Greg Levinsky
Six starters from last year’s wildly successful Belmont High School field hockey team are now moving on to the next chapter of their lives, but hope remains for the program’s sustained success.
And it starts with an experienced defense.
Led by the trio of senior Ana Hopkins, junior Niamh Lesnik, sophomore Elise Lakin-Shultz, and promising freshman goalie Zoe Bruce, the Marauders look to challenge in the Middlesex League and Division 1 at large.
“Maybe getting less challenging shots on the goalie because the defense is so strong,” said coach Jess Smith, who is in her 21st year. “Because I can trust them so much, they can turn the defense into a little bit of offense. I’m allowing them to carry more with the promise that they’ll get back and support each other. Push the limits a little bit.”
Belmont graduated 12 seniors from last year’s team, including the aforementioned six starters, three of whom were first-team all-leaguers. The Marauders finished 14-3-1 and ranked 11th in the Division 1 MIAA Power Rankings, falling to No. 6 Central Catholic in a tight 1-0 match in the round of 16 of the state tournament.
The Marauders also return the team’s MVP, junior Mackenzie Clarke. A Boston Herald All-Scholastic, Clarke led Belmont in goals (21) and assists (22) en route to MAX Field Hockey All-New England Second Team distinction. Clarke, a midfielder and the team’s “quarterback,” according to Smith, also brings on- and off-field leadership alongside fellow captains Hopkins and senior Ryan Brodigan.
Clarke, who is looking into playing Division 1 field hockey at the collegiate level, plays on Belmont’s offensive and defensive corner units.
“Her skill set is above anybody else’s on the field at this point,” Smith said. “Not only can she get by players, but she can distribute really, really well and make things happen that way.”
Clarke’s company in the midfield is a youth movement, with freshman Mia Smith and sophomores Natalie Merrow and Nina Sheth-Voss. Brodigan leads the forward line, joined by classmate Brynn Connolly (8 goals), sophomore Gigi Mastrangelo, and freshman Kendall Reagan.
Matchups to watch include reigning Division 2 State Champion Reading (Sept. 13 at Reading, Oct. 10 at home), and an early-season contest against reigning Division 3 State Champion Watertown on Sept. 6. Other games to monitor include contests against Division 1 tournament qualifiers Arlington (Sept. 16 at Arlington, Oct. 14 at home); Lexington (Sept. 20 at Lexington, Oct. 22 at home); Winchester (Sept. 24 at home, Oct 24 at Winchester); and a home game against reigning Division 3 Final Four participant Dover-Sherborn on Oct. 15.
Smith hopes the team attains a better than .500 record.
“They’re young and athletic,” Smith said. “But a lot of them are involved in club play, so they’re playing year-round, and it’s making a huge difference.”
Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect the correct spelling of Mackenzie Clarke’s name.