BRUNSWICK — Four seasons ago, the Brunswick High School girls hockey program made the leap into varsity competition, rising up from those early club years.

It was a struggle at first, with the Dragons compiling one win and three victories, respectively, during their first two seasons before earning eight wins in 2010/11.

In year four, Brunswick made its move, scoring a 14-3-1 record and the top seed in Eastern A, advancing all the way to the Eastern A final.

This year, it is Mt. Ararat’s turn to take the next step, moving up from club hockey into the world of Maine varsity girls hockey, with the Eagles slated to visit Gorham/Bonny Eagle on Dec. 1 and host Portland/Deering in their home opener on Dec. 4.

“I think the excitement level is through the roof,” said Mt. Ararat coach Ron Hutchins. “What worries me is the nervousness level. The first minutes of the season opener will bring us all to the edge. I am so excited for these young women and so proud of everyone of them.”

Hutchins hopes his team gained enough experience during the past two years of club hockey, playing mostly against travel teams and house programs with varying results.

“The level of play was very inconsistent. Either we got crushed or we did the crushing. Not many of the games were close,” said Hutchins.

Hutchins’ roster includes six seniors and 12 juniors, giving him a little bit of experience.

“They are more loaded with upperclassmen than we were,” said Brunswick coach Bill Bodwell of the differences between the Dragons and Eagles in their “rookie” campaigns. “We had one senior and one junior when we started, and a big advantage is Ron has been there, where I was new to this team. They are coming in with eyes a little more wide open, considering the league was new back then.”

Senior captain Taylor Pare, coming off a solid field hockey season at Mt. Ararat, heads the Eagles’ defensive core, along with seniors Clare Briggs, junior captain Nellie Hetherington, junior Caroline Daniel and freshman captain Kayla Pinkham.

Up front, look for seniors Anne McIntire (assistant captain), Maggie Wessel and Hannah Zimmerman, juniors Sam Hamilton, Alicia Caterina, Katie Gibson, Carly Raymond, Danny Krause, Renee Rossignol, Kelly Richard, Capt. Devon Hutchins, Antonia DiPietro and Bailey Sullivan, and sophomore Alison Nolan.

In goal, senior netminder Dana Maloney backstops the Eagles.

“Our senior captains (Park and McIntire) are our most experienced players, and I’ll be looking to them to guide this team,” said Hutchins. “Everyone is expected to contribute every practice, every shift, every game.”

As far as first-year success goes — “I hope the pressure of the varsity — win at all cost — mentality doesn’t change these players,” said Hutchins. “They are great athletes, but more importantly good sportsmen. If they knock someone down, they want to say ‘sorry’ or help them up. Don’t get me wrong, they’re here to play hard and compete, I don’t doubt that. This is just a different place for them mentally.

“Five players are members of the National Honor Society,” added Hutchins. “All but two players are on the high school honor roll. These girls were successful before hockey.”

Hutchins thanked the School Administration District 75 community for helping to make the move to varsity happen.

“Without the community support and commitment from parents, these girls wouldn’t be here,” said the coach. “Brunswick has been successful gaining community support. The school is providing transportation to away games and a medical trainer — both very important and we’re happy to have that support. (Athletic Director) Todd Sampson has been great. He’s excited about this new girls team and if we’re lucky, the girls will win him over and he’ll find a little money in next year’s budget.

“The budget is $15,000 for this season. The coaches, we are all volunteers. So 100 percent of the money raised goes to pay for ice time and such. These girls are amazing, committed athletes and somehow manage to make it all happen.”

Brunswick

Bodwell’s Dragons had a year to remember last season, posting 14 wins, the team’s first playoff victory all-time and a trip to the Eastern A title game (7-2 loss to state champion Greely).

Brunswick hosts Winslow tonight at 6:15 p.m. at Sidney J. Watson Arena.

This season, his job is a big one, having to replace his entire defense and build a second forward line from scratch.

“We had three scrimmages, which went well, winning two and losing one, and I assumed coming into the season that we will be a middle of the pack team, with just two girls returning to the positions they played last year,” said Bodwell. “We have a lot of holes to fill, with others stepping into responsible positions.”

Defense is the first challenge, with senior Gillian Ford and junior Grace Rabinowitz, both forwards last season, joined by freshmen Maddie Wilkins and Caitlyn Olson.

“It is pretty big shoes to fill, and I am just doing my best and trying to pick it up quickly,” said Rabinowitz of her move to defense after the graduation of Suzannah Smith and Caroline Wild, along with the transfer of Jen Machin (North Yarmouth Academy). “You have to be a lot more aware of what your goalie is doing, and not focusing on scoring, instead trying to prevent scoring. I never expected to be playing defense, but I was excited when I was told and I will take the challenge and work as hard as I can.”

Bodwell will lean heavily on his top line for scoring, with seniors Rachel Moroney and Eliza Brooks joined by freshman Tessa Cassidy, who competed at New Englands during the cross country season.

“Tessa reminds me a lot of Annie Kelly (2011 graduate), and even wears the same number as Annie,” said Brooks. “I am excited to leave my imprint on this team this year, and I think we will do well.”

“We have Rachel and Eliza back, along with good goaltending, which are our two strengths,” said Bodwell, who returns goaltenders Erin Gay (senior) and Claire Mendes (forward). “I think in girls hockey, goaltending is huge and we have good goaltending.”

Bodwell feels Greely is the team to beat again this year.

“We played Greely in a scrimmage game the other day and they are as well-rounded as any team that I have seen in my time here,” said the coach, whose squad takes on the Rangers in Falmouth on Wednesday.

Mt. Ararat capsule

Coach — Ron Hutchins

Highlights — This is the first varsity season for Mt. Ararat girls hockey.

2012/13 roster — Seniors Taylor Pare (Capt., defense), Dana Maloney (goalkeeper), Anne McIntire (Assistant Capt., forward), Clare Briggs (D), Maggie Wessel (F), Hannah Zimmerman (F); juniors Nellie Hetherington (Assistant Capt., D); Sam Hamilton (F), Alicia Caterina (F), Katie Gibson (F), Carly Raymond (F), Danny Krause (F), Renee Rossignol (F), Kelly Richard (F), Devon Hutchins (F), Caroline Daniel (D), Antonia DiPietro (F), Bailey Sullivan (F); sophomore Alison Nolan (F); freshman Kayla Pinkham (Assistant Capt., D).

Season opener — Dec. 1 at Gorham/Bonny Eagle.

Key dates — Dec. 4 (home, Portland/Deering); Dec. 14 (home, Greely); (Dec. 19 (home, Lewiston); Dec. 21 (home, Yarmouth/Freeport); Jan. 5 (home, Brunswick); Jan. 16 (at Brunswick).

Brunswick capsule

Coach — Bill Bodwell

2011/12 highlights — 14-3-1, No.1 seed in the East, lost to Greely 7-2 in Eastern championship.

Personnel returning — Seniors Rachel Moroney (Capt., F, Eastern Maine First Team last year), Eliza Brooks (Capt., F, Eastern Maine First Team last season), Erin Gay (GK), Gillian Ford (F), Chanel Sturniolo (F); juniors Ashley Hartford (F), Grace Rabinowitz (D), Claire Mendes (GK), Mary Sasso (F); sophomores Emily Yuodsnukis (F), Kristine Lajoie (F).

Newcomers — Freshmen Maddie Wilkes (D), Caitlyn Olson (F/D), Tessa Cassidy (F), Jordan Van Savage (F).

Season opener — Tonight at home against Winslow, 6:15 p.m.

Key dates — Dec. 10 (H, St. Dom’s), Dec. 14 (H, Falmouth), Jan. 5 (At Mt. Ararat), Jan. 16 (H, Mt. Ararat), Jan. 25 (H, Yarmouth/Freeport).