Things will be different on the Boothbay Region High School field hockey pitch this season in comparison to the past couple of seasons.

With nine players from last year’s 13-3 playoff team having graduated, with most of them being starters for the past two seasons – and one of them being four-year starter Sydney Meader, the most prolific scorer in the program’s history – it will be a rebuilding year for Coach Donna Jordan and her assistant coach Lauren Brown. There is talent on the 2018 team but much of the team’s success in 2017 came from the play of last year’s seniors.

As the preseason practices continue and scrimmages are on the horizon before the regular season begins next week, Jordan is also dealing with lower numbers than what she saw last August. Twelve players have signed up – three from each of the four classes.

“When you have a small school population and teams sharing players, it is something we have to deal with,” said Jordan Aug. 17. “We won’t give up on these kids. The rules say that we can play with seven players, but not more than 11 on the field. If it comes to that, we will play that way.” Jordan noted that next year’s numbers should improve with at least six eighth graders playing on this year’s Boothbay Region Elementary School team.

Junior Chloe Arsenault, a 2017 all-conference and all-state player, looks to lead the team offensively. The two other juniors, Hali Goodwin and Josey Smith, should provide some scoring punch for the Seahawks.

Senior Madison Barter has joined the team for the first time and has been practicing in goal for Jordan. Fellow seniors Riley Sullivan and Lexi Lane have provided some exciting minutes for Jordan the past couple of seasons and are working hard this preseason, said Jordan.

Sophomore Kylie Brown had a fine freshman season on defense and Cortney Meader, Sydney’s sister, returns for her second year and is a quick player. Sophomore Maren Whitney joins the program for the first time.

The freshmen include Jaelyn Crocker, Cassie Doray and Emily Echols.

The Seahawks will play three scrimmages before traveling to Telstar Aug. 29 to take on the Rebels in their season opener. The first home game is scheduled against Spruce Mountain on Friday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. at Perkins Field.