The Belmont High School field hockey team turned in an outstanding fall 2025 regular season, but what happens in the upcoming MIAA Division 1 state tournament matters more.
The sixth-seeded Marauders (15-3) kick off their playoff run by hosting 27th-ranked Newton North (4-10-3) Friday at 3:45 p.m. at Harris Field. The teams did not play in the regular season.
“A big thing is never underestimating anyone,” said senior captain and defender Niamh Lesnik. “No matter who the team is, it’s a tournament game and it’ll be difficult for different reasons.”
Senior midfielder, University of Connecticut commit and captain Mackenzie Clarke (24 goals, 18 assists) and junior forward Gigi Mastrangelo (15 goals, 11 assists) led Belmont in scoring. Freshman forward Kendall Regan (9 goals, 3 assists) led a complementary scoring attack that totaled 11 goal scorers during the regular season. Junior Elsie Lakin-Schultz, a Brown commit, led the defense alongside Lesnik, who will play college lacrosse at Fairfield. Sophomore goalkeeper Zoe Bruce established herself as one of the state’s bright young stars at the position.
Previous Coverage
“I think we did really well overall,” Lesnik said. “I think we did well with growing our communication and increasing chemistry on the field. As we got through the season, some of our communication deteriorated in certain areas, so that’s a big focus going into the tournament.”
Belmont went 16-2 in the regular season last year en route to the fifth seed. They won two tournament matches before falling 3-0 to eventual state runner-up Andover in the Round of 8. “Not freezing in big moments” and “leaning on each other” are keys for this year’s tournament run, Lesnik said.
“Most of my starters have been in this situation before, and I think they know the feeling and what’s on the line,” Coach Jess Smith said. “I think they’re going to rise to the occasion.”
The battle-tested Marauders’ lone regular-season losses this fall came to four-time defending Division 3 state champ Watertown, Dover-Sherborn, the third seed in the Division 3 tournament, and Winchester, the fifth seed in the Division 1 tournament. Belmont beat Winchester 3-1 during a mid-season home matchup before falling 2-1 on the road in the penultimate game of the regular season.
The Marauders went a perfect 7-0 at home and outscored opponents 74-16 across the full regular season. If all top seeds hold, Belmont will play a second tournament game at home. The team loves playing at Harris Field in front of their friends and family.
Every team in the tournament is talented and needs to be taken seriously, according to Smith.
“We know we have to show up to play,” she said. “I think they’re ready.”
Girls Volleyball
The MIAA also released its girls volleyball tournament brackets on Friday. The 24th-ranked Marauders (10-9) travel to ninth-seed Attleboro at 5 p.m. on Thursday. The Marauders return to the tournament under first-year coach Raylynn Kaulia, who replaced longtime program leader Jen Couture. A late-season four-match win streak helped clinch a tournament spot for Belmont. Belmont did not face Attleboro in the regular season.
Senior Sophia Qin posted a team-best 351 assists. Junior Katerina Polina led Belmont with 134 kills. Freshman Emma Miao led the Marauders in aces. Senior Sadie Boas posted a team-best 18 blocks and classmate Zulal Merdinian added a team-high 250 digs during the regular season.
