This week marks the start of postseason action for twenty-six Seacoast high school teams, with several already kicking off their playoff journeys.
Boys and girls soccer, along with volleyball tournaments, begin this week in New Hampshire and Maine. In Maine, competitions for all field hockey, boys and girls soccer commenced Tuesday, and the volleyball matches have already started.
More: Explore which 19 Seacoast teams are contenders for a state championship this fall as we analyze their potential.
In New Hampshire, the field hockey tournaments began last week and have now reached the semifinal stage. The only two teams remaining in the battle for glory are Dover and Exeter, who will face off in the Division I semifinals on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Exeter High School.
Here’s a comprehensive look at the tournament matchups unfolding across the region:
NEW HAMPSHIRE
BOYS SOCCER
DIVISION I
No. 15 Timberlane (6-7-3) at No. 2 Exeter (13-0-3)
Where and when: Exeter High School, Wednesday, 2 p.m., first round
Exeter’s Blue Hawks have showcased an impressive season thus far and aim to carry that momentum into Wednesday’s critical Division I first-round clash.
“During the regular season, we consistently emphasized that it serves as a lengthy preparation phase for the tournament,” stated Exeter head coach Dan Curran. “It’s crucial to seize every opportunity to sharpen our skills for the postseason. At this stage, it’s all about delivering our best performance and hoping it measures up.”
Curran further noted, “Timberlane presents our first challenge. This is a new experience for them in the tournament scene, and they will undoubtedly bring tremendous energy. They are well-coached, which means we must come prepared to deliver our best performance. In the postseason, everyone starts from the same baseline.”
Remarkably, Exeter triumphed over Timberlane last week with a staggering 8-0 victory.
No. 10 Portsmouth (6-6-4) at No. 7 Goffstown (9-5-2)
Where and when: Goffstown High School, Wednesday, 3 p.m., first round
In a previous matchup earlier this October, Portsmouth clinched a narrow victory, winning 2-1 against Goffstown. The Clippers have been particularly strong defensively, conceding only four goals across their last four matches.
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DIVISION II
Oyster River earns No. 2 seed with 14-2 record
Entering the tournament with an impressive eight-game winning streak, the Bobcats have solidified their status as the No. 2 seed, receiving a well-deserved first-round bye. They will host a quarterfinal matchup this Saturday against either Nov. 7 Hollis-Brookline or No. 10 Kennett, as determined in Wednesday’s first-round contest.
DIVISION III
No. 13 Fall Mountain (6-7-3) at No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas (11-3-2)
When and where: St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Wednesday, 3 p.m., first round
The Saints have found their rhythm, winning four of their final five games to conclude the regular season. This matchup will mark their first encounter with Fall Mountain in 2024.
DIVISION IV
No. 12 Newmarket (5-6-5) at No. 5 Moultonborough (11-3-2)
When and where: Moultonborough High School, Wednesday, 3 p.m., first round
The Mules arrive at the Division IV tournament on a three-game winning streak, boasting solid momentum. Notably, they did not face Moultonborough during the regular season.
No. 15 Portsmouth Christian Academy (4-10-2) at No. 2 Gorham (15-1)
When and where: Gorham High School, Wednesday, 3 p.m., first round
In their only regular-season encounter, Gorham triumphed decisively, winning 8-1.
GIRLS SOCCER
DIVISION I
No. 2 Exeter (13-1-2) second seed, first-round bye
With a strategic bonus of extra days to recover, Exeter gears up for the upcoming matches. Head coach Meg Young expressed optimism about the week ahead.
The team is set to host a quarterfinal match on Friday at 2 p.m., with their opponent being the winner of Tuesday’s first-round clash between No. 7 Hanover and No. 10 Timberlane.
“We will utilize the next few days to fine-tune our strategies and address any weaknesses we’ve observed in our recent games,” Young shared. “Starting Wednesday, we will focus our preparations specifically on whichever opponent we will encounter on Friday.”
No. 13 Portsmouth (5-8-3) at No. 4 Winnacunnet (13-1-2)
When and where: Winnacunnet High School, Tuesday, 4 p.m., first round
This matchup is one of two notable playoff games this week featuring Seacoast high school teams. The Warriors secured a victory in their previous meeting, narrowly edging Portsmouth 1-0 on October 10.
DIVISION II
No. 5 Oyster River (9-4-3) at No. 4 Coe-Brown Northwood (10-3-3)
When and where: Coe-Brown Northwood High School, Friday, 3 p.m., first round
The Bobcats ended the season strong, securing four wins in their last five games, with the exception being a 2-2 tie against John Stark.
In their regular-season encounter, Coe-Brown Northwood narrowly edged the Bobcats with a 3-2 win on September 14.
DIVISION III
No. 14 Prospect Mountain at No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas
When and where: St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Tuesday, 4 p.m., first round
The defending Division III state champions, St. Thomas, embark on their quest for back-to-back titles with a first-round matchup against Prospect Mountain.
St. Thomas claimed victories in both earlier encounters this season, shutting out Prospect Mountain 5-0 in the opener and securing a 2-0 win in the regular-season finale.
No. 13 Littleton (4-10-2) at No. 4 Newmarket (12-4)
When and where: Newmarket High School, Tuesday, 3 p.m., first round
The Mules are determined to rebound after losing in last year’s Division IV state championship, focusing on their journey back to the big event in 2024, starting with Littleton.
Newmarket rounded off their regular season with an emphatic 6-0 win at Pittsfield and a decisive 5-0 victory over Portsmouth Christian.
Head coach Andrew Dawson expressed enthusiasm about the challenges ahead, noting, “The girls are committed and have stepped up to address the gaps left by injuries. Their cohesion on the field has improved dramatically.”
No. 11 Groveton (7-7-2) at No. 6 Portsmouth Christian Academy (11-5)
When and where: Portsmouth Christian Academy, Tuesday, 3 p.m.
This matchup marks the first meeting of 2024 between Groveton and Portsmouth Christian Academy, with both teams eager to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
VOLLEYBALL
DIVISION I
No. 13 Portsmouth (6-12) at No. 4 Bishop Guertin (14-4)
When and where: Bishop Guertin High School, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Bishop Guertin has concluded the season on a six-match winning streak and previously defeated Portsmouth in straight sets during the season opener. The Clippers reached the quarterfinals in the previous season.
No. 14 Spaulding (6-12) at No. 3 Pinkerton (14-4)
When and where: Pinkerton Academy, Thursday, 5 p.m.
Heading into this match, Spaulding has clinched victories in two of their last three contests and is hungry to upset the Astros, who won the only regular-season meeting convincingly.
DIVISION II
No. 16 Winnisquam (7-9) at No. 1 Somersworth (18-0)
When and where: Somersworth High School, Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Somersworth has handled the transition to Division II effortlessly so far. After clinching the Division III state championship in 2023, the Hilltoppers now strive to end their season with the Division II title.
No. 13 Fall Mountain (10-8) at No. 4 Oyster River (13-3)
When and where: Oyster River High School, Wednesday, 5 p.m.
Excitement buzzes among Oyster River players as head coach Cassandra Doore anticipates their playoff match against Fall Mountain on Wednesday night.
As the reigning Division II champions, the Bobcats are eager to prove their mettle.
“We haven’t faced Fall Mountain in the regular season. They have shown their capabilities against strong competition,” Doore remarked. “Our goal this week is to improve upon our last week’s performance and maintain a serious approach toward each match.”
No. 14 St. Thomas Aquinas (8-8) at No. 3 Milford (14-2)
When and where: Milford High School, Wednesday, 6 p.m.
St. Thomas Aquinas aims to return to the quarterfinals, having reached that stage the prior year. Milford approaches this game having won nine of their last ten encounters.
DIVISION III
No. 4 Portsmouth Christian has first round bye
Portsmouth Christian Academy holds a prominent 13-3 record, eagerly awaiting the outcome of the first-round matchup between No. 5 Newfound and No. 12 Mascoma Valley, set for Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. PCA did not face Mascoma Valley in the regular season but earned a 3-2 victory over Newfound earlier in the season and is looking forward to the Thursday evening contest against the victor.
MAINE
BOYS SOCCER
CLASS B SOUTH
No. 6 York (7-6-1) at No. 3 Morse (11-1-2)
When and where: Morse High School, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
These two teams did not meet during the regular season, but Morse has remained undefeated since September 24.
The Wildcats advanced to the Class B South semifinals last year.
CLASS C SOUTH
No. 7 Maranacook (4-9-1) at No. 2 Traip Academy (10-4)
When and where: Shapleigh School, Wednesday, 3:30 p.m
The Rangers aim to replicate their success for another deep playoff run, following a finals appearance last year. Traip Academy did not face Maranacook during the regular season.
Coach Mike MacLeay expressed optimism about the team’s growth this season, especially as they head into the playoffs healthy. They are riding a six-game winning streak, which he hopes to extend.
“Every game in the playoffs can go either way, and I expect the matchup with Maranacook to be closely contested. They are a well-coached team with some offensive threats,” MacLeay remarked.
GIRLS SOCCER
CLASS A SOUTH
No. 7 Marshwood (9-5-1) at No. 2 Scarborough (11-1-2)
When and where: Scarborough High School, Tuesday, 5 p.m.
The Hawks made a strong entrance into the postseason, triumphing 4-2 over No. 10 South Portland in the prelims. Marshwood faces a challenge as they prepare to take on Scarborough, a team they lost to 3-0 earlier this season.
Coach Hannah Rossignol emphasized the technical skills and experience that Scarborough brings to the playoffs, knowing this will test her team’s mettle.
CLASS C SOUTH
No. 5 Mount Abram (9-5) at No. 4 Traip Academy (11-2-1)
When and where: Shapleigh School, Tuesday, 3 p.m.
Traip Academy, having turned around its fortunes from last year’s struggles, is committed to making a lasting impression in this tournament.
FIELD HOCKEY
CLASS B SOUTH
No. 5 Fryeburg (8-6) at No. 4 York (8-6)
When and where: York High School, Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.
As the Wildcats return after a stellar 2023 season, which saw them reach the Class B South championship, York prepares for this year’s clash against Fryeburg. The last meeting ended with York narrowly losing to Yarmouth, 2-1.
Head coach Barb Marois expressed the excitement surrounding their upcoming playoff appearance at home but acknowledged the challenges of facing a team multiple times.”
CLASS C SOUTH
No. 5 Traip Academy (6-6-1) at No. 4 Spruce Mountain (8-6)
When and where: Spruce Mountain High School, Tuesday, 4 p.m.
The Rangers make a promising return to the playoffs, significantly improving from last season when they only managed three wins.
Traip will face Spruce Mountain for the first time this season.
VOLLEYBALL
CLASS B
No. 3 Yarmouth (12-4) at No. 2 York (13-2)
When and where: York High School, Wednesday, TBA
York opened the postseason with a first-round bye, followed by a hard-fought victory against No. 7 Greely, completing the match with a score of 3-1.
As the Wildcats seek a coveted spot in the state championship, they now face off against Yarmouth in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
