Maine High School Field Hockey Preview: Cheverus Leads the Pack in 2025 Season

As the leaves begin to turn across New England, another high school field hockey season is set to unfold in Maine, and the familiar names at the top of the rankings haven't changed. Yet behind the perennial powerhouse programs, a wave of rising contenders is positioning itself to disrupt the established order.

Defending champion Cheverus enters the fall as the team to beat in Class A South, a position the Stags have earned through sustained excellence rather than any single dominant roster. Gone from last year's lineup are several cornerstones, including Varsity Maine Player of the Year Joey Pompeo and goalkeeper Ellie Skolnekovich, but the program's depth runs deep. Sydney Brunelle remains a force in the midfield alongside defensive center midfielder Ava Martin, while Jaylee Radford, Brooke Brunelle, and Mary McCartney provide ample scoring punch. A new-look defensive unit will lean on Gracey Copper to steady the backline after three starting backs and Skolnekovich graduated. The Stags may surrender more goals than in years past, but their offensive firepower should more than compensate.

The team most likely to challenge Cheverus again sits just down the road in Biddeford. The Tigers return seven starters from a squad that has reached the Class A South final in each of the past three seasons, only to run into the Cheverus wall each time. Mia Mariello, a returning Varsity Maine All-State selection, brings her scoring touch to the attacking center midfield role, supported by Merrimack commit Cordelia Kane and Lola Laverriere. Up front, Rachel Lagasse, Emily Hussey, and Addie Barrs offer experience, while defenders Lileigh LeBreton, Alivia Aberle, and Hailey Burke form a strong back line. The goaltending situation remains unsettled, but the Tigers have the talent to finally break through.

In Class A North, Mt. Ararat looks ready to build on a breakthrough 2024 campaign that carried the Eagles to their first regional final. Forty players are in the program, and the key contributors are back. Midfielder Kamryn Chase is the central figure after a remarkable stat line of six goals, 21 assists, and six defensive saves a year ago. Sarah Middleton anchors one of the KVAC's best defensive units, joined by Emma Graffam, Bella Plummer, and Krystah Coen. Maddy Sweet contributed 15 goals last season, and Stella McBrady adds further offensive threat, while goalkeeper Jaymie Bergman remains an athletic difference-maker. Freshman Leah Lafrance has impressed in preseason play and could make an immediate impact.

Perhaps the most intriguing story in the SMAA this fall belongs to Sanford/Kennebunk, a merged program that may finally have the pieces to crack the top tier. Junior Hailey Payeur has flourished since moving from forward to center midfield, while sophomore Reese Beaudoin set the league on notice with 21 goals as a freshman. Forwards Ella Tederous and Miranda Payeur return, as do midfielders Zoey McCann and Paige Sevigny and defender Olivia Kezar. The Kennebunk merger adds goalkeeper Faith Flynn, forward/midfielder Charlotte Johnson, and defender Eliza Nass to an already deep roster. Coach Martha Kane summed up the optimism surrounding this year's squad: "This is the strongest team we've had in a while."

Gorham has been a model of consistency in A South, reaching the semifinals in each of the past five seasons, and the Rams have the personnel to extend that streak. Senior forward Sydney Quimby is poised to emerge as one of the region's elite scorers and a legitimate All-State candidate. Junior Bryn Cunningham adds further attacking punch, while seniors Haylie Nicely and Acadia Sylvia provide midfield strength and veteran goalkeeping from Eva Wandell. Newcomers Adi Spiller and Alyssa Lampen have caught Coach Becky Manson's eye with their speed, though Manson noted that while the defense has looked sharp in the preseason, the offense still needs to assert itself. If it does, Gorham could climb back into the top three in A South.

In Class B, Yarmouth must fill significant gaps after losing center midfielder Celia Zinman, the WMC Player of the Year, and top scorer Erica O'Connor. Yet the Clippers remain formidable, with regional title-game aspirations after falling in the 2025 final. Junior forward Maya Nasveschuk, fresh off a 17-goal season, possesses player-of-the-year caliber, while juniors Gianna LaBella and sophomore Stella Peck bring extensive defensive experience and sophomore Phoebe Collins logged major midfield minutes a year ago. Coach Bre Page believes players from all four classes are ready for expanded roles, and if everything falls into place, Yarmouth could return to the region final for the fourth consecutive year.

Thornton Academy has made the Class A South tournament in back-to-back seasons and aims to improve on last year's 8-7 record and quarterfinal exit. The Trojans lost All-State forward Cora Bolduc and her 21 goals, but Shyla McVeigh, a second-team all-SMAA pick, is prepared to absorb more of the scoring burden. Vanessa Dyer and Olivia Lamey add further offensive options, while midfielders Addie Lamey, Ocee LaMarre, and Sophia Sirois all return. One intriguing unknown is Argentine residential student Camila Sibille, whose preseason play has turned heads with her offensive skill set.

Scarborough posted a 9-5-1 record last fall and earned the fourth seed in A South before a one-and-done playoff exit. With 38 players in the program and six returning starters, the Red Storm are looking to build on that foundation. Forwards Cassie Niles and Rosa Perlut are back, midfielders Emma McGee and Lily Geisser return, and Clara Ferrie and Maddie Howes will lead the defense. Sophomore Dylan Johnson takes over in goal, while freshman Ella Niles and sophomore Lilly Kloda could contribute right away. Coach Kyla Wigant has emphasized fundamentals and mental toughness as keys to getting past an early postseason departure.

Camden Hills emerged as an A North contender after a 6-9 campaign that ended in a narrow 1-0 loss to Mt. Ararat in the first round. The Windjammers feature one of the state's most accomplished players in midfielder Ali Sylvester, a KVAC A Player of the Year finalist and American University commit. Alanna Smith has developed into a potent scoring threat, and 16 players return overall, including nine with significant starting experience. Senior midfielder Amelia Lincoln rejoins the program after sitting out last season. Coach Lindsey Clement carried a large roster a year ago to develop younger talent, and that investment may begin to pay dividends this fall.

In Class C South, Boothbay broke through in a major way during the 2025 season, going 12-2-2, earning the top regional seed, and advancing to the semifinals. The two players who powered that run, junior sisters Moriah and Zuri Smith, are back. Moriah led the team with 19 goals and six assists from her midfield position, while Zuri serves as the program's top playmaker and transition leader. Sophomore Olivia Hardwick, who scored six goals as a freshman, is expected to develop into a more complete scorer, classmate Lilly Ann Cowing should make a similar leap, and junior goalkeeper Jessica Steinmetz returns after allowing just seven regular-season goals.

From the established dynasty in Portland to a rising merger in Sanford, from the depth in Topsham to the breakout hopes in Boothbay, the landscape of Maine high school field hockey is as compelling as it has been in years. Whether Cheverus continues its reign of dominance, whether Biddeford finally clears its longstanding obstacle, or whether a new name breaks through, this fall promises no shortage of compelling storylines across the state's three classifications.