Looking for its third Div. 1 state title in four seasons, Natick will be under new leadership in co-head coaches Denise Trubiano and Kari-Ann Daley as 10 of its 11 starters return from the 2023 state championship team after graduating just four seniors.

“It’s a lot of pressure, but we are going to take it one day at a time,” said Trubiano about being a first-year co-coach. “Day one working with these young women released that pressure a bit because they are so committed.”

With solid leadership, the Redhawks should be in contention for another crown.

Also out of the Bay State Conference, Brookline has seniors Anna Leschly, Sydney Freese, Vilena Tchernychev, Makena Hammond and Julia Churwin to lead a competitive squad. Wellesley is now coached by longtime Natick coach Dave Wainwright. The atmosphere with senior captains Annie Comella and Peyton Keyes has the team ready to go on a long run.

In the Catholic Central League, state runner-up Bishop Feehan has senior forwards Tea Briggs and Neve Taylor (committed to Colby) up front while sophomore Tia LeBrecque and senior captain Brooke Kennedy (committed to Fairfield University) play midfield. The Shamrocks are anchored by senior captain Amanda Peck (committed to the University of Miami).

State semifinalist Hopkinton has senior captains Maddie Recupero, Nina Tzouganatous and Fotini Grontzos, junior center back Alex Clarke and junior goalie Aila Chase returning for the Tri-Valley League favorites.

In the Hockomock League, Franklin has senior captain Kelly O’Connor coming back as well as Gwen Holland with incoming freshmen Lily Strong and Claire Michel helping the attack. Ava Villella and Morgan Lovell are back in the midfield while captain Eliey Cinelli and Cassidy Carmignani anchor the defense, and sophomore Cami Towers returns at goalie.

Winchester, out of the Middlesex League, may have graduated eight seniors, but a strong group of returners led by four captains has a chance to compete at a high level. Dual County League hopeful Acton-Boxboro will be part of the mix as well.

In Div. 2, Notre Dame of Hingham looks to defend its state title with senior Bevan Doherty, senior Emma Connerty, strong center back Caroline Sacco and junior Lily Pastan at center-mid.

Div. 2 runner-up Mansfield returns juniors Olivia Dunham, Aly Fernandes, Maddie Fernandes and Lauren Signoriello and looks to stay competitive in a tough Hockomock League.

Masconomet graduated eight starters, but returns a solid core with senior captain Amanda Schneider, Nicole Schneider, Riley Bovardi and Teagan Skulley with the latter three all on defense. Senior Taylor Blanchette, juniors Cate Shaffer and Violet Malinowski and sophomores Lilly Blosser, Maggie Blosser and Brooke Hagerty are all players to watch for the Chieftains.

In the Middlesex League, Melrose has a few returners in juniors Sophie McElligott and Abby Taylor as well as Chloe Mahoney, who is one of six seniors. With 12 seniors graduated, some underclassmen will need to step up, including sophomore goalie Kate Stratford, who had five shutouts in six games last season.

Norwell, the defending Div. 3 champion, is under new leadership as coach Rob Williams takes over for Kara Connerty after her 13-year run that saw three titles since 2018, including two since 2021. The Clippers have sophomores Allyson Kelley, Kelsey Tuttle and Hannah Morse at forward while senior Reagan Dowd and junior Madelyn Smith hold down the defense with junior Elle Robinson in net.

Out of the Patriot League, Hanover is looking to make it back to the state championship game with senior captains Sophie Schiller, Callie Baldwin and Hannah Geray leading the way.

Dover-Sherborn has six returning starters after six seniors graduated. Senior Milla Lee has outstanding foot skills while playing midfield/forward and is committed to Boston University. Senior midfielder/forward Hayden Sumner is committed to Northeastern and  they make everyone around them better.

Other teams to watch out for in Div. 2 are Medfield and Cardinal Spellman. Medfield has sophomore Sidney Heavey, juniors Elizabth George, Stella Scobbo and senior Maeve Naughton. Cardinal Spellman graduated 13, but has Clare Varano on defense, Payton Galgana at midfield and Grace Foster at forward to lead a strong underclass group.

In Div. 4, 2022 state champion Cohasset fell in the 2023 quarterfinals, but with three-time South Shore League MVP and Maryland commit Tess Barrett, the Skippers are still in their prime to contend as 10 of 11 starters return after 12 seniors graduated. They also have juniors Ava Carcio and Meghan Smith as well as sophomore Molly Campbell.

Out of the Cape Ann League, Lynnfield made the state semifinals last year and has four senior captains who will lead in Clara Caulfield (good vision, ball control), Emma Rose (excellent corner kicks, good vision/ball control), Adriana Guarracino (good speed, good anticipation for defending) and Bella Carroll (does not shy away from contact, makes good runs).

Hamilton-Wenham is a team to keep an eye on in the Cape Ann League with senior captains Sadie Gamber, Tessa Hunt, Annie Moynihan and Maddy Wood looking for a fifth straight CAL title.

For Div. 5, Hull made it to the state semifinals for the first time and senior tri-captains Fallon Ryan, Elly Thomas and Elsie Harper will be right in the thick of another postseason run.

Out of the Cape & Islands League, St. John Paul II returns nine starters, including five strong captains in senior Meah Dalrymple, junior Raegan Dillon, Aniela Gallagher, Lily McNamara, and Devin Crofford. Junior Michaela Enright will also contribute for the Lions.

Millis will be a tough out as senior captains Olivia Fong and Lindsey Grattan, and sophomore Jess Kramer made an impact on and off the field.

Players to watch

Tess Barrett (Cohasset); Bella Carroll (Lynnfield); Willow Forbes-Smith (Bridgewater-Raynham); Alexis Greenblott (Newburyport); Madeline Hargraves (Durfee); Brooke Kennedy (Bishop Feehan); Lucy Irwin (Central Catholic); Milla Lee (Dover-Sherborn); Anna Leschly (Brookline); Sadie Mathis (Acton-Boxboro); Cassidy Moriarty (Natick); Kelly O’Connor (Franklin); Amanda Peck (Bishop Feehan); Courtnee Pickles (Methuen); Georgia Prouty (Danvers); Maddie Recupero (Hopkinton); Ella Scalisi (Weymouth).