s 8-7 record and quarterfinal exit. All-State forward Cora Bolduc and her SMAA-high 21 goals are gone, but Shyla McVeigh was a second-team all-SMAA selection and should be ready to pick up some of the scoring slack, and Vanessa Dyer and Olivia Lamey should also be offensive factors. Addie Lamey, Ocee LaMarre and Sophia Sirois are returning to midfield spots after emerging there last year. An unknown element is Argentine residential student Camila Sibille, who has impressed during the preseason with her offensive game and could lift the Trojans even further.
8. Scarborough: Hopes are high for another strong campaign at Scarborough after a 9-5-1 season that resulted in the fourth seed in A South. The Red Storm have great numbers with 38 players, a group that includes six starters from last year. Cassie Niles and Rosa Perlut return up front, Emma McGee and Lily Geisser are back at midfield, and Clara Ferrie and Maddie Howes will lead the defense again. Sophomore Dylan Johnson will take over in net, and freshman forward Ella Niles and sophomore midfielder Lilly Kloda should contribute in their first varsity seasons. Scarborough is looking to build on last year’s one-and-done playoff performance. Coach Kyla Wigant said the team has emphasized fundamentals and mental toughness.
9. Camden Hills: The Windjammers should be an A North contender after going 6-9, grabbing the No. 7 seed in the region and falling to Mt. Ararat in a tight 1-0 contest. They have midfielder Ali Sylvester, a KVAC A Player of the Year finalist and one of the top players in the state. She is an American University commit with high field IQ and the ability to control the game offensively and defensively. Alanna Smith has improved and should be a potent scorer, and 16 players return in all, including nine who started or saw the field often. Senior midfielder Amelia Lincoln will be in the fold after missing last year following two seasons of experience. Coach Lindsey Clement carried a large roster last year to get younger players ready. This year, it could pay off.
10. Boothbay: The Seahawks broke out in a big way in 2025, going 12-2-2, earning the top seed in Class C South and advancing to the regional semifinals. The two driving forces from that team are back for their junior seasons. Moriah Smith is the top attacker and scoring threat at midfield after scoring 19 goals along with six assists, and sister Zuri Smith is the top
playmaker and transition leader. Olivia Hardwick was third on the team with six goals as a freshman and should be a more complete scorer as a sophomore, classmate Lilly Ann Cowing (five goals) should see a similar improvement, and junior Jessica Steinmetz is back in net after holding opponents to seven regular-season goals.
© 2026 The Portland Press Herald
