LISBON

Chase Collier was the player to stop last season for opponents taking on the Lisbon High School field hockey team.

Only one team did that well … State Class C champion Oak Hill, which held the Greyhounds scoreless in three matchups, including the C South semifinals, a 3-0 Raiders win.

Collier has graduated, so according to Lisbon coach Julie Petrie, the scoring will need to come from several of her Greyhounds.

“We will need to spread the scoring out and rely on our strong returning defense,” Petrie said.

Senior goaltender Mikaylia Harnden returns between the pipes, while veteran defenders Emily Brewer and Shelby Cyr are solid stoppers. In the midfield, senior Morgan Fenderson and junior Mallory Fairbanks are solid two-way players, while forwards Shelby Plourde (junior), Savannah Czechelski (senior), Sadie Hardt (senior) and Peyton Gosselin (junior) look to provide offensive punch.

Of Petrie’s 22 players, 15 are either sophomores or freshmen, giving the veteran coach a young squad.

The schedule is certainly difficult, with the opener against Mountain Valley Conference returner Spruce Mountain on Wednesday (4 p.m.). a team sure to give Petrie a solid starting point. The first of two meetings with Oak Hill comes on the road Sept. 8, with the Greyhounds also slated to face Winthrop and Dirigo twice each.

“Spruce Mountain will be tough, but we do play them twice, which is good,” said Petrie. “Throughout the league, each game is going to be a battle. I think we’re ready, having played a couple solid play days.”

Freeport

Marcia Wood’s Falcons had an up and down 2016 campaign.

After a 4-2-1 start, Freeport dropped four straight and ended the regular season with a 6-7-1 mark, good for the No. 8 seed in Class B South.

After a 3-0 victory over Cape Elizabeth in a prelim, the Falcons fell to eventual state champion York in the quarters.

According to Wood, Freeport is one big victory away from contending.

“We need to get the big win to build our confidence,” said Wood, whose Falcons visit Greely Thursday at 4 p.m. “We need to beat the teams that we should beat and find a way to earn those close wins against teams that are at our level. Last year, we had a lot of one-goal games go against us, like losses to Poland and Fryeburg Academy that hurt. We have to defeat those teams to contend.”

Wood has a solid core of offensive players returning this season, led by junior forward Alexa Koenig.

“Alexa is a big hitter and is quick, a player that sees the field well,” said Wood.

Also up front for Freeport is senior Maya Bradbury and junior Carrie Lefebvre, while senior midfielder Grace Schnyder is a key on both offense and defense.

Freeport opens its home slate on Sept. 8 at Bowdoin College against Lake Region. From there, the remainder of the home schedule moves to Hunter Road Fields, with six of the team’s final seven contests at home.

Brunswick

Last season saw a continued push forward for the Dragons, who finished 5-9.

Head coach Karin Paquin feels that she has a balanced team.

“Every player is a key player. They are all equally important to support our team goals and strategies. Every player is important for our success. We will rise and fall as a team,” said Paquin.

Standing 5-6 with three games remaining, Brunswick struggled to score down the stretch, dropping the final three games, including a 2-0 setback to rival Mt. Ararat at Bowdoin College in the finale.

“The team has decided to play harder and win more games. We want to build on last season’s successes,” Paquin said. “I expect big things this season. More wins, more goals, more building. We have two seniors and seven juniors, five sophomores and five freshmen. We have a young squad, which is great for the program to continue building.”

Brunswick opens at home Thursday against Oxford Hills before heading to Topsham Sept. 5 to face the Eagles in the first of two meetings, with the contest at Brunswick slated for Sept. 21. The Dragons will be road warriors throughout the first half of the season, with five of their first seven contests away from Brunswick.

Morse

It had been several seasons since a Morse field hockey squad had tasted the postseason.

That all changed in coach Kerri Reno’s third campaign last year, with the Shipbuilders posting a 4-9-1 mark, good for the No. 10 seed in Class B North.

Despite a tough 2-1 loss to Winslow in the preliminary, Reno is excited about this year’s group of players, all determined to go at least a step further this year.

“We are picking up right where we left off last season,” said Reno, whose squad opens at home against Lincoln Academy on Thursday at 4 p.m. “I feel this year we are coming into the season the strongest since I have been coaching this team. That makes me very excited. They girls have a great bond. We have established great relationships and they are working really hard for me. I haven’t had to re-teach skills that we worked on last year. We have been able to just practice them and get stronger.”

With the only loss to graduation key defender KK Fifield, Morse returns a solid core.

“KK Fifield left big shoes to fill,” said Reno. “I am giving that assignment to junior Emma Warner, who will move from center-mid. Emma will bring a big leadership role to the defense, along with senior captain Sophie Wilson in goal. Sophomores Sydney Moore and Molly Crosby will round out our defense.”

In the midfield, Reno returns sophomores Abby Durgin, Kim St. Pierre and Macey Coffin, with junior Lily Thibodeau filling the center-midfield spot. And, senior forwards Maddie Skroski (captain) and Leah Totman lead the charge up front, along with classmates Christina Bowman, Courtney Bodeen and Emeilia Marsh. Junior Vanessa St. Pierre also returns.

“I expect this Shipbuilder team to be faster, stronger, more focused and more dedicated than ever before,” said Reno. “This senior class is hungry to make a statement before they leave the field for the last time. This class were freshmen when I started coaching and they have come so far in four years. We are all on the same page where we want this season to go and they are ready to fight.”

Mt. Ararat

The Eagles begin this year looking to build off last year’s finish, which included a pair of wins to finish 5-9 and just miss the Class A North postseason.

Head coach Krista Chase returns a solid group of athletes this year, with the Eagles set to host rival Lewiston on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Up front, 2016 leading scorer Wyley Fitzpatrick, a sophomore, returns.

“Wyley is one of the fastest runners I have ever coached, she is feisty with strong, low play. She has a nose for the goal and will be trusted to initiate our attack,” said Chase, who also has sophomore midfielders Holly Temple and Brea Holtet, along with freshman Hannah Huston looking to control the middle.

Chase has senior Kayleigh Temple back, and freshmen Brynn Charron, Gracie Morrell and Abby Hagan will look to prove themselves up front, according to Chase.

The backfield is where Mt. Ararat looks to shine. Senior backs and captains Madison Stover, Fiona Hoang and Katie Trebilcock are reliable defenders, along with senior Madelin Svetin and sophomore Tegan Bryne.

“With smart, confident play in the backfield, this veteran defense will need to prepare for some of the toughest shots in the state,” said Chase.

In goal, Chase will decide between two sophomore keepers — Lily Schenk and Emma Lapreziosa.

“We are not expecting to fill the impossible shoes left behind by all state goalie Haley Frizzle. Instead, we work our goalies hard in practice and focus each day on growth,” said Chase, who discussed her team’s goals. “Our goal for the season is to develop a more dynamic and skilled Mt. Ararat team that will produce a stronger attack.

“We have several players capable of scoring, but which of my youngsters will lead the charge remains to be determined. The pressure is on my freshmen and sophomores to have an immediate impact on the field.”