Fall Sports Preview: Derryfield School
MANCHESTER, NH – Though many students in New Hampshire are returning to the classroom this week, the fall athletics season has already started for many teams around the state, including at Derryfield School where student athletes are already impressing in their respective fields of play. Boys soccer
MANCHESTER, NH – Though many students in New Hampshire are returning to the classroom this week, the fall athletics season has already started for many teams around the state, including at Derryfield School where student athletes are already impressing in their respective fields of play.
Boys soccer:
Head coach:
- Jeff Cousineau (27th season)
Last season:
- 7-8 (13th) – Lost in first round of playoffs, 2-0, to 4th-ranked Belmont
“Last year was a rebuilding and growing year. We had some good games and tough games as the team looked to find a rhythm and style of play. The team was young with 4 freshmen in the starting line up.” – Head Coach Jeff Cousineau
Top returning athletes:
- Midfield – Sophomore Mouad Yzzogh, junior JJ Jordan and senior Chili Cabot (Captain, 4th year varsity)
- Defense – Seniors Tad Faulkner and Logan Purvis
Promising newcomers:
- Freshmen Eli Oliff & Dan Roy
Expectations:
“The team has great promise as many of the key players from last year are returning. Looking to build on last year’s success to be one of the top 8 teams in the division. To get there, the team will need to tighten up on defense and become more effective on the attack. In both cases, talent and desire is there in the players to make this big step. The team’s success will weigh heavily on the JJ Jordan’s and Mouad Yzzogh’s ability to control the midfield.” – Head Coach Jeff Cousineau
Potential challenges:
“It is a long season and the players will face a variety of challenges. It will take hard work and focus by the players to work through the challenges as an individual and as a team. In the end, it will take everyone on the roster to contribute to the cause so the team can reach its potential.” – Head Coach Jeff Cousineau
Early results:
- Aug. 25 – 1-0 win against Winnisquam
- Aug. 29 – 3-2 win at Manchester West
- Sept. 1 – 1-0 win against Conant
Next 3 contests:
- Wednesday, Sept. 6 (6 p.m.) – Road game at Stevens
- Friday, Sept. 8 (4 p.m.) – Road game at Bishop Brady
- Tuesday, Sept. 12 – Road game at Winnisquam
Girls soccer:
Head coach:
- Joel Hatin (2nd season)
Last season:
- 9-6 – Lost in quarterfinals to Gilford
Top returning athletes:
- Captains Sam Chappell, Alex Benson and Katie Nguyen
Promising newcomers:
“Bre McCabe is going to be the role of starting goal keeper as a freshman. She was a standout in preseason. Additionally Maddy Paolino has joined the varsity team as a starter as a freshman as well. She will be filling a few utility roles for the squad.” – Head Coach Joel Hatin
Expectations:
“This is a question I ask the girls shortly after team selection. They feel quarter finals appearance last year left unfinished business. They expect to go further this year and will measure their success based on the results they produce.” – Head Coach Joel Hatin
Potential challenges:
“Our schedule has seen the addition of several tough opponents this year but our team has step up their training efforts and recovery efforts to minimize the amount of injuries. Staying healthy and in form is going to be our key to successful.” – Head Coach Joel Hatin
Early results:
- Aug. 25 – 4-0 loss against St. Thomas Aquinas
- Aug. 29 – 2-0 loss at Raymond
- Sept. 1 – 3-0 win at Conant
Next 3 contests:
- Tuesday, Sept. 5 (4 p.m.) – Home game vs. Sanborn
- Friday, Sept. 8 (4:30 p.m.) – Home game vs. Bishop Brady
- Wednesday, Sept. 13 (4 p.m.) – Home game vs. Raymond
Crew:
Head coach:
- Kim Wilson (1st season)
Last season:
- V2 girls boat won 2 of 3 races in the spring, including a few PRs
Top returning athletes:
- Captains Addie Meehan and Nick Ferrari
Expectations:
- More 2k PRs and strong performances at two head races the team is attending this fall
Field hockey:
Head coach:
- Katie Bulk (1st season – previously coached field hockey for almost 10 years at the NCAA level, including Vassar College, Salve Regina University, New England College and Limestone University)
Last season:
- Lost in second round of postseason play
Top returning athletes:
- Captains – Courtney Wold, Charlotte Smith and Kennedy Overhoff
- Additional returning standouts – Kennedy and Chloe Bremberg
Promising newcomers:
- Sarina Punjabi, Maddy Solso and Racquel Markusic
Expectations:
“Given the changes they went through this past year, we are focusing on a team style of play. We expect to be a challenging team to go against and will work hard to get into the postseason. There is a lot of potential on the team and they are hungry to show what they are made of.” – Head Coach Katie Bulk
Potential challenges:
“We are a young team that lost a large portion of the forward/starting line. We have some very promising players who will be given the opportunity to step up into those roles.” – Head Coach Katie Bulk
Early results:
- Aug. 25 – 0-0 tie at Goffstown
- Aug. 30 – 2-1 loss at Portsmouth
- Sept. 1 – 2-2 tie vs. Merrimack Valley
Next 3 contests:
- Tuesday, Sept. 5 (5:30 p.m.) – Home game vs. Kingswood
- Friday, Sept. 8 (6 p.m.) – Road game at Souhegan
- Tuesday, Sept. 12 (4 p.m.) – Home game vs. ConVal
Golf:
Head coach:
- Daniel Arvanitis (13th season)
Last season:
- Won regular-season title
- Finished runner-up to Souhegan at state championship
Top returning athletes:
- Senior (captain) Mike Grunbeck
- Junior (captain) Tom Rilee
- Sophomore Mitchell Grunbeck
- Junior Lily Kfoury
- Sophomore Griffin Moore
- Senior Jack Steward
Promising newcomers:
- Junior Brady Doldo
- Freshman Henry Gardner
- Senior John Kramer.
Expectations:
“It’s a young team that should get better as we play more matches. We should challenge for the regular season title and state title with Souhegan and Pelham looking like the big threats.” – Daniel Arvanitis
Early results:
- Aug. 24 – 3-o (76) at Crotched Mountain Golf Club vs Coe-Brown (65), Bishop Brady(67) & ConVal (39)
- Aug. 28 – 2-0 (79) at Apple Hill Golf Club vs. Sanborn (60) and Lebanon (56)
- Aug. 31 – 3-0 win at Angus Lea Golf Course vs. ConVal (66), Lebanon (67) and John Stark (64)
Next 3 contests:
- Wednesday, Sept. 13 (3:30 p.m.) – Road match at Crotched Mountain Golf Club vs. ConVal and Souhegan
- Thursday, Sept. 14 (3:30 p.m.) – Road match at Pelham
- Monday, Sept. 18 (4:30 p.m.) – Home match at Derryfield Country Club vs. Sanborn, Stevens & Plymouth
