Girls Large Schools: A team-by-team breakdown for 2025-26

Girls prep hockey is stacked with talented individuals and teams entering this season.

Many of the Large School teams have strong cases for the NEPSAC postseason.

Defending Elite 8 champ Loomis Chaffee headlines our preseason rankings, followed by Phillips Andover. Nobles is in our top five as well, while Dexter Southfield, Deerfield, Tabor and Phillips Exeter are also inside the top 10 entering the season.

St. Paul's, Berkshire, Thayer, Kent, BB&N, St. George's, Milton Academy and Choate are also ranked in our next 15.

Loomis and Andover met in the Elite 8 final last season, and Dexter and BB&N reached the Elite 8, too. Deerfield won the Large School tournament over Tabor, while Thayer, Berkshire, SPS, Kent, Exeter and Milton reached the postseason as well.

Each of the above teams should very much be a factor this season, while others below are sure to challenge.

Here’s our breakdown of every Large School team.

Austin Prep

Coach: Kerry Brennan
2024-25 record: 17-14-0
Players to watch: Alex Herbert, G; Sarah Sampson, F; Adia Murphy, F; Ella Meehan, F;  Kayleigh Norton, F; Jordyn Petjean, F; Maeve Lomasney, F/D; Lanie Dolph, D
Outlook: There are big shoes to fill for the Cougars, who graduated seven seniors, after reaching the Vaillancourt Conference finals last season. A young, talented team, AP will look to productive returners like Sampson, Murphy and Norton to set the pace, and they'll be able to rely on Herbert in net. Brennan is confident that with consistency, AP's new leaders and youngsters can develop the team's identity of speed and aggressiveness.

BB&N

Coach: Jori Balsam
2024-25 record: 19-9-2, lost to Loomis Chaffee in semifinals of Chuck Vernon Elite 8 tournament
Players to watch: Anika Singh, F; Kate Glantz, F; Molly Halloran, F; Mary Murray, F; Marina Kluzak, F; Aislin VanVliet, D; Zoe Beck, D; Aggie Grant, D; Serena Mohsen, D; Barbara Ma, G
Outlook: A new era begins at BB&N under first-year coach Jori Balsam. With it comes a new look for the Knights, who graduated much of last season’s core. Veteran forwards Singh and Glantz are ready to take the reins, while Halloran is poised for a larger role. On defense, VanVliet, Beck and Grant are among the returners to watch on a blue line that sent three to the Division 1 ranks. Mohsen impressed as an eighth-grader as well. Ma could be in line to take hold of the crease after faring well in a timeshare last season.

Berkshire

Coach: Lisa Marshall
2024-25 record: 14-8-2, lost to Kent in quarterfinals of Patsy Odden Large School tournament
Players to watch: Maddy McCready, F; Cora Davidson, F; Alex Gregorek, F; Cora Davidson, F; Makenna Komanecky, F; Victoria Tesoro, F; Gabby Ogunnupe, D; Anna Mathias, D; Katie Hurley, G
Outlook: The Bears made big strides as a young roster last season, reaching the Large School tournament. Marshall’s squad brings back several of its leading scorers, including eight of its 10 leading point-getters from a year ago. McCready, Gregorek and Davidson will be among the forwards expected to set the pace offensively. Meanwhile, Ogunnupe brings a big, productive presence to the blue line. With a clean bill of health, Hurley has the chance to take over the full-time gig in net as well.

Choate

Coach: Laura Troy
2024-25 record: 11-11-1
Players to watch: Annie Forker, F; Natalie Beach, F; Karli Charron, F; Maggie Swanson, F; Sophia Lind, D; Kate Tortorella, D; Juliana Iannace, D; Noel Schaab, G
Outlook: The Wild Boars fell just short of a spot in the Large School tournament last winter, but Troy’s group has the pieces in place to return to the postseason after graduating just three seniors. Forker, Beach and Charron are expected to headline the forwards, while defenders Tortorella, Lind and Iannace each can impact the game in all three zones. Schaab could be one of the top goalies in prep as a senior.

Deerfield

Coach: Brooke Fernandez
2024-25 record: 20-6-2, beat Tabor in championship of Patsy Odden Large School tournament
Players to watch: Ava Giroux, F; Sophie Frost, F; Peyton Wierl, F; Brady Wierl, F; Chloe Cleaves, D; Keira Austen, D; Olivia Austen, F; Charlotte McFadzean, D; Gia Thompson, F; Ana Makrogiannis, G; Izzy Kirby, G
Outlook: Deerfield has a chance to vault back into the Elite 8 after taking home the Large School title last winter. Much of the same forward group remains in place with upperclassmen like Giroux, Frost, Olivia Austen and the Wierls looking to build on strong seasons. On the back end, Cleaves will be a dynamic difference maker, along with Keira Austen. That continuity will be key to the Big Green with a new look in the crease after Campbell Krotee graduated.

RANKINGS: Who leads the first girls prep top 10 entering 2025-26? | Which teams outside of the top 10 could contend?

Dexter Southfield

Coach: Maggie Taverna
2024-25 record: 18-3-4, lost to BB&N in quarterfinals of Chuck Vernon Elite 8 tournament
Players to watch: Evelyn Doyle, F; Sawyer Merrill, F; Elena Gordon, F; Maggie Chudzinski, D; Elizabeth Allen, F; Annabelle Aitken, G; Mackenzie Sutherland, D; Addie Sutherland, G; Chloe Rabazzi, D; Maddie Funk, F
Outlook: Despite graduating three stalwarts on defense, Dexter has the chance to remain an Elite 8 contender with a strong returning group. Chudzinski will lead a new-look blue line after flashing her potential as a freshman, while Mackenzie Sutherland brings key experience. Dexter will lean on an experienced forward group that includes Merrill and Doyle, one of the region’s best two-way centers. Aitken and Addie Sutherland make for two experienced, reliable options in net as well.

Greenwich Academy

Coach: Erin Brawley
2024-25 record: 6-13-0
Players to watch: Caroline Brower, G; Maggie Lyden, F; Niamh Cooney, F; Ella Loehnis, F; Julia Duval, D
Outlook: After starting 0-8-0 last winter, the Gators got better as the season went on. They bring back key returners, including their starting goalie in Brower, as well as their top scorer in Lyden. Cooney, Loehnis and Duval will be relied on as upperclassmen.

Greenwich Country Day

Coach: Ashley Bairos
2024-25 record: 11-9-2
Players to watch: Lila Braddock, F; Caroline Muzzio, F/D; Daley Taylor, F/D; Kathleen Culvahouse, F; Raela Polanish, D
Outlook: The Tigers finished strong last season, winning seven of their remaining 10 games and capturing the Fairfield Athletic Association championship. They bring back key contributors despite losing their top two scorers. GCD will look to Muzzi, Daley, Culvahouse, Polanish and Braddock to set the pace.

Hotchkiss

Coach: Craig Naclerio
2024-25 record: 4-18-1
Players to watch: Nikki Ferraro, G; Alyssa Filmer, F; Ally Wasson, F; Delia Narrai, F; Allison Sha, F; Marygrace Lawry, F; Kailyn Willa, D
Outlook: Hotchkiss struggled last season, but the Bearcats bring back a young team, including some key producers, be it Filmer, Wasson, Narrai, Sha, Lawry or Willa. Ferraro gives them stability in net as well.

Kent

Coach: Elena Gualtieri
2024-25 record: 13-10-1, lost to Deerfield in semifinals of Patsy Odden Large School tournament
Players to watch: Chloe Pittinaro, F; Olivia Machan, F; Ainsley Moffitt, F; Anika Berry, F; Kate McKiernan, D; Penelope Davies, D; Aspen Devlin, G; Delia Logan, G
Outlook: The Lions are looking to build on a solid run in the Large School tournament in Gualtieri’s first season as coach. Machan, Pittinaro, Moffitt and Berry will bolster the depth up front, as well as Davies and McKiernan on defense. Logan and Devlin each have experience in the crease, too. Those returners will be key as Kent adds plenty of new faces to the mix this season, bringing in 11 players.

GIRLS PREP BREAKOUT CANDIDATES: 24 forwards | 22 defenders | 8 goalies

Loomis Chaffee

Coach: Liz Leyden
2024-25 record: 25-2-1, beat Phillips Andover in championship of Chuck Vernon Elite 8 tournament
Players to watch: Lindsay Stepnowski, F; Annie Schwarz, F; Easton Pramuka, F; Megan Hosman, D; Carly Dann, D; Hattie Willard, D; Alexine Beaulieu, D; Adeline Roper, G; Emily Hosman, G; Brooke Murphy, F; Lizzie Orszulak, D; Alexa Buco, F
Outlook: The Pelicans return a deep group, including the reigning Elite 8 MVP in Stepnowski. Schwarz is coming off a big season, while others like Pramuka will look to capitalize on a bigger role. On defense, mainstays like Hosman, Dann, Willard and Beaulieu will make for a stout back end in front of Roper in net. Roper is coming off an outstanding regular season and playoff run, her first campaign as the starter.

Middlesex

Coach: Briana Mastel
2024-25 record: 9-16-2
Players to watch: Niamh Tobin, G; Janie Martin, F; Luisa Ferrari, D; Lily McTeague, F; Lucy McGaraghan, D; Ali Marsters, F; Tessa Rusconi, F; Alison Fiedler, F
Outlook: Middlesex played a stiff schedule last season but still had a signature win over Rivers. Mastel's squad knows it can rely on a strong goaltender like Tobin in net, while one of prep's top goal-scorers, Martin, is set to run it back as a senior. Co-captains Ferrari and McTeague are set to be two of their top contributors as well.

Milton Academy

Coach: Liz Keady Norton
2024-25 record: 10-13-2, lost to Deerfield in quarterfinals of Patsy Odden Large School tournament
Players to watch: Mary Quatrale, F; Edie Mandel, F; Sadie Quatrale, F; Ruth Chen, D; McKenna Ruland, D; Clara Ryan, D; Ava Scannell, G
Outlook: The Mustangs nearly ended Deerfield’s championship run before it even started, taking the eventual champs to overtime of the quarterfinals. Mary Quatrale brings size and skill to the forward group, while Chen, Ruland and Ryan make up a skilled, young defensive core. Milton will rely on Scannell between the pipes.

Newton Country Day

Coach: Gus Means
2024-25 record: 5-16-1
Players to watch: Lucy Guden, D; Addy Winchenbaugh, D; Katherine Mackey, D; Cedrone, F; Caroline Mackey, F
Outlook: Newton Country Day will be a young team this season, and Means hopes his group can be competitive in every game in the Eastern Independent League. Cedrone is the top returning scorer, while Guden, Winchenbaugh and Katherine Mackey will lead the blue line. Caroline Mackey returns to start in net, too.

Nobles

Coach: Tom Resor
2024-25 record: 23-6-1, lost to Phillips Andover in quarterfinals of Chuck Vernon Elite 8 tournament
Players to watch: Gretta Hulbig, F; Lily Bromley, F; Catherine McCool, F; Francie Ames, F; Rachel Zhao F; Addy Keaveney, F; Ava Decourcey, D; Reese Engel, D; Nora Shea, D; Maddie Jaeger, D; Annika Jonas, G
Outlook: It’s time for a new core to take charge for Nobles. Hulbig is in line to headline the forwards alongside key youngsters like Bromley, McCool and Ames, while Keaveney and Zhao provide important experience. A young defense group is ready for the next step, with sophomores like Engel and Shea supplanting upperclassmen in Decourcey and Jaeger. Jonas provides excellent stability in the crease.

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Northfield Mount Hermon

Coach: Bri Wood
2024-25 record: 1-20-0
Players to watch: Helen Zeaske, G; Izzy Cassady, D; Chloe Corbin, F; Martina Lucas, F; Vanessa Shea, D; Celia Goldsmith, D; Niamh Cummings, F; Bailey Barnett, G
Outlook: NMH will look to improve on last season, Wood's first at the helm of the program. They bring back key pieces like Cummings, Corbin, Goldsmith and Shea, while Zeaske was strong between the pipes. NMH is also eager to see what exciting newcomers like Cassady and Lucas can add to their attack.

Pingree

Coach: Brian Abraham
2024-25 record: 9-17-0
Players to watch: Neely Payne, F; Sarah DiCenso, F; Olivia Baldassare, F; Eliza Payne, F; Alexa Blaeser, F; Cora Ready, F; Maggie Melei, D; Abby Mittleman, D; Addie Booth, D; Piper Davekos, G
Outlook: Pingree came within a goal of the EIL title last season, falling to Portsmouth Abbey in the championship. Nevertheless, Abraham's squad returns six of its top eight scorers from last season. That group is led by Neely Payne, DiCenso, Baldassare, Eliza Payne and Blaeser. Melei, Mittleman and Booth will be key on the blue line, too. In net, Davekos is coming off a strong sophomore season.

Phillips Andover

Coach: Martha Fenton
2024-25 record: 17-5-4, lost to Loomis Chaffee in championship of Chuck Vernon Elite 8 tournament
Players to watch: Sarah Powers, F; Caroline Averill, F; Keira Bruen, F; Lilly McInerney, F; Maddie Greenwood, F; Maggie Averill, D; Kimee Duplessis, D; Sienna Glass, D; Sienna DeAngelis, D; Sarah Lackley, D; Marie Lee, G; Lauren Kennedy, G; Codi Pickering, G
Outlook: While the Big Blue graduated some big-time players after coming oh-so-close last postseason, they still return a high-end group. Up front, go-to options in Caroline Averill, Bruen, McInerney and Powers are in line for one more run as seniors. On the blue line, juniors Maggie Averill, Duplessis and Glass are set to take on even more responsibilities. Andover is eager to see what it has in net between strong options like Lee, Kennedy and Pickering.

Phillips Exeter

Coach: Sally Komarek
2024-25 record: 14-9-2, lost to Tabor in quarterfinals of Patsy Odden Large School tournament
Players to watch: Maria Gray, F; Erin Sears, F; Paisley Meyer, F; Dominique Reiher, F, Clara Cary, F; Charlotte Wright, F; Grace Riley, D; Samantha Crowley, D; Eva Mai Whyte, G; Lily Sabol, G; Ellen Orr, G
Outlook: Exeter remains on the upswing after reaching the Large School tournament last season. The Big Red have the opportunity to make some noise with a group of high-flying returners, starting with the potent top line of Gray, Meyer and Sears. Youngsters in Reiher and Cary will be a valuable supporting cast up front as well. Riley brings an elite skillset on defense, too. In net, Exeter is confident in returners Sabol and Orr as well as postgrad Whyte, who is coming off a strong season and playoff run with BB&N.

St. George’s

Coach: Taylor Ham
2024-25 record: 12-12-2, lost to New Hampton in semifinals of Dorothy Howard Small School tournament
Players to watch: Maddie Lahah, F; Carah Ford, F; Cora Buzzard, F; Sophie Procaccini, F; Brooke Holland, F; Maggie Buffery, D; Julia Verderber, D; Kalyssa Bayne, G
Outlook: St. George's will be categorized as a Large School this season. The Dragons bring back plenty of firepower up front, including Lahah, who has been one of prep’s most productive skaters in recent seasons. Ford, Buzzard and Procaccini are sure to be key producers as well. Continuity in net with Bayne between the pipes will be key for St. George’s as well in Ham’s first season behind the bench.

PREP PREVIEWS: Nobles | Exeter | Cushing | Tabor | Groton | New Hampton | Andover | Dexter Southfield | BB&N | Williston Northampton | Loomis Chaffee | Thayer

St. Paul’s

Coach: Kelli Mackey
2024-25 record: 16-14-1, lost to Thayer in quarterfinals of Patsy Odden Large School tournament
Players to watch: Erin Flaherty, F; Tess Mulkerron, F; Cadence Crowley, F; Kelsey MacPherson, F; Maddy Allen, F; Maealie Glanzer, F; Liza Demain, F; Chelsea Bell, D; Maggie Berleth, D; Maddy Humber, D; Emma Burke, D; Paige MacPhee, G
Outlook: A year removed from an Elite 8 appearance and two from a Large School title, the Big Red are primed to contend again, despite graduating a handful of key forwards. Last season’s leading scorer, Flaherty, headlines a young crop of forwards that showed well. MacPherson will provide a boost as well after a standout eighth-grade MIAA season with Hopkinton. Veteran defenders Bell and Berleth will be steady presences on a blue line that includes exciting youngsters like Humber and newcomer Burke. MacPhee aims to build on a solid year in the crease, too.

Tabor

Coach: Eric Long
2024-25 record: 15-12-1, lost to Deerfield in championship of Patsy Odden Large School tournament
Players to watch: Jen Birolini, F; Lilly Shaughnessy, F; Giuliana Polcari, F; Sofia Nardelli, F; Dawson Styles, F; Grace Hildebrandt, F; Mirella Martinelli, D; Lucy Stearns, D; Lindsay Fox, D; Evelyn Lacey, G
Outlook: The Seawolves made the most of a retooling season last winter, making a run to the Large School final. This season, Tabor is poised to return to the Elite 8. Birolini and Shaughnessy will lead a young forward core that expects Polcari, Nardelli and Styles to take the next step. Meanwhile, Martinelli and Lacey will provide big boosts as newcomers. Tabor will also rely on Stearns and Fox on the blue line.

Taft

Coach: Shannon Turner
2024-25 record: 9-14-1
Players to watch: Brooke McLaughlin, F; Selkie Brown, F; Julianna Picard, F; Kamryn Moors, D; Maddy Pope, G; Sophia Locklear, F; Juliette Lebel, F; Kaitlyn Moell, D; Taryn MacDonald, D; Sam Richard, D; Rachel Turer, D
Outlook: Taft returns several of its top producers on top of an influx of talented newcomers as they look to take a step forward from last season. Last season's top scorer, McLaughlin, will look to build on a solid junior season, while Locklear is coming off a good showing as a freshman. Brown enters as a productive newcomer up front, as does Moors with an exciting skillset on defense. Co-captains Richard and Turer will provide valuable experience on the back end, while Pope figures to be a dependable option in net once again.

Thayer

Coach: Michael Flynn
2024-25 record: 20-6-2, lost to Tabor in semifinals of Patsy Odden Large School tournament
Players to watch: Maddy Call, F; Lydia Kealty, F; Abby Macauley, F; Jenna Henley, F; Abby DeAnzeris, D; Emery Deroeve, D; Shea Richardson D; Lilly Busconi, D; Madison Hayes, G; Coleen Wallace, G
Outlook: The Tigers will have a new look this season after graduating four skaters to the Division 1 ranks, including star Morgan McGathey. Nevertheless, Thayer returns a talented group with several young players who already have key experience on the varsity. Call, Kealty and Macauley lead the forward returners, while newcomer Henley will provide a boost. DeAnzeris headlines a strong blue line that will get a jolt from newcomers Richardson and Busconi. Two quality goaltenders in Wallace and Hayes will buoy the Tigers as well.

Westminster

Coach: Sara Ugalde
2024-25 record: 4-18-2
Players to watch: Bella Zapata, F; Mya Polastry, F; Kate Epke, G; Izzy Hurkala, D; Jane Curtiss, F; Ruby Robertson, F; Rose Robertson, F; Piper Chaisson, F; Ellie Larrabee, F
Outlook: The Martlets will look to contend for the postseason again with a key group of returners back in the fold. Polastry and Zapata are set to lead the forwards as juniors, looking to take the next step, while Hurkala will headline the back end, coming off a career season in her first year at Westminster. Epke was solid between the pipes last season in the face of a heavy shot volume.

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