BRUNSWICK

High school field hockey seems to be on an upswing in the Mid-coast, as last year Brunswick, Mt. Ararat, Morse and Freeport all showed an upward trend while competing for the postseason.

The coaches feel their squads are ready to take that next step.

Here is a look at the five area squads:

Brunswick

Karin Paquin’s Dragons missed out on the Class A North postseason last year, dropping two games to “Battle of the Bridge” rival Mt. Ararat along the way.

However, a five-win campaign gives Paquin a reason to be optimistic heading into Brunswick’s season/home opener on Wednesday against Edward Little (4 p.m.).

“We are, as a squad, more experienced and it shows as they have gelled with each other right from the start this season,” said Paquin. “One major thing to note is we began a shift from a traditional ‘this is where you play on the field’ to a ‘you have options and can move up the field to fill the gaps’ method. The coaching staff is training this team to move fluidly and preparing each player to play anywhere.”

The Dragons return a majority of their squad from last year, with just two losses to graduation (Anna Rider, Hollie Imperato).

Defensively, Paquin features three seniors — Maggie Folsom, Eliza Rudalevige and Rosie White — and a junior — Kristen Hummer. Senior goaltender Ainsley Harrower is back between the pipes, while in the midfield, senior Erin Coughlin is paired with juniors Maddie Wayne (All KVAC Second Team last year) and Grace Casey.

Up front, look for senior Shea Sullivan to lead the way, along with sophomore Lauren Jacobs. Juniors Liberty Krauss and Mallory Palmer, and sophomores Julia Pols and Gia Guernelli round out the returnees.

Newcomers are senior soccer transplant Lea Scrapchansky, and her sister, junior Sara Scrapchansky, sophomore California transfer Delia Braillard, and freshmen Sara Coughlin, Kelsey Sullivan, Brianna Campbell, Anna Barnes and Caroline White.

“We have four sister squads this season, upping the in-house competition and allowing the team to continue to improve,” Paquin said. “We have changed up our training significantly in the past five seasons and continue to build our core strength to increase our hits and shots. Our goal is to outlast the opponent in a 60-minute-plus game.

“Every season we have a goal to beat a team we haven’t beaten since I took the varsity position and to make the playoffs. That continues this year.”

Freeport

Marcia Wood returns to lead a Falcon squad that went 9-4-1 last year, good for the No. 4 seed in Class B South. A 4-0 loss to Lake Region in the quarterfinals ended the campaign and has provided the squad with an incentive heading into the new season.

This year, Freeport will play its games on its new turf field. Wood will look to replace three key graduates this year, but returns a solid core of players.

Senior Alexa Koenig (captain and 2017 All-State selection), along with classmates Natalie Anderson (forward) and Katelyn Rouleau (goaltender) are back. Newcomers include sophomores Amelia Farrin and Aynslie Decker, a pair of players that have potential, according to Wood, who has hope that her team can bounce back from last year’s disappointing finish.

“Playoffs were disappointing last year, the girls haven’t forgotten that, and the majority of them have been playing all year, so they are ready for the season,” said Wood. “We can actually start preseason getting right into playing rather than having to go through all the basics. With 10 senior leaders, I see us hopefully playing late into October.”

Freeport opens the campaign at Greely on Thursday, with Wood predicting challenges will come from York, Yarmouth and defending State Class C champion St. Dom’s this year.

The Falcons entertain Fryeburg Academy on Tuesday in their first regular season contest on the new turf.

Mt. Ararat

Last year’s regular season was a solid one for Krista Chase’s team, with the Eagles posting a 9-5 record and claiming the No. 5 seed in Class A North.

However, a tough 2-1 overtime loss to Cony in the quarterfinals ended the run.

This year, Chase replaces her entire defense, and has just two seniors.

“This group of girls is one of my hardest-working yet, so I will push hard to stretch them as players,” said Chase, whose squad visits Camden Hills on Thursday in its KVAC opener. “My defense is my big unknown. I have a great goalie situation in quality junior keepers — Lily Schenk and Emma Lapreziosa — both hardworking goalies looking to improve each season.

“All-State and KVAC Second Team selection Wyley Fitzpatrick (leading scorer) returns to anchor our forward line. She is speedy with a keen sense for the net.”

Chase’s two seniors are Abby Hagan and Kelsea Dwelley, with juniors Fitzpatrick, Brea Holtet, Holly Temple, Lapreziosa and Schenk back. Sophomores Hannah Huston, Annie Wilkins, Brynn Charron and Gracie Morrell will be looked upon to make a larger contribution.

Newcomers to varsity are juniors Gabie Head and Olivia Vaillancourt, sophomore Jaimey Weidner, and freshmen Paige Witwicki, Greta Marchildon and Megan Reed.

“This year we have a tougher schedule that will find us clawing our way through some tough battles,” said Chase. “Goals are not always plentiful for us, but when we score it is likely that Wyley is involved.

“Also returning on the forward line is Brea Holtet, Abby Hagan, Brynn Charron and Gracie Morrell. Holly Temple is our anchor in the midfield. Our team quarterback, almost every play goes through Holly, a KVAC Second Team selection last year.”

Mt. Ararat opens its home schedule Tuesday against Lewiston.

Morse

Kerri Reno’s Shipbuilders have high expectations despite the loss of several solid players on the front line from last year’s 9-5 season and a playoff berth (2-0 loss to Nokomis).

The midfield is strong, led by senior Lily Thibodeau.

“Her leadership, stick skills and confidence is what we will be looking for from her,” said Reno, whose Morse squad opens Thursday at home against Lincoln Academy.

Senior Vanessa St. Pierre is back up front, with Reno expecting her to fill the net. Emma Warner, a senior who suffered an injury during the spring lacrosse season, is a defender and is working hard to be healthy.

Reno has a large junior class, with Paige Willis (forward), Abby Durgin (midfield), Kim St. Pierre (MF), Sydney Moore (defense) and Macey Coffin expected to lead.

Among the newcomers are freshmen Lily Clifford, Maggie Moore, Kennedy St. Pierre and Addie Yung, while senior netminder Rebecca Click has returned to the squad after a year and will battle with freshman Fionna Cashman for playing time. Also, senior Laurel Swanson, juniors Sierra Merrill, Keonna Moore and Molly Cashman will provide valuable relief and depth.

“I expect this group of athletes to be even more aggressive and hungrier than the season before,” said Reno. “We have been building for several years and we are seeing the fruits of that now. We have 13 freshmen playing this year between varsity and jayvee and that is huge. We also have everyone back (except graduates), which means we are keeping the sport fun and engaging while being competitive. We plan to be playoff bound again this year.”

Lisbon

Petrie’s 2017 squad had a rough start, but rallied for two late-season wins and earned a 2-1 Class C South preliminary win over Traip Academy. The season ended in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought loss to eventual state champ St. Dom’s.

This year, Petrie’s squad is young, with the losses of her starting goaltender and several starters to graduation.

“We are still figuring out positions. We have played a lot of tournament games, which has been good,” said Petrie. “We have three seniors that I expect to be leaders. For us, it’s about filling those key positions with the right personnel.”

Those seniors — Sydney Plourde, Peyton Gosselin and Mallory Fairbanks — are familiar names for the Greyhounds, along with juniors Timber Mattson and Sadie Hardt. Classmates Courtney Sargent, Halle Babineau, Elise Madore and Eva Deveau will be asked to step up into expanded roles this year, along with new starting goaltender and junior Becky Budesheim, who will need to make big saves in front of a young defense.

“Becky pushed for a bigger role last year, so we are comfortable with her manning the cage,” said Petrie, whose Greyhounds host Mountain Valley in their Mountain Valley Conference opener on Wednesday. “Our goal is to do our best during the early stages and improve every day leading into the playoffs.”

Sophomores Natalie Scott, Megan Libby, Jessica Schlotterbeck, Adia Smith, Emma Willey and Samantha Sitarz are joined by freshmen newcomers Amelia Mooney and Sarah Charest.