What we learned on Day 1 of fall sports practices in the Seacoast

The first day of fall sports practice arrived across the Seacoast on Monday, Aug. 17, bringing renewed energy, high expectations and plenty of optimism for the season ahead.

From defending state champions to teams breaking in new coaches and rebuilding rosters, athletes and coaches throughout New Hampshire and southern Maine were back on the field, as preparations began for the upcoming season.

Here are some storylines that were uncovered on Monday's first day of practice.

Portsmouth/Oyster River football embarks on new season

PORTSMOUTH - Portsmouth/Oyster River head coach Brian Pafford knew exactly what he wanted to see from the ClipperCats during Monday's first day of practice - effort.

"I'm just looking for effort overall," Pafford said. "And just making sure we're in good shape after working out all summer. The effort overall has been good. It's hard to judge a lot of that stuff because there's so much teaching going on early."

The real fun begins Tuesday when Portsmouth/Oyster River puts on the full pads.

"It's fun to get some thud in, and I can't wait until we go full pads," Portsmouth senior Demitrius Tsakiris said. "I'm trying to give it everything I've got and really leave it all out there this year. There's kind of nothing to worry about in the long run, so I'm just trying to make every play count."

Tsakiris believes the ClipperCats have plenty of athleticism, but he said developing team chemistry will be an area of focus as the season approaches.

− Brandon Brown

St. Thomas girls soccer embraces change to Division II

DOVER — After competing in Division III, the St. Thomas Aquinas girls soccer team moves up to Division II this fall, a challenge head coach Patrick Hureau said his team is eager to embrace.

"Moving from Division III to Division II is a great challenge," Hureau said. "We don't know much about the teams we'll be facing, and they don't know much about us, so it should be a lot of fun."

Hureau said the Saints have numbers similar to recent seasons, with about 30 players in the program, and every one of them brought energy and a strong work ethic to the opening day of practice.

"We hit the ground running with conditioning today, and they did a good job," Hureau said. "It's good to see that many of them are coming into the season in shape and ready to go. That allows us to spend more time working on the tactical side of things, so I'm excited about that."

Senior Ansley Ball said she was impressed by the energy her teammates brought to the first day of practice, noting that everyone seemed excited to be there and willing to give their best effort.

"We didn't lose as many seniors as we have the last couple of years, and we have a really strong freshman class," senior Mallory Baker said. "We're super excited to reshape our team and see what we can do this year, especially in a new division."

-Terrill Covey

Marshwood football welcomes start of Elwell Era

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine - After spending 10 years as an assistant coach at Marshwood, Andrew Elwell officially began his tenure as the Hawks' head coach on Monday. While the title may be different, Elwell said the transition felt familiar thanks to a veteran team and a coaching staff that has remained intact.

"I think this team has a very strong senior class of leaders, and I think that really showed on Day 1," Elwell said. "Everybody is excited anyway, but they definitely came out with a different energy today. We were able to run 58 plays during our team periods, and we had really nice tempo throughout practice. Hopefully we can build off that."

Elwell said one of the biggest reasons for the smooth start was the leadership displayed by the team's senior class, including quarterback Michael Sbrizza, running back Greg Castoras, and linemen Ethan Reichert and Roman Sylvester.

"Everybody's excited on the first day, but our seniors really set the tone," Elwell said. "The energy was great, and the pace of practice was exactly what we were hoping to see."

Despite taking over for longtime head coach Alex Rotsko, Elwell said the day-to-day routine remains largely unchanged.

"I think the only difference was a little more paperwork before practice started," Elwell said with a laugh. "Other than that, it was pretty much the same. I'm still coaching the offensive line and loving that. The day-to-day stuff doesn't really change, and we still have the same staff we've always had. Not much has changed, to be honest."

-Jay Pinsonnault

Strong numbers for Exeter boys soccer on first day of practice

EXETER - Exeter boys soccer coach Dan Curran said the turnout and enthusiasm on the opening day of practice were encouraging signs for the Blue Hawks.

"Numbers are great," Curran said. "We're looking at four teams again, which is phenomenal, we're really fortunate."

Curran said what stood out most to him was the commitment displayed by the upperclassmen before practice even began.

"Every upperclassman was here 15 to 20 minutes early, with their boots on and ready to play," Curran said. "That's a great sign. I think this year's group is ready to play. They want to accomplish some things, and they're ready to work for those things, too. It was great to see that work ethic on Day 1."

Exeter opened preseason with 86 players in the program as Curran pointed to a strong incoming freshman class as another positive for the program.

"The numbers are great, and we keep drawing a good pool of players," Curran said. "We'll see what happens from here."

-Jay Pinsonnault

'Christmas' arrives for defending Division I girl soccer state champion Winnacunnet

HAMPTON - For years, Winnacunnet girls soccer coach Nick O'Brien and members of his team have referred to the first day of preseason practice as "Christmas."

The excitement of opening day hasn't changed, especially coming off a Division I state championship last fall.

"We've progressed to the point now where this is a new season," O'Brien said. "With that said, we know we probably have a little bit more of a target on our backs. But at the same time, it's a new season, a completely new group and a new journey. We're excited to start the season."

Just an hour into Monday's first practice, O'Brien was already impressed by his team's commitment and attitude.

"They know these first sessions are difficult," O'Brien said. "They know, coming off the summer, there's going to be conditioning and a lot of touches on the ball. But everyone seems really dedicated to getting better and progressing."

O'Brien said the Warriors will lean on a trio of captains this season in Sophia Guimaraes, Molly Houlihan and Isla Christie

As the defending champions begin a new chapter, O'Brien's focus remains on the process rather than last year's accomplishments.

"It's a completely new crew and a new journey," O'Brien said. "We're excited to get started."

-Jay Pinsonnault

Winnacunnet field hockey coach Heidi Hand on first day of practice

After falling to Keene in the Division I semifinals last season, head coach Heidi Hand and the Winnacunnet field hockey team opened practice Monday with an energized group.

"It was an exciting day," Hand said. "The girls came motivated, ready and prepared. My upperclassmen came in shape, and they were leading the team right from the start. It's the beginning of what I think will be a fun season, and the upperclassmen really brought the energy today."

With a veteran core returning - led by senior captains Sophia Donatelli, Fiona McAfee and Mary Koulheras - Hand believes the Warriors have the potential to make another deep postseason run.

"Our biggest goal is always to get to the playoffs and see where we can go from there," Hand said. "With the group of seniors I have, I feel like they're strong leaders, and this team can go as far as they want to take it."

−Jay Pinsonnault

Oyster River field hockey putting the 'fun' in fundamentals

Oyster River senior Hannah Main remembers stepping onto the practice field with the Bobcats for the first time. Now, as one of the team's few returning seniors, she has a simple message for the program's newest players.

"Try your best. We're all here to have fun and play field hockey at the end of the day," Main said. "Just have fun. Four years goes by fast."

The Bobcats took the practice field for the first time at 8 a.m. Monday.

Oyster River graduated 11 seniors from last year's team, which reached the Division II semifinals, but welcomed 12 freshmen to tryouts on Monday.

"It's no secret to anyone in the division that we're sort of building a brand-new roster this season, which is very cool and very exciting," head coach Anne Golding said. "I think the kids who are returning to the program this year have put in the time to develop, and it's going to serve us very, very well."

Golding said the Bobcats have a versatile group with players capable of contributing in multiple positions across the field.

"We're all excited," Main said. "Last year, we had a really good season, and we lost a lot of good players. This year, we're going to come back stronger and try to live up to that."

-Brandon Brown

Exeter girls soccer is finding its own identity

Exeter head coach Meg Young and the Blue Hawks girls soccer team hit the ground running early Monday morning, with Young saying the focus for 2026 is on "finding our own identity."

"Every year is a new year, and we have a great group of seniors returning with experience who are looking to build on last year's success," Young said. "We had a great regular season, but we were disappointed with how the playoffs ended."

The Blue Hawks went 15-2 last season before losing to rival Winnacunnet in the Division I quarterfinals. Young said that early playoff exit will serve as motivation this fall.

"Of course, we want to have a great regular season, but we want to keep it going beyond that," Young said.

"We're super excited," Exeter senior and Division I all-state selection Harper Levitsky said. "With today being the first day, we're all excited to be out here despite the weather. It's good vibes for the season, and we're ready to get back at it."

Levitsky added that the team is taking a day-by-day approach and understands the importance of giving 100% effort every time it steps on the field.

'Excited players' top Exeter field hockey coach's checklist

Exeter head coach Deb Grott said the biggest thing she's looking for is players who are excited to show up and play field hockey.

"And to give that little extra effort, because that says a lot about who they are as people, too," Grott said. "Those are the people we want playing on the varsity team, especially, and in our program."

The Blue Hawks spent four hours together Monday morning, beginning at 7 a.m. The session included stretching, conditioning, stick drills and other preseason activities.

Exeter senior goalie Amalia Gloss said the team's goal is to build a cohesive unit that works together while playing with pride and confidence.

"I think this team can be very powerful," Gloss said. "We have what it takes to go really far if we work together. We already work well together, so I'm excited to see those connections continue to grow both on and off the field."

Gloss said the Blue Hawks are eager to see what they can accomplish this season.

"Even though it's our first day out here, we're all looking forward to the games ahead and putting in the hard work necessary to come out strong at the start of the season," Gloss said.

-Brandon Brown

Enthusiasm ignites coach's return to Exeter volleyball

Michael McDonnell, who spent nine years as the Exeter High School volleyball coach before stepping down after the 2019 season, is back with the Blue Hawks this fall. He said the enthusiasm in the gym stood out most on the opening day of practice.

"With these seniors, you can see the camaraderie among them, but also the way they're reaching out to the younger players in the gym," McDonnell said. "I thought that was really special. It was nice to see that kind of welcoming atmosphere."

McDonnell said the Blue Hawks had strong turnout numbers and showed plenty of energy on the first day. He added that Exeter's 2026 roster is led by a large senior class.

"I'm looking forward to seeing strong leadership right off the bat from the entire team," McDonnell said.

That leadership group includes seniors Payton Strandberg, Sydney Revilla, Evelyn Knab, Cadence Guerdat, Bria Healy, Madeline Rosenbleeth, Ava Ikemire and Devi Israni, as well as junior Hazel Surrette.

"I think Monday went really well," Revilla said of the first day of practice. "We all worked hard and brought a lot of hustle. I think everyone came in with something to prove, and I think it's only going to get better as the week goes on."

-Brandon Brown

Revamped Traip field hockey ready for challenge as practice begins

KITTERY, Maine - The Traip Academy field hockey team will somehow have to compensate for the loss of 11 seniors from last season’s playoff club. Despite the challenge the Rangers were upbeat during Monday morning’s workout at Emery Field.

Traip was missing several players from that practice because of summer work commitments, but coach Libby Hite was expecting a better turnout for the afternoon session.

Senior goalie and co-captain Madison Evans, who finished with 99 saves last season, will be a stalwart once again for the Class C South Rangers. Co-captain Jheidelys Rivera should also be a factor.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all summer,” Evans said after Monday’s initial practice, which marked the official start of the fall high school season."

-Al Pike

Rain can't dampen Marshwood girls soccer first practice

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — The steady drizzle and soggy conditions did little to dampen head coach Hannah Rossignol's enthusiasm Monday morning as the Marshwood girls soccer team opened preseason practice.

"It really feels like Christmas," Rossignol said. "I look forward to this every year. Once the summer season ends, I start counting down the days until the first day of preseason. Everyone is super excited. You're up early. I couldn't sleep last night."

The Hawks graduated just three seniors from a team that reached the Class B South quarterfinals last season, giving Marshwood an experienced core to build around in 2026.

Senior goalkeeper Hazel Martin and junior defender Ashley Jalbert are expected to anchor a defense that could be one of the team's strengths this fall.

"We have a really hearty bunch of upperclassmen and a great group of underclassmen to help us out as well," said Rossignol, who is entering her third season as head coach. "I think it's a special group, and we're looking forward to accomplishing some great things together."

-Al Pike

Marshwood boys soccer will have a new-look this fall

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — With 15 seniors gone from last year's team, the Marshwood boys soccer program enters the 2026 season in rebuilding mode. That means veteran coach Ben Deschene and the Hawks could have plenty of work ahead as they seek to develop a new core.

Still, Deschene was eager to get started as Marshwood opened preseason practice Monday morning.

"The part I enjoy most is after the team has been selected and I can get with my guys and we can start working toward the goals we have collectively," Deschene said. "But this is fun, too, just seeing all the faces out here together for the first time."

The Hawks will be led by senior defender Sam Gennaro, the lone returning starter from last year's squad and a first-team all-conference selection, along with senior forward Connor Desmarais, who is expected to take on a larger offensive role this fall.

"I've been looking forward to this for a while," Gennaro said. "It's great to be back on the field with my boys. Being a senior, this is probably my last season playing soccer, so I'm really excited to get back out here and get started."

-Al Pike

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: What we learned on Day 1 of fall sports practices in the Seacoast